Cherubplay

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He squeezed the hand he held, then pulled her towards him by it to hug her. "I'm glad you're back."

2015-07-13 07:41:37

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Hesitantly, she returned the hug tightly. She couldn't tell him now, but soon, she would. "I'm glad to be back."

2015-07-13 07:43:55

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I woke up next to Anndrea, and the first thing I thought was 'oh. CHRISTMAS!' Immediately afterwards came 'ow', as my wing was still sore, but Christmas!!

I hadn't seen any of Seth's Christmas memories yet, so I was looking forward to making some. Carefully I got out of bed, so as not to wake her up, and pulled a bag out from underneath the frame. Inside was a white, lace-sleeved dress, which I pulled the tags off of and hung up in the closet. Then I went out into the living room. The tree looked nice, and I could see that Tassek had already given Terezi her present. ....she also looked horribly guilt-ridden. Oh, God.

I moved to the kitchen as fast as physically possible and made some toast with jam, also pouring a glass of coffee. Good thing Tassek had already made some. I'd probably break the coffeemaker anyway. When I was finished I took it all back to my room on a tray and sat it down on the edge of the bed. Reaching over, I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her on the forehead. "Merry Christmas."

2015-07-13 08:03:26

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Anndrea hummed as she woke up. Seculus was already up? She smiled and opened her eyes. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart." She smiled.

2015-07-13 08:07:34

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"I made you breakfast." I moved the tray next to her. I felt bad too, though I wasn't quite sure why. But I tried to brush it off.

2015-07-13 08:11:11

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"Thank you." She sat up. Oh that looked /really/ good. She took a bite of toast. "Perfect." She commented.

2015-07-13 08:12:38

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I smiled. I hadn't burned it, that was good. "I got you a present, too, when you're done."

2015-07-13 08:13:32

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"Really?" She smiled. "I got something you too, as well."

2015-07-13 08:14:59

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For some reason, that possibility hadn't occurred to me. "Oh. Well, um, thank you! I can't wait to see it."

2015-07-13 08:16:06

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"I could give it to you now, if you prefer." She took a sip of the coffee before setting it back on the tray.

2015-07-13 08:18:27

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"...well, you have to get up to see yours, so sure, if you want."

2015-07-13 08:19:17

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"Okay. Well, close your eyes, and hold out your hand."

2015-07-13 08:20:49

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Hm? I did as she asked, squeezing my eyes shut and holding my hand flat out in front of me.

2015-07-13 08:21:56

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Slowly, she reached into her pants pocket, and pulled out a necklace. "Ever since I can remember, this has felt very important to me, and I have yet to know why, but I feel like it is more important to give to you now. It is a little girly, but I hope you like it." She placed it gently into his hand.

2015-07-13 08:23:48

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I blinked my eyes open and looked down into my palm to see a silver necklace hung with flowers and a small pearl. It was beautiful. "Oh...thank you. So much." It was that important, and she was entrusting it to me. I smiled and reached up to clasp it around my neck, over my t-shirt.

2015-07-13 08:30:10

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She gave him one last warm smile before finishing her breakfast. Once finished, she moved the tray to the side. "Okay. I am finished."

2015-07-13 08:33:23

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I got up. "Your present's in the closet."

2015-07-13 08:34:35

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She stood up as well, moved to the closet, and opened the door. Immediately she saw the white dress, and removed it from the small space. "This is it?" She held it up to her body. "This is /really/ pretty Seculus, thank you."

2015-07-13 08:36:46

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"....you're welcome." I smiled softly. "I thought you'd look beautiful in it."

2015-07-13 08:38:47

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"I think so too. Thank you." She kissed him on the cheek. "I love you so much sweetheart, I'm glad you're here."

2015-07-13 08:40:47

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At the kiss, a floodgate broke in my mind and all the fuzzy memories from the week prior came rushing back. Oh. Oh God. I immediately flushed scarlet, but was able to cover it up as a reaction to Anndrea's kiss. "I love you too." Though I couldn't agree quite as much on the latter part of the sentence. I was horrible. How could I have done that? And the worst part was, even thinking back on it, the memories were pleasant ones....

2015-07-13 08:48:14

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Christmas morning, Zane would've been acting like a little kid again if he didn't feel so shitty. When he first recovered he felt fine, if extremely tired, but as the days progressed, he began to have more trouble breathing, and found himself dizzy whenever he tried to go outside and visit Ivory or play guitar. Thus, he'd spent Christmas Eve inside with a headache. Fortunately Walgreen's was closed for the holidays, so he didn't have to worry about his job, and he'd been ordered to rest up by Cale.

Christmas morning, though, was a different matter altogether. He could barely move, it hurt too much and he didn't have the energy anyway. Cale had come home to find him collapsed next to the couch, breathing shallow and heartbeat almost nonexistent. Almost immediately, the vampire started to panic. What was going on? Had his polycythemia gotten worse? /How/? He'd been fed upon at least three times in the last month, it shouldn't be an issue! His first reaction, though fruitless, was to try and shake Zane awake. When this didn't work, he splashed water on his face in a last desperate attempt. Obviously, that had no effect either. Leaving one option. But he didn't want to. He couldn't. Not when Zane had no say in the matter. But he was /dying/, right there, on the floor in front of him. Maybe he would prefer to die.

...but Cale wouldn't let him. He lifted Zane's deathly pale head off the carpet and brushed aside his sweat-soaked collar. He could do this. He wouldn't screw it up. He bit.

After about thirty seconds he pulled away, not enough to drain, but longer than a normal feeding. Before he did, though, Zane went very still. No. No, no, no, he wasn't supposed to stop breathing /yet/! Cale dropped his limp throat and started crying. What had he done?

He'd killed him.

2015-07-13 09:05:19

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Christmas. Probably one of Ivory's least favorite holidays. She always hated the concept of receiving gifts, but giving gifts was a different concept. Of course, this never stopped Lance, and he gave her gifts anyway. The night before, Ivory placed some wrapped boxes in front of the shop door, knowing that's the first place he like to go to when he left his room. It was nothing too fancy, just a scarf she noticed him eyeing, a shirt with angel wings on the back of it for ironic purposes, and a few bottles of cologne he enjoyed wearing. After that, she retreated to her room, falling asleep on her bed so she could get the day over with as soon as possible.

The next morning, Ivory found a few new wrapped presents on her desk as well. Looks like he had the same idea as she did. She sighed before unwrapping the boxes. Every year Lance. Every year since they've met she had to tell him that she didn't want anything for Christmas. Three. Huh. Well at least he's starting to learn. Usually the whole desk would be covered with them.

First box opened. Well then. That was why there was only three. The box was filled to the brim with books. From the looks of it, it was every single book she had on a wishlist on one her favorite websites. /God dammit/ Lance. If there was anyone who liked to joke around with her like this, it was him.

Second box. She had to dump it onto her bed to see everything. Candles. Incense, matches, body sprays, lotions, all from various scents. Usually one would take it as an insult, but Lance knew how much the loved certain scents. Well then. One last box. She swore to the devil himself that if there was car keys or something in there, she might have to put Lance in the snow.

Okay. Opened. A few binders and bras. Jackets and shirts in men's sizes Makeup. Tons of it. Short and Medium length Wigs. Nail polish. Holy shit. There's so much makeup. The binders though. The binders were new. Well, at least her knew her well enough. She didn't wear them often but...they were nice to have.

"See you found my gifts." Lance grinned from the doorway.

"You little shit." She smiled back at him. "I'm going to have to put a spending limit for you."

He stepped into the room. Looks like he was already wearing her gifts. "You know I'll break that rule."

"Because /you/ are the one who loves Christmas. Not me. You know that."

He laughed. "I know, but it's nice to spend money on you."

"You spend enough money on me the other 364 days of the year."

"I don't think so yet. Now come on. It's snowing outside. Lets enjoy it together."

Some time later, they were back in the apartment. Ivory was sorting her new items, tucking the binders away in the bag with her other wigs and binder. Those were for well her non gender conforming days. Her door was open, and it sounded like Lance was on the phone. He sounded...worried? Hm. Must be his "sister" or something. She did leave to study abroad right before Ivory moved in.

"Ivory." He called. His voice sounded concerned. Ivory curiously moved into the living room.

"Yes?"

He was sitting on the couch. "Sit down." He gestured to the space next to her.

She did as she was told.

He took her hand. "You how Zane has polycythemia, right?" He looked her in the eyes.

"Yes. Why?" She stared back at him, furrowing her eyebrows. What did that have to do with anything?

"Well um...It's gotten worse. I just got off the phone with Cale and he tired to turn him-"

"I need to see him. Now." She started to get up but Lance tightened his grip on her hand.

She stopped. "What?"

"He's dead Ivory."

What. She shook her head. "No. No that's- what?"

"..."

She immediately made a run for her room, shutting the door behind her. She sank down to the floor, shutting her eyes and trembling. Tears streamed down her face.

He's dead.

Once she finally calmed down from a panic attack and a crying spell, she stood up. She had to find out herself. She had to know. Lance wasn't going to let her go.

She moved over to the computer and turned on a playlist on spotify to blast music.

She opened the window to her room. Still snowing, good. She slipped out it, clinging to the edge of it carefully before jumping down.

2015-07-13 09:45:34

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After Cale had calmed his sobs enough to speak coherently, he'd called Lance and told him everything. How he'd killed him. /He'd killed him/. Then he'd moved Zane -- he was still Zane, he wasn't just a body, he wasn't an /it/ -- to the couch, so he wasn't sprawled across the floor. He at least deserved a little dignity. Then he sat down in front of the couch, let his hair down to fall onto his shoulders, and then over his face. He wouldn't go anywhere. But he couldn't stand to look, either.

2015-07-13 09:57:58

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She made it there quickly, knocking on the apartment door. She flung snow out of her hair and lifted up the hood of the jacket she was wearing over her head. Just. Keep it together for this. Ivory can do just this. No she couldn't. Who was she kidding?

2015-07-13 10:02:08