October, 2017, Present Time.
I waltz through Volterra's streets, among other humans, the normal people of society, observing them in their day to day lives. Some are shopping, browsing at the market stalls which hold fresh fruit and vegetables. Others hold DVDs, CDs, odd crafts like homemade bracelets and necklaces, the ones I used to pore over for minutes at a time at car boot sales with Mam as a kid.
I want to approach some of the sellers, but I'm not sure if they speak English. The other passers by in the streets are walking to work, dressed in suits or just a smart shirt. How they can wear three piece suits in hot weather I'll never know. Then again, I'm sure born Italians are used to it.
I reluctantly drift past the stalls. I can bring Aro here another day and he can translate for me so I can buy some of those bracelets. I'm sure he'd be overly enthusiastic and use it as an excuse to show me off, holding hands with me and acting like a couple.
Like hell.
I want the bracelets and nothing else. I don't want him. 'Yes you do.' Richard sounds impaitent and I resist the urge to get into an argument with him. 'Yes you dooooo.' Sandee chirps and I ignore her too, squeezing past people to get through to the pavement.
'Yes he does but maybe he doesn't.'
'No he doesn't but maybe....'
I shake my head like trying to fend off a wasp; I wish the voices would fuck off, especially the ones with no names.
I'm nearing the clock tower, five more minutes and I'll get there. As I walk along, hands stuffed into pockets, the streets quieter, I'm alone with my thoughts and I replay the antics of this morning over in my head. I kissed Aro. Only for a second. I still hate the bastard, but I have to admit, I enjoyed it, even if it was just a little peck of the lips.
He shouldn't have spied on me in the bathroom and he shouldn't have done it just to see me naked. I definately don't forgive him. If he ever does anything like that again, I'll chop his damn dick off.
I reach the alcove with it's eternally open doors and embrace the coolness of the wide corridor. It doesn't reflect the heat outside and it's usually cooler to stay in than out on hot days like these but I definately needed that walk.
And I'm definately ready for breakfast.
***************
The kitchen is empty as I arrive. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe a kettle boiling and bread in the toaster. Eggs cooking, bacon grilling, but there's no one. Everything is still and empty and the oven is cold. It hasn't been used since last night for tea time.
I step backwards and turn in the direction that I think is the throne room. I haven't been in there since I arrived in August. I rush down the corridor, worrying from the lack of sound anywhere.
Sure, vampires keep to themselves: they're not likely to be throwing parties or causing riots, but it's usually louder than this with the occasional passer by travelling from one wing to the other.
I reach the large wooden doors with relief and thrust them open, expecting to see several uniformed guards staring thirstily at me but instead, the room is deserted except for Aro who is perched in a regal position on his large chair.
'It's a throne, Alex.' Richard sounds bored at my slowness. "Yeah, well, I call it a chair. He isn't the King of England, he doesn't need a 'throne'." I justify but Sandee giggles, challenging. 'Throoooneee.' She agrees with Richard and I sigh, drifting over to Aro where he is still and quiet, his eyes focusing on nothing as if in a daydream.
"Aro?" I stop a few feet away from him, resting on the bottom step, waiting for him to notice me. He glances up, but begins studying his hands, flexing his fingers and lifting his hand to the light. "These hands give me the power to see every thought a person has ever had." He announces and I sigh.
"Yeah, I know that, Aro." I admit and he looks at me for the first time. "It is a gift, apparently, but sometimes it is a curse. I see things that I don't want to see. Terrible, evil things. I see the tragedies that people have endured. Burning villages, the deaths of loved ones, evil plots against others. It really is endless and too painful." He closes his eyes in agony, slumping against the chair.
'Throne.' Richard sniggers. "Fuck off!" I hiss at him, too caught up with Aro to give him a proper telling off. I approach Aro carefully, hoisting myself onto the arm of the...throne, wrapping an arm around him.
I'm slightly higher than him in this position and it gives him the opportunity to rest his head on my shoulder. His head flops against it before I can stop him and I'd feel guilty for pushing him off in outrage. I tense up at the weight but keep quiet.
"Where's this talk about your gift coming from? Why are you so upset about it today?" I ask in the calmest voice I can manage while irritated from him touching me. He lifts his head from my shoulder sadly and I realise he can hear what I'm thinking.
'Idiot. He knows you don't like him cuddling you, now. You've offended him.' Richard grunts with almost satisfaction. I internally facepalm. Shit. "Aro, I'm sorry, I-"
"If you are uncomfortable with me laying my head on your shoulder, you should have just said." His voice is cold, angry.
He jumps off the throne and down the steps without me, heading for the door. "Aro, wait!" I rush after him and grab his hand, slotting my fingers through is, grasping tightly. "I didn't mean to offend you. I know you're upset, keep talking. I'll listen." I promise sincerely and he sighs, leading me to the table where he sits in one of the chairs.
I don't release his hand, dithering like an idiot by his side. "When my sister died, they said it was murder. I had been rarely held by my father but a few nights before her death, he held me and I saw...images. I saw her death play out in my head, and as I realised this, it became clear that my father was planning to kill my sister. His own daughter." He explains and I go still from shock.
He looks at me sadly. "I had seen what was going to happen to her and yet I did nothing. She died by my father's hand and that was that." He looks at my hand held in his. "This gift is a curse, but it can help me see who is plotting what and against who." He concludes and I pull another chair over to him, settling into it.
"Are you saying that you've found out about a plot against you?" I ask nervously and he smiles, though it holds no humour. "Alex, people are always plotting against the Volturi, but they never suceed in overthrowing us." He says in a confident tone and I relax by a fraction.
His eyes grow hard again. "And why would you care?" He rises from his chair, glaring at me. "You may have given me the smallest of kisses earlier but that does not mean you care for me in any way!" His voice grows louder and I flinch, turning away from him.
"I like you, Aro, I'll admit and I'm sorry that you lost your sister. I did too, but it was my mother that killed her. I understand the pain." I assure and he sighs deeply. "That is why I told you about it. Because you would understand. I wanted comfort and all I could hear was you thinking about how irritated you were about me being so near you." He sounds hurt.
'Yes and that's your fault.' Richard points out and it feels like a stab to my chest. "I'm so sorry, Aro." I go to wrap my arms around him but he turns away, wrapping his arms around himself and I realise he's just as weak, just as damaged, just as small and hurt as I am from his past and that makes me feel a lot more warmly towards him.
"Please, Aro, let me help." I approach him slowly, wrapping him up in my arms, leaning him back so he rests his back against my chest. I keep him in that position as I settle back into a chair, holding him between my legs, smoothing his pale cheek with the back of my hand until he relaxes and stills.
This more open, hurt side to him is shocking yet I almost expected there was a bigger reason for his madness. His gift has shown him so many awful things that it's driven him insane with the pain of others. He's quiet in my arms, his manic smile and wide eyes forgotten as he focuses on calming himself while I continue to stroke his face.
"You'll take care of me? I have never let anyone see this side of me before." He admits and I squeeze him. "I'll take care of you." I promise, resting my cheek against his.
"I love you, Alex."
I hesitate. "Yes, Aro, I know. Give me time. Now close your eyes and calm down. I'm here."
A/N: Hey guys, what do you think of Alex comforting Aro? I think Aro opening himself up to Alex is a major breakthrough in their relationship. It'll be interesting to see if the madness they share will strengthen them or make them worse. Guess you'll have to keep reading.
Love you all,
VampireLover_xox