"Do me a favour, and tell me how you feel about me." - Dream, Miley Cyrus.
The small tinkling of rain was the only sound in the vast dining hall. Tessa couldn't decide what part she hated most about dinner; the extraordinary silence that befell each person as they sat at the mournful table, or the ridiculous small talk she would be expected to perform.
It had been two weeks since the rooftop, two weeks since she and Will had so much as exchanged a glance. Her own eyes were trained on her empty plate, waiting patiently for Agatha to prepare the food and Sophie to serve it.
A small sigh was heard from the top of the table and Tessa closed her eyes, knowing that in a matter of seconds Charlotte would go around the table and ask them each how their day had been. As though in complete tune with her own thoughts, Will leaned back in his seat and frowned to himself.
Not that she was looking.
"It rained today, most unpleasant rain. Did I ever tell you all the time Henry and I got stuck out in the rain once?" Charlotte's loud voice dominated the silence, saying that she wasn't having yet another awkward dinner with her family.
"Yes." Droned out Will, Jem and Jessamine in perfect synchronization.
Charlotte frowned, "Well that's fine, Tessa hasn't heard it."
Before Charlotte could begin to tell what would have probably been a fascinating tale of her and Henry's adventures in the great outdoors, Will said "Be that as it may, perhaps you should spare the rest of us the pain of having to listen to how you and that buffoon happened to get lost twenty minutes from your home, yet again."
His cruel sarcasm knocked everyone back into their silence, only Jessamine seemed to be unaffected by the dark atmosphere that surrounded the rest of the London Institute dwellers. Soon dinner was brought out and the silence became comfortable. When everything had been eaten, and all the plates had been cleared, Charlotte said her goodnight and she and Henry left the table. Once they had departed Jessamine smirked broadly, "Well that was entertaining."
"Hold your tongue Jessamine" Jem said sternly, "One should not comment on matters one does not understand."
And with that he rose and took his leave. With a shrug of her shoulders Jessamine stood also and looked at Tessa, "You may walk me to my room, I know you go to the library after dinner and it's pointless I should walk alone when my room is so close."
Tessa nodded quickly and followed out after Jessamine, leaving Will to sit alone in the now deserted dining hall.
"Delightful" he murmured when the door closed and he was left to listen to the soft pattering of rain on the dark window. Sitting there in the dark lit room, slouched in his chair with his drink held lazily in his hand he mulled over his options.
He could go to his room, head to bed and read for some time. The thought did not please him. He could go speak with Jem, but Jem seemed angry about something and he had a good notion that he had caused it. That left only one option. A dark grin spread across his lips as he rose from his seat, downing the last of his wine he left the lonely dining hall and his glass behind.
Walking around the institute at night was always pleasant for Will, the halls were stone and he was greeted by the soft sound of his shoes tapping against the elegant slabs of concrete. He took the stairs and walked to the end of the hall, tapestries hanging all around him bringing warmth and colour to the cold hallway. When he reached the large doors of the library he stopped and considered whether he should enter or not.
She would be displeased to see him, she would be furious. 'However...' a dark thought spoke to his mind, 'perhaps she has longed to see you as you have longed to see her. Perhaps she goes to the library to be alone, hoping you might follow.'
Will scratched his chin idly and pondered this, if he was pleasant, and that was a big if. If he was pleasant, she just might speak to him. He took hold of the large brass doorknob and pushed the door open, walking into the library and heading straight for the fireplace; knowing that is where she would be. She didn't even look up to see who might have entered her sanctuary, her mind was lost in the great tales of her heroes.
Will approached the small loveseat and leaned on its back to look over her head to the pages of her book.
"I didn't say what kind of book. You have a foul mind Bingley." Will read aloud over her head doing a perfect imitation of Mr Darcy before quickly switching to a higher tone of voice, "Don't mock me on my sister's wedding day!" He smirked to himself as he read the retort of Mr Darcy, "I mocked you on yours; I hardly see how this is as bad."
Tessa had tensed when he had began speaking and now that he had finished she felt a cold anger sweep over her. She shut the book with a snap and began to collect herself preparing to leave. Shadowing her movements Will quickly appeared in front of her and took hold of her wrist lightly and stopped her in her tracks.
Her sudden movements had pushed her dark locks into her face and the shadows from the fire cast dark shapes across her features making her look ethereal. His voice caught in his throat and he stared longingly at her face, his gaze moving from her bright grey eyes down to her gentle slopping neck and further still to the skin just above her bodice. He wet his lips and looked back up to find her glaring at him with enough force to rock him back on his heels.
"Unhand me at once!" Her voice, usually soft and angelic, was as sharp as daggers and as cold as the winter streets just outside the window.
"Calm yourself Tessie, I only wish to talk." His own reply was curt and the use of her old nickname made colour rise in her pale cheeks.
The contrast was brilliant and Will found himself distracted once again by her, he was sure no one else so fair skinned could blush such a passionate red. Tessa snatched her wrist out of his grip and pulled her book against her chest as though to protect herself. Returning to his senses Will smirked at her action and took a deliberate step towards her, leaving them only mere inches apart.
"Move back. Do you hear me? Move back, you're invading my personal space!" Her cheeks were darkening by the second and Will couldn't help but relish the effect he was having on her, two weeks of her avoiding him had driven him almost into insanity.
"Put the book down, or did you plan on swinging it at me?" he mocked her, "Please. If I intended to harm you I wouldn't stand and talk about it."
Though his tone was playful something dark stirred in his eyes and he swept a look over her once more. Tessa felt something cold crawl up her spine and she gripped the book tightly for support, praying she could say the words to make him leave.
"I do not wish to speak with the likes of you" she gave him a pointed look, "have you so quickly forgotten the way in which you spoke to me? Well, I have not. So I shall say goodnight to you, Mr. Herondale."
She attempted to brush past him but his hand moved at what could only be described as lightening speed and took a firm hold on her arm, "Mr. Herondale? Are we not past all the formalities by this point Tess?"
Tessa flushed furiously and turned to look at him, not bothering to shrug off his grip on her, "I do not wish to be familiar to someone who speaks to me and treats me as unfairly as you William!"
He smiled softly at her when she said his name, though as angry as she was he still felt that the way she said his name was more beautiful than angels singing. He opened his mouth to apologize, to explain, to make it better...Until he realised he had no idea how to. If he told her he was sorry and hadn't meant what he'd said, he'd have to explain the reason for why he said such things.
He'd have to talk about his feelings. He frowned instantly at the thought of such a nauseating conversation. She was staring at the floor, trying to calm herself he supposed. There would only be now to do it, she most likely would not forgive him if he did not explain his actions. Searching for the words he had never uttered in his life was proving difficult for Will, and after a few minutes Tessa looked up to see if he were still there.
She hadn't looked at him properly since that painful day, the day he took all of her dreams and smashed them in front of her eyes. But looking at him now she could see why it was so easy for any woman to give her heart to Will. His dark hair was kept short but was longer on top giving him an air of stature but still making him look boyish, his eyes—lost somewhere in thought—were the exact shade of blue before the sun rose.
He was well dressed in his suit trousers and button shirt, but he wore the top two buttons undone and his shirt sleeves had been rolled up. Tessa looked at the curve of his lips and angle of his jaw and wondered if he had been created for her own destruction. For as handsome as Will was, he was just as cruel. His spontaneous kindness to her had once charmed her but now just left her feeling foolish and used. He was a riddle with no reason, a mystery with no clues.
When Will realised she was staring at him he snapped out of his thoughts and stared back. He had no idea how to say it, no idea how she'd take it, but he was going to try. Using his grip on her arm, he pulled the frozen beauty towards him and looked down sadly into her eyes.
"Tess..I.." he paused and pinched the bridge of his nose, praying to the angel that he might be able to finish, "I can't apologize enough for what I said to you. I know apologizing won't take away the sting of what I said either, but I still want you to know i'm sorry."
He sighed and waited to see if she'd say anything, do anything. She remained silent and continued to stare at him as though waiting to hear more. He frowned to himself and looked away before bringing his gaze back to her.
"I can't tell you my reasoning behind my actions because I don't have any. What can I say? I'm a cruel man. However" he paused and looked at her deeply, "I can say that the last two weeks have been torturous without your company, and I miss your laugh..Your smile."
He traced his thumb lightly over her lips, Tessa's eyes softened and she closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling. Feeling that her response was positive he continued and tipped her chin up and brought his face close to hers.
"If you would forgive me, I will promise to make it up to you. I am a man of my word." He smirked when she blushed but made no move to close the gap between them.
Growing impatient Tessa opened her eyes and frowned at him, "I didn't know you wanted a verbal answer" she frowned at him, "I do forgive you Will, but I cannot forget what you did so easily. You will have to earn back my friendship."
Seeming delighted by her answer he nodded once and gave her a crooked grin—something he saved only for Tessa—and quickly captured her lips with his own. He kissed her softly while caressing her cheek so as not to frighten her but Tessa soon wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her.
Following her lead he deepened the kiss and rested his hand on her waist, tracing light patterns over her corset.
For the third time that night the only sound Will could hear was the pitter-patter of the rain, and with a sly grin he thought he just might like it better that way.