Through time; The ripper (Completed)

Back home

*Lily*

The music swirls around us, filling the grand ballroom with a vibrant energy. Leo’s eyes are alight with a fierce protectiveness that both soothes and excites me. After the incident with Lord Edward, I can’t shake the feeling that the evening has shifted. The warmth of his arms around me, the way he fought for me… it feels surreal… and very much like a romance novel.

But beneath the surface of this enchanting night, a weight settles in my chest. I know I can’t linger here, no matter how much I want to. I’m trapped in a time that isn’t mine, and the portal beckons me with the promise of home. Yet, as we swirl together, I want nothing more than to stay, to bask in the glow of his presence and the magic of this moment.

After our dance ends, Leo’s expression changes; it’s serious yet tender. “Lily,” he says, his voice low, “it’s time to leave.”

My heart sinks at the thought. “Leave?” I echo, my voice barely above a whisper. I don’t want to leave him, but I know I must. The portal waits for me, but the thought of returning to my mundane life feels like a betrayal of everything I’ve experienced since arriving here.

“Yes,” he confirms, taking my hand in his, the warmth of his skin igniting something fierce in me. “We have to get to the portal while the streets are quiet.”

I sigh casting a lingering glance at the ball room as we walk up the grand staircase.

As we navigate through the foggy streets of London, the cool night air brushes against my skin, and I can’t help but steal glances at him. Leo walks with purpose, his jaw set, as if he’s fighting against the chaos of emotions swirling inside him. I feel it too, an electric current that crackles between us.

“Where are we going exactly?” I ask, the anticipation gnawing at my insides.

“To a small park,” he replies, glancing sideways at me. “There’s a portal hidden in the stone arch at the entrance.”

I nod, but my mind races with questions. “Will it take me back to Camden? The portal, I mean?”

He shakes his head, a small smile breaking through the seriousness. “No, this one is the one in the subway tunnel, it is the closest to your home,” He gestures with his hands, creating an invisible divide. “You’ll be back home in no time.”

As we reach the park, the moonlight bathes everything in silver, illuminating the stone arch standing grandly before us. My heart quickens. This is it. The moment to leave.

Leo pulls out a small flask from his pocket, its contents shimmering faintly in the moonlight. “This is a druid potion,” he explains, holding it up for me to see. “It opens portals.”

“What’s in it?” I ask, curiosity piqued.

“Spring water, oak bark, vervain, and mistletoe,” he responds, his voice steady, but I can see the tension in his shoulders.

“Is it safe?” I ask, my heart pounding.

“It’s safe,” he assures me, though I can sense the tension in him. “But It only works with certain stone arches that contain druid stones. If you don’t know the destination, where the stone is at the time you are going too, you risk ending up in a bad place.”

I swallow hard. “And do you know that lead to my time?”

He smiles softly,. “Just 2, this one and the one at Camden marked you followed me through.”

With a deep breath, he steps toward the arch, and I follow, my heart racing. He raises the flask and throws its contents against the stone. The liquid splashes, sparkling like stars against the rough surface, and a soft hum resonates through the air.

“Come on!” he urges, grabbing my hand tightly. “We have to go through.”

I step forward, and as he pulls me through the arch, the world around us shifts. The colors blur and swirl, and I feel a rush of wind wrap around us. Suddenly, we land with a soft thud on the ground, and I stumble, disoriented.

“Lily!” Leo’s voice cuts through the haze, grounding me. I look up, and we find ourselves in a dark underground tunnel. The air is cool and damp, and my heart races as he leads me through the shadows.

“Is the station close?” I ask, glancing around, trying to make sense of our surroundings, and worried a train could come, but I guess this is the only time when there are no trains.

“Yes,” he replies, pulling me gently along the tracks. “We’re almost there.”

As we emerge into the flickering light of the station, my heart beats even faster. It feels surreal, like stepping into a dream. I look at Leo, and the weight of everything we’ve shared hangs in the air between us.

We reach the exit, and all too soon I find myself standing in front of my basement apartment in the cozy townhouse.

“Here we are,” Leo says softly, but the sadness in his voice tugs at my heart.

I turn to him, the reality of what this means crashing down. “So… this is it?” I can barely form the words.

His gaze locks onto mine, and for a moment, the world fades away. “I…” he begins, hesitating as if weighing his words. “Can I kiss you goodbye?”

Before he can finish, I grab him by the collar of his jacket and pull him close. I crash my lips against his, pouring every ounce of my feelings into that kiss. The taste of him, the warmth of his body… it ignites something wild and uncontainable within me.

He responds with fervor, his hands cradling my face as he kisses me back, deep and full of longing. Time seems to stand still, and for a heartbeat, nothing else matters but this moment.

When we finally pull apart, breathless, I look into his eyes, searching for something..: an answer, a promise, a way to hold onto this moment forever.

“Lily,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion, “No matter what you’ll always have a place in my heart.”

I nod, my throat tight. “I’ll never forget you, Leo. But I do hope to see you again… some time.”

With one last lingering look, I turn and walk toward my door, knowing that stepping inside means leaving behind a piece of my heart. I take a deep breath, pushing it open and stepping into my apartment, glancing back to see him still standing there, a silhouette against the dim light of the street.

I close the door and lean against it, the weight of everything settling heavily on my shoulders. I’m home, but it doesn’t feel like it. In my heart, I know I’ve left part of myself behind in 1880, and as I stand in the silence, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever see Leo again.