LIKE A FAIRY TALE

「You ran and ran as fast as your legs could carry you.」

The resounding sound of pitter-patter upon the pavement echoed throughout the landscape. You weren't entirely sure where you were headed. All you knew was that wherever you go, it mustn't be anything remotely akin to civilization; lest you should have to see one more goddamn vampire. You were more than fed up with all of their barbaric nonsense. Thankfully the night was almost over, you could feel it in your gut. If you could just make it back…

Despite yourself, you began to miss the soft, luxurious bed of your captor's lair. You missed that slight sense of security you derived from being able to sleep in peace, undisturbed by any other monster than the one you lived with. Even so, you snarled in frustration, now gripping the boy's hand tighter as you continued on. To think you'd actually long for anything that bastard had to offer. It made your blood boil.

Azusa winced, but said nothing. He merely trailed after you. In his eyes, there was little to complain about. He couldn't be happier. Being dragged along by his princess like this, it all seemed like a dream come true. Obediently he followed you past the lake's perimeter, out through the gates of the park's massive botanical garden. At this point, he was more than willing to follow you anywhere. He protected you, and in turn you protected him. Already Azusa had become hopelessly attached to you. A faint smile grew upon his face as his mind drifted off to thoughts of your future together: all the things you'd do for each other.

The two of you finally stopped to rest, halting within the thick cover of shrubbery. You dropped his hand as you had to hold your chest in an effort to catch your breath. Never had you ran so fast in your life. Never had a situation spurred you on to do so. Not even during your survival had you ever felt the need to get as far away from something, or really someone so desperately.

Azusa watched for a moment before finally taking a good look at his surroundings. Despite being able to see much of the garden from where you hid, one could view the beautiful fountain from between the foliage. As his eyes drifted to the fauna which provided you with protection, he lit up. Hardly noticing his action, you'd just managed to recover from such a panicked escape. You dug your hand into your hair, trying to come to terms with the current events. To think you actually brought one of them with you. He couldn't stay here. So what are you supposed to do with him?

An Azalea came into your view. Startle by its sudden appearance, you blinked a moment before turning your gaze to it's origin. Azusa withdrew slightly.

"Sorry...if I...scared you."

You shook your head to reassure him. You gave him a smile as you gently took it from his hand. "Thank you…" You spoke absentmindedly as you stared at it, a bit surprised by his sudden action.

"Can I...put it in your hair?" Azusa said, looking away slightly once you registered what he just said. You knew you had to remain within this one's favour. Angering him would do you no good, so you decided to play along for now. Since he was already wounded you felt a bit more confident to be able to debilitate him further if he tried anything. You merely nod and he silently crept over.

You couldn't help but stare as he did exactly what he said. Azusa simply took the flower from your open palm and carefully situated it into your hair. You blushed from embarrassment when it dawned upon you the disheveled state your hair was from the whole ordeal. Despite this, Azusa made no indication of acknowledging it. It was in this moment, when he withdrew from you all without incident, that you knew this one wasn't playing innocent. Could he really be this naive…?

He looked upon his work with that same sense of wonder when he first saw you. It mattered little to him how tattered your attire and self was. To him, you were absolutely beautiful as you were. Azusa opened his mouth to speak but the loud chime of the town bell drowned out everything else. Your eyes widened having been brought back to the realization of the nearing end. Clearly this vampire was fond of you. You had to admit, it was precious how child-like he'd went about expressing his affections. However, the sad reality was that you'd been claimed by another. Not only this but also he could get seriously injured if he tried to win you again; especially with him present. He bore the wounds to prove this fact. What it all came down to was that you needed to leave: soon. You needed to leave before his heart could take him any further.

"Look, thanks for saving me." You said as you scanned his face for a response.
"But I need to go...don't follow me."

Azusa hummed a bit, holding his hand to his face. You could clearly tell that he was attempting to hide his displeasure.

"Why…?" He finally spoke up. His eyes too looking to you for a reply.

With a sigh you said, "I hate to say his but...I can't be here, or really anywhere with you. You understand don't you?"

Azusa tilted his head. You'd already shown him that you don't hate him, so why were you being so cold? Maybe you're testing him. Yes, that's it. That has to be it. You had to be testing how far he'd really go to make you his. That was the only logical conclusion. He needs to sweep you off your feet in order to win you over completely. All in all, he felt pleased by this perceived turn of events. It really is turning out to be like a fairy tale. He bore a wide grin upon realizing this and laughed softly to himself. With raised brow you looked at his odd response. Shaking your head you grumble to yourself. He's just as hopeless as Latio isn't he?

The chime of the next bell rang, thus increasing your sense of urgency. You needed to make an exit, and fast. In all honesty, you preferred not to use force, but you were prepared to do so if absolutely necessary. Upon noticing Azusa's eyes scan the sky upon the sound, you recalled this young one's unfamiliarity with this world. At least this fact set you with yet another advantage.

"Just follow the garden's path and you'll eventually find your way out." You said as you began to take several steps away. Azusa soon turned back to you. Just like that, you marched past him, not looking back. You let out a gasp in surprise when you felt a slight tug. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around your waist. You tensed. Was he really going to make you have to hurt him? With that small glimmer of faith you had in this naive young vampire, you decided to wait just a bit longer; just to see what he'd do.

He drew you closer, so much so that you could feel your back pressed upon his chest. Your heart skipped a beat as you felt his head rest on your shoulder, slowly progressing up towards your exposed neck. You made a move to reach for the blade you'd kept hidden within your dress. You refused to be fed upon again; not like this. Fledgling or not, your resolve grew firm. You held your blade ready, waiting for the chance to strike.

Azusa nuzzled his face into your neck. His grip around your waist gradually tightened as he completely lost himself in your scent. His breath upon you caused a slight chill to run down your spine. You frowned, how could you have let him get so close? Could you really be making the same mistakes already in the same night? Hands shaky, you gripped the blade tight. Slowly you raised it just enough to get a good jab at him. The moment you feel fangs touch your throat, that was the moment he'd lose all sympathy.

"Please…" Azusa murmured, gripping you even tighter.

"Don't...go."

He spoke with such sadness. It made your heart wrench within your chest. He really is a lonely thing isn't he; just like you. More and more you began to feel the pity you have for him well up within you. It began to cloud your judgment. You needed to leave immediately, for both his and your sake.

You took a deep breath. Somehow you managed to pry his hands off of you. Upon feeling your hands touch his, Azusa naturally loosened his grip; being caught off guard. Taking this opportunity, you easily slipped away. Azusa stood there a moment, dazed. The warmth of your body still lingered upon him as he stared at the empty space where you'd stood just moments before. Presently he looked up to where you now stood, rigid as ever.

You bit your lip as you prepared for what you had to say.

"Didn't you hear me?" You said, giving him a cold glare. "I said don't follow me. If you try that again, I won't be so merciful next time." You held up the makeshift knife you'd held into plain view.

Azusa completely understood. In fact, he looked a bit disappointed. Such a reaction seemed appropriate to you. Heaving a sigh you turned away. You had this horrible feeling in your gut that would not leave you. You knew Azusa managed to say something in reply but you didn't want to hear it. You took off, running as fast as you could away from that place; from that pitiful creature. You couldn't take it. You had enough. All you wanted to do is return to the only place you could call 'home' and just die; never having to care again about the escalating troubles of romancing a damned vampire.

Diabolik Lovers, the setting nor characters belong to me. I'm simply crafting a story based upon such.

Nor do I own the title, I have MEJIBRAY to thank for that