This is so long, I'm sorry in advance. Also, just a heads up...yeah, beware. I kinda got carried away while listening to music and what was supposed to be brief ended up being...you'll see.

This was weird for me to write up. You're welcome.

WARNING! Badonkadonk. Birds and the bees. And with Pitch's commentary it's going to be hotter than Hell's fire.

Chapter 17

I remember Sadie acting a little peculiar a few weeks after Valentine's Day. At first I thought maybe it was something related to school, or...restless sleep? I wasn't sure, but the girl wouldn't talk to me when I asked her and often changed the subject. Alice told me she noticed as well, and asked her when she picked her up from school. Apparently she hasn't heard from one of her friends in a while and she's worrying where they've gone. Alice told her not to worry, that they'll soon get in touch with her.

But Alice told me that she said maybe they sent a letter and it's taking a while, Sadie looked very uncomfortable and hopeless.

...What was that girl up to…

Two months passed, and it was soon April. Thank goodness the snow was finally gone, but the rain was constant on certain days and every morning guaranteed wetness and chilly winds. The flora in the town was struggling to bloom, not fully done but almost there. I liked this type of weather the best. It wasn't blindingly sunny, nor freezing cold, or absolutely dreary. It was decently shady. It didn't hurt my eyes nor did it make me want to stay inside. I liked the smell of rain and watching the leaves sway in the wet wind.

So did Alice.

One time we actually sat outside on the bathroom towels until it started thunderstorming, and we came in sopping wet and laughing. That was a good memory. That was the day I learned that her auburn hair wasn't her natural hair color. I mean, I kind of suspected it since it was an unnatural blood red color, but she told me she liked it better than her brunette hair. So of course, I challenged her to let her hair return to it's natural shade so I could see what she looks like as a girl with brown hair. Why wouldn't I? I felt like I was deceived!

I'm kidding.

April 22nd is Alice's birthday. I'll never forget that day, the first time celebrating her birthday with her and Sadie.

It started with making her chocolate chip pancakes in the morning. I mean, early in the morning. Crack of dawn. I had to literally carry Sadie out of bed in order for her to help me. But the little girl ended up falling back asleep at the table, her head resting on the open cook book I was using.

I needed Sadie's help badly then. I didn't know how to make pancakes and with the appliances in their kitchen, it was like rocket science.

That's a poor excuse. Alright, I'll confess.

Alice walked in and somehow an explosion of batter happened. I have no idea how, please refrain from asking. But the chocolate chip batter spread all over the stove, the wall behind it and all over me. It frightened Sadie awake, for I heard her jolt up with a yelp.

Surprisingly, Alice was laughing hysterically. She held her stomach as she gestured to my face.

I frowned, unamused at how she thought it was hilarious that I failed in making her breakfast. I was thinking of her! And now she's laughing at my attempt of making her a gift.

But I didn't realize I had batter all over my face as well, as well as chocolate splatters. Sadie was biting back a grin as well, rubbing her eyes awake. Alice walked over to me and touched my cheek and showed me her index finger, and indeed it was covered with batter.

"You suck at pancakes." Alice giggled, licking her finger.

"I know, just...shut up." I mumbled through my teeth, looking away. So much for-

Then I felt her tongue on my cheekbone. That startled me and made me jolt back up and stare at her in shock. She merely smiled innocently, but Sadie saw it all.

"Oh ew, Alice! That was nasty! That stuff is uncooked!" Sadie made a sick face and held her stomach.

I grinned widely, dropped the stirring spoon in my hand and wrapped my arms around her before kissing her. Alice giggled through the kiss and her hands wove through my hair, making me shiver. She pulled back from the kiss and licked my jaw where more chocolate lay, causing me to chuckle.

"Oh GOD!" Sadie made fake retching noises, "Stop it! I swear to God Above I'll do anything if you just stop!"

Alice pulled away again and grinned at her, raising a brow. "Anything?"

"Yeah, anything!" Sadie looked like she was having an actual meltdown. It was kind of amusing.

"You'll clean your room."

"Yes!"

"Do your laundry."

"That too!"

I was expecting Alice to give another chore for her sister to do, but I was surprised at the next one. She smiled and said, "Have a sleepover at Lucy's?"

Sadie's eyes widened. Alice told her that she was invited to a slumber party around lunchtime, and Sadie nearly whooped with glee out of her chair. That definitely encouraged her to do a good job cleaning her room and her clothes, because when Alice and I went in to double check the entire room was spotless. Not even a stray sock or puzzle piece on the ground. Not even a hair from her dolls' heads.

To be quite honest, I think it was the most cleanest room I've ever seen a child possess. Even her pillows were fluffed and her trash was empty. The room was spotless. That clearly told me she really wanted to go visit her friend. Maybe it was that friend who wasn't around and why Sadie was so forlorn for a while? I guessed so.

Once she left, it was just Alice and I. That gave us more privacy, and honestly, I kind of liked it. She properly cooked pancakes and ate quite a lot of it. I didn't really have anything to give her, so whatever she wanted to do, I was by her side with it. After lunch she wanted to watch a movie she hasn't seen in many years, and I was more than happy enough to lay on the couch with her. Half of the time I wasn't even watching the movie, I was watching Alice. I would laugh when she laughed, I'd stroke her hair, hold her shoulder when the sad moments happened and she'd cuddle closer, and at one point she allowed me to braid a small strand of her hair during the credits.

"How is your birthday, so far?" I asked, holding her shoulders.

"Good. Simple, just the way I like it." She beamed at me, "But it'd be better if you'd give me a back rub."

I grinned at that and swirled my finger for her to turn around. She made some sort of pleased noise and straightened her back, moving her hair away from her neck.

Oh, I knew what she was doing. She's clever, but isn't matched to my own.

I rubbed her shoulders before pressing my thumbs down her shoulder blades, and rolled my palms until I heard her sigh happily. That made me smirk, knowing how easily I could make her feel good.

...Imagine what else I could do to her...the moans she would make…

Shit. Don't think that, Pitch. Bad zone to go into right now, especially when she was around. Still, I couldn't help myself from kissing her neck and letting my lips linger there the more my hands trailed down her back and wrapped around to her stomach, pulling her close to me.

"Why send Sadie away to her friends house?" I asked, noticing her blush reaching the tip of her neck, "I know for a fact this wasn't a coincidence."

"Damn," Alice laughed as she turned around to face me, "Okay, I wanted my birthday with just you and me. There's...there's something I wanted to show you, to share with you."

I was genuinely curious. She's shared a lot of things with me...what other secrets could this girl keep? I guess my questions were written all over my face because Alice smiled and kissed my nose, causing me to smirk at her sappiness.

"You'll have to wait and see. It's a place that means a lot to me." Alice said softly.

I noticed her eyes glance at my lips before looking back at my eyes. I grinned and leaned back, teasing her. She made that adorable pouty face and followed me back, giving me bambi eyes.

"Come on, that's mean." Alice murmured.

"I'm an evil man." I laughed, gently caressing her cheeks.

"Yeah, you are!" Alice smiled, and then bravely kissed me, albeit a bit off from where her target should be but nonetheless she always was capable of taking my breath away.

To prove her I growled and bit her lip, and she opened her mouth to whimper. My tongue slipped in and gently caressed her own. Her hands were soon stuck in my hair and she pressed her body closer, moaning softly.

I wanted her so bad...I never thought I would experience total, uncontrollable lust and love again, but I have.

But then she pulled away and jumped up, and she started laughing when I made some sort of noise of disappointment. I didn't know I was capable of a whine, but apparently I was. Or at least, at that time.

"Come on," she called as she opened the sliding glass door, "I want to show you."

"Show me what?" I asked as I followed her outside.

The sun was already setting by the time we were outside. The sky was tinted a violet purple with dark pinks and reds. Stars were slowly blinking back into the sky, one by one, and not one single cloud was in sight. The wind was no longer bitingly cold, just warm and soft. Alice led me by the hand into the woods behind the house, carefully stepping over roots and branches, warning me of incoming stumps. I smiled and tried attempting to grab her ass, but she laughed and swatted my hand away, pulling me a bit so I would walk beside her. My arm snaked around her waist as she led me to this tiny clearing, barely ten feet long and seven feet wide.

By the time we reached this clearing, it was dark. The moon was just rising in the sky, but it was bright enough to see what was there. The entire clearing had soft grass and moss, not a single root or rock to be seen. Small flowers of white and purple dotted the grass here and there.

Upon further inspection, Alice released my hand and walked towards a tree at the edge of the clearing and climbed into it with dexterity. She disappeared behind the upper branch, and a rustling followed.

"When I was really little I found this spot, and this hiding place became something like a clubhouse, but only me and my imaginary friends could be in. Not even Sadie knows about this place."

I chuckled, watching my feet shuffle before looking up and seeing her silouette against the leaves. Something was lying in her hands.

"Am I an imaginary friend, then?" I teased.

Alice softly laughed before jumping from the branch expertly, rolling her eyes at me. "No, you didn't let me finish,"

"I apologize." I gave her the best pouty face I could muster, but being one with the dark and known as a villain makes it harder to pull that off.

She smiled before coming over to me and looking at this wooden box in her arms, etched into the cover was the word Memories in childlike handwriting. She traced her fingers across the top of the box and said softly,

"When I got a little older, I knew I wanted to share this place with someone that meant the world to me. It got a little lonely with just playing with imaginary people that even I couldn't see."

I smiled as I plucked a few stray leaves from her tresses. Her hair was already returning to it's original brown color, with the fading red looking like mere highlights. I liked her brown hair.

"Well, I feel honored. Thank you, Alice."

"You should be," she smirked, "Because whatever is in here are memories of...what I used to be before my parents died."

"Alice, you don't-"

"I'm ready to," she said with a brave smile, "Because you were around I finally moved on from all that sadness and regret, and I can look back with fondness now. It no longer hurts to think about Mom and Dad. My fears made me stronger, and now I...I want to show you this." Alice sat down on the soft ground, and I followed her movements.

"You know what a time capsule is?" she asked, putting her hands firmly on top of the box.

I slowly nodded. I knew the meaning behind it, I just didn't know what humans put inside of them. Alice shyly smiled before taking off the lid that scraped against the edges.

Inside were things like photographs, handmade objects, written notes, and even jewelry. Alice held up a plastic bag holding a sterling silver necklace with a swirling pendant, "My mom's. She gave it to me when I turned ten."

"It's very beautiful." I commented, and held my hands open when she handed me a small collection of photos from the past. Some were edged as if they were cut and some still shone as if they were brand new.

The first picture was of a woman in a wedding gown, the sleeves puffed and tapering down to the wrist. A man with a trimmed beard stood next to her, smiling broadly. The woman looked just as happy, and her eyes shone behind the thin veil.

"They got married a couple years after they dated. They were planning on getting married in the winter, but then my mom found out she was pregnant with me, so they got married in the summertime. I guess for legal issues." she had a nostalgic smile on her face that I liked.

She definitely did have her mother's eyes and her father's laughing smile. She inherited his dark hair as well, while Sadie looked more like her mother. But knowing Sadie, she'll grow her hair to her waist unlike her mother who cropped it to the beginning of her neck.

The following photographs were pictures of Alice as a baby and a couple of herself holding Sadie for the first time. Those made me laugh. Alice looked like she was confused as to why a baby was in her arms. She had on a disgusted, confused frown on her face and her messy hair was about to get snagged by Sadie's baby hands.

"That was the first time I held Sadie," Alice rolled her eyes, "I knew I wanted a sister, but I didn't know that babies smelled and...well, all in all I was disgusted that she peed on me."

I knew how much these meant to her. The photos of her family on vacations, Holiday cards her mother decorated, photos of their previous dog they owned when Alice was in high school, and her father happily showing his brand new car.

But then the next photo made my heart drop. The image was of Sadie standing next to Alice with her hand in her mouth, looking puzzled as she stared at the ground. Both of them wore black dresses and had their hair in ponytails, but Sadie looked more like a china doll than Alice did.

The funeral.

Alice showed me a clipping from a newspaper, old and smelling like aged paper. The title read in bold print, Cruise Ship Crash Along Coastline. Below that was an image of a massive vacation cruise, nearly broken and dismantled, sinking into the water. Smoke poured out of the bow of the boat, and only three lifeboats were floating away with people sobbing on them and holding each other for dear life.

"They were brave people," Alice said sadly, "I had a bad feeling when they left. I guess it was a warning of what was going to happen…"

"So...your parents drowned…" I looked up at her, understanding her pain.

She nodded, though with an emotion to show that she has moved on from her grief. "By the time they found their bodies, they were underwater held down by debris. Gramma was the one who told me a few days later…" Alice's voice lowered quietly, "But I think what bothered me most was that when my parents left, that was the last time I heard them say 'I love you.'"

I pulled her into a gentle hug, and she stiffened from surprise. Normally I don't react like that, and granted I don't, but in cases like this….I just knew she needed that. She hugged back before letting out a slight giggle. I pulled away and rose a brow, and she smiled at me.

"They would've liked you," she whispered, caressing my face, "Dad especially. You share the same taste in music," she looked down at my robe, "Though they probably would be concerned about me dating the Boogeyman."

"Everyone associates me with fear, I get that," I smirked, "If they were still around I bet it would take a while for them to trust me."

Alice looked up at me. Her big eyes read every emotion inside her. Love, happiness, comfort…

"I think they already do," she gave a soft smile, "Otherwise I wouldn't have...I wouldn't have felt like this."

Ow. My heartbeat was in my throat. I could feel it pounding...it reverberated all through my body. Was my own body shaking with each thrum of my heart? I never felt it beat so hard before...if anything I would feel it faintly before, but now it…

What was that Christmas movie Sadie liked watching? It had a green monster in it, where he was so evil he stole Christmas but then returned it because his heart grew so big. That's what it felt like. Like it was about to burst out of my chest.

Alice smiled and put everything back in the box before setting it aside, and then shifted her positions so she sat on her legs.

"Remember how you said you felt bad for not getting me anything?"

A pang struck, definitely a warning of guilt. I winced at that, and then slowly nodded. I was hesitant. I hope she wasn't disappointed. But by her confident smile I assumed the worst wasn't going to happen.

"Well, there is," she looked away and brushed back some of her hair behind her ear, "two, in fact."

"Oh? What might the first one be?" I smirked at her.

She laid down on the grass and stared up at the starry sky. Knowing humans she probably couldn't see me, but my well accustomed vision to the night allowed me to see her have a faint smile on her cheeks.

"Tell me about who you were before. Your life before you became you now."

"It's quite long, I'm afraid." I wasn't sure if she wanted to hear about my late wife and how I had a daughter…

She looked in the direction of my voice and smiled brightly, "We've got all night."

I was hesitant still. Awkwardly, I laid down next to her and looked up at the stars, thinking about where to start. Where should I? Right when I was born or where my life really held meaning?

So I started with the basics. I honestly was surprised at how easy these memories came to me now. Remember when Sandy informed me that because Alice's belief is stronger than others, and that she is my Devout Bond? It would help me regain lost memories, and he was right. Almost like a movie playing in my head were unlocked memories that I either couldn't recall or the fearlings blocked. They no longer controlled my mind. I could remember anything, or at least more than before.

I told her how I was the only child of my parents, my father who was a veteran from the royal kingsguard and my mother was a seamstress. My father died from wound infection when I was seven years old, a few years after I was sent to the Academy to be trained for the army. I was the best in my class, excelling at not only battle but linguistics and astronomy. Pretty soon I was assigned to my first squadron when I was only seventeen years old, but I didn't stay long. By the time I moved up to the title of officer, the fearlings and dream pirates were attacking our realm. Because of my skills my commander entrusted me to the royal kingsguard like my father served beforehand, and it was proven just that with my leadership our army would grow and defeat any who tried to attack us. Before I became a general I was roped into an arranged marriage by my mother, and ended up falling in love with my late wife. Days after being titled general, our daughter Emily Jane was born just as the sun was rising. I remember her being the light of my life...both of them. I loved them very much. A few years passed, and by the time Emily Jane was about Sadie's age I was assigned to guard the doors where the fearlings were kept in their dungeon. If I had a choice I would've stayed home. I didn't want to leave my daughter and wife, but they both knew I had no choice. I remember leaving on the ship, and looking back and seeing my wife wave goodbye and Emily Jane crying but waving her little hand very fast.

That was the last time I saw them as Kozmotis Pitchiner. The first time I saw them as Pitch Black, was the last time I'd see them alive.

I ended it there, only because I didn't want to scare Alice with the horrifying story of how I destroyed the entire realm and others as well, and even killed my own wife and witnessed my daughter disappear. I had no control over me back then, it was all the fearlings. All I could do was watch as the kingdom burned to the ground…

But once I was defeated by Nightlight and found myself here, I was capable of controlling myself more, and putting the fearlings at bay. Now that they were satisfied with the damage they've done, I made them my own servants and they do my bidding to keep me alive.

And...here I am now.

"Wow…" Alice sounded impressed, "That's more exciting than any life I've known."

I shrugged, "It was common where I was from. Old news, the usual. If anything your life is interesting. At least you're not forced into a marriage."

"Yeah, but you liked her in the end." she smirked.

"Yeah, I did." I rolled my eyes.

Alice childishly rolled on top of me and touched my face, trying to find where my eyes were in the dark. Once her hands wandered down to my mouth I bit her and she mumbled, "Ow." Then she placed her hands on my cheeks. Don't ask me why, I don't know why she did that.

"What would you do if you and I were in an arranged marriage?"

I smiled, "I'd be very happy, and glad my mother finally listened to me for once and gave me something I wanted."

"You want me?" she sounded surprised, and quiet.

"All the time. Even now…" my voice trailed off. Her face was so close, I could have kissed her. I wasn't going to unless she allowed it, though. But still, my hands found themselves at her waist, thumbing the bottom of her shirt.

"Pitch…"

That was a clear green light for me to kiss her. And I damn well did. Why wouldn't I?

I soon found myself rolling her over onto her back and on top of her. Her legs wrapped around my hips and her arms around my shoulders. My mind went fuzzy...I couldn't regain the self control I had before.

I have to be in control...I...can't…

I must've stopped because Alice touched my face and asked quietly, "Pitch?"

"I want you...right now, but I can't-"

"Yes you can," her mouth connected with my neck as her hands traveled down my chest. I couldn't help but shudder… "I want you to."

"No, you-"

"I do. I want to share myself with you in ways I haven't before. I want you to be my first. I choose you…"

I was quiet. I had to consider her words carefully. She sounded like she sincerely meant it all. But...I wanted her to be sure.

"There aren't any take backs."

"I won't regret it."

"I might if I hurt you."

Alice's lips found mine again, lingering there longer than before.

She pulled away and breathlessly whispered, "Think of it as a birthday gift for me."

That did it. I was kissing her all over, our clothes peeling off one by one. The air got hotter than it was before. Was it us? Was our love heating up the entire forest? I could imagine the entire wood lighting on fire, burning into the sky until the world turned red as we made love on the grass. I haven't done this in so long...for so long I thought I forgot how to hold a woman, how to make her feel good.

But her sighs and moans were an indicator that nothing slipped my mind over the centuries.

Our breath mingled, panting when her body pressed against mine and her hands grabbed at my shoulders. I kissed her again and let my lips trailed over to her ear, teasing her by trailing my hands down her body to her south.

"I bet you would moan my name beautifully." I murmured, biting her neck.

She tried biting back a moan, but failed, and it made it worse the more I played with her body.

I didn't think a virgin like her would know how to make me feel like I was melting. Sweat dripped from our bodies, the air got hotter and hotter. I hadn't even penetrated her yet. We were just playing, seeing who would cave in first. And so far I was winning.

I don't know what I did, but Alice's moans got louder and her back arched. God, it was sexy hearing her make those noises…

They say that when soulmates make love, they get so hot they create fire. I swore I saw steam rise from when I touched her and when she scratched my chest with her blunt nails, I saw tiny flames from her fingertips. She looked so vulnerable under me...so young, full of life and vulnerable. Seeing her squirm at my touch and moan...it undid me.

"Now...Please, Pitch. Now." she was the first to cave in.

I smirked, grinding her hips into mine just to tease her. She made a noise of both pleasure and irritation I wasn't doing her bidding. I grinned and kissed her stomach, enjoying watching it flex and release from her rapid breathing and good feelings.

"Why? I thought you wanted to play."

"P-Pitch…" Alice groaned, and let out a breathless moan when I licked her stomach slowly.

"Beg for me."

"N-no."

"Beg, princess."

I kissed down her inner thigh, teasing her more. By the time I reached where she wanted me to be, her hips jerked and she whimpered. I grinned and rose back up, giving her a superior smile.

"Pitch, please...I want you."

That's right. Beg for me...beg for your king.

Crawling back up to her face, I gently kissed her before thrusting in. Her mouth opened in a gasp, her head craning back.

After that it was just soft, gentle touches...soft thrusts in a rhythm, going faster and faster, harder and harder, and whisperings of 'I love you's. She clung to me, burying her mouth to my shoulder so not even the nighttime animals could hear her scream in pleasure.

…

We made love until the sunrise, and by then, we were fast asleep in each other's arms, legs intertwined. Her head rested in the crook of my neck, her breath soft against my skin. I was the first to wake up with the call of the morning birds. My robe was draped over our legs, giving us some source of warmth from the chilly night. When I woke up, I was met with her sleeping, angelic face...so at peace. Content in her own dreamland. A smile tugged at my lips as I touched her cheek.

But as my eyes traveled downwards, I saw the marks I gave her. Not just bruises, but bite marks as well. Was I that animalistic? They were scattered on her shoulders, her neck, her thighs and her hips and in between her legs. I couldn't help but smile as I touched her leg.

Alice stirred a bit and opened her eyes. I looked at her and grinned.

"Morning."

She smiled sleepily, "Good morning...What're you looking at?"

I gestured to her body, and she looked down. After a moment's worth of staring, she grinned, "Cool. They look like I've been in battle."

"And quite a battle it was." I chuckled, pulling her into a kiss.

Sorry for the secks. I intended it to be shorter but it kinda got hardcore and very passionate. Whoopsie.

My finger slipped.

Oh God, that sounded wrong. Please don't. Don't make a joke.