acevxmps

[acevxmps]

@vampyredefender

[acevxmps]

Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes - Cosmopolitan, July 2021

[acevxmps]

ace's fingers traced a slow path up her sides, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. his lips brushed against her ear, his voice a husky whisper filled with yearning. "you have never been innocent really, alexia, we both know that.." he placed a gentle kiss to the side of her neck. "but.. you have always been undeniably irresistible." he hummed softly in response to her question, then smirked a little as he pulled back, cocking his head to the side as a mischievous glint settled in hazel hues. "well, i was thinking that perhaps i could get a little more acquainted with your body again.. see if i remember just how to make you tick.." hands slid around to rest against the small of her back, pulling her slender form closer, their bodies pressing flush together. "three centuries is an awfully long time after all.. you may have some new kinks for me to discover." ace chuckled lowly, eyes darkening with hunger.

it had been a long time since lexi had been on a date, and even longer since ace had attempted to court her. of course, it was rather different now....and the younger vampire had been too tempted to show her sire what he'd missed out on in the last three hundred years. clad in a tight black dress that even now could be classed as sinful she felt her heartrate quicken as he took in the sight of her, a slow smirk coming to her lips at his words. "did you forget that i'm not an innocent little village girl anymore?" she challenged, a gleam in her eyes as his grip tightened, fighting the urge to shiver in delight at his touch. it had been far too long since he had held her so close, her voice a breathless whisper as she spoke. "and what exactly would we be doing instead?"

[acevxmps]

ace really had been working on himself, he'd been trying to make good on his promise to lexi, to become a better person. or.. to at least try. truth be told, he'd do anything for her, and he knew her values when it came to humans. so, he was on the blood bags. it was vile, compared to taking blood straight from the vein, but it would have to do for now, until he managed to get his blood lust under control. a knock at the door piqued ace's curiosity. since returning from the dead, he and lexi had compelled their way into a cozy little apartment, and they hadn't had many visitors. the vampire opened the door, seeing an unfamiliar male on the other side of it. eyes narrowed in response to the words that came from his mouth. why would this stranger be looking for lexi? "i'm sorry, who are you?" ace asked, brows raising. "not that it's any of your business, tough guy, but, this apartment.. it's ours. mine and alexia's."

HE HAD COME TO SEE HIS MOTHER but after he knocked, he came face to face with someone that wasn't Lexi. In fact, there's a sort of familiarity he couldn't place but he was agitated already as it was. "Do you know where Lexi Branson is?" Maybe he was bitter but not in the way you'd think. Truth be told, he wasn't even sure why he felt that way other than as an act of protectiveness. "Pretty sure she'd want to know you're in her apartment -- doing what, I don't give a shit but it stinks."

@acevxmps

[acevxmps]

ace maintained a calm, reassuring demeanor as the woman explained her unease about the night curfew. he understood her concern, even though he was one of the creatures the curfew was meant to control. his main goal was to keep her at ease and make her more susceptible to his compulsion. "i completely understand your worry," ace said with an understanding smile. "it's important to stay safe. i wouldn't want anyone to get hurt." oh the irony. ace was a predator and she his prey. his natural instincts were sharpening by the second. "i can walk with you, make sure you get there safely. my name's ace, by the way." he extended his hand in a friendly gesture, maintaining an aura of charm and trustworthiness, which was a facade that had worked well for him over the years.

as her eyes settled on the handsome stranger she felt no less concerned, a tension in her slender frame as he approached her, subconsciously taking a step back from him. "it's, it's alright." she said shakily, her hand gripping the strap of her bag tightly. "i just...this night curfew's got me a little rattle, that's all." she commented, flashing the stranger a nervous smile. despite the fact he wasn't the animal the curfew was enforced for, that made him no less dangerous....she knew first hand what people could do. "i...i'm just on my way home - my parent's don't like me to be late." she added.

[acevxmps]

@vampyredefender

via ig kelseaballerini

[acevxmps]

Do you know Lexi has an ex or two in town?

"Alexia and I were apart for centuries, I would be stupid to believe that she did not have other lovers. Them being in Beacon Hills though? That.. May be a predicament. Though, having said that, I trust Alexia endlessly, so I do not have any worries about them right now. I trust that she would not want to hurt me in the way I hurt her, as she will forever be a better person than I. The most important thing to me is her happiness. If she wants to explore those past relationships then I will not stand in her way. And, if her ex lovers make her happier than I ever can, then I will accept that. No matter how much it will hurt." @vampyredefender

[acevxmps]

Do you want to marry Lexi?

"Marriage seems a little redundant when it comes to our kind, considering that everything is forever anyway.. Yet, the thought of seeing her in a white dress, a public declaration of our eternal love for one another.. It really is a wonderful idea." @vampyredefender

[acevxmps]

are you worried that someone will come along and win Lexis affection more than you?

”Always. I know that Alexia deserves better than me. She always will. There are billions of people out there in the world, some of which who could give her the life that I never could. The life that she deserves. Fear of losing her is always gonna’ be there. No matter what.”

@vampyredefender

[acevxmps]

What is the meanest thing someone has done to you?

”The meanest thing? Gee.. I usually try to repress those memories.. considering people that are mean to me usually end up dead. I guess it was pretty mean when the volturi lopped my head off.”

[acevxmps]

ft. @vampyredefender

it was supposed to be date night, ace had this whole night planned where they would go for dinner, he'd wine and dine lexi, make her remember that he really was a romantic at heart. but then she had to wear that dress. "if you think i'm going to let you leave the house looking that good, you've got another thing coming." ace chuckled, biting his bottom lip as he moved toward his beloved. an arm hooked around her waist and he pulled her slender form closer with ease. "but.. i have a feeling we'd have much more fun if we just.. skipped the meal." hands moved to her hips, and hazel eyes moved down her form shamelessly, taking in the way her dress hugged every single one of her curves to perfection. "gods, you're perfect.." he hummed, his grasp on her hips tightening a little.

[acevxmps]

ace took in the sight of the bartender, as she mentioned that they were closing up, he gave her a polite nod and a small, charming smile. "my apologies for coming in so late," he replied smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of sincerity. "i was just passing by and couldn't resist the temptation of a quiet drink. if it's too late, i completely understand." ace offered another small smile as he buried his hands in his pockets, shifting from foot to foot. alcohol was the only thing that helped with his blood lust at the moment, but he wasn't about to tell her that.

Esme let out a breath, she had heard the stories of this town, but she still had decided to bring her children here for a new life. She had gotten a job as a bartender, and was currently cleaning up after a messy individual had left and she was closing up for the night, knowing that there was a curfew. She was in her own world thinking about her kids, not noticing someone had walked in, she finally sensed someone was there "we are just closing up" she responded and looked up at who it was.

[acevxmps]

watching as lexi turned to the human, focusing on compelling the man to leave, ace then sighed softly. it was the right thing to do, of course, but he had been rather looking forward to breaking the man's neck. of course, that would ruin any chance of he and lexi reconciling though. he knew, deep down, that he could be a better person, that he could try to ignore the sheer need he felt to spill blood, to gorge himself on it. and he'd do it. for lexi. hazel hues softened as the attention of his beloved returned to him. his lips pressed into a thin line, trying to see past the rage in her eyes, in hope of seeing the connection that the two of them had held centuries ago beginning to return.

the broken words she spoke felt like shards of ice being driven into his heart. "i know, and i will apologise endlessly for that. i was selfish, i wasn't willing to change, to be better. but.. things are different now. i want to be different. i want to learn to be better.. for you." ace sighed, his brows drawing together as his gaze then slid to the ground. then, he felt lexi leaning into his touch. his heart ached for her, and the pad of his thumb brushed over the apple of her cheek.

"lexi," he began, his voice trembling, "i promise you, i will never leave you again unless you tell me it's what you want. i will do everything in my power to make things right, to be the man you deserve. i know that i can't change my past, but i can shape our future. i can be the person you need me to be.." he closed the distance between them, as he gently wiped away a tear with his thumb. "i love you, alexia, and i will spend eternity proving that to you."

the woman could feel her small frame shaking with anger, tear filled eyes staring at her sire, the man who broke her heart centuries ago. as the words fell from her lips she could almost feel her heart exposed, the hurt she'd carried for so long finally allowing itself to be felt. it was in the silence that she felt the forgotten mans breath on her neck. with a sharp movement she shrugged the human's hand off of her, turning to him with an annoyed glare. "go home. we danced, you're tired and want to rest."

returning her gaze back to ace she tried to keep her rage, tried to hold the anger close to her heart. but his hand, so close to her was enough to reignite the longing she felt for her love. "you left me, ace," she whispered, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "you came into my life, turned me, and left me broken. it took me so long to piece myself back together."

as he continued, her heart constricted in her chest, swallowing the lump in her throat as he stepped closer to her. lexi couldn't help but lean into his hand, the familiar touch almost too much for her to bare. closing her eyes to savour the touch as he spoke she breathed out shakily, her words filled with a vunerability she hadn't heard from herself in years. "promise me. promise me you won't leave again. not unless i tell you that's what i want."

[acevxmps]

ace couldn't stop his brows from furrowing as he gazed at tatia, her resemblance to katherine was uncanny. he nodded in acknowledgment of her words, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "well, tatia, it's a pleasure to meet you," he replied with a polite nod. "forgive the confusion, it's just that your likeness to katherine is quite striking. i hope you understand." his eyes held a hint of curiosity as he continued to study her features, still not quite able to get his head around the likeness the woman had to his former lover.

@acevxmps

❝ so she was your lover ... ❞ Tatia raised an eyebrow at the vampire who confused her as katherine . ❝ Either way , I am tatia and yes , it's a little annoying to be confused as her or elena . ❞ but there was nothing to do about it so she had come to accept it . Despite them being different in their own way .

[acevxmps]

as the woman called out, ace's predatory instincts kicked in. he had been lurking in the shadows, drawn in by the scent of her blood. ever since he returned from the dead, ace had been ravenous. he needed a more permanent solution. vervain was common in this town, just as it had been in mystic falls, so it was difficult to find someone who he was able to compel. he'd tried his luck with many a woman, but this red head in particular.. he had high hopes for.

emerging from the shadows, ace revealed himself. hazel eyes locked onto hers through the darkness as he spoke, his voice was smooth and laced with a little feigned awkwardness. "sorry, love, i didn't mean to startle you" he said, flashing her a slight, charming, smile. "are you alright? you seem a little.. on edge." ace spoke softly, his voice filled with practiced concern.

closed starter // @acevxmps

it had gotten late, and with winter fast approaching the nights were growing darker with each day, leaving jessica finishing her shift past sundown. wrapped up in her coat she sighed, knowing the long walk home was going to be less than pleasant. the red head walked briskly, clutching at her bag as she made her way home, but it wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her.

turning round to see who it was she couldn't help but frown at the emptiness that met her. "is...is someone there?" she called out, bright blue eyes looking behind her with clear hesitancy.

[acevxmps]

[acevxmps]

ace's anger smoldered beneath the surface as lexi unleashed the full extent of her emotions upon him. he had expected the hostility, but her words cut deeper than he had anticipated. the raw pain and anger in her voice stung him and, for the first time, he knew he deserved it. he listened in silence, his gaze unwavering, as she poured out her feelings to him. the guilt weighed heavily on him as he heard the torment she had gone through after he had left. the tears that streamed down her cheeks tore at his undead heart, reminding him of the pain he had caused.

when she finished, ace took a moment to collect his thoughts. his own emotions were a mess. a mix of regret, longing, and frustration. he reached out to hesitantly, his hand resting close to her face, but not quite touching her cheek, mostly from fear of overstepping, or getting his wrist broken. "alexia," he began, his voice softer now. "i know i can never make up for the pain i've caused you, and i won't pretend that i can. but i never stopped loving you. i've spent centuries searching for a way back to you, to make things right."

ace's gaze held a depth of sincerity as he continued, "i know you owe me nothing, but i'm asking for a chance to make amends, to earn your forgiveness. i do not expect to gain it straight away but.. fuck, lexi. i can't lose you again. you are everything to me. an i know that i will do whatever it takes to prove that." he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers, and softly added, "please, lexi, don't let my past mistakes dictate our future. give me a chance to show you how much i still love you, to be better.. and if i fuck it up, if i break your heart all over again, then i will walk away."

she knew ace better than to know he wouldn't follow, his heated stares burning into the back of her head as she led the human. the blonde didn't bat an eyelid as he rounded on them, a scarce comparison to the human who jumped and swore, gripping onto her tighter. her chin rose, defiant and ready for his temper tantrum. what she wasn't prepared for what his venomous words, the mild threat to the human falling on deaf ears as she processed the words spoken only to her.

"you think i can't walk away from you?" she challenged finally, anger seeping into her voice as she took a step towards ace, thoughts of the human gripping her waist long forgotten. "you left me. you abandoned me when i needed you the most. do you know, do you have any idea how much torment switching my humanity back on was? how much guilt and grief suffocated me, almost had me walking into the sunlight to burn to nothingness to join my brother. and you left me." the last two words were shouted, screamed into the night air, despair and rage filling her words as hot tears began to roll down her cheeks. "and now because we've somehow ended up in the same town and some force has returned us to this world you believe you are now owed something from me? i owe you nothing, because you have made it clear that i am nothing to you."