falling down a memory lane (DARLA)

[DARLA ADRIENNE SELWYN]

She loved acting this way. She loved to tease and toy with him, knowing it was always in good fun. Darla, if her full time personality matched, would make the perfect slut. She was always ready to have fun and fool around, no matter the location—or the appropriateness. Then again, so did Nick, and at the end of the day, it was just another reason as to why they were one another’s perfect match.

But now, now she was still upset, though it had very little to do with Nick at all. Well, little to do with her earlier reasoning, and him distancing himself from her. Actually, that seemed to be the last thing he did. In fact the older boy seemed to frighten her, and at the incredibly wrong moment. Deep down though, she knew without hesitation that Nick would never hurt her, she could feel it. Still, she had to wonder, what would happen if he got to angry? She’d grown in an unloving elitist home where spilling milk earned a beating, how many other families had the same? Could Nick potentially turn into that sort of monster?

It seemed as though he could read her mind, or rather her facial expressions, her body slowly backed away but before she could even muster to say a word, he pulled her close, tightly in his arms. She felt the weight of his own head above her own, hearing him mutter his protective words. Darla squeezed him for a moment, as though to respond to his words, all the while feeling safe, right there with him. It was a perfect moment among all of the turmoil, one so still and memorable. Then he began to say it, and Darla knew it. She tensed up, waiting for it; expecting it—though like always, he stopped himself. A sigh a disappointment escaped her lips, and her body seemed no longer tense.

It was so frustrating, the fact that he’d never said it. She knew she loved him the moment they shared their first kiss. The way he looked at her, held her—it was so natural, and without him, she’d feel incomplete. The Ravenclaw knew he felt the same, she saw it in his eyes.

His words were brief, though, full of kindness all the same. They reminded her of a final goodbye however. Always watching over me? she traced her thought, analyzing every meaning of each individual word. Why did he have to speak so vaguely? Darla smiled up at him, the tears gone. She had no words, nothing to suit the situation, so on the tips of her toes once more, she leaned in to kiss him, one of the only proper expressions of her love and gratitude.

[NICHOLAS DAMIEN AVERY]

Nick felt like he was torn in two different directions. He didn't want to leave her, not now, not ever. He felt more drawn to her than ever before and seeing her so vulnerable and nearly broken, he felt that sense of power that he was capable of doing anything in the world to not let that look appear on her face again. But the doubts which had been in his mind for weeks now, just wouldn't uproot themselves and he couldn't stop himself. It had always been a weakness, his stubborn nature. Once Nick made up his mind, then he didn't listen to anyone, not even to himself.

He frowned at her hesitance, his anger turning into horror at his own actions. He'd been angry and impulsive and those were the very qualities she'd grown up to be afraid of. He was turning into a monster in her eyes and he shook his head slowly. "Darla, I promise you, I will never ever do anything to you. I could never hurt you, not like that, you know that. And you have to know I will hurt anybody who ever even thinks of laying their hand on you without your consent. Please, know that," he swore.

He could feel her body relax at his hesitance and he couldn't tell if it was from relief or disappointment. His heart screamed for the latter but his head pleaded the opposite. He watched as she pulled back, her tears dry and leaned in. He gazed at her for all of two seconds, her angelic face, her tiny smile. "I hope you will always remain this way," he whispered under his breath before leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. It was a gentle kiss which he molded slowly into a passionate one. As his lips moved with heat, he took it slow. This wasn't a moment to remind each other of violence and strength, but of love and softness and he kept it in mind as he moved his mouth in a deep, loving kiss.

[DARLA ADRIENNE SELWYN]

She was nervous around him at this state, and she made no attempt to hide it. The small brunette never saw a vengeful Nick. Like a switch he turned into a monster and it scared her. This is the man she’d imagined spending her life with, and he had the capabilities to turn into exactly what she feared most. She bit her lip, her eyes still dark staring at him. But before long, he spoke once more, and she clung to every word. She nodded, a weak smile forming on her face. She trusted him completely, but at this moment, she wasn’t even sure that he knew that. ”I-I umm, I know. I know that.” she stammered out, her voice still shaky. She paused for a moment, collecting herself before adding. ”Nick, I trust you completely. I know you’d never hurt me, and I know you’d protect me.” Her voice was much firmer, and her smile, much stronger.

Darla sighed heavily, a note of relief in her wandering mind. The moment was still pure. She was in Nick’s arms and thoroughly felt safe. She listened to his heart beat, a warming glow run over her, smiling all the same. This was how they belonged and she knew it. Why he chose to distance himself from her was still beyond her. But she had no control over his decisions, and she knew it. He spoke once more though, commenting on her appearance, and was all the more puzzled. Was it because she was noticeably happier, smiling as she always had? Or was it another term of goodbye, one of the final pure moments the pair had? Before she had much longer to ponder it all she kissed her in the most gentle way he ever had. It was so soft, and passionate, unlike any other kiss they’d ever shared.

When she’d finally pulled away, she smiled sweetly, her cheeks flushed a sheer shade of pink. The Ravenclaw felt like a silly little girl, blushing at the first boy to even speak to her. She took his hand in hers, gently tracing her finger over the lines on his hand. Looking up at him she asked, ”I know it’s last minute, and I never even asked you about it, but were you still interested in going to the Halloween Ball? I know you have a game the next day, so I understand if you don’t…” she trailed off, her dowey eyes continuing to look up at him softly.