Now I'm feeling stupid crawling back to you

Carmen was in London for three days. She couldn't get used to this city.
In the past, she came to London a couple of times but all was the short visit.
She never thought of the idea that one day could live here.
However, now she is here. She had to pretend to be grown up here, to loves these people, traditions and everything that comes with this city.
Frankly, it was not clear how people don't realize that she didn't grew up here. She just didn't fit here.
Her appearance could go fine, now she wears tight jeans and a light pink blouse. But in her opinion, a farce is disappearing when she talks. She know English, taught it when she was a little girl. However, she didn't speak English for a years and sometimes take the time to remember how to pronounce some words. Although she lived for years in Switzerland, still had a pronounced Russian accent.

The last three days were spent mostly sleeping, but now she had to get on with life. She set a goal, she wanted to regain power.
Elizabeth couldn't help her because she is the former member of the Death Eaters. But she know someone who could help her.
Adrian Blanchard.
Easy smile passed over her face when she remembered Adrian.
Not seen him for a long time, but she knows that he lives here now. Regardless of all between them, she likes him as a friend. And he is very sweet, it has to admit.
From the back pocket of her jeans pulled out a piece of paper with the printed address. She looked around. She had no idea where should go.
She looked around, then approached to the street salesman. She asked him if he know where is address and he instructed to go right. He said, after about fifteen minutes walk she will get to where needs to. She thanked, too politely and walked away.

After a little more than twenty minutes arrived at the destination. She looked to the houses looking for a number that is written on the paper.
Finally, she saw a beautiful house that had to be the right one. She opened the gate and walked up the stairs to the front door.
She knocked twice and then stopped to wait.
Adrian opened.
She looked at him with a faint smile.
"I hope that you missed me, sunshine" without waiting for the call, she entered in the house.

There are a couple of things people never expects, like being hit by a lighting, winning a lottery. Those things happen to rarely so everyone eventually stop thinking something like that would happen to them. Adrian Blanchard felt the same way about seeing Aneta Markova again. When he left Switzerland, he left her, forever. Evangeline Blanchard entered his room without knocking, in the past he used to argue with her about that, but now he was too glad she's awake to even think about it. Once strong woman was now barely a shadow of herself. Her walk was so uncertain he wanted to help her but knew she wouldn't like it, so he watched her crossing the room and sitting on a bed beside of him. He wasn't sure but he thought he heard sigh of relief once she lowered her body on soft matters. „Honey, you haven't told me everything.“ She cupped Adrian's face in her hands and looked at him with eyes full of motherly love. Adrian raised his eyebrows, silently asking for explanation, he didn't tell her many things, he didn't think her heart could handle that, although she had a completely healthy one, according to a healer, but that didn't mean much when her brain was ill. „There's one pretty redhead in front of the house, I haven't open the door, I doubt she's hear to see me, and the two of us were the only one in the house at the moment.“ Her rich accent was less and less audible while her eyes took on the cluttered look Adrian knew very well, and he hated it. „You know the traffic lights go red yellow and green, traffic lights go yellow, yellow, yellow, you need to watch yourself little boy, they go yellow, yellow…“ Adrian helped her to lie in his bed and covered her with a blanket. „Sleep now, mum.“ He kissed her on the forehead when she closed her eyes. She wasn't asleep yet, he could tell that because her lips moved although no sound came out. He could understand the word she kept repeating, though. Yellow.

He turned the light off and closed the bedroom doors leaving his sleeping mother on the other side of the door. Now he need to deal with the redhead. The thing is – he didn't know any redhead in London, of course Sofija could change her haircolour into red, as well as many other things since she's a metamorphomagus, but other than her there wasn't any redheads, and he doubted Sofija was smart and resourceful enough to find his real name, let alone his address. Adrian pulled his wand when he neared to the door and opened them without waiting. Sometimes, not thinking is the best way. He wasn't sure if this was one of those times, though.

"Carmen?"

When he opened the door, Adrian looked like he's seen a ghost. He pointed his wand at her, such an idiotic move. Whatever he tried, she was faster.
"I must tell you, I expected a better welcome. Maybe a hug, and instead, you put your wand at me," she shook her head disapproving.
Carmen is the type of person who usually poses a threat in every place where she comes, but she didn't need to hurt him.
As she entered, took his wand out of his hand and approached him.
"I missed you," she said almost in a whisper, approached him and kissed him quickly on the lips.
Then she stepped back, turned her back as if nothing had happened.
She wandered through lavish home while playing with his wand. The house is beautiful, just like Carmen had expected.
"I am no longer Carmen, she must not exist anymore. My name is Audrey," she tried to play an English accent but she was terrible.

After a short wandering, she finally found the living room.
In this house has never been before, but whereever she comes, always felt like she was. These people may be angry, but she had no time for formalities, for God's sake if she wants something to be done, she will do it and no matter where she is.
She walked into the living room and sat down on a large couch and waited for Adrian.
She knew that he was going to follow her, he always followed.
She needed his help, but also a lot of things she has to ask him. For example, when he became a pedophile.

She had seen him two nights before. She was going to home and she had to pass by the headquarters DE. It is still invoking fear in her, but there was only way to return.
Then she saw him. He stood in front of the mansion with a redhead girl.
It was really ironic, he replaced her with a younger, but girl was still like her.
"Adrian, dear, we don't have all day, hurry up," she said loudly, ignoring the fact that someone could hear her. She was not sure whether he lives alone but that it isn't matter.
Although, she could have sworn that someone has walked past the door before Adrian opened to her.

(OOC. Sorry cause it's short - no muse)

Adrian stood on the doorframe, his body rigid, while his mind was full with questions he wanted to ask but find himself unable to say them aloud. Why is she in England? How did she find him? Why she came to his home? Why she…missed him? "I missed you too." He replied in fluent French. It seemed strange to talk with her on English, that left only French and German, as he wasn't fond of Italian and avoided to speak it unless it was necessarily. He shut the door and followed her inside. "May I have my wand now, please?" He added suddenly annoyed. "And please, do not try to imitate British accent, it sounds a bit ridiculous."

He sat on the couch across from her, never breaking eye contact, not even while he pulled his shoes off so he could place his feets on a tabouret in front of him. Adrian liked to think he didn't break eye contact because he don't trust her completely, but in truth he just liked looking at her although it was wrong, so wrong when he counts all in, but he couldn't help it. He hadn't seen her since he got back, and part of him never thought he'll get the chance to see her again, part of him was happy he won't see her again. "Yes, that's true, so why wouldn't you start talking?" He tilted his head with a smirk playing on his lips.

Aneta, I mean Audrey is looking at him. Suffice she knew him that she could assume what he is thinking now. However, the shock was clearly prevailed over his other emotions. Why he was not pleased to see her?
"Ah yes, your wand .. Here," she lowered his wand on the table, responded on the English persisted in her attempts.
"I'm sorry, dear, but I really have to practice. This accent is absurd, but I have to fit here," she shrugged without taking her eyes off him.

"If I don't know better, I'd think you're trying to be as far as possible away from me," she raised an eyebrow and looked at him quizzically. He has changed so much, but still in many ways is the same. He still wants her, but now he refrains.
His next words bring her back from her thoughts.
"I need your help. I've done something terrible ... therefore, the only one I can trust enough is you," she looked at him. Her words were honestly, he is the only one that is not issue her. Of course, she considered betrayal that he is suddenly gone, but now it doesn't matter.
"I killed the leader of the Russian Death Eaters," she said simply. Now that the initial shock of her work finally go away, it was really simply.

He suddenly stood up and walked towards the cabinet in the corner of the room, pulled a bottle of bourbon and two glasses. Drink is something they'll both need if things continue to be this weird. Adrian placed the glasses on the table and filled them, placed the bottle on the table, took his glass and sat down. His fingers that were restlessly tapping on the glass were the only evidence of just how nervous he was. "Don't practice it at all, use German or French if you must." He discreetly forgot to add Italian, but he hated that language and spoke it only if it was necessary. "And before you say anything more, please remember that I'm a British."

"Maybe." Blanchard cocked his head, "maybe not, I guess you'll never know." She hit straight int he middle of target, but he did nothing to acknowledge her answer, his past learned him it's not the smartest to say everything he has on his mind to Audrey, as she sometimes appears to be a little…. Reckless? Yes, reckless was the correct word. Her next words made him spit his drink. A little reckless? Maybe bit more than just a little. "You did what?! I thought I heard you saying you killed Russians Death Eaters leader, but it's not possible." It was beyond stupid thing to do, and Carmen was never a stupid woman, but he heard right. "Enlighten me, why did you kill him? I know he said your heels sucks, once, but that's not a reason for such an act, besides, those heels really did suck."

She looked at him when he got up and brought them drinks. He always know what they need, though he knew it after so many years they had spent together.
She noticed that his fingers were very restless, he's obviously nervous. Well, good to know that she still affects at him.
She shook her head and laughed, "It has to be English, but I'm sure you'll all understand later," she shrugged.
On his next comment laughed, "Are you kidding me? Don't forget that I have no problem with insulting people" looked at him playfully.

She bit her lip so as not to laugh.
"I love your games Adrian, but I always know the truth, don't forget that," she winked at him and then laughed.
Sometimes, Adrian looked as if he could not accept the relationship that they have. Audrey could not understand it, it is all just fun.
Relaxed took her glass and took a few drinks.
"You heard correctly," she nodded and then looked at him reproachfully.
"He's an idiot, those heels are fabulous. Even now they are my favorite. You just do not have taste," she sighed as if Adrian is unrecoverable case.
"But no, I did not kill him because of that. I heard that he hurt one of... my friend." she said after some reflection. Nik has always been more than a friend, but she could not say that to anyone.

Adrian looked at her, really look at her, he couldn't help it, he felt like there's more powerful source that attract him towards her whenever she's around. He could focus of other people but he always knew exactly where in the room he was, and he was so much happier when there aren't any encumbrance in form of other people. The force was there from the beginning, and it was one of the main reason he decided to put some distance between himself and Carmen – he knew he couldn't continue with his life as long as she's around and that their so called relationship is going nowhere, so clean cut seemed like the best option. Unfortunately she took it away from him by coming here, and he knew he's going to help her no matter what she's up to – he couldn't help himself and turn his back on her. Merlin, if he'd turn his back on her, she'd probably curse him.

He rolled his eyes while sipping his drink. "But you'd displease me if you continue doing that, and I'm pretty sure you need something from me, so displeasing me isn't the fastest way of getting what you want."

Sighing he focused his gaze on the ceiling. It was simple, white, with nothing that could catch his attention, but he continued to stare at it rather than looking at her. "Right, I forgot – you always know every damn thing." He replied sarcastically then looked bak at her, his eyes completely empty of all emotions he might have in them a minute before. He was techy, unhappy and a bit of hurt but he'd rather die than show it to her – she wasn't here because of him anyways. His brain processed information he just heard and compared him to what Alessia told him, there were too similar things for him to categorize it as accidental overlap. "His name is Nikolai Ivashkov, you can say it, he won't bite you since he's probably dead by now." Adrian emptied his glass then poured another one. "And he gone missing a year ago, why did you decide to do something, now?"

For a while Carmen was just looking at him in a silence. The way he looked at her now was proof that nothing has changed for this time they had been separated.
You can not escape from me, Adrian - she said in her mind, but she just laughed quietly. For some reason, Adrian has always been there for her, damn it, and she was ready to do a lot things because of him. She likes him, as a friend, of course, nothing more. She know he thinks the same about her. Just friends who sometimes have some fun together.
But now, it lookes like he is trying to escape from her. If he could, he would probably  made a hole in the wall and escaped, Carmen did not know why he acts like that. In the past he was not so distant. She shook her head slightly frowning.
When she heard his next words, she could not help but laugh. So naive, so childish of him to think that he can resist and not help her. They both know that he will help her, the basic rule of their relationship was to always watch their backs to each other and this is now ... just behaved childishly. She looked at him sweetly.
"Do not be a child, Adrian. After all, I always know how to get what I want from people, even then when they are angry at me. Did you forget that?" She cocked her head and looked at him with her blue eyes while on her lips toyed with a naughty smile. After all, if he even get angry at her, and he will not, simply she will sleep with him again. She would lie if  pretend not to enjoy if it comes to that.

She followed his gaze that was directed toward the... ceiling? Nothing special, whiteness that extends along the entire room.
"I apologize if I am rude now but" she began sarcastically, not politely at all, "what is so interesting on the ceiling?" looked at him expectantly.
She took another sip of her drink and then froze for his next words.
Her eyes became cold, even the mask of goodness that had until recently, is now gone. How dare he? How does HE dare to say that Nikolai is dead? He does not know anything about him!
"How do you know about him?" she said icily that seemed to be so cold and serious that can kill all the joy in people.
"He is not dead."she particularly stressed every word as she pierced him with the view. "He's alive. I will find him and help him," she said quietly menacing. It was a voice that he knew that if he's smart enough, he will not continue to upset her.
"Just recently I found out about him. As soon as I found out I responded. Probably overreact. I could better help him if I was still in power, but what can I do now," she shrugged as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Actually, it is.

If he was being honest with himself, for a second or two he actually believed Carmen came back because of him. Because she felt something, because he mattered to her, because he was more than just a pawn ready to jump in any danger only to keep her safe and alive. Because she loved him the same way he loved her for years, since the very same moment he first laid her eyes on her. For a moment or two, he was just a silly boy living in his fantasies, and it hurt, more than he'd like to admit.

Adrian gazed at her. For once he didn't care about things she may or may not see written in his eyes, she was always so blind when it comes to him, why would she change? He wondered if his pain is visible, if she could see that raw wound she tore open again, could she see it?! It's been long time since he cried for the last time, ages precisely, but he felt the need to cry now. It wasn't caused by the pain he felt, he was above it, he learned how to block it enough to be able to live with that, those were tears of rage, tears because he was nothing to the person that meant the world for him.

He never thought he'd turn into one of those guys. One of those who completely lost their minds after meeting someone. Adrian pitied them, they were insane fools, and he joined their club now. "Aneta, remember when I told you to find me if you need anything?" With every next word his voice was an octave higher. He stood up and clenched his fists, he can't hurt her, he wanted to but he couldn't not even now. Never. Walking through the room he returned to the table and took his glass, after drinking liquid like it's water he threw the glass in the wall. The glass shettered, he could hear and see it, funny he couldn't hear anything when human's soul broke in pieces, not even if it was his.

"Remember that day? I was mesmerized by you, your voice, the way your body felt beneath mine. Merlin, I was such a fool." Adrian went through his hair with hands and clenched it, his scalp burned but it was nothing, irrelevant pain towards the other things he felt. "You're probably wondering why am I reminding you on that, right? I'm doing that so I could tell you to freaking back off! I hate the day I met you, I despise te, and I beg you to leave. To leave and to never come back! Forget me, you're good in that!" When he finished he was breathless, standing in front of her and gazing into her eyes with no barrier.

Bare.