Whew! This story has me obsessed with writing at the moment. Look at me writing as soon as I get home from work, releasing another chap less than 12 hours later. I pretty chuffed with that actually!

I absolutely love exploring Aro like this. He's such an interesting character!

Short chapters works best at the moment, so sorry about that. I know it's frustrating, but I can write 1500 words in about 2 hours. 5000 words takes a lot more effort unfortunately. I will get there again. I hope for your patience!

I made it to work on time despite my ill planned chapters. And a costumer had the absolute most adorable puppies, only 4 weeks old. Brand new retrievers melting my heart. (They were carried all the time, don't worry,)

Anyways, I hope you're enjoying the story!

Disclaimer: I still own nothing but this story line.

They stared at each other for a long moment, almost nose to nose. Then her eyes narrowed slightly, making him pull back from her.

"You fucking bastard!" She hissed.

Aro frowned down at her.

"I-" He began, not prepared for such a reaction.

She turned away from him again, clearly trying to see the path that led to her house. He was at a loss as to what to say. He thought he had done a good job at explaining the matter to her.

"Isabella, please do not leave," He said softly.

She turned back to him.

"I may be all you ever wanted, but did you consider what I wanted?"

He didn't answer.

"You are so used to getting exactly what you want, aren't you Aro?"

He could not speak. His muted responses only confirmed her statements though.

"Tell me, if I was your mate, would you have controlled me as much as you controlled Sulpicia?"

He considered her, not exactly sure what she wanted from him.

"I do not know," he said, finally.

She scoffed, shaking her head.

"I think you would," she concluded.

He couldn't deny the truth in that.

"I most likely would, yes," He confirmed, looking down at the ground.

She studied him for a long time.

"You understand that that would have never worked, right? I am my own person, you have no say in my choices. If you don't learn that, I could never be with you."

He glanced up at her.

"I appreciate that you told me the truth, but I'm still angry, and you hurt me, Aro. You hurt me a lot," She spoke through her teeth, her words almost a sob. He could see tears in her eyes again, they shimmered like tiny stars in the darkness.

"I understand," he said.

She didn't say anything for a long moment, but instead looked everywhere but at him. He noticed her shivering, and realised how cold she must feel. He hastily removed his cloak, and handed it to her, silently encouraging her to take it. She glared at it.

"Don't be stubborn, you are clearly freezing, we should not have you catch pneumonia," he admonished gently. She took it reluctantly.

"You should know, it was never my intention to hurt you," he said gently.

"I will do everything in my power to make it right, and I will be as open as I can with you. It will however be a process, because this is new to me. Everybody usually does as I say, and they do it swiftly. However, I will not expect that from you."

He stepped closer to her again.

"Will you accept my apology?" He wanted to take her hands, to feel her at least, but he knew she needed her space.

She stared up at him, her eyes still wet. She sniffled softly.

"I won't allow you to suffocate me, like you did with her," she said, eventually. She dried her nose on the sleeve of his jacket. He cringed inwardly at her action, but knew that he should definitely not say anything about it. Instead he nodded.

"I understand."

She glanced away. A single tear fell down her cheek at her movement.

"I need time to think about it," she finally said.

"I can't forgive you right now," she added, looking back up into his face.

His heart sank. He should have known.

"I understand. I hope you will eventually be able to forgive me. If there is anything I can do to help you on that path, let me know," He began to turn away from her again, not sure what else to say.

"There is," she added forcefully.

He looked at her.

"I don't think I can stand being away from you for so long a time again. I was nearly going insane." She kept their eyes locked.

"You wish for me to stay the night." He said. It wasn't a question.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"And every night until we figure this out. I need sleep, and I need it to be a normal sleep. Otherwise I will lose it soon," She added.

He pondered her words a long while. Could he stay for a prolonged period without going back to his home? He almost sighed. He didn't have much of a choice. She needed him, and he needed her as well. This was the best he could have hoped for, especially considering how foolish he had been.

"I will be here for as long as you need me," he said softly. She sighed, and then stepped closer to him, putting her arms around his middle, hugging him, her head resting against his chest. He froze somewhat before he finally put his arms around her too, pulling her close, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"We should get you back, Isabella," He said softly, breathing deeply into her hair.

The darkness pressed in on all sides now. It was a miracle that she could see anything. She pulled back from him, nodding. He lifted her gently, cradling her in his arms, and he ran them through the trees, making it back to her house in a couple of minutes. Lights were on in the first floor.

"I will wait for you in your room," Aro said softly.

"It will be a moment. My dad will be questioning me," she answered, removing his coat from her person and handing it to him.

"I will have to be patient, then," he said, smiling gently down at her.

She gave a chuckle and walked towards the front door.

-II-

"Where the hell have you been, Bells? I was so worried!" Charlie said.

"I know," Bella said, trying to sound casual.

"Sorry dad, but Jessica needed me. There was some boyfriend drama, and I had to console her," Bella said, inventing wildly as she went.

Her father stared at her long and hard.

"Really?" He finally inquired. Bella nodded, tugging her hair behind her ear.

"Because I called Jessica, and she knew nothing of where you were," he said, studying Bella's face.

Bella felt her heart almost seize.

"Of course she did. She didn't want you to guess what was going on. She felt embarrassed," Bella said, chuckling.

"Right," Charlie said. He clearly didn't believe her.

"I'm gonna go to bed," she said, awkwardly maneuvering towards the stairs.

"Goodnight," she added. Behind her, Charlie grunted his goodnight.

Bella ascended the stairs, feeling knots in her stomach. She felt certain her father had not believed her. Nonetheless he had not pressed her. She was 18 after wasn't much he could do about it in any case.

She entered her room, and saw Aro as he stood by the window. Relief flooded her as her eyes fell upon him. She had half expected him to bail on her, even though he had made a promise. She walked over to him, and looked up into his face. He was silent. His pale features were illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp on her bedside table. She wanted to kiss him, but wasn't sure she was ready for that just yet. She still felt a bit teary about the entire thing. He was a married man after all. Not that she should have expected anything else. He had been on this earth for a very long time. Of course he would have found someone before her. But still. He should have told her, not leave it until she more or less forced it out of him.

"Where do you want me?" He asked softly.

She motioned towards the bed, and then began to prepare for bed. She was exhausted, not caring that he saw her body, and so she changed into her night clothes right in front of him. He hastily averted his gaze, settling himself on her bed, after relieving himself of his cloak and suit jacket. Bella gratefully crawled into bed, sighing in relief. She nestled in close to him, her head resting on his thigh. He placed a hand on her shoulder, stroking her gently.

"Shit," she suddenly said, her voice all drowsy.

"What is it, mia cara?" he asked her softly.

"I forgot about my homework," she murmured.

"What is it about?"

"History,"

"I am certain I can help with that," he said reassuringly.

"In the morning," she yawned, and she drifted off almost immediately.

What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts!

-Pancakes