𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬

"So, what are you going to do now?" Amanda said as she laid on Lenny's chest, her fingers tracing the few scars scattered there.

"Tomorrow," Lenny said. He didn't want to think about his fate, which was, unfortunately, intertwined with the Hizanzo Mob's own at this moment. He wanted to rest and disregard that side of him until the sun rose again.

"Okay." She said as she placed a feather-like kiss on his chest.

"What I want to do now is indulge in selfish wants," Lenny said, softly.

Amanda propped her chin unto his chest to stare clearly at him. The moonlight shone through the sheer curtains highlighting his handsome features, despite the few bruises.

"Huh?"

"You." He stared intensely into Amanda's brown doe eyes.

Her breath stuck in her throat as her mouth pouted slightly.

Lenny explained, "I 'saved' you, a mere stranger, and I convinced myself that it was to cleanse my hands of any innocent blood I might've spilled; for my sanity."

He paused.

"But as time went on, I realized it was more than that. In those seven days, you represented something I thought was unattainable in this disastrous life."

"What's that?"

"...Hope...Hope for my damnedest soul." Lenny said lowly as if it was still a foreign concept to him.

Amanda remained silent. She didn't want her mouth to ruin this moment.

"Years ago, my parents and I went to a restaurant. We wanted to celebrate my father's promotion... While we were at the table laughing and being the perfect, f*cking family, I remembered thinking I wanted to experience the kind of love they possessed for each other."

"I never did...Because in Micah's care, there was no place for that love to fester."

"I rid my mind of such things ever happening to me."

"But then you appeared. I never sought you out but you were there...And then I started thinking about a life with you, what I could only describe as a f*cking fairytale for a man like me...But I was afraid of Micah or myself tainting you so I did the only logical thing; I sent you away. I thought you were safer."

Lenny humourlessly chuckled as he now stared at the white ceiling with the gold chandelier glistening.

"When you called me that day- I understood what true, gut-wrenching fear was...And it was more than that f*cker could ever be instilled in me."

"I realized...I realized I needed you to be with me. To be here... next to me where I could feel the heat radiating off your body or the hairs on your skin standing up to touch mine... That is when I discovered a new breed of solace that I could never experience with anyone other than you."

"I don't want to leave you alone. I want to love you, Amanda." Lenny's face turn to Amanda whose eyes were now glossy.

"And I know it is selfish to want to involve you in this fucked up life, where danger lurks around every goddamn corner but...fuck." Lenny said, frustratedly.

"It was selfish and careless." he thought. Amanda barely survived last time. Why would he want her to live like this with him? It could only get worse.

Amanda's hand caressed Lenny's face tugging him to her, dissolving his previous thoughts.

"I don't know how many times I have to say this before you believe me... but you make me feel safe. That feeling is sacred....Those five months and 2 weeks away from you were torture. I slept with a knife for goodness' sake." Amanda said shaking her head before focusing on Lenny once more.

"I don't want to leave you again. Don't make me do it, Lenny. I want to be here...I want to be here next to you. I don't care." She said, a lone tear dropping onto her cheek.

"Plus, I fancy you too much." Amanda gently said as a small smile presented itself on her face.

Lenny smiled, remembering the words he told her at Mian's Heart.

Lenny flipped her onto her back and kissed her roughly. He groaned against her lips.

Amanda held his face separating their swollen lips.

"I want to be here, no matter how bad it gets," Amanda reassured him as she looked deeply into his eyes.

Lenny nodded. His lips found hers again. The duo got lost in each other as their hands roamed the other's body. Their breaths were short and loud.

Lenny started to trail his kisses to her neck. Quickly removed the shirt that hid her breasts from him.

He began to kiss and nibble his way down her torso. His movements halted as his lips felt the raised skin marring Amanda's abdomen.

Once he opened his eyes, Amanda's hands were covering the ugly scar.

Amanda shook her head frantically, tears starting to fall uncontrollably down her cheeks. Her eyes closed to not see the look of disgust on his face.

"Hey, Hey." Lenny said as he placed his forehead to hers, gently caressing her face. That did nothing to calm Amanda.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry...I'm sorry." Lenny said, each phrase, lower than the one before.

"I d-on't w-ant yo-u t-o s-ee th—" Amanda struggled to sound her insecurities to Lenny.

"I know. I know." Lenny said as he tried to soothe her.

Amanda opened her eyes as her breaths started to become even.

"You are beautiful and strong, Amanda. No scar could ever make me think differently." Lenny said softly.

"And...we match now." Lenny said as he turned his face to show his scar.

Amanda giggled and lifted her lips to Lenny's own, the saltiness of her dried tears mixed with their saliva. Her lips attached to his as if they were afraid to be alone. This kiss signifying their promising love as the couple breathed each other.

Slowly, they separated, an unspoken emotion lingering in the air.

Lenny settled beside her, holding her body close as he wrapped them both in the thick, cotton blanket.

Lenny whispered, "He didn't break you. He didn't."

Amanda said nothing as she listened to his steady heartbeat until it lulled her to sleep.

That night, Amanda and Lenny slept peacefully under the watchful eye of the moonlight, hopeful of the future.