~Willow's POV~

The Angel of Death and I were currently staying with the Earl at his home in the country while the shop underwent repairs. Ciel insisted we stay with him until the case was solved which made me uneasy. If I stayed with them, they'd all be in danger. I'd spent the majority of my day following around a clumsy maid and keeping her from dropping everything. Surprisingly enough, my body had already healed from the injuries I'd sustained from the Polong's attack.

Moonlight bathed my pale skin as I silently ventured through the gardens. So many questions were running through my mind and the combination of all the questions mixed with all the doubt was making me sick. Now that I'd been free of that hell, my mind was finally able to see clearly, but it was being muddled up again with all these strange encounters. According to the angel of death, I wasn't even a human. I didn't understand, I'd had human parents, I thought. Someone once told me I was orphaned, that my parents had died, but I couldn't remember anything past a certain age. My head throbbed as I strained to think back to a time before the age of seven, but I couldn't.

"Willow?" His voice sent a delightful shiver down my spine and caused my heart to skip a beat.

I turned quickly causing the hem of my skirt to fan out around me and my silken hair to splay out and a few stray strands to fall in my face. The angel of death smiled softly as he made his way closer. His pale silver hair glistened in the moonbeams giving him an otherworldly appearance. He very much looked like an angel, an angel of death. He reached up and delicately swept the hair from my face. My skin tingled wherever he brushed against it and I felt my heart begin to beat a little faster as he stood before me.

"Having trouble sleeping?" He smoothed his hand through my hair, tucking it behind my ear and gently caressed my cheek with his thumb urging another delightful shiver down my spine.

I nodded meekly wishing I could speak to him and cursing myself for losing my voice.

"Don't wander too far, it's not safe."

It wasn't safe for him or any of the others. They wanted me alive and quite frankly I didn't care what happened to me so long as he was alright. Hot tears burned behind my eyelids, I desperately wanted a way to communicate with him, a way to tell him how I felt, a way to thank him for everything he'd done for me and continued to do, but it was hopeless.

"Let's go back inside; you're nearly chilled to the bone." He draped his warm black cloak around my shoulders and turned to head back inside.

The voice inside my head was screaming at me and I mentally kicked myself, I had to tell him, somehow. I wanted him to know that I cared about him, that I wanted to protect him, because I felt in this instance I was the only one who could. He was always looking after me, it was my turn now. My feet shuffled me forward and I reached for his hand. Warmth seeped through my fingertips as I gripped his hand tightly in mine and I opened my mouth to speak as he turned to me curiously, but no sound came forth.

Tears of frustration glittered in my eyes and I hoped he'd be able to read something revealed within my gaze as I stared up at him intently. Silently I prayed he'd be able to see what I felt. I was grateful to him for all that he'd done for me, I cared for him more than I'd ever cared for another being, and above all else I wanted to protect him as he'd been protecting me, even if the cost were to be my freedom, my happiness or even my life. I would sacrifice it all for him, because he saved me from that hell. He showed me true happiness, genuine care and tenderness. This was the only way I could repay him for his kindness.

"Willow?" He breathed my name and I saw a mess of emotions in his acidic green gaze. Worry intermingled with compassion and a whole slew of other emotions all battling for control.

I tried to stay strong, to keep my gaze intent to somehow convey to him that I wanted to protect him; I wanted to repay him.

His strong arms encircled me and a silent gasp escaped me as I was suddenly being pressed against his perfectly toned chest. A heavenly otherworldly aroma mixed with the sweet smell of lilies and the earthy scent of grave dirt enveloped me as he embraced me and I found it completely intoxicating.

My arms slowly slid around him as I melted into his embrace and I lay my head against his chest listening to his sporadic heartbeat. I smiled softly as I realized he may be just as nervous as I was.

"Let me protect you for a little while longer." He whispered as he leaned his head forward and placed a tender kiss atop my head.

Silently I tried to protest by attempting to wriggle out of his arms and glare at him, but somehow it turned into a pout and I couldn't really break out of his hold.

His fingers delicately swept beneath my chin and he effortlessly tilted my face upward forcing me to meet his surreal gaze. "You're all that matters. You're the only thing keeping me in this wretched disgraceful world."

My heart skipped a beat in my chest. Why? I frantically scanned his face, trying to detect the lie, but he was being sincere. My lips parted as I once again tried to speak, but no sound came out.

His thumb lightly traced over my bottom lip causing me to gasp as a strange almost electric jolt shot through me spreading warmth through my body from my lips to my very core. "It's been awhile since I've seen you smile, little bird."

I resisted the urge to shiver as he trailed his free hand down my arm and caught my wrist lightly in his hand. He dropped it atop his shoulder before sidling his arm around my waist resting his hand at the small of my back.

"For tonight, let us forget about everything else." His maniacal smile was absolutely radiant as his free hand caught mine and our fingers interlaced. He pulled me along, guiding me through the steps of a fluid and graceful dance though we had no music accompanying us.

I couldn't help but smile as we danced beneath the moonlight. Though I had almost no way of communicating, he always seemed to understand. He could always tell what I needed. It had been so long since I'd truly felt this happy and euphoric.

He waltzed me through the garden of beautiful flowers, the only accompaniment being his trilling maniacal laughter and the shuffling of our feet across the cobblestone. I laughed silently along with him wishing this moment in time would never end. Though I knew it would, happiness was fleeting, and just as the darkness encroached around our private garden, it was also encroaching upon our everyday life. It wouldn't be long until everything came crashing down around us.

At this thought, I lost my footing and tumbled forward. His strong arms wound around my waist and he somehow maneuvered us so that I fell atop of him. I slowly picked myself up off of him, supporting myself with my hands. His arms tightened around me as I attempted to get back to my feet, holding me in place. A single tear slipped from my hold and fell to his porcelain cheek.

One of his arms released its grip around my waist and he gently reached up to stroke my cheek, "Don't be afraid, little bird." He cooed softly.

A silent sob hitched in my throat, I didn't want to lose him. I was so afraid that if I stayed and put him in more danger, that it would cost him his life. My sweet angel of death, my dark knight, though we'd only been together a short amount of time, I think losing him would completely destroy me.

My arms gave out due to my trembling and I slipped back onto his chest. He cradled me against him streaming his fingers through my hair in a soothing manner. "I'll keep you safe, even if it costs me my lif-."

'SMACK!'

My hand had moved on its own accord and I gasped in awe as I realized what I'd just done.

"Willow?" Undertaker sounded more bemused than stunned.

I managed to raise myself up a little, propping myself up on my elbows and shook my head furiously at him.

"I won't be defeated so easily." He assured me with a smile as he tenderly caressed my tear stained cheek. His hand gently rested against the back of my head, keeping me in place as he raised his head.

My heart raced sporadically in my chest as he leaned into me. What was he doing? I reached up to push away from him with my free hand and gasped as he caught me by the wrist ensnaring me in his hold.

"I love you, Willow." His sinfully soft voice caused my heart to skip a beat and I parted my lips slightly as a gasp escaped me.

He took advantage of my sudden vulnerability and stole a kiss. His lips tenderly caressed mine and my eyes fluttered closed as I melted into the sweet kiss. We stayed frozen in an innocent kiss for a long moment and I desperately wished that time would just stop. If we were eternally immobilized in this moment, I would truly know the meaning of everlasting happiness.

Video- Carry You By Ruelle Ft. Fleurie