Characters: Adelheid, Strauss, Stella (in spirit)
Summary: No one has ever been able to make her cry quite like he can.
Pairings: Strauss x Stella, onesided Strauss x Adelheid
Disclaimer: I don't own Record of a Fallen Vampire.
No one has ever been able to make her cry quite like he can.
Truly, so agonizing… Strauss is talking in his sleep and Adelheid has pulled her knees up to her chest beside him. Her long pale gold hair is a cloak around her but it can't quite hide the slow, steady progress of salt water down her cheeks.
Sometimes, Adelheid wonders if her 'husband' knows how often she's found herself in this position, weeping. As ever, she decides that if Strauss knew he'd no doubt be eaten with guilt, and decides not to tell him.
No one will ever be able to make Adelheid cry quite like Strauss can.
He's not cruel to her. He's not even unkind. Strauss is distant but he has never been anything but courteous and polite to the one he now calls 'wife'. Adelheid can say with confidence that Strauss has never even contemplated raising a hand against her—not that Adelheid has ever given him reason to want to. To all the world, Strauss and Adelheid seem to have an idyllic marriage, something to be envied.
How easily are illusions maintained.
No matter how Adelheid tries to close her ears against it, she can't stop herself from hearing his words.
Strauss whispers in his sleep and it's always "Stella" on his lips. He says how much he loves her (such poetic language), misses her (so heartfelt), wishes she was still there (sincere beyond belief). How she will always be the only one for him (as if there is any other), and how much he will always, always wait, to the end of time if necessary (And Adelheid is sure he will).
These are words Adelheid knows she was never meant to hear.
It's always Stella. Adelheid is his wife now and it's always Stella.
Nothing makes Adelheid want to weep so much as knowing that the ghost in bed between them will always be more important to Strauss than her.