Hotel Room (open, location elsewhere) - The White Tower

Alex turned around and practically slammed the windows shut, his eyes locked with Charlie's and suddenly there was fire in his eyes, "Is that what you think!? That I don't want or appreciate your offers? Or you!? You think I don't feel like I need your help some times!?" He was nearly yelling in the wee hours of the morning.

"Did you ever, even once stop to think that maybe I feel like I don't deserve the things you offer? Did you ever once stop to think that maybe I feel like I don't deserve you!? I fucked up!" and then his voice grew soft, almost apologetic, "I fucked up, and I don't know how to make it right, and the thought that you can Cass could pay for it... that thought, Charlie, scares the hell out of me, and I'm sorry..."

Oh yes, guilt, it would seem, was a far better punishment than any hot iron or Gangrel claw and guilt was exactly what was written on the Gangrel's face at that very moment.

He knew guilt did far worse than claws or branding irons or whips. He'd used that weapon himself, had it used against him as well. Some punishments a person could take and bare because it was placed on them and only pushed their own will and their own limits. But when placed on someone they cared for? Often, it had the strongest of men shattering like glass.

"Then don't fuck up again..." Charlie said softly as he turned away from the door, took a moment and then looked up at Alex. His expression softer now than before. "See Cassiel though this... learn to be a better man because of it"

People did a lot of seriously stupid things in the name of love. Charlie couldn't claim a blank sheet in that regards either.

"Just... stop and think sometimes" which, coming from a Brujah probably sounded oh so convincing. "But for now, accept an offer of rest? Maybe say thank you rather than throw me into walls?" he briefly, very briefly managed to crack a smile.

Alex looked down as guilt seemed to consume him. He hadn't healed the wounds yet. His lip was still split and the large purple bruise from where Charlie had punched him was still present. His hands were still wounded from his claws, those would take both time and effort to heal.

"Thank you, Charlie." It sounded as if there might have been more he wanted to say, but he simply left the words hanging there and he slipped his shoes off. Then his shirt came off. He bundled it up and tossed it on the floor beside the bed before he laid down, using the garment as a makeshift pillow.

Strangely enough, he truly did look like he was going through hell.

He wanted to be angry, because it was easier. But really, he was too tired for it.
He'd already spent his rage and his fury. So at the moment all that was really left was resignation.

When Alex laid down though, the Brujah walked over and held his hand out to him.
"You wouldn't have let me sleep on the floor" Charlie said simply. "C'mon.." his voice soft, though not really asking.

Alex looked at the Brujah before taking his hand. he could have said a thousand things, about how he deserved the punishment he gave himself, on top of anything that Jamie did. But the truth was, anymore, he was just too damn tired to argue, too tired to fight.

Slowly he stood up. He towered over the younger vampire, inches from his face.

"I am sorry, and all I can do now is learn from this and try not to screw up again."

"Good..." Charlie sighed, chin raised in order to look up at the Gangrel when he stood that close. "Seems you're learning already..." he didn't move though save to lift his free arm to rest a hand on Alex' chest, his other still holding the other man's hand gently.
"Maybe there's hope yet"

Alex nodded, He tried to smile, but every muscle in his body was tired. He felt lethargic and so tired. He simply sat down on the edge of the bed, and then rolled onto his side after giving Charlie's hand a gentle squeeze.

There was a rustling of clothes from behind Alex's back, a low sigh as the always present restriction of the bandages came undone before Charlie slipped into bed and under the covers. Funny though, that while the clothes were shed, the weapon harness was put back on, the youth feeling better about sleeping with at least one set of knives on her. Specially when finding herself somewhere other than in the safety of her Haven.

Perhaps to Alex's surprise, most likely Charlie's as well, the Gangrel would feel a gentle arm wrap around his waist from behind as Charlie moved up close to him, closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his back between his shoulder blades. The two separated by the covers and Alex' clothes.

She might still be angry at him. Probably would be even more so when the punishments were finally settled on. But she didn't actually want to break him.

He took some tiny measure of comfort in her touch, even as he stared at the empty white wall. He closed his eyes, but his mind wouldn't stop. There were things he could have said, things he wanted to say, but he simply let them lie.

Deep end of the emotional pool... the words stuck out in his mind and so all he did was lie as still as any corpse and wait for dawn.

And Charlize? Seemed she really was tired as she soon enough drifted off, already asleep by the time dawn came.

And unless something happened during the day. She'd still be there when he woke up the next evening. Softly asleep just where she'd laid down, still with one arm around his waist and resting her forehead against his back. Looking every bit the angel she could pretend to be when she wanted to.

Alex on the other hand was up, on his feet and restless. he reached down and pulled his shirt on. He still hadn't healed. There was blood, the special mix in the refrigerator back home. He opened up on of the drawers and pulled out a pad of paper as he began to scrawl a note. Sure, it was going to be the deep end of that emotional pool, but sometimes, the truth had to come out. He wouldn't blame Charlize if she never wanted to see him again, but there were things that had to be said and done.

Dear Charlize-

I know you're not going to like what in this letter. I know you're going to read it and at least think "deep end of the emotional pool." Maybe you'll even hate me for laying it out like this. I don't know. You need to know that Cass and I... we love you like we love each other. Maybe that's messed up, maybe it doesn't make sense, but no one ever said that love had to make sense. I've made a lot of mistakes, and more lately. I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused, but right now I have to focus on making things right. I have to try and do what I can for Cass. I wanted to be here when you woke up, maybe to see you smile, maybe to get punched in the face, I don't know. I'll understand if you never want to see me again, though I hope it isn't the case. I love you, Charlize, we both do. Please take care.

Love and affection-
Alex

He gently laid the note on the pillow where he'd slept before he pulled on his shirt and opened the window. A moment later, Alex's form shifted to that of the large Eagle before he took off into the darkness once more.

Whatever her reaction to that note was? Well... maybe he'd find out later.

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(scene)