The Big Reveal (Bastian)

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson had no idea what to expect. She hardly slept the previous night and she wondered all day what to expect when she arrived at the Remington. Would he be some weird deformed creature because if that was the case she probably would run away screaming and crying like he'd said. But chances were that wasn't it at all. She kept thinking about all the weird things about him; his inability to get hurt, his strength, how he had gotten downstairs so quickly that first night, his speed, his creepy, bony back... Surely there were others. No, there was something definitely off about him. She didn't know what it was, but she was curious. Would he really tell her, though? Was this just another plan for him to get her into his grasp? How stupid was she to walk into the lions den so willingly? Should she tell the shrink? Maybe she should just quit seeing the shrink..

Alyson arrived an hour prior to sunset. It was earlier than he had told her to, but what was the point of waiting any longer? As it was it had been difficult to stay away for that long. The curiosity was practically eating her alive. Still, it had been fun doing a little shopping online all day. She had bought the new bed as he had told her to, picking a high end mattress and a really nice head and foot board. She even ordered new pillows, sheets and a comforter set. She felt rich almost, and it was much larger than the full she currently had. She went ahead and got the kind because why not? Her room would be very cramped but who needed space when you could have comfort and luxury? The mattress got great reviews, too. While she had the card she also ordered some bedroom furniture. She figured if he had a problem with it he would have said something along the lines of not ordering it, but he had said to, so she did and in a way she felt vindicated spending all his money on herself. At first she felt guilty but then she reminded herself of everything he'd put her through and somehow it didn't seem as bad anymore.

As promised there was a key waiting for her at the desk. She wondered if the woman behind the desk recognized her. She might have considering the look on her face making Alyson blush, but when she got the key she slipped the hat she'd been wearing back on, hiding her curls once more.

She had never been in this hotel. It was enormous and she could see the view of the bay from the window wall in the restaurant. She admired the high ceiling and the clock tower right there in the center of the lobby. She made her way to the elevator and rode it all the way to the top. She wondered if Prestine would be there, too. Whatever his secret was, she probably shared it.

When the elevator let her off she went to the room the clerk had told her to go to and took a deep breath. This was it... moment of truth. She swiped the card through the reader and went inside, flicking the lights on. The room was stunning! The decorations were nice and modern; everything seemed clean and well put together, except for the enormous gargoyle statue in the room. Alyson had to admit it just didn't work in there, and frankly it was a little creepy. "Sebastian?" She called out, unsure if he was there or not. Was he out maybe? No, that didn't make sense. She peaked around for him, but there was no sign of him anywhere. He'd said to make herself comfortable, so that's what she did. She kicked her shoes off and took the hat off, sitting down and reclining on the bed. She grabbed the remote and turned the TV on figuring she would just wait until sundown for his big surprise. Oooh... Golden Girls!

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Just like every morning, Sebastian stood ready when the sun came up and turned to stone. The do not disturb sign had been put up again to keep the maids out. Somehow he had managed to keep the room clean. It was one of the larger rooms, having enough room to comfortably have guests over. Not that Sebastian did ever have company come to his hotel room unless it was Prestine for whatever odd ball thing that she needed. Except the following night would be different.

Aly was coming over as Sebastian had instructed and he knew that she wouldn't be able to resist finding out what the big secret was that he kept from her. The day came and went and when the sun began to set the rough statue began to tremble a bit. The darker it became the more he could hear, listening to the television playing.

The sun finally set and the creepy gargoyle statue that stuck out like a sore thumb in the room trembled even more, beginning to move. First the shoulders and claws began to change, going from sharp and jagged rock to softening and turning from grey to a flesh color. Soon the entire piece shifted and mutated, the sound of it crunching could be considered either bone or stone, it was hard to tell. As the gargoyle disappeared it was Sebastian who was rising from a crouching position, letting out a groan and stretching his arms above his head and behind his back. He cracked his neck and sent a long crack down his spine with a quick twist of his upper body.

It always felt good to get out of that cramped position when night fell over the city. It wasn't until he was actually done stretching out that he looked over to see that Alyson was there in the room. Sebastian didn't know how she was going to react to what she just saw and waited for it. Would she scream? Pass out? There was no telling. But what he did know was that he needed a shower and didn't want to be deafened by the silence in the room. So he pulled his shirt off and tossed it into the corner of the room before leaning against the entertainment center and watching the girl. "...surprise."

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson kept watching the window waiting for the last of the sun to set. Every so often she thought she heard a noise over the television but when she muted it she didn't hear it, so she ignored it. The minutes seemed to tick away like hours. What was taking him so long? Was he going to show her or not? She kept peeking over at the door but no one was coming. Occasionally she looked at the creepy statue in the room, but that wasn't changing either.

But then it did.

The sun was nearly set and she could see something odd about the statue. It looked almost like it was trembling and Alyson just stared at it. Was there an earthquake? She looked around but nothing else seemed to be moving.

Then it began to change.

Alyson's eyes grew the size of saucers as she watched the statue begin to move, the color changing and making the color of her own face pale. What the hell was going on?! She felt terrified suddenly and found herself backing away from the statue as she sat on the bed, only the more she backed up, the closer to the edge she got until she simply fell off the side of the bed. It was going to eat her! The fucking monster was going to...

And then it dawned on her. No... No! She peaked up from the side of the bed like a child, only the top half of her head visible as Sebastian sprung to life, the gargoyle gone. It was impossible! People weren't... "I'm a different species entirely."

"...surprise."

Alyson stared at him, shocked. How had he done that? Hoe was that even possible? This couldn't be real, this was the type of shit you saw in movies, not in real life! She didn't believe her eyes as they danced from him to where the gargoyle stood only moments before. Could that have really just happened? She was in shock, sitting there, peaking up from the side of the bed simply staring. No way... No fucking way!

"How'd you do that?" She asked in a scared, raspy voice, afraid to move or come out of her childish hiding spot, as if somehow hiding on the side of the bed could protect her, but from what? Him? Gargoyles were real people?!

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

It was kind of amusing seeing Alyson peeking her head out from behind the bed. Sebastian didn't make a move to go to her or anything just yet. He just casually leaned against the entertainment stand with his eyes on her and watching those wide eyes of hers. They looked like they were going to pop out of her head any minute now. "How'd you do that?" Did she think it was some kind of parlor trick?

With a playful smirk on his lips he finally pushed off the stand and casually walked around the bed to where Aly was on the floor and crouched down beside her. He didn't know if it was his intentions to frighten her or console her, since they both sounded equally appealing. "I told you I wasn't normal," he teased and then stood up once more, offering a hand to help her up if she wanted it.

"I'm sure you've heard of the myth that comes with this city," he was pretty sure everyone knew it. The townsfolk loved to tell newcomers and some places even used it as a marketing technique. Come to the city of legends! They lacked wit and had an excess of lameness to them.

"The legendary Guardians of Scriptor Bay who guard a tree that hasn't moved in hundreds of years, yada yada and so forth," he wandered his way over to the window and drew back the curtains, the view was beautiful from his room. He was on the same side as the restaurant so he got an eyeful of the bay along with all the people down below who were playing their instruments and doing tricks for a buck. A part of him wished he could look out during the daytime and see just how different it really was.

He looked down almost as if he were sad, but it was only for a moment as it changed once more back to his casual expression. "Gargoyles; Guardians of the night. There are a lot of us out there." He didn't feel like giving her a brief history lesson but then again he was pretty certain she didn't know. Most of the humans only knew bits and pieces about them.

"Well, you're not running and screaming yet. I'm going to assume it's because you're in shock," he gave her a wink and then turned back to the window, his rigid back to the girl now. "You can usually pick us out of a crowd by our differences. Some have horns, some have claws, or even a weird back."

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

When Sebastian came over she pushed away from the bed and backed against the wall, almost afraid of what he would do. Had anything really changed? Other than she knew he was...no. It had to be some sort of trick, didn't it? People didn't just turn to stone! "I told you I wasn't normal," All she could do was watch him with her eyes wide, completely unbelieving the miracle she'd just witnessed.

When he stood he offered his hand to help her up and for a moment she hesitated, looking at it as if it would sprout fangs and eat her hand off. She gulped and hesitantly took it allowing him to help her to her feet. She was silent, watching his mystified. The myths... He was talking about the myths. Of course she'd heard the story in her freshman year. All the students from other places buzzed about it, but she had always assumed it was like when the kids told the freshman in high school that there was a pool on the roof. Of course there was no pool on the roof and any gullible kid that believed it got picked on mercilessly.

Her eyes followed him around the room and she sat on the edge of the bed simply listening, staring, wondering... "Gargoyles; Guardians of the night. There are a lot of us out there." A lot? "Well, you're not running and screaming yet. I'm going to assume it's because you're in shock," She gulped again. Yes.. shock was a good word.. "You can usually pick us out of a crowd by our differences. Some have horns, some have claws, or even a weird back."

Her brows raised. How many had she known and never knew it? Prestine, that was for sure. Maybe the girl he'd taken? The boy who'd come for her? What about at school? Were any of her professors legendary creatures? She wasn't sure what to think or what to ask. It was a complete mind fuck to think he turned to stone during the day but she supposed it made sense. The pieces fit together even if they looked crooked.

"I...don't even know what to think.." She admitted, her voice small as she stared at him like some sort of predator. She tried to remind herself that this changed absolutely nothing. If this was what he was, this was what he'd been since she met him, but somehow knowing made it all the more scary. He was right; she wouldn't have believed him if he'd just told her. Did it change things? It did. She didn't know how, but it did. She squirmed on the bed a little feeling uneasy. "I'm sorry, I, uh.." Her brows creased and she tore her eyes from him, then remembered she had his card. With shaky fingers she pulled it out and put it on the bed, pushing it in his direction and putting as much distance between it and herself as she could. Part of her really did want to run away, maybe not scream, but definitely flee. He was more of a monster than she'd ever imagined. "When you say there's a lot of you..." Her eyes moved anxiously back to him. "What do you mean by "a lot"?"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

She might not be running but she was definitely afraid Sebastian realized, and a part of him actually felt bad. But she was the one who wanted to know and wasn't going to let it go so she got what she wished for. He watched her place the card on the bed and slowly walked over to pick it up, placing it into his wallet and plopping his wallet down on the nightstand. His eyes seemed to soften although his expression was still a bit hard and on the don't-really-care side. He sat on the edge of the bed, wondering if she was going to scamper away again or not.

"I...don't even know what to think.." For someone who thought the legends were nothing more than a mere myth that was spread around town to make it seem more interesting he could see why she wouldn't know what to think and for the most part what to say either. But Sebastian sat there and patiently waited as the silence fell over them. He knew it was probably more uncomfortable for her than it was for him and even though he didn't like to sit there in silence he didn't much mind this time. He just didn't want her to run off and so far so good.

"When you say there's a lot of you..." He knew what she was going to ask before she was even done. "What do you mean by "a lot"?" How much could he really tell her? Explain that there were more than just gargoyles roaming the streets? Tell her that gargoyles had their own form of government and that they did things differently? Where to begin?

"We breed just like humans do. I would say one gargoyle to every..." he looked up and squinted to show he was trying to figure out a good number, "..oh, I don't know, every ten humans? Fifteen? I never did like ratios," he explained and his eyes fell back on her once again.

"We do things differently. When we get in trouble we have our own government that we call the council, our punishments are much more.. medieval than your justice system. We're stone during the day and free at night. Which is why I kept you locked away during the day while my sister and I were turned to stone in the living room." He was like an open book for her tonight, willing to explain anything and everything that she wanted to know. Maybe it would be a good thing or maybe it would all just blow up in his face.

"We're not the only ones either. There are other types of... non-humans out there. That redhead that I was holding was an example of another one. She's something else entirely."

Sebastian got up from the bed and unbuttoned the top of his black pants then unzipping them but stopped there, letting them hang on him as he watched her for a moment, pondering. "I'm going to take a shower. You can join me if you want, or you can just sit in there if you want to keep talking. Either way I'm getting in." With that he grabbed the waistband of his pants and pushed them down and stepped out of them just leaving them right on the floor. He still had on a pair of black boxer briefs when he headed for the bathroom.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"We breed just like humans do. I would say one gargoyle to every...oh, I don't know, every ten humans? Fifteen? I never did like ratios," Her jaw dropped as she stared at him. Surely he wasn't serious, was he? She listened intently, wanting to call him a liar and believe it wasn't true, but she had actually seen him turn human from stone! She would have never believed him otherwise.

The more he talked, the more it made sense. It actually sounded like a sci fi novel or something. There were other kinds, too! A chill ran down her spine wondering what the redhead woman was. Were any of them dangerous? Probably not any more than Sebastian was. Her eyes trailed after him as he stood from the bed and started to undo his pants. She was watching his fingers move util she realized what she was watching and blushed, looking away. Sure, she wanted to look, and she knew he wanted her to, but that didn't mean she was comfortable with either.

"I'm going to take a shower. You can join me if you want, or you can just sit in there if you want to keep talking. Either way I'm getting in." She turned her head as he walked to the bathroom, seeing his sexy ass in his boxer briefs. She despised how attracted she was to him. It had been easier to deal with when she despised him, but now she wasn't sure how to feel towards him.

She waited there on the bed, still mostly speechless, while the water began to run. There was a large part of her that wanted to strip and join him. How hot would it be to shower with him? But there was another part of her that liked her modesty and liked keeping him wanting. Still, she couldn't deny the arousal she felt at the thought of his hands creeping up her naked body as the hot water pounded down on them.

She got up from the bed and crept towards the bathroom, standing in the doorway as the steam filled the room. She could clearly see his profile through the opaque shower, but the details were blurred, not that she didn't already know what he looked like. He'd happily flashed his junk plenty of times at her.

She sat on the toilet, pushing her knees together though her feet stuck out to the sides. She tucked her hair behind her ears and then rested her folded arms on her lap, hunching over as she looked at his profile. "What other kinds are there?" She asked loud enough for him to hear over the water and so he knew she was there, though he probably could see her as well as she could see him. "What was the red haired girl? Is that why you took her?"

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

The hot water from the shower felt nice as it ran over Sebastian's nude form. He grabbed the small bar of soap that came complimentary with the room and ran it across his body, getting nice and soapy. He didn't hear Alyson come into the bathroom but he saw the fuzzy form moving on the other side of the shower door. He was hoping she was going to join her but when she sat down he knew it wasn't going to happen. Her loss, he thought to himself and smirked at the thought.

"What other kinds are there?" He knew she would be curious about what else was out there when he had mentioned it. "What was the red haired girl? Is that why you took her?" He rinsed the soapy suds off of himself and got to work on his hair. "She can go invisible," he described bluntly and stuck his head under the water spout, letting the shampoo run down his face and rinse away.

"There's some who can almost turn invisible, there are shifters and from what I hear people who have wings," he'd never seen an Avisaille before but he'd heard about them. His parents told him about the species when he was a child. He'd met a few Therians and of course a Blurr or two.

"The redhead was to get her boyfriend to get me that ring. The infamous ring," he said trying to do a second rinse to make sure he got all the soap off of him, "August, the gargoyle who so nicely destroyed our balcony door, has some pull with the council. The ring when worn can make a gargoyle walk during the day," He turned off the water and opened up the door, standing there naked and drenched, he grabbed for the towel on the rack and wrapped it around his waist.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"She can go invisible," Alyson could hardly believe what she was hearing, and if she hadn't seen Sebastian's little trick she probably wouldn't believe it. But hey, if a rock man could come to life, then who was to say there weren't people who could go invisible or shape shift or had wings! It was absurd, but she knew he wouldn't mess with her, not after what she'd just seen. Her head was spinning with this new information.

"The redhead was to get her boyfriend to get me that ring. The infamous ring," That's right! The ring! Alyson had almost forgotten about that ring. What was so special about that damn ring that had caused this whole mess to happen. She winced at the memory of it, her hand finding her cheek where he'd hit her so hard. Was she seriously hanging around the man that had struck her that way? Not only had he abused the hell out of her, he wasn't even a human! "August, the gargoyle who so nicely destroyed our balcony door, has some pull with the council. The ring when worn can make a gargoyle walk during the day,"

Her brows raised at this new found knowledge. The ring would make him able to not turn to stone during the day, which means he would essentially be human. Had he ever seen the sun? She assumed not. If he turned to stone at sunrise then it would sense that he never got to live during the day. That sounded awful!

She looked up as he opened the door, catching sight of his incredible, naked body, making her cheeks turn scarlet as she looked away until the towel was around his waist. She hated how attracted she was to him.

He turned off the water and opened up the door, standing there naked and drenched, he grabbed for the towel on the rack and wrapped it around his waist. "So you kidnapped his girlfriend so he would get you the ring? Why didn't you just go get it?" She asked, now able to look at him again. "And what do you need to do during the days that's so important that you would..." She bit her lip and glowered at the tile floor. "You really hurt her.. and she didn't even do anything to you. And neither did I." Again she wondered why she was even there. How had he talked her into coming back to him? Ugh.. she was such a monumental idiot!

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

"So you kidnapped his girlfriend so he would get you the ring? Why didn't you just go get it?" He stepped out of the shower still dripping water everywhere and moved in front of the mirror. He wiped away the film of steam off the mirror so that he could see his reflection and then grabbed at a comb that was on the counter and began to move it through his hair. "Because I don't know where it is. He has more connections than I do, and people are going to start killing each other for it."

"You really hurt her.. and she didn't even do anything to you. And neither did I."

He hung his head at her words and stared down at the counter, "you had nothing to do with this. You are different. Sometimes people get hurt in life, that's what happens. Life isn't all cotton candy and rainbows," He explained and went back to combing his hair until he got it just the way he wanted, now all it had to do was dry.

He figured she wasn't going to like his answer so he looked back over to her and heaved a long sigh, "I'm sorry. Maybe it could have been handled without anyone getting hurt." He moved over to where she was seated and leaned down, grabbing her face gently between his hand, index finger on one cheek and thumb on the other, "and I shouldn't have hurt you most of all." He pulled her close, dripping water all over the place, and gave her a wet peck on the lips before he let her face go and headed out of the bathroom.

Because he was staying at the hotel indefinitely he'd decided to take advantage of the dresser, all of his clothes neatly folded inside. He grabbed a new pair of drawers and pants, dropping the towel and putting on his fresh clothes. He didn't put his shirt on just yet but he did set it out on the bed, along with his jacket. "Are you hungry?" He called to her, his back to the bathroom so he wasn't sure if she'd come out yet or not.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"you had nothing to do with this. You are different. Sometimes people get hurt in life, that's what happens. Life isn't all cotton candy and rainbows," She frowned at him and then rolled her eyes. Why did he have to be such an ass? Yes, sometimes people did get hurt, but he didn't have to be the one doing all the hurting! Even if she didn't have anything to do with it, it didn't excuse his behavior.

At his sigh she looked up, her lips still slightly pursed and her brows dipped low over her eyes. She used to talk back when people said things she didn't like, but she wasn't always so brave with him. She'd learned the hard way that sometimes when talking to Sebastian it was often best to keep some things to yourself. His temper flared far too easily.

"I'm sorry. Maybe it could have been handled without anyone getting hurt." She blinked and watched as he came closer, her stomach twisting in that weird excited way it did when he walked towards her like that. When had that even started? She knew she didn't feel it the whole time he'd had her. She had no choice but to look into his eyes, which made her heart melt, as he pulled her face up gently. "and I shouldn't have hurt you most of all." His lips brushed against hers and she thought her heart would leap from her chest it pounded so hard. She felt the kiss not only on her lips, but down in her groin as well. When he pulled away she gulped, dizzy with that strange desire she got from him.

She gasped for a breath when he left the bathroom, sliding a hand down her face and trying to get a hold of herself. What was she doing! Why was she allowing him to get to her this way! She wanted to.. she wanted him.. She got up and stepped into the room just in time to catch a glimpse of his ass, but she didn't turn away this time since he couldn't see her stare anyway.

"Are you hungry?" She moved more in the room since he was getting his pants on and looked at the strange way his back protruded. She supposed it sort of made sense. Didn't he say they all had telltale signs? She nodded, knowing she was, but not necessarily for food. "I could eat if you're hungry." She offered moving dangerously close to him. She reached her hand out, her fingers moving over his back. She noticed now the difference of his skin. It seemed almost too firm. She hadn't noticed before, but that was probably because she wasn't really touching him before. She bit her bottom lip and took a step back, folding her arms over her stomach and looking away bashfully. "Are we eating here or someplace else?" She inquired changing the subject. She could use a little normalcy. "I don't care as long as no one gets shot."

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

After asking if Alyson was hungry he realized that if they went out to grab a bite he was going to need to put his shirt on. He preferred to be topless when he was indoors. It gave him a sense of freedom and naturally he didn't go around town showing his rigid back. When he went to grab his shirt back off the bed he froze when he felt Alyson's fingers moving across his back, sending a chill up his spine. He didn't normally allow others to touch his back unless it was out of necessity, such as prying a bullet out of him. The touch caught him completely off guard and his instincts were telling him to reach around and grab her to make her stop but he didn't.

"I could eat if you're hungry." He was hungry alright in more ways than one. But as much as he wanted to just rip her clothes off of her delicate little body he contained himself and threw his shirt over his head when she retracted her hand. It felt so weird the way she had touched him and he almost wanted her to do it again. "Are we eating here or someplace else?"

Room service was an option, but he didn't know just how long Alyson would enjoy staying cooped up in the room. He had a feeling that she would want to leave eventually and he didn't want her to feel like he was going to hold her hostage there either. He wanted to make sure he upheld his part of the deal so when he shrugged on his jacket and stuck his wallet into the back pocket of his pants, he then placed a hand on the small of her back and lead her towards the door, "I don't believe the hotel restaurant permits guns."

Out the door they went and down the hall to catch an open elevator. They were the only ones inside and when the doors slid shut, Sebastian decided that was a good time as any to start playing with her curls. His fingers twirled around a blonde lock and gave it a gentle little tug, straightening it and when he let it go he watched as it sprung right back into place as if it had never been touched.

When the elevator opened back up on the lobby level a little ding let them know that they've arrived on their floor. He motioned for her to go first and then followed her on out, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jacket he headed towards the restaurant. It had a nice bar for guests who had to wait to be seated, but it was a slow night and they got right in.

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"I don't believe the hotel restaurant permits guns."

She offered a small smile and eye roll. She grabbed her hat and slid it on her head, the blond curls poking out the bottom still. She wasn't keen on having people gawk at her and whisper behind her back and she felt the hat helped hide the telltale curls that were in every damn picture in the newspaper.

She followed him out the door and to the elevator. Once alone in the confined box she peaked at him giving a bashful sort of smile, her arms folded in front of her showing she wasn't entirely comfortable but she wasn't exactly uncomfortable either.

The way he tugged at her hair made that strange twisting feeling in her stomach again that she could feel town to her groin. She silently chastised herself for getting excited over something so entirely stupid. Sh e was losing brain cells hanging around this jackass. This..not human jackass.. She bit her lower lips and pulled her eyes away from him.

The restaurant looked to be pretty nice. Not extremely fancy but they had a little of everything from hamburgers to prime rib. She followed the hostess to their table and slid into her seat. She grabbed the menu and started to look but her eyes soon moved back to Sebastian, catching his eye and blushing.

"This is weird." She admitted finally. "Just knowing, and..." Her eyes moved down his chest and she gulped and blushed, looking at the menu again just so she wouldn't be staring at him. "It's just weird."

The waitress came by the table and greeted herself and Alyson looked up but only briefly, not wanting to make too much eye contact at the risk of being recognized. She was paranoid about it these days, wanting to hide her identity. It was embarrassing being in the paper and becoming an overnight celebrity, especially when you were being seen in public with the man who put you in the papers, not that anyone knew Sebastian was that guy. Yet. But if anyone ever did find out...

She didn't want to think of the weirdness that would follow. They would make documentaries on her stupid mind. She ordered a water and a coffee, figuring she would need a little caffeine to hang out with him for a while considering she had gotten semi used to a new schedule already.

When the waitress left she looked out towards the ocean. It really was a nice view, and the way the windows were build it looked like they were right on the actual ocean. The moon reflected in the waves lightly and she couldn't help but feel like everyone should live in a city this beautiful. "I may have spent a lot of money.." She offered, her half grin almost teasing as she looked back at him. "But thanks for the bed. I'm excited for a good nights sleep."

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Once seated and given menus Sebastian hardly had to look it over and instead just looked over the brim of the menu at Alyson, but when they caught each other's eyes he could see her cheeks getting slightly pink and it made him grin. He'd made many women blush and shy away in his years but the challenge of making Alyson feel bashful came with the reward of satisfaction. The stubborn girl who liked to run her mouth could be subdued from time to time and that was a victory worth relishing in.

"This is weird." He raised a brow at her and set the menu down near the edge of the table and listened, "Just knowing, and..." Sebastian didn't like the sound of that and he was beginning to think that maybe showing her the truth was too much for her to take in. Was she going to run around telling everyone what she'd seen now? She better not. "It's just weird."

He was about to make a comment but then the waitress came by trying to be friendly and asking for their drink orders. Sebastian ordered a scotch and a water after Alyson gave her own order and then watched the waitress walk away. He wanted to keep watching the server, noticing she had nice long legs and an ass he wouldn't mind being behind, but he knew that if he dawdled Alyson would see and would undoubtedly get pissed so he looked back at her.

"I may have spent a lot of money.. But thanks for the bed. I'm excited for a good nights sleep." He didn't say much, still mulling over how the situation had become 'weird' as she so elegantly put it, wondering just how much this might affect him. The silence that came over them seemed to be almost uncomfortable now, being out in public the way that they were. The last time they'd gone to eat they ended up getting shot and running for their lives. Now it seemed only his life could potentially be at stake if she decided to talk.

"I know this is a lot to absorb, but this stays between us." His eyes fell on her and although they weren't as cold as they were when he was angry, but it was obvious he was very serious. "This isn't common knowledge, they're myths for a reason. We have our duties but we can't very well do them if we have a bunch of.." the waitress walked by their table again and offered a smile, which Sebastian returned but it seemed almost sarcastic the way he did it, "..humans knowing what we are. Even an idiot would realize that if word got out we'd be captured and turned into experiments for nerds in white coats."

He reached across the table and grabbed her hand, pulling it to the center and running his thumb along the back of it gently. Affection got him the furthest with Alyson he realized.. affection and humor. "Don't make me regret letting you in."

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"I know this is a lot to absorb, but this stays between us." She raised her brow now. Did he really think she was going to run around telling everyone she saw a damn gargoyle come to life? Get real. "This isn't common knowledge, they're myths for a reason. We have our duties but we can't very well do them if we have a bunch of.." Her eyes panned to the waitress before back to Sebastian as he continued, "..humans knowing what we are. Even an idiot would realize that if word got out we'd be captured and turned into experiments for nerds in white coats." Alyson rolled her eyes at him, about to tell him he had nothing to worry about when he grabbed her hand making the words she was about to form slip away somewhere very far away as she was suddenly hyper aware of his touch. "Don't make me regret letting you in."

Alyson frowned and pulled her hand away, pouting a little. "I'm not an idiot." She told him, knowing he likely thought she was and the warning look she gave told him not to dare say otherwise. "It's bad enough I li..." Her mouth halted mid sentence and she huffed and sighed, looking at the hands in her lap.

"They already think I'm nuts for not despising you. I don't need to add fuel to the fire by spouting out that I saw a rock turn human. They lock people up for less." Her hands moved back to the table though they were folded and she stared at them for a second and then looked back at him. She let her left hand loose and inched it closer to his again feel bad for yanking it away and not wanting to make the night sour. Then again, why the hell were they holding hands!?

The waitress came and Alyson instinctively pulled her hand back as if embarrassed about making that move and looked briefly up at the girl and then down at the menu. "I'll have what he's having." She said softly and looked up at him with hooded eyes as he placed their order and the waitress moved away.

"I didn't mean just the...changing thing." She said when it was just them again. "I mean me being here with you, too. It's just so backwards. I mean, I wouldn't be here if I didn't kind of want to be, but just the fact that...I kind of want to be.. It's weird. It makes me feel crazy.. like I should hate you far more than I do. In fact this would be a whole lot easier if I could just hate you." She smirked a little up at him. "Ass." She teased softly.