To Protect What Matters Most

[wickedone]

Who: Albel and Sheena
When: Backdated to 06/20
What: Albel gets protective after the third set of murders.
Where: B-02
Warnings? None


There was, without a doubt now, a serial killer. At least one, if not multiple killers -- Albel wouldn't rule out anything at this point. Multiple victims, some Heroes, after multiple days -- that took planning. And effort.

And skill. Killing Heroes was no joke, especially people like Jack Harkness. These were people that would not have gone down easily. It made Albel's stomach churn. Who could be capable of doing these things? Albel didn't want to believe it, but... the most obvious, efficient answer would be "another Hero." It wasn't a pleasant thought, and most people didn't want to hear it. But it was the simplest answer. Albel didn't know who would turn traitor like this, but he was going to take them down. Right after he took care of Sheena.

Reaching B-02, he pounded loudly on the front door. With any luck, she would be home.

Comments

[wickedone]

"You did?"

Albel's heart sank, seeing her so sad. He knew what it was like to lose Fayt and Nel, but they hadn't been murdered. They hadn't been posed in the center of town. He couldn't imagine how that felt.

He wrapped his good arm around her and held her tight. It was his job to comfort her, after all, right? But he held her for himself, too -- as if, if he could only keep her close enough to him, he could protect her and keep anyone else away. If he could only hold her tightly enough, he could keep all of this from hurting her. But it didn't work that way.

[ninjainviolet]

"Yeah."

She nodded against his chest. She might not have known all of them equally, but that didn't lessen the impact of what had been done to them. Battle fatalities she could handle--those were a chance every time a person fought. But senseless acts of murder and being put on display?

Even as a former assassin she was horrified by this.

And while she wouldn't admit to that horror or fear or sadness openly, it came through loud and clear as she held him seeking comfort. This time, there was no "maybe" about her doing so; she needed him to hold her and let her know everything would be all right.

Even if it was only for a brief moment and only with him.

[wickedone]

Albel held her a moment longer, his jaw clenched and his lips pressed into a thin line. He then nodded to himself, as if the outward show of making his decision would help him keep it.

"I think you should live with me. Together -- we should live together. To be safe."

[ninjainviolet]

Holding him as she was, she could feel the movement of his body when he nodded, and she looked up, curious. What was he thinking about?

Ooookay. That wasn't what she had been expecting and she looked at him wide-eyed.

She was having an internal war as the stubborn part of her that insisted she was fine by herself fought against the other part that wanted to not be alone. This wasn't exactly a new sensation for her, but right now, it was definitely stronger than it had been in the past and it was taking her mind some time to catch up with her emotions.

"Live together? To be safe...?" They would protect each other...

[wickedone]

"Yes." Albel hesitated, watching Sheena carefully. Was she simply surprised, or was she displeased...?

"Does that not make sense? We would be together if anything happened again... we wouldn't need to worry. Because nothing could threaten us together. Besides..." Albel glanced away. "People who enjoy each other's company stay together, right? It's only natural for couples to... well..."

Well, in the normal course of things, courtship might last longer and culminate in marriage. Albel wasn't sure he was ready for that. But they might not even have the time.

[ninjainviolet]

She was shocked more than anything, so it took her a few more moments to get the full implication of what he was suggesting. It would be more than just protecting each other. It would be a total confirmation of their relationship--something the ninja had never had to consider before.

But now she did, and she discovered she had no problems with it.

Reaching up as he turned away, she cupped his face to turn him towards her again. "No. Nothing could ever threaten us when we're together. Nothing." Blushing furiously, she continued. "And I like being with you. A lot. So, yes. Let's move in together." Because it felt more than natural. It felt right.

The future was something she didn't want to consider at this moment; she was more than happy to focus on the now and go from there.