Hellbound With You (WN)

This chapter is dedicated to @Edi_o! Thank you so much for the supergift!

On the stage, Alicia could see nothing but him. She could hear nothing but his voice singing those beautiful words and his guitar's melodious plucking sounds.

The world had faded away and ceased to exist as she watched him sing to her. Listening to that voice that was now touching her very soul, reaching the deepest chambers of her heart, sparing nothing, she was effortlessly intoxicated by this spell that was his song.

She had never expected this. She knew she would have loved his voice even if he ended up being bad at it. But this man just had to open his lips and with that, he had her completely and helplessly floored. And the bad thing is, that was just his voice!

The moment she heard the lyrics of his song, her entire being was then utterly enthralled by him. Her heart was beating like crazy and felt like it was about to beat its way out of control and out of her chest cavity as he continued his singing, his magnetic grey eyes still holding her gaze steadily.

"I don't know what to do

I'm just so in love with you"

And it could not help but burst. Those lines just made her heart burst into an outbreak of flames. Flames that were consuming her heart and mind only for him and him alone.

His grey eyes that were staring into hers were vulnerable, clear, raw…

He was opening up his very person to her without reservation. Almost as if he was begging her to see right through his very soul. For her to truly understand him through and through, and still accept him for who he is and love him no matter what. He literally bared his soul to her.

Tears had already pooled in her eyes, and she did not even realize it as her vampire vision stayed clear despite the tears.

"I want to love you for eternity"

He dropped his gaze and looked at his fingers that were dancing on the guitar's strings. Beads of sweat were now covering his forehead. His raven black hair hanging over his forehead in an attractive mess.

Then he lifted his eyes and met hers again. Seeing the quiet tears streaming down her cheeks. And realizing that she did not know she was even crying. Crying for him. Crying because of him.

"Here I am, singing this song for you in front of everyone"

A flash of a smile tugged at his lips as he sang that line. But that smile was fleeting because all too soon, deep lines appeared between his brows when he sang these last lines.

"I don't want to go

No, I don't want to go"

And when the outro ended, a deafening silence followed.

The audience were silent. Alicia was immobile, just staring at him, not quite recognizing that the song had ended.

No one broke the silence for a long while until Zeke moved the guitar, leaned it on the guitar stand and reached out for her. He lifted his hand and wiped away her tears that were still tracking down her cheeks gently with his thumb and said, "Now I understand why I don't like singing at all. Turns out that my voice makes people cry." He said jokingly, humor clearly evident in his voice.

Suddenly, Alicia threw herself into his arms. She then hugged him tightly, burying her face into his sturdy chest as she silently cried and gripped him even harder. She had obviously and totally forgotten that they were not alone and that they were still on the stage, having this lovely display right in front of their closest friends.

Zeke on the other hand was surprised for a moment. And the moment he put his hand around her and started rubbing her back in soothing circles, the sound of clapping hands slowly echoed one after another.

Zeke stilled his movements. Lifting his gaze, he saw everyone now standing, giving him a standing ovation.

"Phewitt!!!" Alex whistled and Lucas followed suit.

Now the silence was completely replaced with the loud clapping of the onlookers and happy celebratory noises. Zeke swept his gaze across everyone's faces. They were grinning from ear to ear. Eyes were bright and even twinkling. Alex had the widest smile, genuinely happy and proud, but at the same time seemingly promising some mischief later on.

Kai and Lucas looked so happy and relieved. Kyle looked… like he was still in disbelief but genuinely happy as well for his brother's new love. And Zeres. He wore a small smile, and there was acceptance and approval brimming in his eyes.

'I am taking back my words, Kiel. You were not iron-hearted all along.' he whispered very softly to Zeke in his mind and as if Zeke had heard that faint voice, he replied with a 'No, you weren't wrong. You were very right in fact, Zeres. I was iron-hearted.'

Then of course, Alex had to butt in. 'Because even iron gets melted with the correct temperature and right amount of fire, right?' A smirk could be heard from his voice. 'Now tell me Zeke, I'm interested to know. How does it feel, for a centuries-old iceberg like yourself, to be melted down and burned? Must really feel like heaven, am I right?' then he guffawed out loudly, pleased with his 'observation'.

Zeke ignored Alex and returned his attention back to Alicia because he felt her stiffening when Charles got back onto the stage again and spoke. She must have realized that they were still in public and was starting to get uncomfortable and embarrassed with her earlier reactions.

"You feeling okay?" Zeke whispered into her ears, only allowing her to hear him. "Do you need me to take you to the bathroom for a moment?"

"Y-yes, please." She immediately replied nodding her head but never moving to lift her now red as a ripe tomato face. However, Zeke could see the tips of her ears that were burning red and the heat that was emanating from her face that was plastered onto his chest still. He only chuckled at her within his own mind, but nothing showed outwardly.

"Alicia needs a moment to herself. We'll be back in a bit." Zeke informed Charles and then the duo disappeared into a wisp of smoke.

A/N: i was so surprised with the gifts from you guys yesterday. Thank you so very much from the buttom of my heart! Or were those gifts for Zeke's tallent fee? XD

P.s. the song I have in mind Zeke is singing is Just say you won't let go by James Arthur. Too bad i can't use the lyric from that song T^T