Alek watches him leave before quickly turning to face Bridgette, worry instantly filling him. "Oh my heavens... are you alright? How bad is it? Let me see. I swear. What made you go and do something like that?" The words roll off of his tongue, not giving her time to respond.

Bridgette trembles and shakes her head, giving a weary smile "I-im Okay! J-just a scratch I'm okay!" She looks at the gushing blood.

Alek shakes his head. He uses his teeth to rip the end of his jacket off. He ties it around her arm. "Come with me. I'll get some thread and a needle from the studio."  He adjusts his tie, making it better fitted to her arm.

"A-alek really I'm fine! I can stitch myself!" She follows him, still shaking from blood loss.

He holds his hand over the cut, putting pressure on the bandage. "No." He guides her up the stairs, bringing her into the studio.

Bridgette stays silent and groans, cringing at the pain in her arm. "D-don't press so hard please! I-it really hurts!"

"You need to put pressure on it." He says to her, his voice concerned. He lightens his touch either way. He sits her down on the counter of the studio.

She trembles and bites her bottom lip to keep from screaming. She shuts her eyes tightly and whimpers.

He kisses her cheek. "Tell me about how you make chalk." He says, trying to distract her. He grabs a needle and looks for Kogan's good thread.

"W-well..." She knows what he's doing and is grateful for it "The c-chalk is found or gifted. It is found in rare places, or is gifted by the demons of the underworld. Aowin collects them."

"And Aowin, did she teach you?" He hands her a pillow, something to hold on to.

She holds it and gulps "Uh... uh yeah. Her and Jeremiah. Jeremiah used to be my personal teacher before Timber killed him."

"What was Jeremiah like?" He holds a blank face as he unties the makeshift bandage. He holds the needle in his teeth and took a piece of fabric, dipping it in some water.

Bridgette trembles "H-he was a little like papa.... but less quiet. He was silly sometimes, and grew up with papa. They were split when papa was taken by the dark Lord, but when they found each other again, they were very happy."

"Mhm..." he uncovers it, quickly using the wet rag to clean it up.

She winces and bites the pillow, shutting her eyes tightly. "Gopf."

"Keep talking. What would you like to do if we went to the town again?" He removes the rag. "I'm sorry." He whispers. He begins stitching.

"D-danc- OW!" She whines and bites the pillow again, shutting her eyes tighter.

He goes quickly. "Dancing. That's fun. Promise not to flirt with anyone?"

She opens one eye to look at him, she giggles a bit and whimpers "N-no promises."

"Mhm~" he hums, finishing the stitches, tearing the thread with his teeth. He adjusts a few things before putting down the needle and using the wet fabric to clean it off. "All done."

She peeks at it and smiles "Thank you! You did a good job." She pats it gently and looks at Alek.

Alek nods. "I'm glad." He begins putting away the things he got out. "But please next time don't run into the knife." He jokes. He doesn't smile. He sees Evelyn dead in his head. He sees the anger in Timber's eyes. He sees Bridgette, how terrified she was.

Bridgette's smile falls as she sees the knife cut into her, the image of Timber's rage mixed with his fear still stuck in her mind. She saw Alek, how torn he was when she chose timber. Her ears lower and she looks down.

Alek puts the needle away last, stopping. He stares at the needle for a moment. "What did he mean... when he said you had chosen him..."

What she was dreading came true, and she turns away "I..." She remembers what Timber said about Alek's death, and remembers the rage when the knife came down "I... choose Timber..."

Alek nods. "I suppose... that... that could be fine..." he struggles on his words. "If...  if he is what you want..." he sighs. "But please, if this is true, I would rather you let me take the blade..."

"N-no!" She looks at him. She rushes over and hugs him from behind "Alek how dare you say such words! I took the blade because I wouldn't be able to live anymore if you died! Because I love you Alek!"

"Then why?" His voice was empty. He turned to her. "Why would you choose that monster?"

Her hands fall to his chest and she looks up at him with pained and concerned eyes "I would never WANT to choose him! I could never love a fool like Timber!" She moves closer "I love a fool like you..."

Alek places a hand on her cheek. "Then why?" His eyes flit back and forth, trying to read her features.

"..." She furrows her eyebrows with concern, stroking his cheek "I can't tell you... but it is because I love you Alek..."

He closes his eyes feeling her hand on his face. "Yet that is why you must..."

She stares at him with worry for a moment, before slowly pressing her lips against his in a soft kiss. She pulls away "... My love... I don't ever want to marry Timber... but it would be worse if you were dead..."

He looks to the side. "I wouldn't live without you... I may breathe. I may see. But I will never be truly alive."

"Oh my prince..." She tries to turn his head to face her, gently.

He looks at her. "My dear, I won't let him take you from me."

She sighs and shakes her head, still looking at him with concerned eyes. "My love... you must if you want to live..."

Alek shakes his head. "I wouldn't want to." He kisses her, holding onto her, scared she would leave him.

She kisses back and shuts her eyes. She notices how afraid he is and takes a quick breath "Alek-" she doesn't finish and places her hands on his chest, still kissing him.

Alek moves her to the wall, kissing her with more force than he has before. He holds her to him, his hands on her sides.

"A-alek-! Mmph!" She continues and takes another breath. Her back is pressed against the wall and she moves her hands up his chest and to his shoulders.

Alek brings one hand up to her neck, kissing down from her mouth to her neck.

She gasps and shivers, "A-alek this is- Ah~!" She shuts her eyes tightly and tries to gently push him away.

Alek opens his eyes slowly, his teeth grazing her neck. He breathes heavily, his heart pounding as he rested his forehead on her. "I-I... know... "

She takes quick breaths and looks at him. "W-why?" She gulps and continues breathing heavy.

He closes his eyes. His heaving breaths slow slightly. "I... love you... and I don't n-need anyone else..."

"I.... I know...." She sighs and kisses his cheek "My love I know..."

He doesn't let go or loosen his grip. "You are perfect... I love your smile... I love your skin and ears... I love your laugh... your kindness... your strength..." he kisses her jaw. "Your touch... I won't let Timber have you. You deserve so much more than he could offer..."

She shivers and looks at him "A-alek... are... are you alright?" She looks worried though doesn't shove him away.

"I'm scared." He whispers. "I...i don't want to lose you... i... I don't want to die..."

"Shhhh sh sh sh sh..." She strokes his cheek and leans close "We'll figure this out... I promise.... I won't let you die my love..."

Alek loosens, opening his eyes. "Please... don't leave either..."

She sighs and holds him close "I don't know what to do..."

Alek looks at the stitches in her arm. "Nor do I..." he frowns, remembering Evelyn's death. He remembers the war that was eminent.

"Alek..." She looks at him worried "... You need to relax... I'm not leaving you... I'll never leave you... I will always love you..." She strokes his cheek and kisses his nose.

Alek doesn't smile, but he places a hand on her face. "Thank you my dearest..."

She kisses him softly. "... Everything will be okay..." She kisses him again "Anything you ask me to do, I will do it. What is it you wish my love?"

"I wish only for you." He smiles lightly, taking her mask off.

She looks into his eyes and smiles a bit "As you wish, my lord..." She wraps her arms around him, holding him close.

"My dear monarch... my dear queen..." he messes with her hair, his arms around her.

Bridgette gulps and shakes her head "A-about that... the king still hasn't made his decision, a-and... and Timber-"

Alek looks down. "Evelyn is... gone. Timber..." he pulls back and looks into her eyes. "I will always be there for you, we don't need that wolf's permission."

"No... but he threatened me... He said that if I don't marry him, he'll kill you..." her eyes turn glossy and she looks up at him.

"I won't let that happen. I'll do everything I can." Alek leans his forehead against hers. "I won't let him win."

"... Where is Timber...?" Her eyes widen and she pulls away from him.

Alek reaches to touch his sword, trying to comfort himself. He curses. "I left my sword."

She gasps and quickly runs to the balcony. His sword is gone.

Alek was just behind her. He curses again. "I'm such an idiot." He crosses his arms.

"No no dont say that..." She looks at him, though her face is worried "We... we can get it back."

"I'm sure he'll gladly hand it over..." Alek runs his fingers through his hair, feeling oddly defenseless.

"... He might..." She looks at him with a smile, grabbing his hand "I'm sure we can come up with something..."

Alek smiles lightly. "Of course... if you think so, my lady, I'll believe you."

"Then... let's go find him." She smiles and runs to find Timber.

********

A/N: Lol I just got done telling L Timber's backstory and I think I killed her.

L/N: IT KILLED ME!!