Danse Macabre

While I never had been one to act like a little kid, tonight I let loose. I felt like a kid running around in Disneyland with the whole park to herself. And while Donald and Goofy weren’t running around here, I had Alexander and that was way better.

I jerked him around everywhere from the booths to rides, and each time I looked back to see if he was annoyed or bothered he always just went along with it, smiling at me the whole time.

Finally he stopped and turned to me, “You know, I don't think I've ever seen you like this. It's a surprise, but a good one.”

“Yeah well, this is amazing. A surprise but a good one.” I replied using his same words.

“You getting tired yet?” He leaned against one of the booths and grabbing me by the pockets on my jacket pulled me toward him.

Wrapping my arms around his neck I looked up at him, “Yeah, a little. I'm sorry I've been dragging you everywhere. Is there anything you want to do?”

He scoffed, “Are you kidding me? This is what I want to do. Making you happy, makes me happy. You have nothing to worry about.”

I smiled and rested my head on his chest, hearing a slow but steady heartbeat. My eyes grew wide and I looked back up at him, “You have a heartbeat.” I said baffled.

He raised an eyebrow, “So does everyone else.”

“Yeah but you're not everyone else. You're Alexander, my boyfriend, who shouldn't have a heartbeat.”

He smirked, “I'm alive right? If something is alive it should have a heartbeat.”

“But in your case to live doesn't mean you're alive.” I stated matter-of-fact.

That got him to laugh but he just shook his head, “Aria, I have a heartbeat because in technical terms I am alive. In my case though, let's just say I live and survive in a different way. I'm like an Apex Predator.”

“Apex Predator?” I raised an eyebrow confused by the term.

“Basically I'm like a human but more stronger and unbeatable when it comes to other animals or humans.”

“What about other beings?”

“I'm above them too. And I'm not being prideful or boastful, it's just the way that things go. My powers can wipe someone's very soul, I’m pretty sure that can withstand any attack.” He smirked.

“Hmm.” I murmured, not really knowing what to say to his explanation. No doubt, it scared me a little but I wasn't going to tell him that.

He smiled at me then and gently brought my hand to his chest to hear his heart once more. “It beats for you, you know. No one can ever take you from me. You're mine.”

His words made my heart pound in my chest. I wasn't expecting him to say that to me or anything like it. I didn't even know how to respond to his words, all I knew was that I loved him more than anything. “Xander, I....” I trailed off trying to find the right words. I had never been good at being romantic or telling him how I felt for that matter.

He put a finger on my lips, smiling. “Don't worry about it. You don't have to say anything Aria. I understand.”

“I love you.” I whispered. Once I said the words his eyes widened, his smile fading. I could feel my face heating with embarrassment, I felt rejected and it wasn't a good feeling. He noticed almost immediately and I'm sure he saw my face falter.

“Aria, please. Don't be upset.” I detached myself from him, completely. I looked up at him, fully aware of the anger rising in me.

“How can I not be fucking upset Alexander? You won't say you love me. I've said it to you twice and you won't fucking say it. You tell me that I'm yours, that you'll protect me no matter what. Why won't you tell me you love me back?”

He blinked, “Aria, I haven't said it because I'm scared.”

I shook my head, “That's an excuse.”

His anger rose and he ran a hand through his hair, “You think I don't love you? That I don't care enough to love you? You're fucking crazy if you honestly believe that.”

“Then why haven't you said it?” I mumbled, feeling like an idiot for the tears appearing in my eyes.