FORMATTING (review):

Told in parts, half from Ishtar's POV, half from Duzell's POV.

Italics stands for Ishtar's POV.

Regular will be for Duzell's POV.

Bold stands for thoughts/recollections/etc.

A/N: Okay, I was wrong - this may be the longest scene - or it may be yet to come... But this is definitely one of the most wanted scenes! This and the next one! To see what I mean, please read!

My apologies though - Ishtar kind of got out of hand... Please let me know if you think she's being too dramatic (even for being overwhelmed with stuff) XP

Oh, and second warning: angst and fluff. Kind of. P

As always, any comments/critism is welcome & appreciated!

Scene - Serious Confession

...a continuation of the first scene - too long to put in one chapter...

When he finally got over the shock of what was happening, the vampire king tentatively wrapped his arms around the hysterical girl. He was glad Ishtar couldn't see his face - he was looking quite distressed - never, in all his years, had he dealt with anything so hard... as a crying girl.

What the heck am I supposed to do? Do I hug her? Talk to her? Listen to her? Kiss her?

The last thought was tempting, but Duzell knew he would feel guilty if he indulged himself in her moment of weakness - though she did owe him for all those times he got kissed in her place...

What's getting into me? Now's not the time for that! Besides... Ishtar would hate me if I did.

The once-feared mass murderer gazed down tenderly at the slender shaking shoulders, sighing inwardly.

You're definitely rubbing off on me, princess.

The king harkened back to earlier remarks of how soft he'd become, but it no longer bothered him. So long as Ishtar was safe, he realized, it didn't matter to him what he became. Even if she never returned his feelings... so long as she was alive and well and he could watch over her - that would be happiness enough for him.

Gently, he brought a hand up to Ishtar's head, smoothing her hair lovingly while keeping her secure against him with his other arm. "It'll be alright, Ishtar." He kept his voice calm and soft, trying to reassure the shaken princess that her world was still there. "The rest of us are all still here. Everything's going to be okay, I promise. I won't let Lassan hurt anyone else."

I'll kill him if he makes you cry again! No, I should kill him just for this. But I need to get Ishtar back to Pheliosta. It's too dangerous here...

The rain was beginning to subside, finally, and Ishtar's incoherent speech had reduced to quiet sniffles. Duzell could tell she was getting tired - the princess was leaning more and more of her body weight against him. With one smooth motion, the vampire king swept her off her feet, literally, until he was carrying her bridal style in his arms. "Ishtar, you're tired, soaked, and it's almost morning," he explained to the surprised princess. "I'll listen to whatever you have to say, but let me bring you to your room first. We'll walk, because this castle's 'decorations (1)' put a damper on my powers."

She nodded, too tired to argue or order him to put her down, and instead wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her head against his chest, eyes closed. "This is unlike you, princess," he wanted to chide her. "Where's your boundless energy?" Somewhere inside though, he knew it wasn't the time for jokes, and Duzell kept silent. As much as he wanted to see her the way he knew her, Ishtar was human. He knew all along that she would eventually lose the carefree spirit of childhood, especially once she became queen.

"Duzie?" There was concern in her voice, as well as confusion, when he suddenly stopped moving - however, he heard none of it, the revelation suddenly hitting him like a taunting voice in his mind.

She's human. She's going to change as time goes on...

"I love her the way she is now!" Unconsciously, his grip tightened around the princess, almost desperately, as his previous encounter with Lailis-Rishas-returned to him. "You don't have to do this, you know..."

...She's going to grow old...

"...Humans are reincarnated, too..."

...and then...

"...That girl you love will be reborn..."

She's going to die.

"...You might have a better chance in her next life."

And I won't be able to do anything about it.

(1) referring to legsarams

It was scaring her, how tightly he was holding. But it was like he wasn't even paying attention - his face was almost blank and she couldn't read the expression he had all.

"Duzie... Duzie." Shaking him did nothing. Snapping, waving a a hand in front of his face - Ishtar tried all the traditional methods, but with no response. It was like he was under a spell or something. He wouldn't respond to anything. Finally, she pulled his head down towards her, until they were inches apart. "Duzie! Hey, Duzie, snap out of it!"

Finally, the vampire king seemed to hear her calling, blinking at last and showing some signs of life. "What is it? What's wrong?" His vibrant eyes met hers for a moment before he turned away - or at least, tried to. The princess turned his face back, glaring at him, but worry underlined the frustration in her eyes. Underneath that, fear. "Tell me! I'm not going to let you go until you do!"

Did something else happen?

The worries rose up again, and her imagination raced as she thought of all the possible things that might have gone wrong, all the people that might have been hurt this time.

Was it Vord? He got arrested, didn't he? Did they do something to him? Did something happen to Falan after we left? Is it Darres? Please don't tell me something happened to Darres! I shouldn't have let him go off alone!

A small sigh interupted her thoughts, as her unspoken question was answered. "He's safe, Ishtar. You don't have to worry about him." In his crimson eyes though, foreign for her to see, was pain.

"Then what is bothering you, Duzie? Tell me! We're friends, right?" She noticed that he almost seemed to flinch at the word, and turned away, pulling out of her grasp.

What's going on, Duzie? Why are you acting like this? I feel like... I'm losing you...

A tear slipped down her cheek, as the princess mumbled, "Don't you trust me anymore?"

Why is everything changing like this? What happened? Why you too? Duzie...

Memories rose up unbidden, seeming so far away. They used to talk so much before. Was this because of Phelios? Is he somehow unable to kill Phelios, and that's why he's upset? Or is it just that this war... this war is changing everyone and everything?

"Every... everyone... First, Yuujel's killed by the king!" More tears fell, and Ishtar moved her hands to her face, trying to stop the cascade, as the torrent of her worries continued. "Then Vord got arrested because he tried to attack the king! Not to mention he's the prince here. Darres and Selen are getting closer. Illsaide is nowhere to be seen and even if we find him, I can't persuade him to go back! Razenia's going to side against us! War's coming and more people are going to die and now you're acting like you hate me!" She turned and began sobbing against his chest. "I don't know what's going on anymore!"

"Princess..." the vampire king whispered. She felt his hand against the back of his head again, comforting her.

I don't want this, Duzie. I don't want to lose you... Ever...

"I'm scared, Duzie." She confided in him, the first and only person she ever trusted. "Before, my greatest fear was dying, because I'd never be able to see the ones I loved anymore... But now..." The princess choked back a sob. "Now... I'm losing them anyway... Duzie..."

"Hush," came the soothing whisper. "You have nothing to worry about. You're perfectly safe. We'll all stand by you till the end. We'll protect you Ishtar, with our li-"

"No!" she interupted , suddenly clutching his shirt tightly in her fists. "No! No more sacrifices! I don't want to see anyone else hurt because of me!" He didn't reply. "That means you too, Duzie! Promise me!"

His blood-colored gaze regarded her for a time, but he never answered, simply taking up his walk again. "It's late, princess. We should get you back to your room as soon as possible."

He was surprised when she suddenly pushed herself out of his arms. "No! Not until you tell me what's been bothering you." Her stance was shaking, but the vampire king could see the determination burning in her emerald eyes. "I want to know the truth, Duzie. What's wrong?"

The truth, Ishtar? Do you mean my feelings? Or do you mean about what I plan to do? ...Would you hate me if I told you?

As if she could feel him starting to drift into his thoughts again, Ishtar suddenly pulled his face forward in her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes, still edged with tears. "The truth," she demanded again.

It was the perfect moment. It was now or never. If he was going to lie to her...

Forgive me, Ishtar...

He leaned in towards her, watching her eyes widen in surprise but not backing down. A rare smile appeared on his face.

...You're so determined...

He knew he would hate himself later. But. He would hate himself either way. Before Ishtar could resist, the vampire king kissed her, softly, gently, lovingly, on the lips.

...I'll tell you.

"Ishtar, I'm in love with you."