Making Herself at Home

Sebastian woke up but he looked pale to her. He yawned and stretched then tossed the sheets back behind him. He just sat there a moment looking at her. His hair was a mess she’d see and he tilted his head as he saw what she was doing. “Oh yes, I forget that you do not sleep much,” he said. He fingered his neck, it ached a little and he felt another set of scabs as they formed on his neck. He was comfortable in his nakedness in front of her. How could he not after the night before and he rose from the bed and went to find something to drink. From his cupboard he pulled out a glass then from the fridge he poured a half glass of orange juice. Still half asleep he drank from the jug of juice and not the glass and he gulped it down thirstily as some of it poured down the sides of his mouth due to how hastily he drank. When he was done it was nearly empty and he put it back and closed the door to the refrigerator. On the counter amongst the many bottles of liquor he poured a half glass of vodka to fill the half glass of orange juice to the rim. He picked it up then drank a large swallow before he stepped around the sink island to lean back against it and talk to her.

“What...was that last night? I don’t think I ever felt...so...aware of anyone like that.” She could tell he liked it, he smiled whenever he thought back to it. He slid down the counter to the floor to sit like she was sitting. He took another long drink as he looked at her sideways.

Rowena barely looked away from the painting as Seth awoke and rose from the bed. She could hear him walk into the kitchen and open up the cupboard to get down a glass. She then heard the fridge open and the sound of him drinking something (from the smell it was orange juice). She then heard the sound of him opening another bottle and she could smell vodka. She heard him speak, but she didn't respond. She just continued to look at the painting. She felt him come up to sit beside her.

"Do you think I'm a monster?"

He shivered right then then lowered his head onto her arm that rested on his knee. He shook his head. “I know what monsters look like Rowena,” he said softly. “And so do you,” He added then set his glass on the floor. “You can’t help who you are no more than I can. Sometimes...I regret the things I do..to women...to people...to myself.” He looked up at her and gently rubbed the back of her neck with his fingers. “How do you see yourself?” He asked.

Rowena was quiet as she listened to Seth. She considered his question for a long moment as she continued to look at the painting. How did she see herself? Did she consider herself a monster? In a way, yes she did. She had not chosen this life, but she could end it if she truly wished.

"Alone," she finally replied with tears in her eyes. "I've been alone for 370 years."

Sebastian shifted so that he sat behind her at an angle to her body. He slipped his legs so that his left one slid under hers and the right one went behind her. He wrapped her up in his arms knowing how she felt. Again to know how long she lived and to have those feelings...it was difficult to really imagine. He noticed that her tear ducts ran red, another uniqueness about her. He kissed her cheek and tasted the salty, metallic flavor that her tears tasted like. For the first time since he met her he thought that perhaps he was beginning to understand. How could she be any different? Her very nature required that she killed to survive. Not unlike any other creature and a spike of fear, though it died quickly within him, about how humans, he, himself, were actually now a lower rung on the food chain. If there were other like her out there, unlike her, those that killed indiscriminately...he supposed those were really who he should be afraid of. Like anyone else, he didn’t doubt there were those that were cruel and uncaring. Clearly though she was not. She could feast on the bastards of the world and the world would be a better place for it he decided. For the rest she paid for it in spades. For all the hurt, he kissed her cheek and moved his hand inside her rope to rub her stomach. And the pain of feeling so alone, he leaned his head down upon her shoulder.

“I can’t say what will happen in the future Rowena...but...but now…” He began but he couldn’t find any words that made sense to him. His thoughts were all jumbled. ‘We can be together’ and ‘We don’t have to be lonely anymore,’ and ‘I want you to stay with me’ all shifted through her mind from his thoughts just then. “You’re here...with me,” he said and lifted his head to kiss her cheek once more.

Rowena felt Sebastian shift and move more behind her. She felt his legs come around her, as well as his arms. Feeling his arms around her in a comforting manner, instead of an intimate one, she felt safe and even loved (if someone could love a vampire). Her years of abuse by her brother and then her 370 years of living alone had caused her to harden her heart. In fact, she had almost forgotten she had one. She had taken on lovers before, but not for very long and she had felt nothing for them otherwise. She had thought it the best way...the only way. But now with Seth she felt her heart softening to him. She had opened herself up to him in so many ways that she felt feelings towards him that she had never felt before...not even as a mortal. She needed him. He filled a part of her that had been empty for so long.

She heard him speak and then heard his thoughts that ran through his head. They alone made a few more tears come to her eyes. She slowly turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. She looked into his eyes for a long moment before kissing him.

ooc-new thread incoming