i have finally seen the light - 2.0 (Rachele)

[mattie amherst?]

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as Rachele applauded his scavenger hunt find. Her curtsying, however, made him shake his head out of disbelief. Was she mocking him? He shook the idea off of him; it seemed as if she was just elaborating his due credit further than it needed me. He fanned a hand near his face and shot his nose up to the sky ”Yes, I like to smash all the little peasants. They are just so motley.” Mathew had to do everything in his power to keep a straight face. ”That is why I keep company with people of a much higher caliber.”

When she retorted that he only knew three-forths of the information, his eyes shot down to her. They darkened slightly as they peered her up and down. ”Oh no…” he cooed out slowly, ”I know all.” His voice had suddenly turned smooth and jaunting, almost like a forbidden topic had been reached. He took a small step towards the oppositely faced Rachele. ”If I didn’t know all…” he paused as he had approached her from behind. His hand reached up to her hair to move it from her neck, ”How would I know that you like being kissed right here.” His soft breaths tickling the back of her neck. Mathew smiled crookedly to himself as his lips connected with the soft of Rachele’s long neck.

He encircled his arms around her waist as he listened to her speak about her experiences away from home. His eyes softened as he stared out to the landscaped grounds. Mathew’s smile shone brightly as Rachele commented on him being here. So she was just as excited to see him as he was to see her. That was the best bit. All else had been forgotten. She had asked him rhetorically why she wouldn’t come ”Hm…” he pondered out loud ”Perhaps the fact that my family is batcrap crazy?” Or was that just something that she had let slide way.

”Yes, really?” Mattie responded. Had it not been for the Sournois he wouldn’t have rolled out of bed once this entire holiday. He would most likely still be swaddled up in his massive bed at Beauxbatons. The moment that he had heard that Rachele agreed to come, his rucksack was packed and he was ready to head out to the Lilly’s cottage. He proudly answered back ”Let’s just say that you are the only thing that save my holiday.” His proud grin beamed at the young woman.

Yeah the cousins were aaccommodating. Just the thought made Mathew’s skin shiver and crawl. ”Yeah… or they were trying catch you getting out of the shower.” Mattie mumbled almost inaudibly. He, as a guy, knew exactly what the boys wanted and though it was not much different he from what he wanted, it made him squirm thinking that they wanted that from Rachele. His dearly beloved, Rachele. She was far too good for any of them. By god, she was too good to even be talking to Mathew. After all, he was just grateful that she gave him the time of day.

The moment he had kissed her he had regretted it. Well… not regretted that he kissed her, for that was just as magical as always. He regretted it because of his mission here tonight. It was not for pleasure. It was for business. His rough hands planted on Rachele’s arms and painfully he pushed her away from him. Mathew’s head dropped lowly and he inhaled sharply. ”Sorry.” he retorted quickly to cover up his mistake. ”I didn’t… I wasn’t thinking.” This was only the second time that Mathew had ever had to push Rachele away but he was sure that it was the wrong thing to do... again.

[/blockquote]

[Rachele Mistrot♥]

His comment made her fix him with a glare for a moment before her look went back to neutral. Hearing things like that wasn't something she was used to. She smiled at him. "Smash all the peasants?" she asked with an arched brow. "You do keep pretty nice company though," she added honestly. Quite frankly, she felt lucky to even be included among them. Over the years, he had been more than one could've ever asked for. He was just so amazing to her.

The tone that came into his voice sent something through her. The cooing was something that she did not hear very often. She caught the sound of him moving, but she was not sure about his goal. However, she didn't have long to wait to find out. His hand on her hair immediately sent a wave up her spine. What happened next almost turned her into jelly. He was completely right, of course. She did like being kissed there. Since being turned, she hadn't received any kisses to that spot, and it was rather nice to find out that she still got the same sensation. Of course, it was probably compounded by the fact that this was Mathew. As much as she didn't want to admit it, he did know quite a lot about what she liked.

When he stopped, she knew that she would've been breathless under normal circumstances. At least that wouldn't give her away this time. Instead, she relaxed a little against him. He gave her that safe feeling, and she couldn't be more grateful for that. A slight chuckle escaped her lips when he said something about his family. "I think most people would say that about their family," she told him with a light smile. "I guess I just don't see them like that."

She turned her head slightly to look at him. It was hard to believe that she could save his holiday. She was just one girl and by her standards not a thoroughly impressing one when it came to saving people. At least, not in the way that Mathew was referring to. Strength wise, yes she could save people, but that was physical. Those gifts had been given to her by someone else. This was different. "Well, it was about time I returned the favor don't you think?" she asked him softly as she returned his grin with one of her own.

Mathew's comment did not escape Rachele's ears. "I suppose that is a possibility. Of course, they'd be sadly disappointed. I move too fast for most. Of course, I doubt that all of them are interested in that." However, what did she know? She was not a guy. These sorts of things were not something she was familiar with. Perhaps it was a bit naiive, but should the need arise, she knew how to protect and take care of herself. Still, she felt no danger from the Lilly boys.

As Mathew put his hands on her arms, the last thing she was expecting was for him to push her away. She swallowed back the hurt that came up trying to remind herself that he probably had a reason. Still, she couldn't help the expression that came across her face for a moment. "Means you were thinking of something else. What is it?" she asked. Normally, she would not have asked so abruptly, but she felt he had something to get out. That and she was still reeling from the kiss and the push.

[mattie amherst?]

Mathew could not help but arch an eyebrow at Rachele. When had he ever saved her? It felt like she was always there to help him and fix him up and do everything for him. He was just enchanted to have her around for him when he needed her the most. ”What in Merlin’s beard are you talking about?” he exclaimed softly. ”You’ve got to be kidding me right?” He only wished he could do the same thing for her that she did for him. ”When have I ever done something so sweet for you?” Mathew hated to admit it but he was a bit of a clotpot when it came to Rachele.

It was really hard for him to swallow the idea of Rachele being grateful for his presence. He was a flat out jerk. He had really attempted to change his ways for the Sournois. He had stopped talking to the pathetic first year girls and the posse that followed him around slowly disappeared. He had done his best to ignore Marceline. It was harder to ignore Chloe because… well she was Chloe and she made herself known. He was really trying for her and that made all the difference. Nonetheless, he still felt like a ripe jerk for the things that he did to her. They were little things here and there but, in the end they all piled up. He kept pushing her away and he knew in the long run that would be what separated them.

”Trust me, all boys are interested in that.” Mathew could not hold down a throaty chuckle as he imagined what it was like being a boy. It had its perks that was for sure. For example, he could look at absolutely stunning women all day instead of having to look at mantrolls. Yup, he liked girls, that was for sure. The Lilly boys thankfully understood a sense of property rights to at least some degree. The Cossu felt bad for referring to Rachele as his property but it was like he had dibs on her. It was in the bro code and the code was sacred. No guy ever messed with the holy divinity of brodom. Thus, he didn’t feel any real threats from anyone but Lorcean, who just didn’t know when enough was enough.

Rachele was finally giving him that extra bit of pressure that caused him to release all the pent up frustration and confusion and all the emotions that he had swallowed to keep things straight. The problem was that when it finally came to letting her know what was going on upstairs, he could feel the word-vomit about to flow. He choked down the squirting fountain and calmly took hold of both her hands in his. ”Rach, you don’t even realize how much of a divvy I feel for messing up everything we had before and for not speaking to you for a long time and now for mucking up whatever it is that we have now.” he paused to take a deep breath, his nerves felt like they were attached to a electric current. He dropped her hands to run a hand through his hair.

He didn’t know if this was the right thing to do. Was he supposed to just come clean and ask to DTR? Was this asking too much of her? He felt as if that he was under more pressure than she was going to be when he finally asked her to define what this was. Mattie inhaled deeply as he turned away from the beauty. He briefly paced as he rubbed the back of his neck with his palm. He stopped moving only to speak again. ”I guess what Im getting at here is…” he couldn’t even bare to look at her incase what she replied with was denial ”I just want to know what this is to you.” Mathew motioned between the two of them however, he still did not look up to her but for a moment through his brow. This did not bode well. He knew in his gut that what was coming next was not going to be the answer he was looking for.

[/blockquote]

[Rachele Mistrot♥]

Rachele looked down at her feet after catching the arch. She felt a wave of shyness wash over her, and as he spoke she kept her eyes down to try and get herself together. She only looked up once he asked when he'd ever done something so sweet for her. Now it was her time to arch a brow. "Really? You can't think of anything?" she asked with genuine surprise. She could think of many instances where he had been sweet, where he had been there and saved her. Hadn't he even offered up his own blood to assist her? He had done more things for her than she could think of at one time, and yet he was doubting that he ever had.

"So you wanted to catch me coming out of the shower as well?" she asked with an arched brow and an amused look on her face. It was not something that she could picture. Honestly, she couldn't picture anyone wanting to look at her. She had always just been Rachele in her mind without anything special to warrant a look. It was Mathew that she felt held the quality that made people stare. She was quite aware how many girls stared at him. Honestly, many of them probably had the same idea as the boys did when it came to girls. That was an interesting thought as well.

His hands touched hers, and she felt that feeling again. When he spoke, she could hardly believe the words he was saying. For a time she had been hurt, but she had never once thought that he had messed things up. She certainly didn't think that he had now. Honestly, she felt closer to him than she had before, if that were at all possible. She shook her head slightly for just a second, but she remained silent. Whatever it was on his mind, he needed to get it out, and she didn't want to disturb him. When he let go of her hands, she let them drop by her sides.

As she waited, her mind drifted over memories of him from the past. She could still picture so many of their encounters with so much clarity. They had been friends for quite some time. When he had asked her out, she'd been thrilled. It had been all she could do to keep herself from flying in a million directions. She could picture how he had been with her after her parents had died. He had been so wonderful. Though she could also remember the time they had gone without speaking, it was obvious that the good times outnumbered anything negative. Not once did she think that he had mucked things up; she couldn't remember a time when he had.

He turned away from her, and she bit her lip anxiously. She was not sure where this was going exactly, but she felt a few nerves start to poke up. Her eyes did not leave his back as he paced. Then the question filled up the silence between them. It caught her by surprise though it was something that she had been thinking about. She saw him look at her for just an instant, but then it was gone again. "This..." she started out. How was she going to define their relationship? It at times seemed to be beyond words, yet he was asking her to explain it.

Still, she couldn't be anything but truthful with him. Her voice was soft as she spoke and filled with more amount of care and vulnerability than she had shown in quite some time. "First, you are my best friend. I can't say more to anyone else than to you." She paused and slowly started to twirl one strand of hair a little nervously as she spoke though her voice continued to be steady. "We flirt, argue, laugh, and do so many things that make this relationship more important to me than any other I have. I think it would be wonderful if we were to ever get back together, but if that can't happen I understand. I feel lucky to even be in this relationship at all. I love you." The last came out in a rush, and though she could've expanded more on it, she had wanted to get everything out before she could chicken out. Now that she had said everything, she quickly turned away before she let her emotions just spill out all over the place.

[mattie amherst?]

Mathew tapped his finger against his chin again as he pondered her query. Yes of course he had physically saved her, but anyone could do that. That was just brute strength and so what? Giving his blood to her was merely a sacrifice according to Mathew. She was the one who did the hardest saving. She saved his soul. That was far harder to do. ”Nothing really comes to mind.” He would never forget what she gave to him. It was inexcusable.

Mathew elevated his shoulder and flashed his palms in surrender. ”Can’t hurt a guy for trying, can ya?” he pleaded. Of course she was not a peep show for the taking but he couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like if he had caught her freshly bathed. What a sight that would be! He was beginning to realize that the young woman did not even realize the powers she held. She was able to seduce men with a single glance, with one look they were eating out of the palm of her hand. She was lucky that way. He had to work to get who he wanted. He had to strive for his fandom. She was born with followers.

He couldn’t blame them really. He was one of her most hardcore fans. He would do anything for her if she would only ask. That was the hard part about Rachele. She never asked. She never asked for help and yet she sometimes needed it. She needed him as much as he needed her, he just knew it. Perhaps that was his new assigned role. Be the knight and shining armor that she needed. Mathew needed to show up at a random time to whisk the fair maiden out of sticky situations. He was going to be her Mr. Fix-It.

Mattie could not hide himself from the confusion that flashed across Rachele’s face. He had unintentionally backed her into a corner. That was not his plan at all. He just wanted to sort out this… this… whatever this was. And that was one of the precise reasons he wanted her to figure out what they were doing. He was tried of referring to them as ‘this’. It just wasn’t right. She deserved more than ‘this.’

He listened intently to what she was saying. He didn’t want to mince words and obviously neither did she. Mathew was more than grateful that she was not beating around the bush. He needed her feelings played straight out in front of him. It was only the last part that made his eyes widen. He had expected the rest. He had expected her speech and that was not part of the expectation. Mathew’s head jerked quickly to watch her. Did she just say what he thought she said? No, she definitely said what he thought she said.

She loved him? How could that be possible? He was a screw up. He was an arrogant jerk and she loved him. Maybe he was even luckier than he first imagined. Mattie took a step towards Rachele, closing the distance between the two. Why had she turned away from him? Could she not face him after what she exposed? Or could she not face herself for loving him? Either way, he side stepped around her quickly, his strong hands took a hold of her face, forcing her to look at him. ”Rachele, that’s all that I truly wanted.” he answered honestly. What more could he ask for than for her to love him. He softly pressed his lips against hers and when he separated he beamed at the young woman ”I love you, Rach, always have and always will.” The two had a connection that could never be severed.

[/blockquote]

[Rachele Mistrot♥]

She watched him closely as he thought about her question. How did it end up that her hero could not see how he helped her? It was incredibly puzzling to her. When he finally said that nothing came to mind, she shook her head in disbelief. In an instant, she was next to him with her hand on his cheek and her mouth near his ear. "You give yourself too little credit, or age is affecting your memory," she whispered softly into his ear. Then, once again she was back in the space she had previously occupied. Her eyes twinkled at him. Why did he sell himself short?

She supposed that she could have offered up examples of what he had done, but she didn't. Honestly, she wanted him to see it on his own. There were so many times he had come to her. He was that person. He was the person that she would miss the most. They were like a team. At times she wondered what he thought of her, but then she felt like she already knew. Their relationship was kind of weird that way. There was guessing, but ther was also a certain amount of surety.

At his next remark, she smirked slightly. "I could, but I won't. I don't know why you'd want to look at me anyway.[\b]" she paused for a moment to look him over. "now me catching you on the other hand,[\b]" she teased. She gave him a wink and a mischievous smile. This sort of thing was always fun.

His eyes widened, but she did not see. Instead her mind was racing. She could barely believe that she had admitted what she did. She really felt exposed, and while she was always honest with Mathew, this was something she had not seen coming. What would he even say about it? What if the reaction was negative? She knew from experience that saying the words and have them rejected was one of the most painful things one could experience. However, she was prepared to take whatever happened. This was Mathew.

Then, she felt his hands on her face. Her dark eyes met his and held. The words that came next made her smile. He hadn't rejected the words. They were ones he wanted to hear. She returned his kiss very gently. Then, he said one of the best things she had heard. He loved her too. A slow smile spread across her features. Gently she kissed him again. "I know exactly how you feel.[\b]" this was incredible. The feeling she had spreading over her felt so right. A vampire and a werewolf in love. "I can hardly believe this.[\b]" in fact, she was feeling a little weak in the knees.

[mattie amherst?]

Mathew jumped slightly when Rachele touched his face. It took her less than a blink to appear and disappear. Mathew could not resist flashing her a bright smile when her breath tickled his ear. She was a goddess. An utter goddess. And she didn’t even know it. It was the same reason that she gave for her cluelessness that he gave for his own. He felt dishonest if he gave himself credit for simply being a friend to Rachele. That’s all that it came down to. He did something for her because it was the right thing to do for a friend. ”Says the woman who’s going to live forever?” He hoped she wouldn’t take it as an insult. He just hoped that she would never get too old to forget the young Mister Amherst.

Mattie shot Rachele a befuddled glare. Was she kidding? This was what he was talking about! She was clueless to how other people saw her. She practically floated in on a cloud, shone like the sun, and dissipated into the darkness. She was mysterious and beautiful. No beautiful wasn’t the word for what she was. That was too cliché, too typical. She was Helen of Troy. She was the epitome of everything sublime. Nothing like Mathew. Yes, he had those typical traits that awful girly magazines told girls were attractive. But he was like a big troll next to Rachele. Mathew scoffed at her, ”You don’t have to catch me.” he paused for a minute ”I do shows every Saturday from eight to midnight.” he gave her a goofy grin. ”But for you, I could make it a private showing.” he retorted jokingly

”You silly, silly girl!” he exclaimed ”Of course I love you.” was she blind? Had she not been there for their entire relationship. She truly couldn’t believe what he had told her? How was that possible? She was everything to him. Rachele was Mathew’s sun. He snaked his strong arms around her petite waist, pulling her body against his. He refused to let her go, not now, not ever. How could he let her go? As if releasing his grips would counter their confessions. She would no longer love him if he let her escape. He released one arm only to run a hand through her hair, his lips pressing against her soft cupid bows.

Despite his reluctance he released his grip and stepped away from her. All this confessing truths and seriousness needed a break. He stepped towards the edge of the roof. Waved at Rachele and stepped off. His immense mass thudded loudly as his feet hit the ground. His fist landed on the ground between his crouched legs as he steadied himself. ”Are you coming or what slow poke?” he called up to her as he began to jog towards the treeline. This was good. This was the start of something good. He needed this and apparently so did she.

[/blockquote]

[Rachele Mistrot♥]

Rachele couldn't help but smirk for just an instant when she made Mathew jump. It was so rare an event that the two could sneak up on one another. The smirk soon gave way to a smile as he flashed her one. They were definitely infectious to one another. She stuck out her tongue for a moment at his remark. "You got a problem with it?" she asked while crossing her arms. Then, she shot him a quick wink. "You know, you probably will too out of sheer stubbornness." A soft smile went across her face that hid the fear she had about losing those she cared about. Thinking about being without Mathew at any point was not something she enjoyed.

The look that Mathew gave her was puzzling to her. However, she didn't say anything about it. She was probably just being her usually clueless self. "That sounds like an invitation to me," she said drawing close to him. "Be careful what you offer," she told him with a smirk. "Don't forget, I can sneak pretty much anywhere." Of course, she probably wouldn't ever actually try to see Mathew right as he hopped out of the shower. That wasn't her style. Besides, he wasn't some headlining program for her to watch. He was beyond anything she thought she deserved.

She smiled brilliantly up at him. "You know how I am. Always hard to believe the good in matters like these." Though she had known all along that she loved him, she hardly dared to hope that he felt the same. While she was sure he loved her in the way that friends might, she knew that what she wanted was more than that. Mathew was what gave light to her world. He was the reason for her patronus being what it was, and he was the reason for so many other things. He was her center. There was no resistance when he pulled her to him. There was only a need to be close to him. Being in his arms felt right.

The kiss that came next sent a new wave of feeling through her. This was different than before but in a good way. Every part of her felt like it was crackling with electricity. She kissed back and wondered what he felt. Was it just her vampiric senses going into overdrive, or was this what it was going to be like for them? Either way, she didn't want it to end. Had she had breath at all, she knew she would've lost it by now. As it was, she was already melting into his touch and losing herself in the sweet ecstasy that was being around him.

Though she felt a twinge of disappointment when he let go, she did not let it show. After all, it wasn't as though he was running from her. Her eyes followed as he stepped off the roof. In an instant she was at the edge and watching him land. She rolled her eyes at him. What a showoff. However, the same could be said of her at times. "Please, I'll be at the treeline before you are," she called down. Then, she took a running start and did a neat swan dive off of the roof. When she landed, she immediately ran. Quite soon, the was gaining on him. Lightly, she jumped onto his shoulders. "What was it you were calling me again?" she asked before jumping off and blazing the rest of the way.

[mattie amherst?]

”Damn straight I will!” Mathew mimicked her actions by crossing his arms over his chest. ”Don’t worry, dollface… you’ve got to deal with me for a long time. So Bunker down, wear your seatbelt and try to keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all time.” He had the same fear as Rachele had. Who would out live who? Would Mathew be the first to go, to leave Rachele on her own? He couldn’t bare to think about something so bad happening to someone he cared so much about. Despite this, he could not imagine a life without the spark that Rachele brought into it. Life was useless without her, or at least that is what it felt like to him.

Anytime she wanted he would be there, shirtless or clothed. However she wanted him for as long as she needed him. That’s how their relationship worked. Rachele called, Mathew answered. That was how it always worked and that was how it was going to continue to work. He never felt jaded by their actions. Never bored. Never tired. He was content and content was more than amazing for him. He needed normal. Normal was not something that one came so easily by anymore these days. Everything was all muddled and dramatic that it was perfect for him to have that little bit of normalcy to remind him that he was still human. ”Yeah… yeah… try and sneak around with me little miss, I believe that is how I caught you this evening if you don’t recall.” he paused for a moment to jab ”Or perhaps old age is affecting your memory?”

It was such a cliché to explain their relationship. A werewolf falls in love with a vampire. It sounded just like the beginning of a under funded indie film that lacked so much plot that they had to spice things up but making lovers who were intended to be mortal enemies. Their lives were the paprika of a bad movie. They were to be giggled at and amused by. Their lives were so strange that he would have been able to even guess that this was where his life was going to take him when he first began at Beauxbatons. He was never supposed to be a werewolf and Rachele was never supposed to be a vampire. Perhaps that is how they should have acted. Maybe they should, if it were even possible, act like no of that mattered. Perhaps it would make it easier. Less clichéd.

”Not bad,” he commented in relation to her dive. ”I give it a 7 on form but a 10 in style.” Mathew chortled at her maneuver. His jaw dropped only for a moment as he saw her blur past him. It only reminded the Cossu that he was not alone in the superiority department. He often forgot that Rachele was just as gifted as he was. She was blessed in different ways. Rachele completely had him beat in speed and agility. However, there was one trait that he had that she did not. Brute strength.

He crouched slightly and he seemingly flew through the air until he had reached just ahead where Rachele was and pounced on top of her. Of course, this was a very carefully produced procedure. He had only done it to deer and other wolves but, Rachele was solid as a rock and she could take his ambush. He landed on top of her and gave her a beeming pearly smile. ”I believe I was calling you a slowpoke!” he taunted. Mathew pecked her nose softly before sprinting towards the forest.

[/blockquote]

[Rachele Mistrot♥]

A tinkling laugh came out of her mouth at his response to her. Honestly, she truly believed that if anyone could live longer out of stubbornness, it was Mathew. He was just one of those people that could set their mind on something and achieve. That was yet another thing that she enjoyed about him. "That sounds like something I can handle. I do enjoy rides, especially ones with a little danger, so you better stay as long as you can." She smiled, but there was some fear behind it. Unless something out of the ordinary happened to her like being hunted or killed by another vampire or werewolf, she felt certain that it would be her facing time without Mathew. Should that happen, she was really not sure if she would be able to go on. That was how much he meant to her, how much he had always meant to her.

"Please, you know as well as I do that I can sneak, particularly when you are otherwise occupied. I'll admit you did catch me tonight, but was there a moment you doubted whether or not you had actually seen anything?" Once again she drew close to him. "Oh, old age is definitely not affecting my memory. Besides, if there is one person I would want to catch me, it is you." It was a bit unlike her to say things like that, but tonight she was making an exception. Why not let him know that he held a place above all the rest? She had spent too much time hiding how she truly felt, so maybe it was time for some honesty to come out. Not that she'd ever lied to Mathew about how she felt, she'd just never really shared.

As she looked at him, she had to wonder if they would be having this conversation if they were still completely human. She was unsure. So many things would probably be different even if just one of them was still human. She was glad, however, that this was how things had worked out. Ok, so neither of them should have been what they were, but their relationship was not something she would alter. If one were to alter what they were, they might change how they were connected. That was something she didn't want. Unfortunately, thanks to her grandmother's constant abuse to her self-esteem, she couldn't help it when a small part of her deep on the inside wondered if she deserved to have Mathew love her at all. After all, she was a monster.

She made a face at him before sticking her tongue out. "Well thank you very much, Mr. Judge," she responded. Though, if she was being truthful to herself, her form honestly wasn't as good as the style she usually found. It wasn't like she was going to admit that to Mathew, though. Instead, she kept herself focused on the treeline in front of her. Competitive waves were running through her. She wanted to get there first. Of course, she should have known that Mathew would not simply let it be that easy for her. There was always a counter to whatever she did when it came to racing.

The sound of Mathew coming reached her ears, but there was no time to dodge. He landed on her, and though she barely felt it thanks to her stone like body, it still made her stumble a little. Had she been human, it would have done a lot worse. Really, it was kind of an interesting feeling, almost like their own kind of tag. His taunt made her pore on all the speed she had. It wasn't too hard to catch up with him again, but she knew it was probably going to be her speed versus his strength to get to the finish. "Look at the pot calling the kettle black," she said as she did a backflip over him to land and keep on running.

[mattie amherst?]

Mathew shook his head stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest ”There isn’t a moment that goes by that I don’t know exactly what you are up to, Miss Rachele Mistrot.” Of course, if he was being truthful with himself he would proudly admit that she was one of the biggest mysteries to him. He never knew what she was thinking or how to handle her. What was he suppose to say to her? How was he going to make sure that she was always happy? Could he even keep her protected and safe? All these questions plague him. What was the worst for him was the idea that she was not dependent on him as he was on her. He didn’t wan’t to cause her problems or be a clingy friend. He just wanted what was best for her. He wanted to make her happy. She deserved that much.

When Rachele was forward with him, it caused a cocky smile to dance across his lips. It was not often that she let him know into her thoughts but when she did it was like a drug. It was so enlightening and refreshing to know that he was not alone in his thinking. It was sometimes hard not being able to see what Rachele saw. It was hard not knowing what Rachele was thinking. Mathew wore his emotions and thoughts visibly on his face. It was almost impossible not to know what was going on in his head. Rachele was as stoic as a statue. It was an impossible feat sometimes. The flash moment that it took Rachele to be running in front of him could have been missed by anyone. The blackflip now that was just a class act!

It honestly was not that bad of a view from last place. His eyes crawled over her slender figure. It was only when Rachele reached the tree line that he had stopped running. It barely felt bent out of shape when he ran every night but trying to out run a light footed vampire was more work than a paced jog. Mathew panted only for a moment making sure not to reveal to the winner that he had a hard time keeping up with her. He slicked his hand causually through his hair before taking a cautious step towards her. ”To the victor goes the spoils” He offered her prize for winning. ”What shall you be claiming for this well deserved reward?” He smiled brightly at her.

It took a moment of catching his breath before he began to walk into the dank forest. His head nodded for her to follow him in. It was their go to location. All their important triumphant life marks happened in here. It only felt fitting that this night end in the dark woods. It was almost as if the two never met outside of the castle grounds. Maybe it was time that they started gathering some where else. If that decision was going to be made. It might as well be done tonight and before he lost his nerve. ”Hey Rach?” his voice rose slightly as he began his question ”So, how about it?’ he could not help but reach his arm up to rub his neck nervously ”You and me, I meant” he paused once again before giving it another go ”You, me, Just in Thyme, Saturday? he was pleading for her to interrupt him and just give him her answer.

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[Rachele Mistrot♥]

One of Rachele's eyebrows shot up in an incredulous look. The index finger of her right hand tapped her chin as she regarded him. "Why do I think that isn't always the case?" she asked in a light tone. "I'll wager you know better than most what I'm up to, but I know that I'm hard to keep track of all the time." She couldn't just agree with him without a slight fight. Besides, if the past was anything to judge by, she was hard to figure out at all times. In some instances that had saved her, but in others it had left her alone. Still, she regarded it as one of the positive things about herself. Keeping people, especially Mathew, on their toes was kind of nice. After all, he kept her on hers. It was another part of their relationship that was special.

Of course, she was aware that their relationship had been through some times that had been less than ideal. Still, memories of Mathew had partially been responsible for her holding on in the first few days after she had been turned. She had stayed away because she'd been afraid of hurting him, but she had clung onto his face in her mind. Honestly, he was what had helped her keep herself sane. It was cliche sounding which annoyed her, but it was the truth. Now, being here with him, it was like the low times she had experienced had happened in some other life.

Not once did she look back as she continued to run. Only when she had reached the treeline and jumped into the lowest branch of a tree did she look back at Mathew. She felt sure that she had given him a pretty good run, but immediately she doubted it as he basically sauntered up to a spot below her. Carefully, she jumped from the branch to land in front of him. She considered his offer for a moment and then with a smirk on her face she answered, "How about your shirt?" After saying it, she stuck her tongue out at him as she was really just joking. There was no way he'd do that, but she needed to think about what she would even try to claim as the winner. She wondered what he would've asked for if he had won.

When he began to move, she did as well. The forest was their place. They didn't even have to talk about where they were going, they just went. At this time of night, some would find the place scary, but she found it comforting especially when she was with him. Her thoughts were strolling along just as they were when Mathew's voice reached her ears. Immediately she sensed something different in how he was speaking. For a moment, she panicked thinking something was wrong. That would have been unfortunate as the night was going so well. However, she calmed herself down when he continued on. Nothing appeared to be wrong; it did seem as though something was on his mind. Still, she had not been prepared for what he asked.

The way he rubbed his neck made her smile. Then, she realized that he had just asked her on a date. Her dark eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment she was stunned into silence and into place. This was definitely unexpected, but she was not in the least bit sorry he had asked. It took a moment, but she finally managed to gather her wits enough to answer. "That sounds n-nice. Yes, I would love to," she said with a slight stutter. Another thing that she almost never did. She felt giddy on the inside but having just stuttered in front of him, she tried to contain the urge she had to giggle and do a little yes dance. That would really be embarrassing.