The Ripper

William Jack Holloway

William couldn't help the way that he frowned when she began to refuse the clothing that he so offered her. He wanted her to be warm. To be comfortable. To be safe. But safe was a myth right now. Until Ivan could no longer take a breath, she would never be safe. He reached up to run a hand through his brown locks as she insisted that she had to return to Ivan once they were... finished. "I'm not going to sleep with you," William said, his voice entirely firm as he regarded her. He sighed - he was sure he sounded entirely frustrated. And he was, just not at her. He was angry at this cowardly vampire who dared touch her in such a way. "We'll figure something out. I..." He sighed again, turning to walk into that bathroom.

Will leaned against that bathroom counter once he had the water started, explaining almost too kindly that he didn't want anything or expect anything from her. That explanation that he needed to be commanding had him pause and look at her. "Okay," He said softly, though he didn't offer up any sort of command. Not yet. He hated the idea of commanding her to do anything. He hated that kind of hold. He wanted her to be herself, and that very thought seemed entirely impossible tonight. No, instead he offered her that apology for the fact that he had messed things up so entirely. His eyes only lifted once she looked up, and for a moment he wanted to resist whatever force it was that was holding him from tugging her right back into his arms. "You're not allowed to harm yourself. Ever." He said, his voice firm with her for perhaps the first time ever. At her insistence that she didn't need to be protected, the man let out an audible huff. "I know you don't need to be. But I'm bloody well in love with you and I will protect you."

He turned then, letting that slight command to take a shower fill the room. The man was well aware of the way that she undressed in front of him, though he showed no indication of how he felt about it. Or how he would be thinking about her form for the rest of his life, he imagined. No, instead he merely exited the bathroom and settled within his chair. It seemed like an eternity before he saw her again, and immediately as she reentered his room, the man stood. Quickly, the man closed the distance between them. At the state of her hair, he frowned. "Vhalla, let me..." He said softly. He took her hand, guiding her gently into the bathroom once more before he picked up that towel. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before he started to towel dry her hair.

"I want you to be normal." He said softly once he was satisfied that her hair was dry enough to not freeze her to death. He reached up, gently stroking her cheek as he met her eyes. "I know that I'm technically paying for your time right now, and I'll go broke if that'll keep you safe. But you're not my possession, Vhalla. You will act like yourself. That... that's my only order for you tonight." He said with a sigh. He turned then, taking her hand and pulling her within the sitting area of the room. "Vhalla... why do you listen to him? Why do you let him treat you that way?" He said as he released her to sit back down. He regarded her for just a moment before he gently pulled her onto his lap once more. "You're so much stronger than he is."

But darling -- it's only human nature.