breathtaking

Rho was an easy obsession. Rho, Rho, it sounded wrong in his mouth, like an odd twist to his jaw. She was Rho in the streets, Elizabeth in proper attire, Lizzie in playful fondness. Dear god, that sweetheart was breathtaking. Julian stood in front of his vanity and put his hair up, letting strands of hair trickle to the side and frame his face. With shorter hair, he looked younger, more feminine. In certain styles, he could be mistaken for a student in the academy, but he was nowhere near the beauty that attracted his father all those years ago.

Elizabeth was. Elizabeth, with her round face, white hair and developing body. Julian wanted to shower her with gifts, take her to dates, watch those cheeks dusted with pink. He once questioned his father's obsession, but he could remember what he said: I can't help it. You're just too beautiful. And that was dear Elizabeth, too beautiful for this world. He understood.

She was coming to visit him today, and soon. Julian couldn't contain his excitement. He was going to offer her a few gifts, and after that, he wanted to take her out for a stroll and eat at a lovely garden restaurant she'd sure enjoy. There were many people that desired her, and Julian personally did not enjoy sharing, but she wasn't his, not yet. He'd make her.

He waited in the living room, resting on a seat near the window to watch her come up his door. He had tea set out, and at the center of the table, a vase of freshly picked flowers. The gifts were stacked near the fireplace. It won't be long.

Julian saw her arriving from the window, staying in place to appreciate her from a distance. She was wearing such a lovely dress. Ribbons and frills suited her nicely. When she peeked into the window, he supposed he was caught, and smiled at her when she saw him.

He opened the door and took her hand to place a small kiss at the back of it, caressing her fingers with his thumb. Unable to resist, he took her face into his hands, and placed kisses on her cheek and forehead, lingering for the slightest of moments. No, no, this wasn't the service that she provided. He was overstepping his bounds. He hoped she didn't mind. He was just a man weak to his own desires. He fixed her hair and smiled apologetically.

"Elizabeth. You always brighten up my day." Taking her hand again, he led her to a nearby seat, in front of the biscuits and tea. "Please, eat. You're a growing girl. I made these cookies just for you."

Julian sat across her. He crossed her legs, resting his chin on his palm as he watched her with fondness in his eyes. They had similar features. He could easily be mistaken for her father. White hair, white skin, red eyes. If his child hadn't died, would she be beautiful like her? It was a lovely thought.

"This is the third time we've seen each other. I went out of my way to get you a few gifts to mark the occasion." He gestured to the gifts on the table next to her, one big and one medium, both in white and pink wrapping. The big one was a stuffed rabbit, and the other, black doll shoes with a white ribbon. "How have you been? It's been weeks since we last saw each other."