It's Just the Way We Are

Mira trailed her hand on the railing, traveling up the spiral staircase to one of the empty towers that overlooked the grounds. The cold stone was smooth under her hands. She walked slightly faster than her hand moved, leaving it trailing gracefully behind her. Everything about her was beautiful - from the delicate clear painted nails to the carefully stylized wavy hair. Mira was a beautiful girl. A very troubled, very beautiful girl.

This tower was her spot of choice on the Hogwarts grounds. Where others enjoyed sitting by the lake or the majestic great hall, Mira liked the simple places. The more secret ones. Magical in there own way, without actually being enchanted. The tower didn't actually have any real use. More of a storage place for old astronomy gear. There were a few scattered boxes and there was dust in the corners.

As Mira crossed the floor her robe floated behind her. There was a soft light coming in from the dawn light filtering in the many windows across the room. The sun was just starting to come over the horizon. She could just see the first traces of light coming through the forbidden forest. Mira loved early mornings - the not so bright start to a new day.

Moving to the windowsill, Mira leaned out and felt the soft breeze on her pale face. Her body rested agents the cold stone and she started feeling the temperature soaking into her skin. In these silent first moments of the morning she could find her peace. How Alice would have loved this room. There wasn't a day that went by that Mira didn't think of her.

Nachash was as restless as her master was. Elijah hadn't slept through the night. In fact, he'd barely gotten and hour. Reports from Bulgaria weren't good anymore. Thierry had broken his arm once before. Evidently it hadn't been healed enough because an accident in the grounds had seen it broken again. Elijah was stressed as it was. It had dawned on him the other day that he was going to have a baby girl squealing for love and attention in a few months time and he didn't quite know what to think about it.

He was also still burned by Doyle's words. Put it all together as well as the stress of Cecilia and Khaat and just, everything...he was a mess. He needed a holiday. Good God did he need a holiday. Right now, though, he needed a cigarette. He also needed somewhere to think. One of the old storage towards seemed like a good enough place -- they wouldn't find him there (he hoped.)

Jumping up the staircase, taking two steps at a time, Elijah found himself at the door of the tower quicker than he'd anticipated. He put his hand on the door handle and pushed down before pushing it open. The sun met his eyes almost immediately and Elijah squinted against it. He sighed and shut the door behind him. He rested his head against the wood for a few moments before groping around for his back pocket where the cigarettes and matches were.

Elijah turned and his eyes fell on a solitary figure, illuminated by the light. Her white blonde hair was left to fall down her back and the robes fell effortlessly on her body. She was a beauty. A familiar beauty. Elijah stepped forward and almost staggered back again. She looked so much like her sister. On her profile...she was almost twin.

"Mira." He gasped.

Mira turned quickly when she heard the gasp of the sound come from across the room. There stood a figure, dark in the shadows of the far side of the tower. Even though she couldn't see his face she would know that voice anywhere. It wasn't like Elijah and her talked all the time. Mainly they ignored eachother, pretending that they could care less about it.

But Mira cared. Not on the surface. On the surface she hated him for being a man whore. But deeper down she hated him for falling for her sister, instead of her. She hated him for rejecting her and humiliating her. She hated him for the way he was willing to be with every single girl but her. Mira knew she was beautiful. But when she heard that Elijah slept with Jane, and Mary, and Sue, and every other girl it drove her crazy. Elijah belonged to her alone. Their parents had chosen that.

"Elijah" Mira said in just as a suprised tone as him. "What are you doing here?". This had always been her spot and she was slightly offended that someone like Eli had found it.

Was was he doing here? In all honesty, Elijah didn't know. He needed to clear his head and decide what his next move would be. He was worried about his son, he was worried about his daughter, he was worried about Chase and he was worried about Kitty - the most vulnerable of them all. Elijah knew he should have been there. He should have been there to catch Thierry before he hit the ground. He should have been there to protect his son.

He hadn't been though, and it made Elijah feel sick.

But the answer to the question still hadn't been supplied. Elijah didn't find himself caring too much about that though. He merely cleared his throat and avoided Mira's crystalline gaze.

She was beautiful. Good God...was she beautiful. Elijah couldn't help but stare back at her, giving into the temptation he'd been denying himself. Eli couldn't help but compare Mira to the blurred memories he had of Alice. They were so alike. Alice's features, Elijah imagined, would have been less sharp. She would have been softer to the touch. She probably would have been softer in personality too.

Mira was too coarse for Elijah but she was fiery. She didn't take his bullcrap. He would always admire her. Perhaps he wouldn't necessarily take her seriously but she'd survived something he'd barely crawled out of. He couldn't just get on with his life. She was on his mind every minute of every day. She was with him always.

Elijah's eyes dropped to his wrist. He turned it over and looked at the pale pink ribbon that he'd meshed in with one of his woven bracelets. It had been Alice's. Elijah closed his eyes and shook his head, bringing the chocolate orbs back up to look at Mira.

"I just wanted some peace and quiet," he answered her gently, stepping forward and walking over to one of the windows. "What about you?"

Mira lowered her eyes, eyelashes fluttering unintentionally. She opened her mouth slightly as if to say something but it was a long moment before words came out. "I can understand that. There is never enough time to think at Hogwarts." Her words came out slowly, as if she was thinking carefully about each silable before it came out.

The first words where always the hardest to say. So awkward. But soon the two of them would fall into a normal pattern. Teasing and laughing. Like they used to do as children. The only problem with this type of friendship was that it was constantly haunted by the presence for Alice. Both loved that girl more than anyone. And Mira knew. She knew that every kind word he said, every kiss he gave, every touch.. It was meant for her. Mira just happened to be a replacement. A look-alike. Not the real thing but close enough to play with.

It was at those moments that Mira hated Alice.

"I just like to see the sun." She murmured, more quickly than before. Her delicate voice carried like a whisper of wind across the barren room. She looked over to where Elijah sat on the window sill. He was so perfect. Everything about his figure was what her body wanted. Like he was made for her. Because he was. No matter what he thought now they were soul mates. Those eyes were forever hypnotizing.

Mira moved across the few paces that separated their windows and leaned on the same window. Several feet still separated the two of them. Close enough to talk, but just war away that they couldn't quite touch. "I haven't seen you in a long time, Elijah". She said with a gentle smile. Light illuminated her face, making her eyelashes and hair glow. At this time of day she always felt like a princess. And Elijah was her prince.

Despite the similarities, Elijah knew Mira would never be her sister. Alice could have grown up to be the horrid sibling, turning Mira into an angel in Elijah's eyes. He knew that would have been unlikely but it was just an example. There could be no comparisons. Mira had turned out the way she'd meant to have done. She would marry however her parents supplied for her and she'd birth an heir. A Pureblood heir.

The same was supposed to happen for Elijah. Paris had enabled him, it had turned him into the scallywag he was now. Part of him yearned for the structure of Pureblood society. With his mother's death, whatever structure was left fell apart. Viktor had no idea how to create that structure. No one had a leash on Elijah and they certainly didn't have one on his sister. Anything could happen. As it was, everything had happened. Chase was due to give birth and the two were engaged.

Freedom could come next if he wanted it. He could leave the school, go to Bulgaria and pick up his children, then set up home somewhere. Perhaps he'd go to France. He wouldn't live in Paris but maybe just south of the capital so he could still go up there comfortably when work called. That would be the life. Waking up in the morning with Chase beside him and only leaving the bed when duty called. Eli wanted to settle down. He didn't care what it cost him as long as he could have a little house with his wife and his babies.

Mira brought him out of his thoughts. Elijah looked up at her, innocence shining in his eyes, and managed a smile for her. He agreed with her. There was no time to think in Hogwarts, you just had to do. Elijah nodded in understanding and took the latch off of the window. He let it swing open and the light shone in, bouncing off of the stained glass.

"It's a beautiful, innocent little orb." He murmured, playing with the iron latch. It was weighty against his fingers but Elijah didn't seem to mind. He looked out and watched the birds dance across the horizon. Nature was alive in the mornings. It was truly beautiful.

Thestrals were down by the lake, drinking the water. A few of the babies were playing. Elijah was tempted to point them out to Mira but he didn't think she'd be able to see them. Or at least, he hoped she'd be unable to.

When she spoke again, Elijah looked over at her. She looked almost angelic in the light -- almost. He smiled back at her and averted his eyes once more, sending them down to the lake to watch the animals prance around. Biting his lip, Elijah searched for a response. He couldn't find one though. He didn't know what he was supposed to say to her. Eventually, he just let the latch fall and he looked at her.

"You should wear your hair like that more often," he murmured. "It makes you look...I don't know...I suppose...more beautiful than you already are."

Eli looked lost in thought. His eyes were slightly gazed over. She wondered what a boy like him would be thinking of to trigger that small time and twinkle in his eyes. Her first thought was another woman. That thought didn't settle well with her. But something in her gut told her that wasn't true. Eli didn't love like other men did. He was not gentle. He did not ponder over them. He would not make a good husband for anyone but her.

Then he was back. Talking about the sun. An orb like your eyes she thought. Mira cast her eyes downward as his search for hers. She looked innocent this way. Eyes downcast, eyelashes catching the sun, and breeze gently catching her hair. It was like a slow motion moment in a movie. The only difference? These were always the moments when boys realized that the girl was meant for them. This was just another moment in the long meaningless story of Mira and Elijah. A string of fights and love affairs that meant nothing to him.

Then he spoke and her breathe caught. She smiled with the appearance of embarrassment. "You're too kind to me" she murmured, mirroring his tone. One of her slender hands reached out before she could stop it and ran down his cheek, barely touching the soft skin of his face. Mira would do anything to make him hers.

Whatever game she was playing, Eli didn't want to be a part of it. He didn't know who Mira was or rather, what she was. She could either be a be a Veela or a Harpie. Usually she was the latter. He didn't think for a second that part of her had curled up and died but he couldn't say he was complaining. He rather liked this vulnerable side of her. It made him want to protect her from the world. She looked as if a gust of wind could blow her down and Elijah hated the thought of that.

He leaned into her touch, thinking nothing of it. He caught one of her fingers between his teeth before her hand dropped away and he brought his hand up to take hers. He released her finger but gently tugged on her hand with his, guiding her towards him. He brought his other hand over hers and let his fingers dance across the lines in her palm.

"You're tiny," he whispered, lifting his head to meet her gaze. There was just nothing of her. A gust of wind probably could throw her over. Elijah inclined his head to the right and brought his head to hers. His lips sought out hers and found them easily. They were soft, delicate and oh so familiar. He knew her. He knew Mira like the back of his hand and oh how he'd missed her. It wasn't just Alice. It was her.

For a second Mira regretted bringing her hand to his face. But then she felt his teeth gently grab her finger. Her breath came at a quick gasp. Like an innocent virgin. Like the rest of her little charade. The longer she kept this up the more it felt normal. The warmth a sweet girl like this would feel at the touch of a handsome boy was settling over her. This warmth spread from the tip of the finger down her arm and into her core. There were still spots in her gut where it didn't touch. Places where she could still feel the cold being that those murderers had left when they took Alice from this world.

By the time he took her raised hand in his own the warmth was mostly spread throughout her body. As far as it would go.. today. But for a moment she could see a different Mira. A sweet kind Mira who Elijah would love with his heart. The two could start a family. But this was not the moment for daydreams. This was the time for the two of them.

This was something she needed. In the moments that they were together... For her.. It almost seemed like Alice became a part of her. Coming for Elijah. And when she was that close to both her sister and the man she couldn't help but love? Life suddenly seemed perfect. But with this new found warmth in her body (no, not soul) she almost was pushing Alice away. The irrational (but influential) part of her brain said Alice would want Mira to be happy. And Elijah was the way to her happiness.. Even if he made her miserable.

Then her thoughts were cut off my Elijah's closeness. She was willingly pulled closer to him. Her nose filled with the sent of him. Where he was normally reeking of alcohol, cigarettes, and sex, today it was something deep and earthy. It fit this morning. She felt perfect in this place with his closeness. The act was starting to not feel like an act. She felt innocent and simple. Like a princess.

Mira nearly quivered with pleasure under his touch. And then his perfect lips were on hers. His breathe mixed with hers. She knew now exactly how much she needed him. Her prince.

Delicately at first she kissed him back. Small butterfly-like kisses just barely whispering ageist his skin. But in a few seconds she could feel her body take over. It remembered every detail of his smooth handsome figure. Remembered the taste of his lips. And even though it had been many months since they had last been together she couldn't help but kiss him back with a certain amount of passion. Their lips fit together perfectly. Like a puzzle piece.

Mira pressed herself up to him as they kissed. She kissed him deeply, making each taste and smell linger in her memory. The soft small hands traveled around his strong neck and shoulders, holding Elijah to her. The sun was just starting to rise a little more. Leaving more light on the couple, silhouetted on the stone.

Being with Mira was like revisiting forgotten lands. Parts had changed and grown but much was still the same. He knew what he was doing was wrong but in the back of his mind he knew he was fulfilling at least part of one of the wishes his mother wanted him to fulfil. She wanted him to be with Mira. Elijah knew he couldn't do that though. He couldn't walk away from Chase, away from his child. He couldn't do that to her. How was he supposed to consciously do that? All he'd ever wanted was to be for someone else, what he'd never had himself: a father. Was he going to pass that up just for another cheap lay?

No, of course not.

Nothing ever meant anything to Eli. He loved too easily, that was his trouble. He loved and he lost, Alice being the prime example of that. He had adored her. He'd had every intention, even as a child, to take her as his wife. Then that happened. His world had truly fallen to pieces before his eyes that day. He hadn't quite recovered. Still, after goodness knows how many it had been (but he did not care to forget how many) he had not quite healed. His heart had yet to truly mend. Chase was filling the gap but there were still little holes in the place she filled, holes that were specific in design. If he never got the missing parts back then he'd have no hope of fixing himself.

Yet here he stood, having had no intention of getting a morning kiss from anyone, in a tower with the young woman whose bed he'd crawled into many a time before. Childish perhaps he was in returning to Mira but it was a natural thing for Elijah to do. She was his failsafe. If everything went tits up, he'd go to her. Elijah trusted Mira explicitly (and perhaps foolishly) because he knew she'd never abandon him like many had done in the past. She'd stand beside him, no matter what the cost was.

Elijah liked that in her, even if perhaps that wasn't the right thing to indulge.

He couldn't deny her though. Merlin knew he couldn't deny her. Feeling her little body pressed up against him sent fire south and he made sure she knew about it. Eli rocked his hips against Mira's, as he reached down to place his hands on her waist. Bored with the chaste kiss, Elijah parted his lips, letting his tongue slither out and skim across her lips, begging for the entrance he so dearly wished for. He missed her taste. There was something quite specific about her taste. He didn't know what it was but whatever it was, he liked it and even the thought of it made him shiver.

Elijah pushed her shirt to the side and let his fingers crawl across the soft, delicate skin on her back. He broke the kiss and ducked his head, dragging his lips down her neck and across her shoulder until the top prevented anymore movement. Frowning a little, Elijah used his other hand and eased up the shirt.

"Please," he whispered against her neck as he covered her pulse point with his lips.