Ethan could only stare at Chris in apprehension at the latter man's portentous words.
The world wants me gone? The hell does that mean?
At his dumbstruck and questioning expression, the captain only shook his head slightly, as if saying - 'not now'. Their wordless conversation drew everyone's attention, nevertheless.
Chris was an uncommon, yet familiar face to Rose, so she gave him a small wave, which the man returned half-heartedly, with a sad smile on his unshaven face. Eveline had nothing but terror in her green eyes as she covered in that little corner of hers.
The Dimitrescu girls, now all standing in front of Alcina's bed, observed the man in silent caution, as he was still largely an unknown variable - a fresh contact, not yet proven to be reliable or trustworthy. Bela's facial expression and posture was perfectly neutral, yet she made sure to be in between the dangerous man and her mother. Regardless of the surprisingly diplomatic words spoken by Chris earlier, they have known him for far too short a while to truly paint a picture of him.
Cassandra had a small smirk on her face, yet her eyes were slightly narrowed and muscles tense. It was clear that the brunette was ready to leap into action at the slightest provocation. Her previous flirting was momentarily forgotten, as she fully assumed her role as the protector of the family and was taking no risks in ensuring Alcina's safety.
Daniela, who had barely had any contact with this powerful-looking outsider and knew for a fact only that he worked for an organization that dedicated itself to exterminating creatures such as her mother and her sisters, appeared remarkably different from her normal pleasant self. In this instant of time, the youngest Dimitrescu looked much like a threatened cat, with her yellow irises narrowed and posture upright and stiff. Her fingers were twitching slightly in a weird grasping-like motion, as if she actually expected to use her fingernails as a weapon. The redhead's small but indubiously sharp fangs were put on display and Ethan would not have been surprised if she was about to start hissing.
The lone father, unable to miss the threatening display taking place right behind Chris, tried to defuse the potentially volatile situation.
"Hey, Daniela… Chris is a friend, he is not going to hurt any of you...right Chris?"
Daniela, trusting Ethan, relaxed just a bit; her vicious amber orbs still burning holes in the large man's back, nevertheless. Somehow the blonde man himself wasn't completely sure of the validity of his spoken statement, however. Ethan still remembered the captain's loaded question, two years ago.
As if reading Ethan's mind, Chris turned his scrutinizing gaze towards the Dimitrescu family, while speaking in a lively voice, to the father's surprise.
"Ah yes, the noble Dimitrescu family, now whole. I can see now what you meant when you said that you've dealt with them appropriately."
Ethan found himself at a loss for words; for a moment he simply gaped at the larger man.
If Chris himself was bothered by the fact that the three threatened daughters that could tear a man apart with their bare hands and teeth were mere feet away from him - he made a superb impression of perfect stoicism as he folded his arms.
"While some aspects of their past are...troublesome, to say the least, I am willing to overlook that, since you're vouching for them and since I've already seen them in action against our common enemy."
'For now, and as long as you're pulling your weight' went unsaid, yet Bela could easily read that in his narrowed gaze just the same. This man was willing to give them a second chance, but they had to prove themselves, as he would not hesitate to use the sins of their past against them. Nevertheless, that was good enough for the blonde daughter and she gave a quick nod to Cassandra even as she placed a calming hand on Daniela's shoulder. The daughters relaxed and went back to sit on their mother's bed. The large man continued.
"Your actions have put you on their radar now. The Connections will stop at nothing to bring everyone in this room low, and the only way to survive in the long term is to defeat them first."
Upon hearing that, Lady Alcina herself surprised everyone with her next act. Clearly, the noblewoman was not satisfied with having her own fate dangling beyond her reach, not anymore. Standing up from her bed with some effort, the diminished countess, gently but firmly refusing Cassandra's supporting hand, marched right up towards the brute of a man that towered over her. Lady Dimitrescu's fierce amber gaze met the B.S.A.A. captain's scrutinizing one. Not cowed by his intimidating presence in the slightest, the noble lady's voice was unyielding in its resolve.
"Chris Redfield, was it? My fool of a brother spoke about you at length. While I loathe to solicit outsiders for help, my precious daughters mean the world to me… and if this horrid organization now threatens them as well, I will not rest until I see them brought low."
The countess' chapped lips curled in distaste as her eyes narrowed to vicious burning slits, likely recounting her own treatment at The Connections' minions' hands. The concept of vengeance against her tormentors was sweet, yet it paled in comparison to the burning need to keep her children safe. To the complete shock of everyone present, including her own daughters, Lady Alcina offered her hand, palm down and back angled forward.
Chris' eyes were wide in surprise, yet apparently he was well-versed in etiquette and knew how rude it would be to refuse this unexpected and outdated gesture, as he cautiously took her smaller palm within his own hand. As her dainty, rash-covered hand approached his lips, Alcina couldn't hide the disgust that was emanating from her yellow eyes. The very instant his lips made contact with her parched skin, the countess roughly pulled her hand back to her side, as if burned. The black-haired lady wasted no further time and spoke in a haughty voice.
"Then we are in accord. The Dimitrescu family will assist you in taking care of these miscreants, for good. You will find that our coffers run deep, and I will not hesitate to spent every last Lei if it will assure my daughters well-being and prosperity."
Everyone just stood slack jawed. Chris and Ethan were simply amazed at such a direct offer of partnership from the reclusive Dimitrescu matriarch; as well as her selfless dedication to her own children. The daughters were dumbstruck at how their infamously misandric mother did not hesitate to put aside her man-hating and self-reliant ways as soon as Chris mentioned that the three of them were a target now.
Mother truly loves us that much that she is willing to overcome her very nature the moment we are threatened…
With some annoyance, Bela felt fresh wetness accumulating in her eyes again. She really got quite emotional lately…
Regaining his wit, Chris simply nodded. Money was getting tight, and any contribution to their cause would surely help. He'll still keep an eye on the Dimitrescu family, naturally.
Alcina wasn't done, however. With infirm, delicate steps, she approached Ethan's bed. The prone man finally took it as his cue to stand up himself, while placing Rose he was clutching all this time back on the floor.
Looking him up from head to toes with a scrutinized gaze of her own, Alcina couldn't help but scowl in disdain. Still… regardless of his plebeian appearance, the man's action spoke loudly, indeed. At that thought, she couldn't suppress a measure of respect from creeping into her yellow orbs. Just like with the captain, she offered a single dainty hand.
With some hesitation, the father accepted the offered limb with almost reverent gentleness. He was quite aware of Bela's astonished eyes on him - this was her beloved mother, and he would be damned if he fucked up this unusual interaction.
Holding her small, dry-skinned hand as if it was a delicate flower, Ethan took his time slowly bringing it to his own parched lips. Afraid to show disrespect, the man gave it the slightest peck, before steadily pulling his lips away with his fingers still gently touching her wrist.
Ethan was pleasantly surprised that Alcina didn't rush to pull her hand back the moment the ritual was concluded, like she did with Chris. With a start, the man realized that he wanted to make a good impression on Bela's mother… Her next words, spoken with a measure of respect in her tone, made Ethan believe that he made the right choice in how he handled this unexpected situation.
"I see you're aware of how to properly treat a lady, Mister Winters… most unexpected." The countess turned her gaze away, glancing towards her daughters, before taking a deep breath and continuing.
"I won't beat around the bush. House Dimitrescu owes you a debt of gratitude for your selfless actions in aiding my daughters, as well as myself. You will find that our appreciation is as generous as our wrath is horrible." The shorter woman gave him a pointed glare at that, making Ethan force himself to suppress a gulp. Despite her greatly diminished stature and strength, the countess was still a fierce and fearsome woman and her presence still filled the room. Her glare was quick to give way to a softer gaze, however, as she spoke her next words, with an almost regretful tone.
"For what it's worth, I regret the part we played in keeping your daughter from you, Mister Winters." The countess turned her eyes down at Rose as she continued.
"No child should be taken from their parents like that… " Alcina made a motion with her free hand, as if to pat Rose's head, but decided against it at the last second; the girl watched her curiously all the while, seemingly unafraid. "...I took no joy in the act, yet it was not ours to question…" The countess slowly withdrew her hand back to her side as she finished her little monologue.
This half-hearted apology of hers evoked mixed feelings in the slighted father as the rush of buried memories flooded in. Ethan felt his face flush in anger as he himself took a glance at his beloved child - the same one that was so callously torn to pieces by these so-called Lords and Ladies of the valley, seemingly so long ago now.
Dimitrescu sure didn't look particularly remorseful that day when she held all the cards…
The only thing that stopped the man from immediately producing a biting remark was a pair of amber orbs, gazing at both Ethan and Alcina with fascination and… hope.
This moment of forgiveness and moving forward had a tremendous value to the blonde Dimitrescu daughter - that much Ethan could glimpse from a single passing glance her way. The father knew well by now that the elder sibling, despite her strong exterior, had a sensitive heart and the harsh words that were begging to be let loose would only break it.
Bela deserved better than to have this beautiful moment of family reunion ruined by the pointless bickering he was about to start. Rosie didn't need all this drama as well. Taking a moment further to gather his wits, Ethan finally responded - not with cruel, even if just, accusations - but with words of understanding.
"Miranda held everyone by the leash back then…" Having said that, Ethan glanced back at Bela, who simply stared at him with her expressive orbs widened. The blonde man gave her a small smile as he continued in a soft tone.
"Lady Dimitrescu, getting to know your daughters over the last week taught me that matters are rarely black and white… and my own wife's actions truly drove that lesson home…"
"I see…"
Both Alcina and Chris reacted to that little speech of his with widened eyes and pensive looks, while all three sisters were clearly overjoyed, each in her own manner. Daniela was struggling to hold herself back from leaping at them with a bone-crushing hug. Cassandra was merely smirking proudly. Bela gazed at them with nothing but affection in her amber orbs. Rosie herself likely failed to fully grasp the issue being discussed, yet a small smile played on her own lips as well, the suddenly joyous atmosphere being infectious.
A beat of silence passed.
"TIME FOR A GROUP HUG!"
With a shrill cry, Daniela was upon them, one long arm wrapped around Alcina's neck and another around Ethan's as she gripped them with great vigor, pulling them together, with her own grinning face stuck in between.
"Come now, darling… this is embarrassing…"
Alcina was not amused, but made no motion, other than the half-hearted protest, to get out of her youngest' grasp. With a wide grin of her own, Bela joined their embrace, one arm around her mother's waist and another around Ethan's, as the man himself engulfed Rosie with his own hands.
"Daughters! Stop this humiliating display at once!"
Despite her words, the countess couldn't suppress a joyous smile of her own from spreading across her face. With a wide, toothy grin, Cassandra was next to add to their circle, shoving herself in between her blonde sister and Ethan, momentarily disheartening the father as Bela's gentle hand left his waist. A hearty slap against his rear followed, as Cassandra noticed the blonde man's dismay.
"What, am I not pretty enough for you?"
Before Ethan could even respond to the vulgar gesture or the playfully sounding taunt, Cassandra had already lost interest in him, now turning her head to glance at the captain left outside. In a display of cat-like grace, the brunette woman reached her long limb to grasp Chris' palm.
"Come here, soldier-boy!"
Cassandra's lean arm bellied her inhuman strength, as Chris found out for himself when she roughly and unceremoniously pulled him in. With a scowl and a scoff full of indignity, the large man, nevertheless, took his spot, with Cassandra's hand firmly over his own waistline.
Rosie was quick to offer the nice captain who was always eager to play with her a tiny hand of her own, which he accepted with a gentle smile, completing their little circle.
Eveline, overcoming her fear of the powerful bioweapons slayer, made her way inside the circle, passing right through Daniela, and snuggled close to Rosie, her little palm placing itself on top of the blonde father's hand that was still gripping Rose's shoulder. The man couldn't resist the sudden urge to reverse his hand to grasp her own. He immediately realized his mistake as he felt hot breath licking his earlobe.
"Who is your friend…?"
Daniela's curiosity-filled whisper into his ear sent shivers running throughout his body. Her keen amber orbs were watching him like a hawk now, soaking every single detail and every motion he made. It seemed that while Bela was the smartest sister and Cassandra the strongest; Daniela claimed her title as the most perceptive one.
Ethan couldn't make himself lie when directly confronted like that. His whispers back, right into her own ear, went unseen - as the others were distracted by Cassandra's playful laughter as she slapped Chris' rear this time.
"I'll tell you later, alright? It's kinda a long story..."
"Mhm… I'll hold you to that…"
Satisfied, the redhead gave him a charming smile, before closing her eyes and letting out a sigh full of contentment.
"I love you all, guys... Well...maybe except for the big guy there, but I am sure that can change soon enough!"
Daniela's mirthful attitude was truly contagious. If one could ignore that whole murderous man-eater thing, the redhead was probably the nicest person Ethan knew. Unable to hide an ear splitting grin of his own, the father let out a joyful chuckle, which was soon mirrored by everyone present, with varying intensity from individual to individual. Alcina and Chris were still quite reserved, while the rest enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content.
The gang stood like that for a few more moments, simply trading carefree laughs and happy smiles. Standing like that, in a circle of bitter enemies made loyal friends, Ethan suddenly forgot all of his woes and troubles. Naturally, such tranquility cannot last.
"As nice as…all this is, we do have something important to discuss." Chris muttered the foreboding words even as he gently but firmly broke from Cassandra's grasp and Rosie's grip. Both the woman and the girl frowned as he stepped away, breaking their surreal circle of joy and beckoning forth the harsh reality.
At the questioning glance from Chris, Alcina merely waved her hand, dismissing the larger man, to his obvious ire; addressing her eldest, instead. The Dimitrescu matriarch appeared lightheaded and unsteady now. Clearly, eight hours of rest was not enough to overcome debilitating effects inflicted by her 'treatment'.
"Bela, my dearest dove, would you be so kind and deal with the good captain in my place… I feel like I need to lie down for a bit…"
"Of course, mother! Just rest and let me take care of everything! You need to focus on recovering your strength."
As Bela assisted Alcina back to her bed, Daniela kept grinning at Ethan with a knowing spark in her wide amber orbs. Eveline was quick to stand at her side and give the father a taunting smirk of her own.
Ugh… I guess that would've come to light eventually… I just wish it happened on my own terms.
Having had enough with the two grinning girls, Ethan took a moment to appreciate another bewildering scene taking place near him.
"I trust I am invited to your little gathering, as well?"
Cassandra was giving Chris her signature pleasant yet somewhat menacing smile as she asked the question. The man only folded his arms as he gave a brief answer.
"No."
The brunette was undaunted, if her suddenly mischievous grin was any indication.
"I'll come anyway."
It's like the powerful captain was waiting for that response, with his own lips twisting into an almost-playful smirk.
"Alright."
Turning to face Ethan next, the large man gave another brief instruction, before promptly walking out. "Get dressed and meet me on that upper deck establishment, Ethan - I am sure you know which one. Time's a-wastin." Cassandra was hot on his heels, though she stopped to whisper something to both Alcina and Bela, kissing the former gently upon her forehead.
Ethan, though finding his body aching in places too numerous to count, did as told. Whatever Chris wanted to speak to them about seemed important.
As he was working on reapplying bandages to his still hurting limbs, Bela fluttered to his side. The woman was visibly giddy with excitement as she almost danced on the balls of her restless feet. He couldn't suppress a slight shudder that went throughout his body as now Bela's hot breath washed over his ear.
"I'll get Tom to watch over Rosie and then catch up to you, sounds good?"
"Sure…"
The father gently patted his daughter's head as Bela knelt in front of the tiny girl. Bela's voice was as soft as ever as one blonde daughter addressed the other.
"Let's go find uncle Tom, dear. What was the last fable he read you?"
"Red Riding Hood, Aunt Bela!" Rose was quick to wrap her small arms around Bela's neck as the tall woman made a motion to lift the girl up, murmuring all the while.
"Oh? That's nice! I wanted to tell you our local beloved fable as well, when it's just you and me, little one! You'll love it!"
Before Ethan could protest that last point, Bela was already marching out, with Rosie pressed firmly against her chest. The tiny girl gave him a small wave as they departed, which he returned with a loving smile.
Not saying a word, Eveline followed them along. The man actually felt a presence of some kind receding from the back of his mind as the ghostly girl walked out. Possibly, despite existing in both of them, she could only 'be' in one place at a time? That was something Ethan was going to ask her, later.
As if on cue, a nurse with Ethan's spare clothing walked in and placed them on his bed, before offering the man a liquid solution of Viridis Plantae. Downing the substance with a nod of gratitude; the father quickly went to dress up behind a white curtain.
Now in his simple summer outfit and feeling immediately rejuvenated by the imbued medicine, Ethan went on his own way, giving one last glance to already sleeping Alcina and ever-vigilant Daniela, in a chair next to her mother's bed.
Daniela was hard at work - destroying a plate full of red meat; the meal apparently brought to the redhead by another young-faced and freckled nurse, who stared at the ravenous daughter in morbid fascination, from a safe distance. Several already empty glasses stood atop the bedside drawer, a couple of drops of dark red liquid still remaining in them.
As Ethan passed them on his way out, Daniela turned her freshly gore-soaked visage towards him. With her similarly bloodied two fingers, she made a motion from her two eyes towards his, implying that she was watching him. What was likely intended to be a friendly, playful gesture turned into a blood curdling and threatening display that made the man gulp, before sheepishly nodding in resignation and finally taking his leave from the hospital room.
Ethan couldn't help but consider the implication of his inevitable confrontation with the rest of the gang over the fact that he had a passenger in his head, who likely could take full control over his body, if she so wished. Chris, in particular, would not be happy to learn it...
As he walked through the empty halls towards that ill-fated bar, Ethan kept pondering on how exactly he would come clean with Eveline-related stuff without it being extremely awkward. Suddenly, a familiar buzzing sound coming from behind took him out of his musings. Mere moments later, the buzzing stopped and a pair of soft palms covered his eyes.
Daniela couldn't wait to torment me about Eveline, huh? Not surprising.
"Listen, Daniela, maybe we can talk about it a bit later?" When I actually know what the fuck I want to say.
The giggling that followed sounded decidedly unlike Daniela's.
"Oh? What is it you wish to discuss with my youngest sister?"
Bela's voice sounded extremely playful, as that was clearly her current mood. In a swift movement, the woman took her palms off his eyes just to place them around his shoulders. One second later and the father was unceremoniously rotated 180 degrees, coming face to face with the beautiful blonde vampire. Her amber orbs were sparkling with mischief.
"Ugh… nothing?"
Ethan would've slapped himself right now if she wasn't holding him. For a second, her eyes narrowed in suspicion, yet a moment later they relaxed again - the woman was simply in too good a mood and the issue wasn't worth pressing.
"Haha, if you say so!"
"Someone's in a good mood…"
Bela giggled again, before doing something truly shocking. Her hands shifted once more - too fast for him to react - before stopping just above his waistline. Once again proving her inhuman strength, the elder daughter proceeded to easily lift him up, before twirling in place.
Laughing loudly and in obvious joy, the swirling woman was making his head spin - no longer in just a figurative sense.
"Stop it, Bells!" Despite his words, Ethan couldn't suppress his own booming laughter from resounding across the empty halls. She only paused for a moment - to change the direction of the rotations.
"Hah! I am just so happy, Ethan! Mother is alright, my sisters are better than ever and you…"
The woman finally stopped her spinning. Placing the dizzy Ethan back on the solid floor, Bela giggled loudly, as she leaned one hand on the wall for support - clearly unbalanced herself. Calming down a little, she looked at him with fondness and spoke with that lovely serenity she was known for.
"I was so afraid that you guys would be at each other's throats… but instead you made up… Thank you, Ethan. I know how tempting it was to dig up the sins of the past."
As the world stopped spinning, Ethan gave the woman a soft smile of his own.
"It was...but what purpose would it have served? Everyone was so happy… I'd hate to be a party pooper."
Bela gave another charming giggle at that, her gentle hands once again finding themselves around his form - this time wrapping him in a firm embrace - which he returned, eagerly. As she nuzzled into his neck, the man started slowly tracing soft patterns on her back. Her silky blouse did little to conceal her hourglass figure.
Simply holding each other like that brought them both indescribable comfort.
Bela felt both safe and loved in his warm embrace. Somehow the future seemed brighter…
Ethan himself mirrored her feelings, but more than that - even the pain from the sting of Mia's recent actions was dulled. For a moment, the man felt himself fully at ease, his burdens lifted - much like he himself was, mere moments ago.
"In some, probably twisted way, I am really glad that I stumbled into your castle back then. I still remember what you did for me, the comfort you provided in my darkest hour… Thank you... for everything, Bela."
"That's the silliest thing I've ever heard, and that counts for a lot, since Daniela is my sister!"
Bela pulled back a little from their embrace, her amber orbs not leaving his own. The woman then tenderly grasped his left hand - the one unforgettable, physical reminder of the gruesome trials he had lived through.
"You've gone through so much pain and suffering, Ethan. Some of it at my own family's hands…" The blonde woman slowly brought his poor, mutilated appendage to her pink lips; her gaze still unerringly locked onto his.
Likely unknowingly to Bela, she was repeating Cassandra's motions from two years ago, precisely so. The memories of that horrifying moment almost made Ethan close his eyes, as if in preparation for the pain of the brunette's sharp teeth violating his flesh.
Instead, his poor three-fingered hand was treated to a series of feather-light and quick kisses. The feeling of Bela's warm lips on his healed stumps managed to soothe the nightmarish apparitions of both the past and the future. Awestruck, the man could only gaze at her adoringly, as she continued her ministrations.
Apparently satisfied with the amount of love his hand received, the woman soon ceased her barrage of kisses and started to tenderly rub his hand with the thumbs of her own as she still held it with both hands. In a voice that was both playful and soft, she asked the man a surprising question.
"Ethan. Do you know what that name means?"
The father ran his right hand through his hair, sheepish at this unexpected inquiry.
"I am reasonably sure I checked it out at some point, but now I can't seem to recall the meaning…"
Bela only smiled, before providing the information herself.
"It means enduring. Strong. Safe. I think it fits you exceptionally well."
Ethan could only give an undignified snort at that. Lately it seemed all he was good at was taking injuries and passing out. Still, that gave him a thought for a comeback.
"Thanks, Bela. I also happen to think that your name fits you exceptionally well!"
And it did. In Ethan's eyes, nobody was more beautiful than Bela at that moment. Her radiant face with these expressive amber orbs and full lips of hers. That simple yet undeniably sexy outfit that hugged her hourglass figure just right, showing the perfect amount of skin and these desirable mounds of flesh.
Surprising the man, Bela only scoffed at his response, before speaking, with some sadness in her voice.
"I appreciate the compliment, Ethan, but I doubt that my name means what you think it means. It does fit me, however - somewhat." As soon as the dark mood came to her, it evaporated and Bela once again graced him with a wide smile. Another loving peck found its way towards his hand. And another… and another.
Finally, Ethan could handle this unbridled display of affection no longer. Giving the ethereal beauty with a golden heart one last adoration-infused glance, the man closed his own expressive brown-gray eyes as he did a shockingly bold gesture of his own.
His woes and grievances gave way to a surprising amount of suppressed desire as his lips slammed against her own.
Bela did not hesitate in responding in kind - it was obvious that she waited for him to make the first move for a while now.
Their lips and tongues worked in enviable synchronicity as they explored each other's mouths while their hands struggled to hold their respective partner firmly enough.
This kiss lacked the raw desperation of their first one, yet it held all the passion and love; even more so. The previously forbidden feelings of lust were fueling this mouth-to-mouth air exchange, this time.
Even as their lips remained locked, Ethan couldn't suppress the urge to give her shapely rear a firm smack. Bela responded with a surprised yelp before playfully biting on his lower lip, drawing a speck of blood that she promptly licked off.
The pain only exhilarated the man. As they paused for breath, amber orbs staring into brown ones, both felt the gnawing, physical need to take this a step further. Ethan struggled to resist the desire to undress her with his eyes first, his hands second. Bela felt her own cravings for a different kind of male flesh become unbearable as her keen eyes noted his rapidly bulging man-thing.
Ethan, slamming her into the hallway's wall with just enough savagery to make the impact really register, but not enough to actually hurt her, stole another brutal but swift kiss from Bela; before once again losing himself in her depthless amber orbs.
Nibbling her own lower lip seductively, the elder Dimitrescu daughter batted her dark eyelashes at the man, as if inviting him to take her right there and then. Nobody was in their way now - or so she thought.
To Ethan, however, nothing was that simple. Her flirty display inadvertently triggered a memory of Mia doing exactly the same, not that long ago, even…The brown-haired wife made these very motions as she invited him to their bed, several months ago. They were happy together. Whole. And then everything happened...
For just a moment, the man could swear that Bela's breathtaking visage was replaced by Mia's.
The phantom of his wife relented quickly, but even the brief presence of a mere memory, made vivid by the traumatic events of yesterday, was enough to kill the mood completely.
Backing away from the woman he had pressed into the wall, Ethan could only glance at her white sneakers, too ashamed and scared to look her in the eyes.
Even though no words were exchanged, the remorseful husband felt a pair of firm yet gentle hands once again taking him into a tender embrace. Her quiet voice was just as soothing.
"I understand. You need some time to process yesterday's events…"
The man just scoffed, still not looking at her. His own voice was gruff, filled with bitterness.
"Not much to process there, Bells… Mia made everything as plain as it could be. Join her in her bioweapon-trafficking organization and let you girls become their labrats or die myself. It's just… I never imagined her to be capable of such a thing… Was I truly that blind all this time? Was the loving mother and wife just a charade? You're right… I do need time…"
"It's alright, Ethan. I can wait. We can wait. Let's go hear what Chris wanted to speak about, shall we?"
The blonde Dimitrescu relinquished his grasp on his shoulders, but not on his form, as her dainty hand shifted to hold his own now. Without further words, Bela resumed his previously thoroughly-forgotten trek towards the upper deck establishment, Ethan following only slightly behind. Somehow, the awkwardness of the situation evaporated like morning mist, as both of them seemingly drew genuine comfort from one another.
This time, Ethan was not bothered in the slightest as the few passersby beheld their entwined digits.
Author's Note:
Hope I didn't make Alcina too OC here. I wanted that hand-kissing greeting ritual to be of a particularly symbolic value - to show that she is willing to overcome her very nature to defend her daughters, especially since she realizes that she no longer can do so by herself. It's a pretty traditional if outdated gesture, especially among the nobility, overall.
Bela wants to read Rosie 'Village of Shadows'. Should I make a scene just with that? :D
I admit I got some conflicted feelings about Ethan/Bela ongoing romance. On one hand, I know that some readers are quite eager for a more explicit scene (and I am personally dying to write it myself, I already have a couple of interesting notes in my draft), on the other - I really don't want to rush it as it would do my characters no justice. So, it will probably not happen in the next chapter :(
Hopefully this hallway scene was enjoyable enough for now :)