Vermillion

33

Strong arms embraced her small body as she slept. Her chest rising up and down with every breath. She seemed calm in her sleep, her face void of any stress, a small smile playing on her lips as she dreamt good for the first time in a while.

Raffaele looked down upon her peaceful face. The moonlight highlighting her pale skin as it shone through the blinds, illuminating her features.

He didn't know what he was doing. Lying in his bed with her. Wrapped around her to comfort her.

She had cried in his arms for hours. And instead of feeling disgust towards the girl like he usually did, he pitied her, and an overwhelming need to protect her washed over him.

He knew she would try and act like none of it happened the next day, back to their usual bickering and the glares they would shoot each other from across the room.

But, he didn't want her to. He knew they couldn't keep going on the way they were. Being all over one another one minute, and avoiding each other at all costs the next.

The only times he felt completely at peace, yet more vulnerable than he had ever been, was when he was lying with her. Wether it be on his office couch after they first gave into their buried desires, or lying in his bed, basking in the comfort of each other's presence. And it scared him.

It terrified him.

He didn't want to open himself up to her, just so she could leave him again afterwards.

Just like everyone else.

Just like her.

His eyebrows furrowed together at the thought of her.

He didn't mean to think about her, he always tried his best not to. Whether he was burying himself in paperwork, or training in the gym, he always found a way to stop himself from thinking about her.

But right now, he was lying in bed with a sleeping girl, nobody to talk to, nothing to do, and all he could think about was her.

Her long dark hair that shone in the light. How her eyes sparkled when she smiled, and how she hummed sweet tunes while she sat reading in the garden.

She was always very fond of the garden. She loved watching her flowers bloom, and how the greenery would thrive during the wet summer weather.

She always seemed so happy to Raffaele, but then again he was young and naive.

He didn't see how she would struggle every day, trying her best to fight away her negative thoughts.

How the top balcony would call to her while she slept, the wind gently caressing her skin from the open doors, the white curtains being blown into the room.

He never saw her longingly gaze out of the balcony doors at night. Watching the moon, wishing for peace.

He didn't see how every night she would stand against the railing, edging herself to take the leap, but could never bring herself to do so. Because she needed to protect him.

Her dear Raffaele.

He was all she had left.

The tall dark haired boy who would greet her every day with a warm hug and a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Her cheeks were soft and rosy, sun kissed from her time spent in the garden.

He was pulled away from his thoughts when Circe stirred in her sleep, her dreams turning sour and her small smile turning into a frown.

Her big eyes opened and she looked up at the man embracing her. Worry etched on her face.

"Raffaele you're crying" she announced in a tired voice.

He hadn't even noticed the sly tear fall down his face, he was too caught up in his sorrow to feel the warm trickle.

"Please" he begged, his voice cracking "Please don't leave me"

Her eyebrows raised in surprise. She had never seen Raffaele so vulnerable.

"I like you Circe" he told her "Stay with me. Please"

Her chest grew tight as he confessed his feelings, but her features were still etched with worry.

"Okay Raff" she said "I'll stay"

"You promise?" he asked, letting his vulnerability and doubt take over.

"I promise" she assured.

He placed a sweet kiss on her forehead, feeling the warmth from her skin on his lips as his grip around her waist tighten.

She placed her head under his chin, resting on his chest so she could hear his heart beating beneath his shirt.

Eventually, Raffaele's quiet crying stopped as his breaths grew shallow. Both his and Circe's breathing syncing up. Every time she stirred, he subconsciously tightened his grip on her, too afraid to let her go.

A/N: very short chapter sorry, i'm just trying to get back into the swing of things.

other than being short, this is an important chapter because this is where we begin to learn more about Raffaele's past.

it is also the beginning of their relationship ig or whatever

hope you enjoyed <3