Sebastian Beachley, Alan Woodard and Eliza Brie
Present Day ~ Earth ~ Lake Tahoe
"So, did your Uncle say when we were supposed to meet up with him today? Most of last night was kinda... blurred..." Sebastian carefully set down his mug on the table between himself and Eliza, the evidence of hot chocolate with whipped cream left behind in a faux mustache on his upper lip but he either didn't notice or care as his eyes met with Eliza's for a moment that almost made him look serious. He was genuinely relieved that the two of them managed to find a quaint little cafe where they were less likely to run into anyone else for the moment. Sure they had to meet up with the others soon, but for the moment Sebastian was just happy being there... with her... as normal as they were told their lives were supposed to be. His new, and dreadfully overdue girlfriend. And... he may have been avoiding Jaidyn a bit. God how was he going to explain this one? Not that his relationship status meant much with everything else going on right now, but he'd rather steer clear of that conversation altogether; for a bit, anyway.
“..as studious as I am at times; I have to admit that last night and most of this morning are a bit blurry for me as well… but I do remember Uncle Dom mentioning the balcony that he gathered us all on- maybe that's where we have to meet up…”
She was nursing her mug; the warmth of what was left of her hot chocolate keeping her palms semi-glued to it even though she knew she wasn't cold… at least, she didn't think that she was cold. Taking a few moments of comfortable silence, Eliza finally lifted her gaze up so that her attention was once more back on Sebastian; the sight of the very chocolaty mustache plastered over his upper lip causing her own to turn up into a small smile, the sound of a single amused giggle falling from them to fill the air instead- even in the midst of a serious conversation could he manage to get her to laugh… to feel any sort of happiness, when she herself had started the day feeling as though her whole world had been shattered to pieces… He was the only one who could; they both knew it.
“..Peter- you've got a little something…” Letting her sentence trail off into almost nothing, she let one of her hands drop away from her mug and down to her lap, picking up the clean white napkin she had been using before reaching out towards him; her expression soft and her smile gentle as she wiped the small mess from his face. It was by far, one of the worst, and one of the best mornings she had ever had so far in her life. Her heart had been shattered for the first time; and if it wasn't for Sebastian… he found her, and helped her out… and now together, they were going to have a fresh start; go back to their real home, and start a life side by side.
Dropping her hand down to the table once she was sure that there was no chocolate left on his face, she let the napkin fall to rest next to her mug, her arm extending once more so that she could instead take his hand in her own; her thumb lightly brushing back and forth over the his skin, “..we don't have to go right now, do we..?”
Sebastian looked a little taken aback when Eliza reached out to him to wipe away the remnants of hot chocolate from his lip. Once it was gone, his eyes grew sad as he bowed his head down to look up at her, his lower lip pouting ever so slightly.
"...I was saving that for later..." His puppy-dog look lingered for a moment or two before his pouted lip upturned into a slow smile - a direct indication that he knew damn well that he was being cheeky. He returned her gesture by running his thumb over the top of her knuckle. The hesitancy in her voice was a clear indication that she, like he, wasn't ready to move on from this either. There seemed to be very little organization with this whole... thing... so if Dominic
really wanted to find them, he would of done so already. After all, he and the other guardians had been stalking them for years now, right? It wouldn't exactly be new. He opened his mouth to respond, a simple 'no' would be the simplest thing and yet, Sebastian's attention was pulled away by something he managed to spot out of the corner of his eye.
Of all the people...
Alan Woodard had passed by the cafe window and for a moment, Sebastian could of swore that it looked like Alan didn't even know why he was out there in the first place, but then Alan turned his head and their eyes met. The same feeling came back into Sebastian's stomach he felt after witnessing Alan breaking up with Eliza and subconsciously, Sebastian clenched his fists. Alan broke their gaze and continued walking, stuffing his hands into his pockets with his shoulders hunkered. Sebastian dropped Eliza's hand, his body already moving himself up and off of his chair and began to head towards the exit that would take him to where Alan had been.
"...I'll be right back."
She could have stayed like this forever… the warmth of his hand within her own, the feeling of his thumb brushing back and forth over her knuckle, that honest and genuine look in his eyes as he stared back into hers… It seemed that when one door closed, another truly did open. Truth was, she wasn't ready to go back- she couldn't; not when she wasn't sure if she could face
him again… It had to be done though, even she knew that; and the quicker you rip off a band-aid, the less painful it was supposed to be right..? At least now she knew that she wouldn't have to face him alone- that Sebastian would be right there, standing beside her. It was that very thought that kept her from just running away from everything... but just because they had to go back; well, it didn't mean it had to be right away…
“O-Ouch…” The sudden pain building up within her hand had finally caught her attention, ripping her mind from the happy moment she had been enjoying, and instead causing her to focus on the reality of what was happening around her- his whole demeanor had just changed… his mood shifting quicker than she had seen it before. Something was up… she just wasn't sure what it was.
“..huh..? What's wrong..?” Curling her fingers ever so slightly, Eliza tightened the gentle hold that she had over his hand, her curious though worrying gaze following his until finally, it came to rest upon the reason he had shut down. Of all the places for him to be; of all the people for them to cross paths with- was he purposely trying to cause her more heartache than he already had..? Not being able to find it in her heart to look at her newly ex-boyfriend any longer than she already had, she turned her back to him, the pain once more fresh and overwhelming her as she lifted her attention back up to the man who had always been there; her soft pink lips parting, and her eyes widening slightly as she watched him stand and leave, her hand slipping away from his in the process.
“P-Peter..? Oh no, no, no… Peter; just let him go, please…” Only taking a fraction of a second to put two and two together, she quickly pushed herself up and out of her seat, scrambling in the depths of her purse and throwing a couple of bills onto the table before finally, she hurried out after him, her hands both reaching out to take a hold of his arm, “..I don't want to see him- please, Peter… can't we just stay inside and have another drink..?”
"I just wanna talk to him..." Sebastian pushed open the exit door and stepped outside, stopping just after the threshold to look around and gain his bearings. It didn't take long before he caught a glimpse of Alan's dress shirt as he disappeared around the corner so with a small skip, Sebastian started off again, hurrying after the man that so casually shattered Eliza's heart. He wasn't able to give Alan a piece of his mind earlier that morning, but now that Eliza was fine - in a manner of speaking - Sebastian just wasn't able to let a second opportunity pass him by. Eliza was his now, as foreign a concept as that still was, and he had to protect her. Now more than ever.
"Hey!" Sebastian called out, rounding the corner he had seen Alan go around, now able to see his back as he was heading... somewhere. To Sebastian, it looked as though Alan's body winced somewhat which let him know that he had been heard, but Alan continued on walking. Narrowing his eyes, Sebastian put a spring in his step and quickly caught up to Alan, putting his hand on the taller man's shoulder and forced him to turn around to face him. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"
With a berated sigh, Alan turned around and tilted his head downwards so that he could look at Sebastian, meeting his eyes with much less intensity than what Sebastian was giving him. His eyes looked soft, even, a little red on his waterline - the look of a beaten puppy not sure what to do or where to go anymore. It caught Sebastian off guard enough for him to remove his hand from Alan's shoulder, the fire in his belly subsiding but it quickly came back as soon as Sebastian remembered why he was there.
"You broke her heart." It was perhaps the most obvious, and slightly redundant thing for Sebastian to say, but he needed to start somewhere. Alan kept his eyes on Sebastian's for a few moments before lifting his gaze to look over Sebastian's shoulder to then land on Eliza. He could feel an uncomfortable tightness in his chest, a lump growing in his throat, but he dare not break down there for her to see. It was bad enough that he almost did just that in front of Dominic. Without a single indication as to what he was thinking, or feeling, Alan returned his lingering gaze back to Sebastian and shrugged his shoulders.
"It's what I do."
Sebastian's mouth dropped open, his head shaking in disbelief. How could someone be so cold, so callous? How could one single person be so much of an asshole and not even care?
"What kind of guardian are you?"
Ferocity filled Alan's eyes in an instant, the muscles in his jaw tightening dangerously. He took a single step forwards towards Sebastian, their chests touching as Sebastian refused to back down though he was forced to crane his neck up to continue to stare back at him.
"I'm no guardian... not anymore..."
This could not be happening... Following close on Sebastian’s heels as he chased after the man who had gone out of his way to break her heart that very morning, Eliza reached out to once again take a hold of his hand in an attempt to stray him from the conflict that he was headed towards- she could get angry; somewhere deep in her broken heart... somewhere very deep down, she was positive that she was also angry about the whole situation- how it had turned out between her and Alan. She hadn’t wanted any of this; she didn’t ask to fall head over heels for a man she barely knew, nor did she ask to do so in only a brief couple of days as his woman. But the world around her was changing rapidly; everything she thought she knew had been ripped apart in front of her very eyes, and it seemed that her private life was not privy to exception of such a change.
Unable to keep up with the sudden change of pace as Sebastian hurried forward to confront her ex-boyfriend, her gentle touch upon his hand fell away as uselessly as she felt; how could she have let herself get into this type of situation in the first place- how could she have been so damn stupid as to think that love was an option for her... Falling short of the pair as they began to share words with one another, she brought her hands together in front of her body, her fingers nervously playing with one another and her lower lip quivering ever slightly as she watched on haplessly; unsure of just what it was that she could do to make the situation any better than the sinkhole it seemed to be now... that was until Alan’s gaze met with her own...
His words pierced her heart just as badly as they had back at the lodge when they had their last conversation... the one that involved him never again needing, nor wanting her around anymore. The wound to her was fresh; she was just another girl... another trophy for Alan to add to his collection, and brag about to the world- whether it be this one, or the next. It was just wrong. Playing the future Queen of Arendelle; toying with her heart, and causing her to fall in love before breaking it in two... all she could ever do was thank whatever God, or Gods she was supposed to believe in for bringing Sebastian into her life the way they had; because right now, he was truly a God send.
“..Alan...”
Pain shot through her heart again as her voice came out both soft and unsure of how she was supposed to respond to the two men in front of her; things had moved so quickly, and now they stood chest against chest, staring each other down with fire in their eyes. How had she let things get this bad... if this was anything to go by, then she was sure she should just go ahead and abdicate the throne now, because there was no way a real Queen would stand idle while something like this went on in front of her very eyes.
“..Peter, please... I-I just want to go home... please can we go home...”
At the one word, "Alan," both boys reacted. Sebastian turned his head to look over at her, his eyes softening as he took in just what this was all doing to her. His expression worsened into something that almost looked sick when she began to plead to him. Alan, however, looked in the opposite direction. Her heavy words weighed heavily down on him, the simple way she whimpered his name - he could practically feel her heart breaking all over again. But it was the right thing to do, it had to be. She didn't deserve him.
"I'm not going back. I've made too much of a life here just to start over worse than I did before." Alan explained softly, keeping his gaze averted from the both of them.
So he was serious then? Alan wasn't just no longer a guardian, but he was to remain on Earth as well? Sebastian swallowed back a small lump forming in his throat. Well that would be one less problem he thought he'd have to deal with.
With a soft sigh, Sebastian finally nodded his head and stepped away from Alan, willing to give in if it meant that Eliza's suffering would lessen. There was no fight - not anymore. It was a terrible idea to pursue Alan the way he did, but truly he couldn't very much help it with how the very sight of him got him so riled up. So the sooner they left this world, the sooner he could release that anger with the knowledge that he would no longer have to look upon Alan's face again.
"Yeah, let's go find your Uncle." Sebastian agreed, extending his hand out towards Eliza for her to grab having every intention of just leaving the way things were.
It wasn't until their backs were to him did Alan dare take a glance at the pair, a fire burning within his chest seeing their fingers so intimately interlocked where his fingers had once been. But it was not the way it was meant to be, and one day, he was sure, he would come to terms with that.
Stuffing his hands into his pockets and hunching his shoulders over, Alan turned his body, ready to once more start walking in the opposite direction before something caught his eye. He stopped, trying to catch his gaze on the movement that halted his steps until they landed on a small black Sedan pulling up to the curb in an area that did not permit parking.
Rolling his eyes, Alan once more turned to be on his way, but something was pulling at him, forcing him to remain and watch.
The car remained stationary for a moment, but then finally the passenger-side window was rolled down. It was difficult to see from his distance, but Alan was sure the face that looked back at him was a familiar one. His head tilted to the side in question and took a few steps closer towards the car, being led by a feeling that he knew he wouldn't be able to shake any time soon.
Then, it hit him. A lightning bolt in the middle of a thunderstorm would of been like being hit with cushioned pillows by comparison. His blood froze within his veins and sweat began to gather on his brow; his mouth ran dry within a single second rendering him completely incapable of speech. He needed to warn them. He had to let them know...
The man sitting on the passenger side of the car began to exit the vehicle but Alan was already on his way back to Elsa and Sebastian. His long, careful strides could not have been any quicker should the man realize that Alan knew who he was and why he was there. This was his own fucking fault; he had been warned before.
The bitter sting of his blackened eye suddenly became more aware to Alan than ever before. The man pursuing had been the very same man who gave Alan the shiner. Loan sharks. And he had promised that if payment was not given, he would go after his girl. What the bastard didn't know, however, was that Eliza was no longer his girl.
"Elsa..." Alan tried to call out, now only just steps behind them. He cleared his throat and tried again, trying not to sound panicked but immediately failed. "Elsa stop..."
The very sound of her name slipping from Alan’s mouth... her grip over Sebastian’s hand tightened ever so slightly, her shoulders stiffening- she couldn’t do this; not now, not ever. All she wanted was to have a nice quiet morning without thoughts about the man who had broken her heart into pieces, and yet here they all were, standing in the middle of a public space speaking of the one topic she wanted burned away completely from her thoughts.
Hunching her shoulder’s over and lowering her head slightly in an attempt to ignore his footsteps gaining ground to catch up to the both of them, she pressed herself closer against Sebastian, her bright ice-blue eyes closing for only a brief moment before she pulled away completely; her pace picking up to place more of a gap between her and Alan who seemed insistent on following her.
“..leave-... leave me alone, Alan...”
The panicked tone in his voice however, caused her to hesitate in her step for only a moment before she shook her head quickly from side to side, her body turning around to face Alan though her step never stopped, slowing only in caution to not slip and fall to the ground as she stared up at him with tear-stained eyes and cheeks, “Tell me, why should I stop..? Why should I listen to you..? You don’t care about me..! You’ve made it perfectly clear to everyone here- I was only a toy for you to play with... and I was an idiot, because I really-... I really was in love with you Alan.”
Sebastian's grip tightened on Eliza's hand. Really, what the hell did he want now? The anger that he had worked so hard to quell within him returned in an instant. His eyes narrowed on Alan, wanting to say something himself but it looked as though Eliza had it handled... for the moment. She was venting, just as she should be. She needed to get it all out and he would let her. But afterwards, Sebastian had a little 'venting' to do himself.
Alan set his jaw firmly. Each and every word Eliza spoke to him was like a physical blow, paining his entire being but he couldn't think of that right now. She was in danger, and somehow, he had to save her. Really though, how difficult could it be? There was only one loan shark and three of the-
Oh shit...Just as Alan reached Eliza close enough to reach out and touch her, another spot of movement caught the corner of his eye. Mr. brass knuckles wasn't alone and as Alan looked to the side only by moving his eyes, his suspicions were confirmed as he saw yet another man slinking towards them through the side alley. His hand was moving towards the inside pocket of his suit jacket leaving Alan frozen, trying to think. Brass knuckles was still headed in their direction, and almost as though they had recited it, he moved for the pocket on the inside of his suit jacket at the same time as the man in the alley.
Not thinking, Alan put his hand on Eliza's shoulder, urging her to turn around and walk with him, practically forgetting that Sebastian was still there with them.
"Elsa... we gotta get you out of here..." Alan tried to explain quietly, still urging her with his hand to follow him. There was still another alleyway, they could still get out if they moved quickly-
More movement, and it was in that exact moment that Alan knew that they were completely and utterly fucked.
"The hell man?" Sebastian released Eliza's hand and stepped towards Alan, pushing him back with his hand on his chest to get him away from Eliza. "Haven't you done enough? Leave her alone!" Sebastian was getting pissed - it was clear in his reddening face as he took another step towards Alan, putting himself between Alan and Eliza and with both hands, pushed Alan back once more.
"Would you shut up for a minute?" Alan barked, his bright blue eyes narrowing on the smaller boy, no longer able to hold back the fear and urgency in his voice. His head was on a swivel, looking from loan shark to loan shark as they continued to move towards them. They were surrounded.
It all happened so fast, and Alan didn't even realize what he was doing until it was all far too late. The moment that Alan's eyes caught a glimpse of steel between one of the shark's hands, he acted. The amulet that Dominic had insisted he hold onto had been clutched in the palm of his hand tightly ever since leaving the bar and right now, Alan could of kissed the man for being so annoyingly persistent on the matter as it was very likely the only thing that could keep Eliza alive. He threw the amulet and watched as it barely cleared over Sebastian's head and sailed past Eliza's shoulder. It landed not five feet behind her and upon making impact with the asphalt, fingers of a bright, white light began to emit from it as though the stone within the amulet was beginning to shatter. The air around them began to pick up swiftly, enough for Sebastian to have to cover his eyes with his arm to keep the dust from getting into them. Shouts of confusion could be heard from the loan sharks as they witnessed the spectacle, though the one that had the gun in his hand shook off the oddity enough to take aim and fire.
"MOVE!" Alan jumped to action, wrapping his arms around Eliza and tackled her to the ground where the white light coming from the amulet continued to grow larger and larger, now taking on a light-blue hue. But he wasn't fast enough. The bullet that had been intended for Eliza caught Alan as he pushed her down. A hot, searing pain ran throughout Alan's entire body, forcing a cry of pain from his throat as they hit the ground, only to be swallowed up in the light and gone from Earth.
Sebastian blinked, unable to comprehend just what the hell was going on anymore, only knowing that Alan and Eliza were now gone and the threat of the strange men given away by the sound of the gunshot was still present.
"Oh c'mon!" Sebastian cried out in sheer annoyance before he made a run for the source of the light and jumped into it, going on only faith that Alan hadn't led them to their doom.
The amulet shook, the wind picking up nearly ten-fold for just a moment or two before the light faded until everything ceased completely as though nothing had happened and in the place of where the amulet had once been, a nearly perfect circular burn-mark upon the pavement, leaving the Loan Sharks in complete and utter awe.
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