𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑒 𝐶𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 (Sevatar x Bunny)

[Bunny]

​

The music pounded in her bloodstream as she danced on the dancefloor. Hips swaying in time to the music, her hands in the air. It was her first night here in Sydney, her first night of real freedom. It was exhilarating, to finally be out from under her father's watchful gaze. She had never understood why he was protective of her... Something to do with Gabriel, she knew. Beyond that though? She didn't have the faintest. There had been rows before she'd moved out here with her father, arguing against her moving to Sydney. The city had done horrible things to her brother, so he'd said. To Vasilisa's knowledge Gabriel was fine and doing well for himself. He and Azhek had moved out here straight out of high school, to be closer to Azhek's father. He was a mysterious figure, for out of all involved, she knew the least about him. No one would answer her questions. Not her father, not Gabriel and certainly not Azhek. Whenever she asked they changed the subject and were none too subtle about it. Whatever it was, it seemed their parents did not get along, not that it was needed. Gabriel and Azhek had been best friends since they'd been in nappies. Inseparable they did everything together. They had even indulged Vasilisa as a small child, allowing her to hang out with them and playing games with her. That had stopped as she'd become a teenager, no longer appropriate. It had been about that time that her crush on Azhek had started too. A puppy love sort of crush, that had only started when the pair had left for the big city.

Seven years changed a lot and not just in her. Both of them were bigger, stronger and had an air around them of power. They also had acquired a number of tattoos. As for Vasilisa, she had changed too. 4'11, she had grown, but not by much. It was the softness of her body that had filled out in the years apart. The swell of her breasts, and the suppleness of her hips and rear. The baby fat had melted away, leaving her with high cheekbones, a soft pouty mouth and a pixie like nose. Her hair when they had left had been a deep rich brown and now was silvery white. Her eyes, she had never wanted to change, like her brother and father her eyes were a shocking turquoise with a ring of darker green surrounding the iris.

It had been their idea to go the club. Gabriel knew how their father was and he wanted to give his little sister a chance to fly while under his and Azhek's watchful gazes. Nothing truly bad could happen to her in the Red Room. Not with them and the rest of their friends there to watch out for her. Gabriel had made it widely known that she was his little sister and while she was still asked to dance, none of the men tried to do anything untoward. No one wanted to get on either his or Azhek's bad side, no matter how pretty Vasilisa was. No matter how good she looked in her little red dress and thigh high black boots. No matter how tempting that sliver of soft thigh looked peaking between the hem of her dress and the top of her boots. So the men came and went, dancing with her for a few songs and then heading off. Vasilisa had no idea that there was anything amiss. It was her first time clubbing and as all her dances went this way, she assumed it was normal.

Panting she pranced over to Azhek. One small, pale hand extended, her face alight with joy. The silver of her hair fell about her face in a mess of soft waves, making her look wild and carefree as she wiggled her fingers at him. "You are brooding!" Wiggling her hips she gave him a bright smile. "Come dance with me?" He had been brooding it had seemed, his eyes on the crowd, not once accepting any other offers to dance. It didn't help that he was as handsome, if not more, than he had been seven years ago. He'd grown a beard that suited his strong jaw and the tattoos that cover his arms made her mind drift toward a naughtier space. Were they just on his arms.. but was their ink elsewhere too? Biting her lower lip she gave him the full effect of her big, turquoise eyes. "Pretty please?"

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek's gazed among the crowd, his face stoic and silent as he stared down every last man on the dance floor who dared to even look at the person who had been holding the majority of attention for the evening. Speaking of whom... His gaze drifted back to the white-haired girl who was wearing an adorable red dress.... And was currently making her way straight towards him. He couldn't help but sit-up straight, and smooth out his dress shirt a little. Vasilia might have been the most forbidden of fruit, being his best friends little sister, but... He still wanted to impress

"Hello Vasilisa" His face broke into a bright smile, and his heart felt like it might risk bursting out of his chest as she gave him that adorable smile, combine with the wiggle of her hips. "I am not brooding!" He protested, a grin covering his lips as he stared at her, distracted by those memorizing eyes. Oh, how adorable she was. "Well...." He really shouldn't. He should be strong, and tell her no.

Vasilisa may not have known it, but she had been Azhek's long standing crush for... a long time. He could still remember when they were kids, and they'd do everything together. He didn't care that she was younger then him or Gabriel, he had always found her presence to make his days better. But then... Well... They had grown apart with age, and the fact that him and Gabriel had moved to Sydney together. He had always wanted to reach out to her, and ask her how she was doing, but it felt so awkward. But then Gabriel had sprung the idea of her moving out to join them, and he had accepted in a heartbeat, though, they had promised eachother not to tell Vasilisa what they did for work... She just didn't need to know that.

"Fine, fine!" Azhek raised his hands in defeat as she gave him the look that could get him to do anything. "You're too damn cute for your own good, Vasilisa" He teased her, reaching down to slip one hand into hers, his fingers dwarfing hers as he intertwined her fingers with his. Leading her out onto the dance floor, he started to hum with the music, his eyes finding hers, a happy smile covering his face as he searched for the right words.

"I'm so happy you decided to take our offer up" He whispered, wanting to reach forward and cup her chin, but resisting the urge. God... He really was hopeless. "Are you enjoying Sydney so far?" He asked, allowing the music to wash over him, and whenever Vasilia started to dance, he would join her, timing his moves to hers and the music, and getting lost in the music and those beautiful eyes... Which of course meant that he was no longer paying attention to the world around them, lost in the moment he was sharing with Vasilia

 

[Bunny]

That smile... God above it always made her feel weak in the knees. It had for years now... And while she wished he smiled that way for just her, she knew it wasn't true. While he might seem scary, Azhek seemed more like a teddy bear to her, even when he had been brooding, despite his claims otherwise. A brow lifted and she crossed her arms for a moment, her hips tilting to one side. The read cloth swayed against her pale creamy thighs and she stuck her tongue out at him. "Uh huh. Lying to your Vasilisa!" She gave a fake little gasp and then giggled before extending her hand again. "No one stays for more than one dance. It seems so weird. I am not that bad at dancing I think..." She seemed to deflate some for a moment before pushing that aside. "Might just be how things are!" She had no idea the real reason no one danced with her for more than two dances...

"Yay!" She beamed at him, her fingers linking with his as she tugged him to the dance floor. She shouldn't have asked him, it was a dangerous game for her. There was no doubt that only saw her as a little sister, not as the young woman she was. The way he wanted to look at her. With the desire... need. Biting her lower lip she pushed the ideas, the desire out of her mind, happy to simply dance with him. His hand was so much larger and for a moment her mind drifted again, to a place it shouldn't. What would it feel like to have those broad strong hands along her body? Shaking herself some she Her body pressed close to his, her smaller figure soft and supple against him as she swayed, her body brushing his occasionally.

Looking up at him, she blushed and gave him a shy little smile. She was too. So very happy. "Mmn, yeah. Happy to be away from dad. I know he loves me but he was the very definition of a helicopter parent, ya know?" A slower song came on and she slipped her arms around his shoulders, though just barely. Stepping in closer she pressed her body closer still, her head falling to his chest, cheek pressed against his strong chest. "You guys seem to know everyone here... Do you guys own it?" She had been pestering them to know what they did. How they afforded that top floor penthouse in the middle of downtown. They had been evasive as hell.. though if they did own the Red Room, she didn't understand the issue with telling her....

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek couldn't help but chuckle as she crossed her arms, and even though he knew better, his gaze traveled down her body, unable to help but stare at those beautiful thighs, combined with that adorable dress. And then she stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed again. "I'm sorry, did I say you're too cute for your own good? I meant too adorable." He teased before his cheeks flushed at her words. "My Vasilisa huh?" He took a step closer, their bodies nearly pressed up against each other as they settled onto the dance floor. "Dangerous words..." His voice dropped, low and just a little husky, only to be heard by the two of them. "If you're mine... I might just have to keep you to myself for the rest of the night." His free hand reached out, wrapping around her waist, and pulling her up against him. "Maybe take you home and cook you dinner..." His voice didn't raise itself at all, only low enough for her to hear as the two of them danced.

He purposefully avoided answering her question, instead opting to just dance with her, his grip on her lessening so that they could properly dance. However, before long it seemed like the two of them were pressed up against one another. He couldn't help but glance over his shoulder, looking around for Gabriel, who he had last seen on the second floor of the club... He spotted him, off in the upper corner, distracted by something. It made him feel a little guilty that he was going and dancing with Vasilisa in such a manner, after their conversation but... it wasn't like their dancing was going to lead anywhere. She likely just saw him as a second older brother.

He melted a little as Vasilisa gave him that adorable smile of hers, combined with the blush on her cheeks, and he slipped a little closer. "That's understandable. I remember him being.. bad, before me and Gabriel left. I can only imagine it got worse." He hummed before it was his time to blush as a slow song came on, and she reached up to wrap her arms around his shoulders. His arm came around her waist, and he pulled her closer., his free hand coming up to play with her hair a little. "Hmm... We don't own it persay..." He shrugged, enjoying the moment the two of them were having.

Azhek was vaguely distracted by the sound of a familiar voice yelling, and he glanced up to where he had seen Gabriel, who was currently shouting at someone in front of him. Azhek's eyes went to the man in question, and his eyes went wide as he saw a pistol appear in the man's hand. A flurry of gunshots rang out, and he watched Gabriel slump down on the ground, before the man turned his attention to Azhek. He saw the gun get raised, and his arms shot out around Vasilisa as more gunshots rang out.

He cried out in pain, blood splattering across Vasilisa's shoulders and neck as several bullets impacted in Azhek's upper shoulder and arm. If he hadn't clutched Vasilisa close, the bullets would have hit her in the chest. He hissed in pain as another gunshot ran out, and the man in question slumped over, collapsing to the ground. "Fucking hell." He turned to Vasilisa, checking her for any sign of injury. "Are you okay?" He turned his head to check on Gabriel, letting out a sigh of relief as he saw people tending to him already! One of them gave him a thumbs up, indicating that Gabriel was still alive. Fuck. How could that bastard gotten in with a gun. "We need to go."

 

[Bunny]

The way he questioned her words made her heart race. She hadn't meant it in any particular way, but that damned question had made her mouth go dry. It had only gotten worse and he mentioned keeping her to himself for the rest of the night. Heart racing, she tried to not let her emotions play across her face. Just how eager she was to be his for the night. He only meant to keep her company, she told herself. He didn't mean it how she took it... It was him just looking out for her. Even the dinner comment was explained away as him just trying to look after her. Just like Gabriel would. He didn't know how his words sent her heart racing and her blood burning. How could he? He'd never look at her that way. Vasilisa remembered the sort of girls he had dated back in high school. She'd seen them occasionally. She had seen his Instagram.. The sort of girls he dated now. None of them looked like her. They were all tall, leggy and curvy.

He didn't comment on her theory and how things just were, but she didn't notice that it was an evasion of any kind. That had been lost as they began to dance. While she wondered for a moment why he'd dance with her like this, she decided to not question it. Why poke holes in a good thing? Their bodies pressed together and apart as they swayed to the music. Moving to the beat they moved closer with each song and Vasilisa was in heaven. Gabriel wasn't even given a second thought as they danced, where Azhek was worrying about her brother and what he'd have to say with the way the pair danced together. They spoke as they danced and she gave a small nod, her eyes darkening for a moment. He really had gotten worse, but it was in the past now. She was here with them... With him.

Again the dodged the question and she bit back a soft sigh. Didn't really own it? What was their position here? She had been ready to question him when his head turned, his eyes narrowing towards a commotion happening. Shifting, she leaned around him to see what was happening. Was there a fight? Gabriel was shouting at someone, who looked just as pissed. It was unusual for her to see Gabriel shout. He was always so chill that the sight really stood out to her. There was a flash of silver, but whatever it was Vasilisa didn't have a chance to get a good view because She was spun and strong arms surrounded her. Time seemed to crawl to a stop, the screams and cries distant and odd sounding to her ears. Azhek's strong arms tightened around her and his body gave a jerk, then another and something warm splattered across her neck and face.

It was his blood that had splattered her face. It was his blood that tasted like copper in her mouth, the ruby red drops along her lips. It was the hiss from Azhek that made her look up, eyes wide. Trembling she looked to his shoulder, there was discoloration blossoming against the dark purple, blue and yellow of the flannel of his shirt. Slowly she began to realize there was something wet and cooling on her. While she stood there stunned, he began to move, his hands sweeping along her body, his body bent slightly as she saw Gabriel on the floor. Her eyes went wide, her breathing starting to hitch as people swarmed around her brother lying prone on the floor.

We need to go

Looking up at him she shook her head, once, twice, three times before she was fighting against his gentle grasp to get to her brother. Someone was screaming his name... Vasilisa didn't know it was her own voice breaking as she struggled against Azhek to get to her brother. She fought like a hell cat, all kicks and punches. If any part of him got near her mouth she'd bite him. It would take him actually picking her up to stop her. Tears ran down her cheeks, the salty tracks hitting blood, turning them pink as they broke through the ruby droplets.

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek was in so much fucking pain. His entire right arm felt like it was on fire, and even the slightest movement sent ripples of agony passing through his body. So, of course, when Vasilisa tried to rip herself from his arms, it caused agony to travel throughout his body, but he didn't let go, he held her tight, ignoring every last attempt to get free of his grasp. "Sssh." His heart broke with every time she screamed, and he tightened his grip on her, not letting her get out of his arms.

He carefully wrapped his injured arm around her shoulders, before using his uninjured hand to reach up and cup her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "Vasilisa" He hissed her name sharply, more of his blood dripping down his now ruined shirt. "Listen to me." His fingers didn't move from her chin, and he gently massaged her cheek with his hand. "Gabriel's okay. He's alive. He needs medical care, and if we get in the way, it'll only risk making things worse." He didn't know what to say or do to reassure Vasilisa in this situation. Fuck. Why had this happened?

Azhek knew he was going to regret what he did next, but he let go of Vasilisa's chin, and his uninjured hand reached down to wrap around her bottom, and his injured arm found it's way around her shoulder, and, with a grunt of effort, Azhek hauled Vasilisa into his arms, clutching her tight against his chest. "I promise you that he will be okay, and you'll be able to see him soon. But we need to go. Now." His bloody hand found its way to her hair, gently petting the top of her head as he carried her out of the club, glancing at one of the nearby men. "Dylan. You're driving." He barked, the man nodding, and falling into step beside them. Dylan's eyes settled on Vasilisa, and then back on Azhek, the man gesturing to the blood. "She's fine," Azhek murmured, gesturing to his own shoulder as the three of them made their way outside the club, where a crowd was starting to gather.

Azhek and Dylan pushed through the crowd, ignoring everyone around them who was trying to ask questions, clambering for attention from the two of them. Within a few minutes, they had arrived at the car that Azhek, Gabriel and Vasilisa had arrived in. Opening the back door, Azhek slid inside, keeping Vasilisa clutched to his chest. "Vasilisa?" He whispered, his fingers still massaging the back of her head. "Are you okay?" He checked her worriedly, haunted by the fact that if he hadn't shielded her, those bullets would have struck her in her face and neck. "Please talk to me, Hell Kitten." He used his old nickname for her out of desperation, his bloody arm still around her.

He would hold her like that, even as Dylan pulled out of the parking spot they had been occupying on the road outside of the club, and promptly sped off down the road. Azhek's attention stayed focused on Vasilisa, his heart aching in his chest as Dylan drove them through the streets of Sydney, and within fifteen minutes, they were back at the apartment that Gabriel and Azhek held a penthouse in. "Take the car, and go back to the club. Get me an update on whoever did this, and check on Gabriel." Azhek instructed Dylan, who was still seated in the car, while Azhek was holding Vasilisa. Dylan nodded, and pulled out of the garage, and Azhek glanced down at the woman in his arms. "We're almost to the apartment, Sweetheart."

Azhek made his way into the elevator, and punched the button of the penthouse, leaning against the wall of the elevator, feeling dizzy as the elevator shot up the structure, gathering more and more speed before finally coming to a halt, the door slowly opening. "Fuck" He groaned, stepping out of the elevator, and he made his way towards the penthouse, punching in the code to the keypad, and the door swung open, revealing the penthouse. He staggered inside, getting into the living room, and he dumped Vasilisa onto the couch, before he took a step away, staggering into the kitchen, and he started to root around for the first aid kit, intent on tending to himself.

 

[Bunny]

The pain she caused him didn't register to her, though had she been in her right mind Vasilisa would have been horrified that she made it worse. She fought against Azhek though, trying to get her to her brother. Was he dead? He couldn't be dead! Tears spilled down her cheeks hot and terrified. His grip tightening on her only made her fight harder, forgetting who it was who held her, Vasilisa used everything she'd ever been taught by the pair to get free. She kicked, bit, scratched and was altogether wild in his arms as he kept her safe. Safe... That wasn't what she saw, he was just an obstacle in keeping her from Gabriel. It wasn't until her gently, but firmly grabbed her chin and turned her face to him that she seemed to realize who she'd been attacking. Her name hissed in that urgent tone making her blink as his fingers stroked her cheek, the touch soothing, though confusing. her cheek was wet and sticky.. The words though sank home. He was live. Gabriel was alive. Needed... medical attention. Her brow knitted together. "Worse?" Her voice was distant, unsure.

Her chin was released and suddenly she was lifted into strong arms. The fact that he was hurt still lost on her, though some part of her was aware she had blood on her. Whose blood? While she'd not been shot, Vasilisa was going into shock. The grunt made her look at his face. He was pale. It wasn't just her brother, was it? But that all left her mind as he made her a promise. "You promise?" This wasn't a woman asking a man, no this was far smaller. A child-like plea that he would keep his word. That somehow he'd make sure Gabriel would live. Her family had never been perfect, but her childhood? It had been them. Gabriel and Azhek. They had always been her world.. She fell silent as his hand stroked her hair, blood flaking off in her silver locks. She had stopped fighting and now that shock was settling in. The cool air that brushed her cheeks should have felt nice, but she seemed unaware.

The pair slid into the car and Vasilisa stared out the window, still feeling numb. Fingers were still tangled in her hair as he said her name. It took a lot for her to turn and look at him. The question was left unanswered. She couldn't answer him. If she opened her mouth again, she'd cry. Hands moved over her again, checking her over, trying to see if she was hurt. It wasn't until he called her Hell Kitten and she gave a small nod of her head. She wasn't hurt. Her eyes seemed to focus then on him, on the blood on his shirt. A frown pulled at her lips and she tilted her head, as if trying to understand it. "Are.. you... hurt?" The words were a touch hollow, but the sight of blood on him had at least chased away the tears.

He didn't answer her right away, which only made her afraid.. but it did make her still in his arms as he carried her from the car to the elevator. She didn't squirm, didn't fight.. "Azhek.." The fuck had made her turn in his arms. She pushed at the strong wall of his chest. "Put me down you idiot!" He was hurting himself to care for her and it made guilt twist through her stomach. Dumped onto the couch he moved toward the kitchen. She was on her feet again following him. "You are hurt!" There was an accusation in her voice and as he pulled the first aid kit down she swore and yanked it from his hands. Blood made her feel sick, but she wouldn't let him do this himself... How did he even know how to do this??? "Tell me what to do." There was a look on her slightly green face that said she wouldn't let him talk her out of helping... Pointing at a chair she herded him there while trailing him with the first aid kit.

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek closed his eyes, swallowing the bile that was slowly climbing it's way up his throat. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. It was a mantra in his head as he set Vasilisa down. Her words made him pause, and he glanced back at her, hurt visible on his face before he turned away and staggered into the kitchen. "Yes?" He glanced over his shoulder, watching as Vasilisa pushed herself out of the chair that he had left her in. "It's not the first time, nor will it be the last" He dismissed her concerns, the words slipping from his mouth without a second thought, and he cursed himself silently afterward. He let out a hiss as she yanked the first aid kit out of his arms.

"No" He stared down at her, letting out a somewhat frustrated sigh as she herded him towards the chair, forcing him to take a seat. He reached out, taking the first aid kit back from her. "You don't need to worry yourself. I'll be fine." He felt oh so guilty. He hadn't meant to involve her like this. He hadn't meant for her to see anything like this, let alone on her first night here in Syndey. He swore to himself that he would find whoever do this and make them pay, not for hurting him, but for ruining Vasilisa's innocence.

Azhek reached up, wincing in pain as he wiggled his arm out of his shoulder, and as his flannel came off his body, it answered Vasilisa's earlier question if the ink continued along his body, a masterfully done tattoo evident on his arm... Though, it was currently covered in blood. He gingerly folded his shirt up, putting it down on the chair as he turned awkwardly, hissing in pain again as he opened the first aid kit up, and retrieved a small bottle of rubbing alcohol and a rag, and after dousing the rag, he slowly started to work on cleaning the area around the bullet holes, his silence occasionally broken by hisses or groans of pain.

He was suddenly very aware of Vasilisa just standing there, and he offered her a smile. "I'll be fine. I promise. Why don't you get yourself something to eat? Or go take a shower?" He tried to distract her from the fact he had revealed a trio of different bullet holes that were all about the height her head at been at. He gingerly re-soaked the cloth, hissing in pain again as he moved his shoulder at an odd angle. His fingers reached around to the other side of his shoulder, and at first, he seemed to visibly relax, before he checked the last one, and his face fell. "Fuck" He whispered to himself, already trying to think of how on earth he was going to remove a bullet from his right shoulder.

 

[Bunny]

The rather grumpy no didn't stop her from tugging the first aid kit away from him and pushing him back toward the seat. The sigh was ignored and as he took the first aid kit back it was her turn to sigh. "Azhek.." His name was exasperated as it left her lips and then something he'd said from before circled back in her mind and she hissed. "Wait, what did you mean this isn't the first time and will not be the last?!" His answer had been that he'd be fine. She watched him with large eyes trying to process the information he'd shared, intentional or not. "Do.. Do you make it a habit of getting shot?" Her voice rose an octave as she watched him wiggle his arm free. For a moment, just a moment, she felt her mouth go dry as he exposed his chest and arm to her.

"Azhek..." His name again as he hissed in pain. She tried to grab the now bloody rag to take over, even as she did so, her stomach gave an uneasy roll and she felt bile rising in her throat. He seemed however unwilling to allow her to help him. He twisted, lifted it and otherwise refused to give her the rag. A soft growl left her lips, feminine and pissed. "No! I am not going to leave you here with at least one bullet in you, bleeding everywhere!" She watched him with narrowed eyes as he checked himself over. It was then she realized what the problem was as well. "One is still in your arm, isn't it?" Her voice was shaky, though her eyes, that beautiful turquoise didn't waiver. "Azhek, let me help." She reached out and placed her hand on the back of his. "I need to help. If I try to do anything else, I will break. I will think of Gabriel..." Her voice shook and her eyes filled with tears and Vasilisa swallowed hard. "Not moving. Let me help you. You need my help."

He did, at least she thought so. He might be able to remove the bullet, stitch himself up without her help, but it would be easier if he let her help. "Just tell me what to do. Please." She wasn't sure she could do this, but she'd try. She wanted to help him, she wanted to keep her mind off her brother's prone body. Anything to keep her mind off of it. Her hand lingered on his and she gave it a small squeeze. "I can help you, if you let me."

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek's eyes went wide, like a deer caught in the headlights as Vasilisa caught his words. "Uhhhh" He couldn't meet her gaze, looking anywhere but that sweet, innocent face. Another wince as her voice rove an octave. "Not a... habit? More of a... occupational hazard?" The words hung in the air for a second, before Azhek processed what he said. "Fuck" He was doomed. There was no fucking way he'd be able to keep what he and Gabriel did a secret from Vasilisa for much longer, at this rate.

"Yes?" He kept the drag away from her, doing his best to stop her, no matter how much she tried. The growl that left her lips sent a shiver down his back, and even though he was bleeding everywhere, and Vasilisa was most certainly pissed, that growl touched parts of him he didn't know he could be touched. "Vasilisa, Sweetheart, I promise you that I will be fine" He heard the shakiness of her voice, and it tugged at his heart. He couldn't lie to her. "I know there's one... I think there's two." He admitted, sighing as she placed her hand on his, and he met her gaze. "Oh, Vasilisa" His hand reached up, cupping her chin tenderly. "Okay. Okay" He gently ran his thumb up and down the side of her face.

Azhek sat there for a few more moments, before he dropped his hand away, reaching into the first aid kit to retrieve a pair of medical tweezers. "You're going to need to take these, and remove the bullets from my arm." He pressed them into her fingers. "I'll wipe the wounds down again, and then you go. The only thing to keep in mind, is that you just need to keep going. It's going to be uncomfortable for me, but you can't stop because of that, okay?" He whispered, before picking the rag back up, dousing it one more time and then swabbing his arm, letting out a hiss of pain, before he turned so that his shoulder was facing towards Vasilisa, and he pointed to the top most bullet wound. "That one first. I know one's in there"

 

[Bunny]

She tried not to focus on what he said, it only added to her building anxiety. "I will not ask about that now, but we are going to have a very long talk after this, Azhek." Her voice didn't offer him room to say no. She was owed an explanation and after tonight, she wouldn't let them change the subject. The singular word that slipped through his lips made her snort softly. "I doubt you'd have been able to hide it from me forever. Especially if this is a hazard..." Her voice was dry as she spoke, her eyes rising to meet him from beneath a fringe of lashes. How was this something that happened to them enough to be a hazard? How often had either of them been injured? Vasilisa felt her heart slowly rising into her throat as she fought back the building panic. Inhaling through her mouth she could taste the copper of his blood on the air. Closing her eyes tightly she reverted to exhaling through her nose.

The soft sweetheart that slipped from his lips made her heart ache and she frowned at him, unwilling to let him sweet talk his way out of this. "Don't you sweetheart me Azhek!" She poked him hard in the chest and she was almost positive she hurt herself more than she hurt him. She tried a different tactic though and it seemed to work as he told her there were likely two bullets. Swallowing hard she nodded and as his hand cupped her cheek, she turned her face into his palm and she placed a soft kiss to his palm. Turning to look at him as he said okay, his thumb ran along her cheek. Large, scared eyes held his and she nodded. "I can do this." This was a promise she wasn't sure she could fulfill, but she'd try.

His hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb feathering along her cheek. When his hand fell, Vasilisa found herself missing the warmth of his hand along her cheek. Taking the tweezers from him she nodded and once again she looked green. "Okay." Biting her lower lip she felt her stomach sour as she leaned forward, the tips of the metal tweezers vanishing into the wound. She wanted to close her eyes, to look away, but she needed to keep them open. She needed to be able to see what she was doing. The feeling as she all but dug through his wound, searching for the bullet made her stomach roll harder. When the tweezers brushed against the pullet she gave a small gasp and slowly plucked the first one from his arm. The bullet was dropped on the counter with a soft thud before she looked back up at him. She watched him clean his arm again and point to where he was pretty sure the second bullet was.

Exhaling a shaky hand lifted towards his arm, though to her credit it steadied before she slipped the metal back into the wound. His sounds of pain didn't fall on deaf ears, but she tried her best to ignore them. If she gave into it all, she wouldn't be able to finish. This bullet was harder and his blood trailed down the tweezers, coating her fingers. Finally though it too was pulled free. This however was the last straw for the young woman. Looking at his arm and then her hand, her body began to slacken and without more than a whispered "Az..he...k...." the only warning before she fainted, collapsing on the spot.

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek couldn't meet Vasilisa's gaze, and all he could do was nod. "Yeah. Yeah, we will" He sighed, summoning the courage he had to meet her gaze. "Gabriel was the one who didn't want to tell you." The words seemed so painfully ironic, and he sighed. "I promise I'll tell you everything, once I've been all patched up, and we've both cleaned up" He met her gaze, reaching over and grabbing her hand. "I promise, okay, Vasilisa?" He felt a shiver pass down his spine as her fingers slipped from his and she poked him in the chest. "I'll sweetheart you all I want Vasilisa" He cooed, enjoying the teasing, even in the gravity of the moment. His face became serious, and he nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "I know you can."

He took a deep breath as Vasilisa took the tweezers and started to dig into his arm, searching for the bullet. He hissed in pain, resisting the urge to shift, not wanting to disrupt Vasilisa's concentration. "There's one." He whispered as she pulled the first one from his arm. He let out a sigh of relief, moving his arm for a second, before Vasilisa dipped the tweezers into the second wound, another groan of pain slipping from his lips, and he started to tap his foot against the floor. After what felt like an eternity, Vasilisa removed the second bullet, and he let out a sigh of relief.

He heard Vasilisa whisper her name, and he turned his attention to her, his eyes going wide as she collapsed into a bundle on the floor. Within a moment, he was off the kitchen chair, his arms wrapping around Vasilisa, picking her up into his arms, ignoring the fact that his shoulder screamed in pain, and blood ran down his skin. "Oh, Vasilisa..." His voice was heavy, and he clutched her tightly to his chest, setting her down in the chair he had just been occupying. He'd quickly turn to the first aid kit, bandaging his arm up, and he wiped it down one final time before he returned his attention to Vasilisa.

Azhek stepped over to her, and he picked her up in his arms, clutching her close to his chest. "What am I going to do with you..." He whispered to himself, before he turned and carried her out of the kitchen, and up the stairs to the second floor of the penthouse. He gently eased the door open to his bedroom, carrying Vasilisa inside, and he'd lay her down on his bed. He let out a soft sigh as the pressure eased up on his arm. He couldn't help but reach down to gently brush some of her hair off her face, and a bright smile worked its way onto his lips.

He shook his head, taking a step back and heading into his bathroom, where he retrieved a washcloth, and wet it with warm water. Returning to the bedroom, he took a seat beside Vasilisa, and he gently started to clean every last bit of his blood off her, making sure not to disturb her slumber. Even if she had fainted, she likely needed sleep after the traumatic events of the day. It took him nearly ten minutes to get her nearly fully clean, the only blood bits left being her clothing. He frowned, before letting out a sigh as he reached down to grab the bottom of her dress, and he carefully peeled the beautiful, but, bloody dress off her body, blushing a little as he stared down at her body, and he hurried himself up, getting the dress of her, carefully folding it up and setting it to the side. He then turned his attention to her boots, carefully wiggling and working them off of her thighs and feet, until she was just left only in her underclothes. He blushed brightly, picking up Vasilisa's close, and making his way over to his dresser. He set the dress and boots down on the top of the piece of wooden furniture, before he opened a drawer, fishing out one of his own silken shirts, returning to the bed and Vasilisa. He was forced to look at Vasilisa in order to put his shirt on her, the oversized fabric hanging loose on her as he tugged it all the way down, covering all the way down to her lower thighs.

Azhek tucked the covers over Vailisa, staring at her with guilt in his eyes, and an ache in his shoulder... As well as his heart. He was so happy to see her, but her life had already been in danger because of him... If she hadn't been dancing with him, she wouldn't have been at risk of being shot... And if he hadn't stepped in front of her... He couldn't finish the thought, and he moved to the opposite side of the bed, laying down ontop of the covers, and staring out the window, the pain in his shoulder never truly fading away as he sat, and waited.

 

[Bunny]

Fainting hadn't been on the agenda, but then again, who decides to faint. He hadn't caught her, but had been forced to lift her onto the seat he'd just been occupying. To finish caring for himself with her quite out of it. Vasilisa did stir once or twice, but the events of the night began to take their toll on the young woman. In fact she wouldn't truly wake until close to three am. Her body ached. That was what she noticed first. That dull ache throbbed through her bones and she bit back a soft groan. Where.. was she? Her mind scrambled to figure out where she was. A bed, that much was clear. The softness of the mattress beneath her giving it away. The weight of blankets on her body, keeping her warm and oddly safe feeling. The next thing she noticed was the overwhelming scent of Azhek.. It was then she figured in whose bed she was.

Pushing herself up, the blankets cascaded to pool in her lap. The events of the night rushed back to her and she shifted, turning to find him asleep beside her. Sighing softly she watched the moonlight gently illuminate his features. His face looked soft in sleep, innocent even. Shifting carefully she frowned and looked down. She wasn't in her dress anymore, nor her boots. She was currently dwarfed in one of his shirts. Had he been awake, she wouldn't have done what she did next. lifting the shirt some, she inhaled and closed her eyes. Exhaling she turned to look at him again before closing the slight distance. In the moonlight she inspected the wound, her warm breath blowing over his skin. "Silly man.." Her voice was a whisper and she shifted to look over him. Bare chested, she could see more wounds now that she looked for them. Frowning she leaned over him, her lips brushing the corner of his mouth. He had so many scars it made her heart ache.

Shifting she laid back down, trying to not jostle him awake. He'd changed her... had he seen her tattoo? The small pastel bear trapped in the jar with the rose. The word beast scrawled elegantly along the edge. It was whimsical and a part of him she carried with her everywhere she went. It was along her ribs, near her left breast. Biting her lower lip she looked at him from where she lay. She should have been mortified he'd changed her, but in truth it only made her heart race. Even with the violence of the night, she couldn't stop thinking about the man who had held her heart for longer than she knew. The man she had compared all others to. All of her boyfriends had been pale shadows of Azhek. They had one part of him in their personality, but no one would ever be the whole package. She had accepted this long ago. It was never to be.

Sighing softly she rolled over to her other side. If she stared at him as he slept she'd never sleep herself. She inhaled his scent again, heavier on his pillow. Cuddling it closer to herself she closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips. It was a fantasy that would fade with the daylight, but one she could indulge in for just a little while as sleep claimed her once more. To be his, to know he wanted her.. loved her as more than the little sister he saw her as.. Tears pricked her eyes and she exhaled shakily. Guilt slowly built that she hadn't thought about Gabriel right away... Was he okay? For a moment she debated waking Azhek and asking, but he'd been shot... he needed his sleep.

 

[Sevatar]

Azhek had been drifting in and out of sleep for hours on hours, stealing ten, fifteen minutes of sleep, before stirring and looking back over at Vasilisa. The guilt he was feeling was making it nearly impossible to sleep, and when combined with the pain that radiated from his arm... Well, he was just happy for the little snippets of sleep he had been getting.

He had nearly been about to drift off again when he heard a soft groan from across the bed, and he glanced over to see Vasilisa stirring softly. He felt a lump form in his throat and he just didn't know what to say... He laid back down on the bed, letting his eyes flutter closed. It might have been the cowardly route, but he simply didn't know what to do. It was funny, with almost anyone else, he would have just taken his normal approach.. But Vasilisa was different. She made him feel things that no one else had ever managed, and while he had certainly dated around, no one could ever compare to Vasilisa... But it's not like he could ever tell her that.

Azhek's heart skipped a beat and then started to race in his chest as Vasilisa loomed over him, and he could feel her breath washing over his face... Her lips brushed against his own, and it was all he could do to just sit there. Oh, how he wanted to reach up and pull her closer. How he wanted to tell her that she was the one who made him do silly things. But she was Gabriel's little sister... The woman he had grown up around. And yet...

He heard the sigh as Vasilisa settled back on her side of the bed, and he couldn't help but open his eyes, glancing over and seeing the fact that she was currently wrapped around his pillow, inhaling his scent... God... How could one woman be so perfect? He saw the way she shook as she exhaled, and he made his choice at that moment. He was tired of pushing his feelings to the side just because she was Gabriel's little sister. They were both adults and could make their own choices.

With a groan, Azhek rolled over, ignoring the pain that shot up his injured arm as his actions left him right next to Vasilisa. "Vasilisa..." He whispered, as his good arm reached out, wrapping itself around Vasilisa's waist, and pulled her close, his body molding around her protectively, his own head nestled against her shoulder. He shifted back and forth, finding a comfortable spot to cuddle against her with. His arm would stay snuggly around her, his breath washing over her neck in a slow, rhythmic pattern. "What's wrong Sweetheart?" He whispered after a few seconds had passed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

 

[Bunny]

had she known he'd been awake or seen her inhale his scent, she might have died on the spot from mortification. It wasn't the kind of thing you wanted to be caught doing, it wasn't normal person sorta behavior. Eyes closed, her head on his pillow, she sighed softly and tried to let sleep claim her once more... The guilt however kept sleep from claiming her though. She felt restless and when she heard his groan she frowned. Had she woken him? It was one more burden to bear if she had. Her name was next and then the unexpected happened. A strong arm slid along her waist, pulling her along the sheets closer to him, until her body was nestled into his. They fit perfectly and it made her heart race. His breath curled along her skin as she laid his cheek to her shoulder. She had stiffened when he'd first pulled her close, but his strength and warmth made her melt into him.

Sweetheart.

Cuddled like they were, for a minute she could pretend they were something more. That fantasy would break her heart, but she couldn't help herself from indulging in it. She was silent for a long time, not daring to break this dream. That too, added to her guilt. She kept pushing what happened to her brother away to steal pipedreams. Biting her lower lip, she fought tears that refused to be held back. He'd notice her crying first in the soft shaking of her body, no sound escaping from her lips. The hot tears trailed down her cheeks and along the edge of her nose. Hugging his arm to her she shook her head no, even as she continued to cry. How did one tell someone that you keep forgetting about your brother who was shot, because his best friend, that someone in question, was all she could think about? She was a horrible person and that was all there was to it.

She knew if she tried to speak, she'd sob in truth so Vasilisa said nothing as she quaked with her silent tears. Her breathing was starting to become uneven as that desire to hide her tears, however badly, broke and she began to cry, soft, wet sobs. Breath hitching she squeezed her eyes tight, her hands gripping his arm tightly. She wanted comfort from Azhek, but also felt she didn't deserve it. Torn between trying to squirm from under his arm and away from his warmth and wanting to turn into him and sob against chest while he stroked her hair. Silly little girl. He didn't like her like that. She was a bad sister. A bad person.