Magbalik. [Erick. <3]

[* ``Audri;]

Three am. Many people had better things to do at this hour. Sleep, for instance. Audri, however, was roaming the streets. A bag at her side, containing her latest novel of choice. Silently, she stalked through New York City. She could hear the steady thump of her shoes on the pavement; A New York night this calm was almost unheard of. Audri fully intended on using it to her advantage.

She reached a street corner, turning to look before running across the street. Well. Jogging was a more accurate term. Being a vampire, Audri resisted running. Appearing across the street in a mere blink wasn’t normal. Being discovered…that could lead to disaster.

She walked a little farther along this new street. She knew what she was looking for. Finding it, on the other hand, was the problem. She’d been wandering for hours; She didn’t have long before the sun would start to rise. But she wanted an hour of peaceful New York night. An hour of solitude, sitting under a tree, flipping the pages of a book. Had something so simple really become so much to ask for?

Five minutes passed before she sighed in relief. This was her favorite park, and the worst in the city. It was small, nothing more than a few yards of grass with scattered trees. She’d seen couples walking dogs along here, hand in hand, laughing at whatever the conversation had brought; She watched them all, and hated each one of them.

She sighed as she quickly shook everything from her mind. This was her night. Her night of mindless reading. She wasn’t going to let the thoughts of an invisible person run her down a one lane road to no where.

She crossed the park quickly, picking a tree almost directly in the middle of the park. She sat beneath it, back pressed to the truck, legs crossed. She rummaged within her bag, pulling out the beat up little book. The cover was worn, but she could just make out the title in gold print. She ran her fingers over the letters, tracing the shapes before propping it open on her lap; She’d lucked out tonight. The street lamps gave off enough of a glow to illuminate the pages.

While she read, she clenched and unclenched her left hand, using her right to turn pages and reposistion the book. Before long, she gave into temptation and looked down at her hand. She held her hand parallel to the ground, fingers spread wide. She looked at her ring finger, still no band placed upon it. She sighed; So much for this night.

She placed the book mark within the pages, closing the book and laying it in the grass next to her. She kept her eyes trained on her hand, as she had night after night for months. Where the hell did you go? She asked herself yet again. And still, the answer was silence. She’d let down her guard, and fell in love. In a matter of four hours, she knew she never wanted to be without Erick Birch. As payback, she’d lost him; Easy come, easy go.

She could hear his words echoing through her head, and she tried her damnest to keep the tears where they belonged. You’re tougher than this, dammit! She bit down on her lip as her eyes started to slowly fill with tears. She grabbed her book, shoving it back into the confines of her bag. She zipped up her jacket, grabbing the hood and yanking it over her head. “I won’t give into you,” she said aloud. He’d vanished. What was she to do?

She was fed up. Barely a half hour had passed, but she knew she’d accomplish nothing more tonight. She stood slowly, bracing herself against the tree before angrily stomping out of the park. I gave you my damn heart, she thought. This is how you’re going to repay me?

Fury filled her veins. She’d loved him, there was no denying that. She told her friends all the lies she could manage, but they all knew she was still crazy for him. He was perfect. In every light. His looks, his attitude, beyond that his manors. She knew she’d never find another man like that. Especially in New York. But maybe this was the hint she needed. The hint that Audrina Fayng wasn’t meant to find or have love.

She broke into a flat run. She wanted to go home. She wanted to go back to her apartment, hide under the covers of her fold-out bed, and just cry. She knew she wouldn’t hold back much longer. And before she knew it, she was there, outside her apartment.

She climbed the three flights of stairs she’d once led him up. She opened the door to what would have appeared another apartment, just to climb another flight of stairs. She stopped in front of the door and grabbed at the handle. She turned it gently, but it didn’t budge. Of course, she thought seconds later. Even I know better than to leave a door unlocked.

Her hands dove into her bag. She rummaged through it quickly, jingling filling her ears. She took the keys and inserted them in the door, twisting it slightly until a barely audible click told her it was open. She sighed and shook her head, hand on the knob. “I don’t know what I’d do if I ever saw you again, Erick,” she whispered to herself, tears starting to pour from her eyes. With that, she turned the knob and went inside.

[erickbirch]

It has been a long time. Such a long, long time since he last felt that touch, saw that smile, heard that voice that always told him, “I love you too.” It was the best part of his life; and it seemed like in a blink of an eye, it all faded away in front of him. Why did he have to go? Why did he decide to leave? It pains him to think of her waiting; waiting for him every single day. It hurt him to realize that he had to leave, he had to go, and she cannot follow. At first he thought it was the best idea, to go. To go his separate way, to not include her in the complications and misery of his existence. But it turned out to have been the worst decision he has made in his entire life. He had left behind his heart. And it was with her.

Erick’s chest expanded slightly as he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the chilly air. He took one step forward, before doubt crossed his mind. Should he go? He knew she wasn’t home, but he had a way in. Should he? Or should he disappear for eternity? He couldn’t bear the latter, and so he continued walking, head turning left and right, watching out for anyone. He couldn’t bear losing her forever. He promised her; he promised her they were going to spend forever hand in hand. That was a promise that he couldn’t afford to break; for in its failure, his heart will also shatter, along with hers.

He continued walking, until he was met with a flight of stairs. A smile couldn’t help but form in his face as he remembered sweetly those times when it was her who led him up, holding his hand and never let him go. In a matter of moments, his mind was filled with memories of hers. Erick Birch was not one who was fond of sleep; he didn’t really need it. But two nights ago, he gave himself in to sleep. And he dreamt. He dreamt of her. In his dream, he was asleep. And he was awoken by the sound of thin laughter. His lids lifted sleepily, and he stood up, walking across the floor barefooted. He wanted to follow the voice of laughter. It sounded familiar.

He kept walking, and walking, until he heard the laughter on the other side of a big door. Erick opened it, and saw Audri there. She was wearing a little dress, and she was sitting near the window. Odd, the sunlight caught her, but she didn’t burn or get hurt. He smiled. She then stretched out her hand, telling him to come near. Walking slowly, he went towards her, forgetting that he was walking towards the light of the sun. He was so close to touching her hand, when he felt a slight dash of pain in his hand. He was burning. He jumped back into the shade, puzzled at the incident. Audri stretched her hand out for him again, and he slowly, carefully moved. But it happened again. And they stood there; she waiting for him, and he not able to come near. It felt so bad to have each other there, so close. Yet, at the same time, divided by sun, not able to be near. They were so far.

The dream haunted him, and it was then that he realized he wouldn’t let anyone or anything get in their way. Not in a million years. His mind was deep in thought when he realized he was in front of her door. Taking a key from his pocket, he slid it in and opened the door easily, closing and locking it behind him. She was not here. His eyes scanned the apartment; so many memories lingered here. He sat down, and waited.

He suddenly felt nervous when he heard steps, walking towards the apartment. It was her. He’d recognize her whispers, her scent anywhere. He kept silent, sitting there, nervous. Erick listened as she opened the door, got inside and closed it afterwards like she always does. “I don’t know what I’d do if I ever saw you again, Erick,” he had heard her whisper earlier. He could tell she was crying. He felt helpless. Her presence brought an inevitable feeling of happiness to him. His voice was a bit weak when he stood up, “Hey.” Erick spoke nervously. “Long time no see.” He wanted to tell her he loved her still. After all this time. He loved her still. But she was probably annoyed, furious maybe. He just didn’t know what else to say.

[* ``Audri;]

Her keys slid from her hand, jingling briefly after hitting the ground. She hadn’t quite processed everything in the instant it happened. It took her even longer to realize it was real in the moments after. She stood there, staring at him, blank expression and all. What in the hell was she expected to do?

She watched him stand, and she almost thought there was a hint of nerves to him. “Hey. Long time no see.”

No shit, she thought, biting her lip and pushing away tears. He vanished. He just left her. No calls, no nothing. For months. And he comes back, not only to wait for her in her own apartment, but to have nothing more to say than that? Twist that dagger a little harder.

She sucked it up to her best; She wouldn’t let him see her cry. If he came here for satisfaction in breaking her heart, she wasn’t going to let him have it. She bent to fetch her keys, straightening up and fidgeting with them. ”What’re you doing here, Erick?” she said quietly, raising her gaze from her keys to him. Looking at him would be the hardest thing she had to do, but it was better done now rather than later.

She didn’t wait for him to answer as she stuffed the keys into her bag, crossing the small space into her kitchen and removing her jacket. She pulled her bag off with that, setting both of them on the table. Normally, everything had a place and everything was in its place. However, Audri could have cared less as the moments ticked by. It wasn’t this awkward when they first met; Apparently, running off and coming back has that effect on a conversation. On the people trying to have it.

Again, she crossed the room, sitting down on the small couch in her living room. She pulled her knees to her chest and sighed. I was mad at you an hour ago, she thought to herself. It took every restraint she had to resist impulse. To keep herself from running to him, waiting for his arms to fold around her. She wanted that safe feeling again. But she wanted answers more.

[erickbirch]

He looked away; he didn’t want to see the pain in her eyes - the pain that he caused. He inhaled deeply; though he really didn’t need it. She was his air, his life, his everything. He lived because she was there; and now that she seems out of his grasp, eternity had no meaning. His eyes followed her every movement, his soul nearly breaking at the sight of her fighting her tears. ”What’re you doing here, Erick?” Audrina’s words pierced through his heart, making him bleed, bleed unstoppably. She seemed like she didn’t want him there. Has she forgotten him? Has she forgotten all that they were? He tried to search for answers in his mind; but none came to him. Everything was his fault. Maybe he did deserve to be forgotten.

It was not too long ago when they were just okay. Every day was filled with such laughter and cheer that only love could provide. Now, they might have just lost that. And if this would be the end for them, he would never forgive himself for losing his only source of happiness. He’d die. Without second thoughts, he’d throw himself into the sun. What use would existing be if he did not have her by his side? It would be worthless. His gaze once again followed her as she walked across the room to her kitchen, remembering it was there when he told her he loved her dearly. He proposed there. It was in the little kitchen that their hearts pictured themselves together until who knows when. Now they might be nothing more than mere memories.

Erick watched her as she sat down, pulling her knees to her chest. How did it get to this? How did it all disappear? He was mad at himself; he was angry at his own stupidity, his own reasons, and his futility. He wanted nothing more than to feel her touch again, her skin against his. He wanted to be happy. Nervously he cleared his throat, facing her, his eyes to the floor. “You don’t…want me here?” He asked, his eyes pools of emotions. His gaze fell upon her, silently speaking an honest “I love you.” He nodded his head slightly, “I’ll go then.” He turned his back on her, slowly making his way to the door. Should he leave?

He stretched out his hand to grab the knob, feeling its icy surface against his own cold skin. He can’t leave. Swiftly he turned back, waking quickly towards her. Erick embraced her from behind tightly, as he hadn’t done that in a long time. “I miss you,” he whispered to her ear. “I’m sorry I left. I'm sorry.” He knew it wasn’t that easy to get things back to how they were before. He inhaled deeply, preparing himself for what will come. She’ll need answers. And he doesn’t know if he has them or not.

[* ``Audri;]

She was stunned, watching him there. She’d never forgotten a single detail of him, but they all seemed redefined to her memory as she watched him there. She was mad at him still, that wouldn’t fade for a while. But she was glad that of all places he chose to come back, he’d come back to her.

She could see that she’d managed to upset him. Originally, she’d thought it was good. He could have a dose of his own medicine. But now, as she sat there with her eyes fixed to him, she just wanted to make it right. But she wouldn’t be the first to budge; She had done nothing wrong.

“You don’t…want me here?”

That’s not it at all! her mind was screaming. Damn stubborn woman, she thought. Get off your ass!

But still she sat there, her stubborn mind holding her down. She watched him nod slightly. She could see the pain she was making him endure.

“I’ll go then.”

With that, he turned for the door. She sighed, standing up and crossing to where her window was. She look out, one arm crossed over her stomach and another gripping at the open black curtains. She could see there was still plenty dark outside, but she closed the curtain anyway. For today, she decided to become invisible to the world. What was the point when nothing could or ever would go right?

She held herself firmly where she was. She wouldn’t turn to stop him. She wouldn’t.

She knew he was at her door. She kept waiting for the click that pulled the door open, the swish as it would swing in, and the slam to follow as it closed. Dammit, she thought weakly, Why won’t you leave? You want to do it again, get it over with. She knew that once he did, she’d rather die than continue existing. Once, that was fixable. But twice…she didn’t think her heart could quite handle that kind of devastation.

She heard his footsteps crossing the room, his arms pulling her tight against him and closing all distance. She threw all control out the window, and tears started falling from her eyes.


“I miss you,” she heard at her ear. She attempted to stop the tears, to calm down, to become a rational person once more. But it was all just so much at one time…

“I’m sorry I left. I'm sorry.”

At that, she pried herself from his arm, angrily wiping the tears from her eyes. “You’re sorry?” she muttered quietly. “You’re SORRY?”

She’d started shaking by then. All she’d wanted was for him to hold her, but she couldn’t take this lying down. “You didn’t tell me a thing, Erick! You fucking vanished!” She reached up again to dry her eyes, fully knowing that that wouldn’t stop her tears. “You left me here, to wonder what I did wrong.”

She wanted to hit him. She wanted to hurt him, show him what pain felt like. She had her own pain, and she knew it well. But how could he? She took a step forward, planning to slap him and just get out of the apartment. Instead, her arms wound around him, and she buried her head into his neck. Breathlessly, through the tears, she found her voice. “Didn’t I matter to you?”

[erickbirch]

Words have been released; words that can’t be taken back. He took them all in, no matter how much they hurt. It felt like clutching a knife real tight. You force yourself to continue holding, to continue gripping it, even when you know your palms are already cut open and heavily bleeding. But he took them all in. He had no other choice. Mistakes were not made for him to ignore, but for him to accept. If only he could turn back time and correct the faults of his yesterday. Then he would be in pain. She wouldn’t be hurting.


The world stopped turning when he felt her break free from his arms, tears descending from the corners of her eyes as she angrily spoke, “You’re sorry? You’re SORRY?” He felt helpless. He wanted to hold her, to tell make her feel everything was alright, even when they were both capable of the truth.

His eyes traced her figure; she was shaking. He knew it would go this far, and he told himself he’d have his composure when it did. But he didn’t know how hard it would be once it happened for real. For nights he had imagined the pain. Little did he know he had underestimated how much it would hurt - because it hurt so badly. It was devastating. Her tears were breaking his heart.

“You didn’t tell me a thing, Erick! You fucking vanished! You left me here, to wonder what I did wrong.”His lips parted, giving him the chance to speak, but words wouldn’t come out. His throat was dry, and after such a long time, Erick for once had nothing to say. He can’t contradict her. She was right. He vanished without a word, just because he had his own reasons that he didn’t even bother telling her about. He regret everything he had done, everything except the part when he loved her all this time. All this time.

Erick couldn’t help but stare at her face; her beautiful face. Her tears glimmered in the moonlight, and he couldn’t help but feel heartbreak. He had surrendered himself to her. He’d allow her to hurt him, in any way she would want to. He wouldn’t stop her. He was hers completely.

Suddenly he felt her body touch his, her face in his neck. He felt the tears hit his skin, like bullets of guilt. Why? How did it come to this? “Didn’t I matter to you?” He swallowed hard; he never wanted her to feel he didn’t want her, love her anymore. Because he did. With every piece of him. He held her tightly, as if he hadn’t held her for years, not permitting any distance between them. His voice broke slightly as he replied, “You do. You matter a lot to me.” Erick kissed her head, as he tried to continue, trying to not give himself into his sadness and guilt, “You’ve ran through my head. My dreams. You’re driving me crazy. It’s seems I’m going to die when I’m not with you.”

Slowly he pushed her from him, allowing them to stand face to face. He lifted his hands to her face, cupping her cheeks. “I still love you, and I’m sorry. If you want answers, we can talk. Just don’t...Let’s not push each other away,” he said as he wiped her tears slowly. Maybe he can fix this. Maybe.

[* ``Audri;]

Audri waited for what felt like years for his arms to fold around her. Once he had, security flooded her being, but the tears continued falling. How long would this last? How long was her company good for? How long would anything she had to offer be enough to keep him around?

“You do. You matter a lot to me.”

Her body started relaxing when she felt his lip brush against her. She wasn’t sure what would happen, or how much more her heart could take. But for now…the punishment in the end was more than worth it.

“You’ve ran through my head. My dreams. You’re driving me crazy. It’s seems I’m going to die when I’m not with you.”

It wasn’t much to say, really. But she could feel so much pain melting away from her, so much reassurance in such a small amount of time. She still hadn’t forgiven him, but it helped to know that she was, in fact, loved. That he did care about her. Maybe she’d get a chance at eternity with him, after all.

She hadn’t realized that he was pushing away from her. She restrained herself from fighting it, but that was much easier said than done. She’d just gotten him back! She wasn’t ready to be away from him. She closed her eyes for a few moments after his hands came to a rest on her cheeks.

“I still love you, and I’m sorry. If you want answers, we can talk. Just don’t...Let’s not push each other away.”

She felt him gently wipe away her tears, and she felt no need to cry more. ”We can talk later,” she mumbled quietly, pushing herself back against him. Distance was too much at the time, and she just wanted to feel him there, solid under her fingertips. She hid herself away against him, exhaling slowly. ”I love you so much,” she whispered against his neck. She closed her eyes, thinking about it quickly. It was nice that he was actually there to hear it that time.

[erickbirch]

When he left, he had wandered off into faraway places, witnessing the majesty and beauty of them in the inky blackness of the night. But though he went so far away, he was never happy. It just didn't feel right. But tonight, as he walked up the several flight of stairs, with nothing except hope and love in his pockets, he felt at ease. They say home is where your heart is. And as he looked at her, her eyes, her face, her lips, he knew that his heart was here. Erick held Audri in his arms, and he was home.

"We can talk later. I love you so much," her velvety voice pressed against his ear, putting him into a state where he felt that no one and nothing could ever make him feel this way other than her. Gently he held her frail figure in his arms, "I'm never going to let you go."
Erick stoke her hair slowly, glad at how this all turned out. But it wasn't the end of the trouble. They still had to talk. And he doesn't quite know how to answer the thousand questions he knows are in her mind. But what was more important was this moment, this time he held her again. It seemed as if the sand had stopped flowing down the hourglass, the world had stopped turning, the hands of the clock had stopped moving, now that he has her near. His world was again in light.

He found himself addicted once more to the rhythm of the beatings of their hearts. He realized she, to him, was like music. He first fell in love with her melody, and as they went on, he learned to love her lyrics. Everything about her was endearing, and he could never deny the fact that she has become that part of his life that he knows he can never let go.

He kissed her forehead, before he found himself humming. He didn't know what song it was, if it was even a song. But he started humming. And before long, he moved their bodies together in a slightly swaying motion, as if they were dancing to a melodic beat. He closed his eyes for a moment, realizing that he had his everything right there. And he needed nothing more.

"I love you," he whispered, "I love you very much." A smile played upon his lips as he continued to move their bodies together, swaying and dancing slightly to the beat of their hearts. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" He smiled. She should be.

[* ``Audri;]

"I'm never going to let you go."

Audri found herself smiling. Not only at the comment itself, but at the thought. Never sounded perfect. Always being in his arms…it could never be wrong. It was too simple, too right, to possibly have a downfall.

She almost found herself getting drowsy, standing against him. Hearing his heart beat, and the gentle way he stroked her hair. She curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt, reminding herself it was all real. She stifled a yawn; She was more relaxed in this moment than she had been in months.

She smiled instantly when he pressed his lips to her forehead. She’d closed her eyes once he’d started humming, only to nearly panic when she’d felt her body start to move. Granted, this wasn’t dancing really, but Audri had never been good on her feet; Dancing was disastrous. She avoided it if she was at all able. She could see herself, someday, dancing with Erick. However, she figured it would be best to warn him that she could, and most likely would, fall flat.

She glanced up at him after a while, a smile still on her face. She couldn’t help but to smile. Things were falling back where they’d been left off, and that was a blessing on its own.

"I love you. I love you very much."

Her smile grew just a bit. ”I love you, too. As much, if not more,” she whispered back. She’d gotten to a point where she hadn’t realized she was still moving slightly with him. She’d forgotten that she should have fallen by now, embarrassing herself as she did on a day to day basis. All she saw anymore was him.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?"

Tomorrow? What on earth could he mean? She was getting somewhat tired, she’d give herself that, but she would have remembered any mention of tomorrow. There’d been none. Not a word was breathed. ”What do you mean, tomorrow?” She tilted her head slightly, eyes focused still on him. What tricks are up your sleeve, Erick?

[erickbirch]

At times the world seemed such a dark and cruel place, like a prison that each of us is bound to be trapped in. At times there seems to be no hope, no love, nothing. Nothing but the pure blackness of fear and unbelief. That was how Erick Birch felt. But he found his refuge in her arms. In her presence, all other things seem to melt away. When their skin touched, the world that is harsh and invincible fades away into pure nothingness. They didn't matter anymore. Just as long as he was with her, as long as his heart was enveloped safely within the safe walls of her own, he was happy. And no one could ever take that away from him. Not werewolves. Not humans. Not distance. Not time.

Erick continued swaying her in a rhythmic motion, the dance slow; they had all the time in the world. He smiled when she told him she loved him. Things haven't changed, he thought to himself. It was funny how at one moment, they both thought that everything they had was destroyed, that the love they once shared was nothing more than just a mere memory. But they were proved wrong.

The pieces of the puzzle fitted perfectly, just as her hand fitted perfectly in his. Though they say that coincidence works in mysterious ways, he knew that this, finding her, finding love, was not coincidence. There was a reason lying behind all this. It was more than a mere coincidence. It might be, could be, destiny.

He twirled her around, so her back was leaning against him. Gently he rested his chin on her shoulder, his arms wrapped around her waist. His gazed wandered to outside, where the dark world lay. But somehow, with her in his arms, it didn't look so cruel after all. He could bear all of this, just as long as she was here. His lips curved into a great smile when she asked about tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

The word brought butterflies to his stomach, and he hasn't felt that in a long time. He embraced her more tightly, placing a kiss on her cheek. He gave out a silent sigh before he spoke, "Tomorrow," he said, his lips smiling, his eyes glittering with happiness, "We're getting married." He slid his hand into his right pocket, bringing out a red little box. he remembered when he proposed, he gave not a physical symbol, but instead he gave his heart, his soul, his entire self. But now, it would be official. He had her facing him, as he slid the ring into her finger. "See? It's a perfect fit." He smiled sweetly. He meant it when he said he was never going to let her go.

[* ``Audri;]

Audri smiled as he turned her away, pulling her close again and wrapping his arms around her waist. He’d neglected her question, but she knew that she’d still receive an answer. She was sure it wouldn’t be drastic. It’s not like he was bracing her for another run away trip.

She turned her head slightly, looking at him from the corner of her eye as his head came to a rest at her shoulder. Her thoughts raced past. She couldn’t see anything without him in it. Without him, her world was dark. But when he was there…it was an unexplainable change.

She watched him smile, her own smile growing as he gently kissed her cheek. What was he up to? The suspense could kill her, but she just couldn’t think of anything that could be going on tomorrow. Tomorrow was another regular week day. People would be drinking to forget their stressful jobs, driving children to various practices or helping with homework. And they certainly hadn’t laid out any plans. What there was to be ready for she couldn’t place a finger on.

"Tomorrow, we're getting married."

Her eyes widened. Had she really heard him right?!

She pulled away from him, turning back to face him. ”Married?!” she blurted out before she could stop herself. He’d been back, at most, an entire hour! She pushed the time out of her mind; They’d known each other less than a day before even getting engaged. Rushing was something they happened to be good at.

However…there was no way he could be serious! He’d come here tonight, and she could almost bet he wasn’t sure what to expect. That he didn’t know if she’d stay or tell him to hit the road. He couldn’t possibly be serious; At least not yet, not this soon.

She watched him remove a small red box from his pocket. Almost immediately, her right hand flew up to cover her mouth. He’s not playing!

She watched him place the ring on her left hand. She’d have always thought she’d be shaking when this kind of moment came around. Yet she stood there, solid as stone. The only thing she could really see happening was crying. Even then, it was almost expected.

"See? It's a perfect fit."

She kept her eyes trained on her hand. She almost missed what he said. She felt as if her mind needed an out of order sign somewhere within; She wasn’t doing well with thinking.

She looked up at him and smiled, eagerly pressing her lips to his before wrapping her arms around his neck once more. She almost couldn’t believe this was really happening. She knew she couldn’t stand to lose him a second time. She’d hoped she never would. But now…now she knew it wasn't a possibility.