My Long Lost Mate

"Are you asleep?" I chuckled, asking Luke, who seemed to be asleep on my embrace. We have stayed in this position for a couple of minutes now, starting from him letting out his sadness to him dozing off. 

The night had fallen, and it was finally time for us to call it a day. Tomorrow, we will be leaving for Wonsvile. We had decided to leave Gordom after the vampire ball, but it was unfortunate that we had to leave so soon after what happened to Ross. We could have stayed longer, but it had been a week since we had left the pack, and Luke needed to get some things done. 

More importantly, we needed to look for the witch. 

"No," he whispered, sounding sleepy. He smiled at me as he broke the hug, his fingers ċȧrėssing my hair. "Thank you," he said, planting a quick kiss on my forehead before adding, "I feel much better now."

"You are always welcome," I returned his smile. I noticed the dried tears on his face and pulled him closer to the sink, turning on the faucet for the water to run. When he saw what I was doing, he smiled and lowered his head until he was level with me. 

"Here," he said.

"Here, what?"

"Didn't you pull me here to wash my face for me? That's why I lowered my head to make it easier for you to do so," he replied confidently. While I did bring him here to wash his face, I had no intention of ȧssisting him with it. 

"I was going to ask you to wash your face yourself," I said, pointing at the running water. His smile then turned into a pout, and it seemed that he was back to being his usual cheeky self.

"Then can I ask you to help me with it?" he asked, walking a step closer while closing his eyes. "I will give you the opportunity to touch my handsome face," he said, his lips again forming into a smile, "You have to know that I don't give such opportunities often." 

"Should I be honored to be given such a rare opportunity then?" I chuckled as I heard him. 

"Without a doubt," he answered.

"I suppose I should accept," I joked. I soaked my hands with the water and helped him wash his face, wiping away the dried teardrop streaks. When he felt my fingers on his face, his smile only grew wider, but he stayed still until I finished. 

His skin was smooth, and there was absolutely no flaw to be found. Everything about him was just so perfect, and I couldn't help but wonder if he had any flaws at all. I let my fingers trailed across his face, cleansing every nook.

"You know, if you wanted to cry," I said as I stroke his cheek, "You can always cry in front of me. I mean, not that I wanted you to be sad, but—" my words were then cut short by a quick peck on my lips, startling me with the sudden invasion. 

"I know," he smiled, "I will do that."

I came to a halt as I comprehended what had just happened, my eyes wide with surprise at the man.

"Y-you can't do that without giving me a warning!" I said, my cheeks turning warm.

"Why can't I?" he let out a soft laugh, then stood up straight to take the towel inside of the wall cabinet.

"H-have you not heard about consent?!"

"Of course, I have heard about it," he laughed as dried his face with the towel, "But I'm afraid you will grow tired of me asking you for permission because I will probably ask for it several times a day." 

His answer left me dumbfounded, and I was at a loss for words. Was this the same man who had been crying in my arms only a few minutes before? How could someone change so much in such little time?

He must have found my reaction fascinating to behold, and he must have enjoyed the fact that he could easily make me blush with his actions. Perhaps one of these days I'll try to turn the tables around. Just you wait.

"Come, we should rest. It's getting a little too late," he said, ruffling my hair as he walked out of the bathroom. "We have to go on a long journey tomorrow."

I soon followed him outside, heading to the warmth of our bed. When I saw the bed, it was as if all of my fatigue rushed in and slammed into me like a wave. How could there be so much going on in a single day? I attended my first vampire ball, had my first kiss, went ice-skating for the first time, and had my first encounter with a deranged vampire. It was a day full of my firsts. 

But, I suppose, today was also Luke's first time breaking down his walls. It was the first time that he was willing to show his vulnerable side to others after hiding it for so long. 

Sadness was usually one of the negative emotions that we didn't want to show to others, but if we kept it buried for a long time, it would only allow them to build up over time and gradually worsen. It would be inside us like a ticking bomb, waiting for the moment we would explode—and this was when those emotions started to become destructive.

I have experienced it so many times, over and over again. I was tired of crying, but I just couldn't help it. Crying was the only way that I could relieve myself from the sadness, the only way to make me feel better. Though sometimes, it could be seen as something weak and ugly, it didn't mean that it was okay to hide your sadness. 

Rather than keeping our pain and sadness hidden, we should let it all out. Despite society's demands that we appear strong and happy at all times, we couldn't escape the fact that we all had a weakness. Sometimes, all that we need was to be weak and vulnerable. It helped us to move on, to accept our scars, and realizing that one day, that scar would be a blessing brimming with life lessons.

So, we should all take a little courage and embrace our vulnerabilities. 

Ah, being in my bed was always my favorite moment of the day. It was one of the few things that I enjoy in life. Compared to going to a fancy party, I would much prefer to stay in my room—perhaps with a book and a hot chocolate in hand. Oh, that would be perfect. 

Although Luke had his body turned towards me, I decided to give him my back since I was afraid that it would be hard for me to fall asleep if he was—by any chance—staring at me. 

I was on the verge of falling asleep when Luke suddenly broke the silence, asking, "About what happened today... are you okay with it?" 

"Uhh, which one, exactly? I'm afraid there are too many things going on today for me to figure out which one you're referring to."

"Are you okay with me killing people?" this time, he specified his question, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "You must have known I'd killed a lot of people in the past—and possibly more in the future—but this is the first time you've actually seen me kill. I guess I am afraid that I will instill fear in you after what you saw today." 

I turned on my back, immediately meeting his brilliant red eyes. 

"Luke, I know killing people is a terrible thing to do, but I also know that it's inevitable in... in your world. What I saw today was indeed scary, but I would never be afraid of you," I smiled at him, my hand tidying his messy hair, "Because I know that you are a good man—you always are. How could I be afraid of you when you are my safe haven?

And... you are aware that I have had a difficult life in the past, right? This isn't the first time I've seen anything similar. I've seen and experienced a lot of awful things. I am not as naive as you believe I am."

"I am fully aware of that, but will you still stay with me even after knowing the danger I pose?" he asked, "If you live in my world, there would be dangers everywhere. It won't always be pleasant, and it could be bloody at times—as what we have just witnessed. I'll go to any length to protect you, to keep you safe, but you should be aware of this fact. The fact that staying with me means that you are prepared to face any danger."

"Of course, I will," I let out a soft chuckle, asking, "Am I not your mate? Isn't it given for mates to stay with each other?"

It must have bothered him for quite some time, and when he heard my positive response, it was as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The relief was clear on his face when he smiled, saying, "Yes, mates stay with each other forever." 

"Then, I will stay with you, for eons to come."