Twilight Imagines

12. Rules Can Change (Alec Volturi)

(Published on March 6, 2022) 

   The sky was pitch black outside.  I stood on the old stone balcony of my apartment, gazing out at the shadowy world around me without much hope.  Alec had visited me for the past three nights in a row, so I doubted he'd show up this evening.  I could hardly believe his masters would let him sneak away for the previous nights!  Still, I couldn't stamp out the tiny flame of hope that he might show up once more to spend some time with me.  Hence the reason I stood on the darkened balcony in my semi-modest night gown, listening closely for a hint of his arrival.  

   A chilly gust of wind suddenly nipped at me, and a soft smile slid onto my lips.  He was here!  I waited a moment, as I usually did, and let him approach me.  His sleeved arms slid around my waist as his chin met my bare shoulder gently.  

   "Maureen," He murmured in greeting.  

   "Alec, my darling." I carefully turned in his embrace, giving him a candid smile.  "What are you doing here?" 

   He looked a little taken aback by my question.  "I'm here to see the woman I love." 

   "But it's been four nights in a row," I pointed out.  "I thought you couldn't get away more than twice a week at the most?" 

   "My master already knows about us and how I feel about you.  I see no reason to spend the night alone when he doesn't need me if I could be here with you." He stated, tracing his index finger lightly down my jaw.  

   "Okay, as long as you aren't gonna get in trouble." I hugged him tightly.  Alec was a small guy, but I was even shorter than him by a good two inches.  In most cases, my height was a problem.  But when I was with my Alec, I never felt insecure about it.  He never made me feel insecure in any way, not even about my being human.  I loved him for that.  

   "Come," He said quietly, pulling out of my embrace and taking hold of my hands.  "Let's bring you to bed." 

   I didn't object, more than ready to collapse on the mattress after a long day and simply converse with him.  We would talk until I fell asleep, and then he'd stay until the last possible moment in the morning.  Just before the sun appeared on the horizon, he'd vanish as fast as he always appeared.  It was our nightly routine, and I enjoyed it immensely.  

   Once I was tucked under the comforter, Alec took his spot by my side on top of the thick blanket.  Propped up on one elbow, he gazed down at me.  I knew he could see far better in the dark room than I could, but I didn't mind.  After several months of this, I could picture his face clearly and knew that he was gazing at me with the same fondness that I had seen in his eyes many nights before.  

   "How was your day?" 

   I sighed into the softness of the bed a little before answer.  "Long.  It's at least a step up from waitressing, though." 

   "I do find it relieving that you work during the afternoons now," He admitted. 

   "You didn't like me walking home at night," I recalled with a small laugh.  "You were worried about someone following me or killing me, so you followed me often." 

   "I worried with good reason, Maureen," He reminded me.  "There were several circumstances where I had to engage someone to keep them off your trail." 

   This surprised me, though it probably shouldn't have.  "You saved my life?" 

   "Oh, I wouldn't put it like that," He said slowly, obviously not wanting to admit to it.  

   "Did you use that cool gift of yours?" I asked, turning towards him slightly on the mattress.  

   "A time or two."  I could practically hear the smile in his voice.  

   "What?  Why do you find that amusing?" 

   "I just find it interesting that you would like a gift like mine." 

   "It just seems useful to me.  And I might be mildly biased," I admitted with a grin.  

   "Ah, there's the truth," He chuckled.  

   "Is that a bad thing?" I demanded lightly.  "Is it so wrong to be in love with a man like you?" 

   "No, I do not believe it is." His voice dropped to a murmur and I felt his fingers softly stroke my hairline.  

   "Might be a little strange, since you're a vampire and I'm a human, but I can't really help it.  Besides, I figured Prince Charming could never be human, since we mortals have so many flaws and issues." I rambled slightly, as I did now and then.  "It only makes sense that he'd be something supernatural and out of the ordinary.  Which makes you a perfect candidate for the role." 

   He was quiet for a minute and I wondered what he might be thinking.  Before I had the chance to ask, I felt him lean closer to me.  Ever so softly, his lips met mine.  Neither of us moved, simply soaking in the feeling of the foreign physical contact for the moment.  Then, he pulled away.  

   With my lips parted slightly but unable to form words, I stared up at what I could see of him in the dark.  My heart thumped loudly in my chest, and I knew he could hear each beat.  I hadn't expected him to kiss me.  Not at least until he turned me, if he turned me.  He was usually so old fashion, I just had figured it wouldn't happen.  Especially after he had laid the ground rules for our relationship.  

   He leaned in closer once more, slower this time.  I waited, knowing that the way my heart was pumping would let him know exactly how much I wanted his kiss.  When his lips touched mine, he took it a step further than the previous kiss.  With noticeable care, his lips danced across my own.  I kissed him back, moving in sync as best I could.  His hand crept around to my shoulder blade, pulling me a little closer to him.  I took the liberty of wrapping my arms around his neck, letting the moment steal my sanity.  

   It was a good minute before he pulled back just a little, ending the kiss.  

   Trying to regain my breath and my thoughts at the same time, I let out a small breathy laugh.  "Alec, you kissed me." 

   "I did."  The smile was in his voice once again. 

   "But your rules...  Kissing was off limits, I thought." 

   "Rules can change." He said quietly, tracing down my cheekbone to my lips with two fingers.  "I won't go any further, though.  I don't trust myself that much yet." 

   "I never expected this.  It's more than enough." I promised.  

   He pressed his lips to mine once more, just a quick kiss this time.  I still felt his smile as he did, though.  He liked it just as much as I did!  And he knew that I liked it from my excited heart's pace.