C16: Say it out loud

Den's cloud of happiness may have dissipated slightly, but she wasn't falling down to the ground completely unprotected.

With Anders help, not only had he successfully helped her clean the paint off of her building, but he'd dedicated himself to spending all his free time with her.

She would have protested, but the company really did help her, especially when he began to help out with small jobs around the bar.

Though they didn't spend the time completely alone and at her place. He did manage to arrange the visit with Ingrid and Olaf and whilst Ingrid was there more for Olaf support, she did do a few little rituals and spells that were meant to protect Den.

In the backroom, seated across from him, Den watched as Olaf 'slipped' into a meditative state. She couldn't be sure, but she had detected a faint hint of some substance that made her think back to her University days.

"I can see sorrow...sadness...death and a town engulfed by flames...monsters and shifting shadows...I see great beauty and," Olaf paused as he thought for a moment and grinned, "love. Oh, lots of love. Sex and love."

Den could only scowl.

"Does he have to see THOSE parts?" She protested and looked at Anders for help, but Ingrid quickly shushed her and pointed back to Olaf.

"There's something missing...someone is gone," he creased his brow and frowned, "and someone waits...in the darkness-HUH!"

His eyes shot open and quicker than she thought possible, he was suddenly in front of her, gripping her shoulders and staring determinedly into her eyes.

"Do not go. You must not. It won't end well if you do."

Den had no idea what he was talking about but before she could pry any more information out of him, he let her go, stood up and declared, "need to take a piss. Be right back."

As he wandered out of the room, Den watching him go, Ingrid sighed.

"He's not coming back. He's going to fall asleep in the bog again," she gave Anders a pat on the shoulder, "you best go, I'll give Stacey a ring and she can help me lift him."

Den didn't really WANT to protest, but her kind nature won out and as Anders led the way, she said, "should we-"

"Nah, he's fine. He'll be out for an hour or so. The stuff he takes always sends him to sleep."

He'd let her out of his brother's bar and into the warm, sunny day that suddenly seemed so inviting.

"Do you want to go back to my place or yours?" His hand slipped into hers and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

"Actually," she gestured with her head for him to look down the street, "I'd like to go to the park and see the fountains. If your leg is up for it?"

Anders gave a little jump on the spot, glad he only felt a slight pinch when he did so.

"I think I can manage a walk."

Leading him through the streets and to the little park in the middle of town was bliss for Den. Today, unlike other days when it would usually be crammed full of people, the park was quiet and peaceful, only a few dog walkers going about the place.

These were the days Den loved most.

"You look happy."

She turned to Anders and nodded.

"I haven't been here for a while, but I love it when it's warm and you can walk around for hours and hours on end and things always change. I like to come here and think," she inhaled deeply through her nose and asked, "did you ever get visions before me? Like...as intense as they are now?"

Anders nodded.

"Dreams, mostly. I never got the flashbacks until you though. I'd always dreamed the same thing and now it's new...I sometimes get to glimpse a bit more. Some newer faces. Old friends."

"I get...other faces. Other people that I know and lost and...I don't know, I see you most of the time."

"I see you too. Though you do look different," that got Den's attention and she turned to him with a smirk.

"Oh yeah?"

"If I tell you what I see, you tell me what you see?"

"Deal," they stopped and looked at one another for a long period of time until Anders spoke.

"You look almost exactly the same, except...you've got more freckles...and your hair is much wilder," he smirked when she flipped it casually over her shoulder, "and I know it's somewhere else but...like the other girls, you've got your sideburns neatly braided away. It's sort of...endearing."

Den couldn't help but snort.

"Well, what I see is very much you...blue eyes and a kind smile. But your hair...it's so long," she chuckled at the image of Fili's hair, "and you're so proud of it. And you're little mustache braids. AND your huge nose and ears. You're very quiet, but proud...and handsome."

She thought of something for a moment and squinted at his chin.

"Wait, is that why you haven't shaved for a couple of weeks?"

"I thought I looked rather rugged...does itch a bit," he rubbed at the growing fluff on his chin, glad he'd been trimming it to keep it neat, "but I missed it."

"Well...you do look rugged," she had to concede him the point.

"Thank you...though I have to say, I don't think I could say the same for you if you suddenly grew a beard."

Den let out a loud laugh and swooped her hair back in front of her. She pulled it around and held it tightly in a bunch against her neck and chin.

"I don't know...I think I'd suit a beard," she twirled the end with one hand and arched her brow, "what do you think? Should I go in for some beard modeling?"

Anders was in complete hysterics as he watched her pose and strut in front of him, flipping her 'beard' as she did so.

That's why he was a little breathless when he said his next sentence.

"God, I love you."

'What?'

'Pardon?!'

"What?" Den suddenly dropped her hair and stared at him.

Anders hadn't meant to let that out. It'd literally slipped off his tongue and all he could think was, 'Oh God, I've only known her for over a month and I said that?! AHHH!'

"I-urm...I-" he began to stutter out, not sure how to rescue himself from the situation. Which was ironic considering he used to be the GOD OF POETRY.

"Do you?" Den asked quietly, her eyes shining with uncertainty.

And as he gazed into them, Anders realised...he was. He could try to retract or deny it, saying it was something from the heat of the moment, but deep down...he did love her.

He hadn't felt so sure about anything and it wasn't just because of Fili and Dru. Anders loved Den.

He'd loved her since the moment she invited him to breakfast and given him that smile.

He'd loved her since she easily made him do chores around her pub.

And he loved her since their first kiss.

"Yes," he said, with a small, sure smile, and Den suddenly beamed at him.

Breaking the distance, she grabbed his face, planted a quick smacker on his lips, and pulled away, looking utterly giddy.

"Good."

As Anders watched her turn and walk slowly away from him, he couldn't help but feel a TEENSY bit...miffed.

"Wait," he called after her and when she looked back at him, he said, "is that it? Don't you have something to say to me?"

Den shrugged her shoulders.

"I mean, yes," a small, sly grin spread across her features, "you have to catch me first though."

Suddenly, turning on her heel and darting off as fast as she could, Den laughed happily as she fled.

Anders finally realised her game about 3 seconds later and even with his leg only slightly protesting, he ran as fast as he could.

Luckily, he was faster than her and caught up in no time. He was glad he'd chosen to wear jeans and trainers like her and he only needed to wait for the RIGHT moment before grabbing her.

As they got to the square where the fountains shot up from the ground, he took it.

She ran through whilst the water was down, but before she could escape, he slipped his arms around her waist and held her forcibly against him.

"Anders, no! We're gonna'-Ah!" She shrieked when the water suddenly shot up around and on them, her face and hair getting instantly soaked.

Neither seemed displeased as the water thankfully got into the slow pattern around them, giving them a break from getting completely drenched.

Letting her go, she turned to him and smiled, her face and hair dripping wet as she looked at him.

"I love you," she smiled widely and Anders felt his heart soar.

The waters around them calmed until they were only shooting up halfway and he leaned forward to kiss her.

"How touching."

Anders didn't know whose voice that was.

But when he saw the sudden fear in Den's eyes, he knew it wasn't good.

They both turned to look.

Standing at the edge of the water, wearing a smart black suit with no tie, was a handsome, tanned man with black hair and white, shark-like teeth.

He smiled unpleasantly at the pair as he fiddled with his cufflinks.

Anders didn't have to ask. Even before he continued speaking, Anders knew who it was. He knew this man was Manny.

"Hello there, Ari."