♥ 𝓓𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓼 ♥ ~ A Your Boyfriend Game Fanfic/AU

Chapter 3: Part V - Strangers In The Night

Soundtrack:

I Love The Rain by The Real Tuesday Weld (Peter & Lily)

Strangers In The Night by Frank Sinatra (Peter & Lily)

My question hangs in the air between us. I'm prepared for a concerning answer.

Peter sighs. "I...first saw you about a month ago. I was walking past the diner."

I quirk an eyebrow. "A whole month?" I shake my head and smile. "Wow, you really have been stalking me for a bit."

"I'm not a stalker!" Peter looks distressed. He reaches out to me, as though to grab my elusive trust with his large hands.

I look at his hands, remembering what I did to the last hands that grabbed me. Then I meet his gaze. Peter reconsiders what he's doing with his hands. He drops them to his sides.

I wonder what he sees in my expression.

He continues. "I...then saw you again at the park. I just wanted to say hello." He smiles slyly and rubs the back of his head. "I can't really tell if you like me or not."

The words catch me off guard. I can't really tell if I like him or not either. I suppose I find him interesting.

"I don't. You're strange and mysterious. You're obviously not normal."

Peter looks forlorn at my description of him.

I sigh. "But who am I to judge you? It's not like I'm much better."

He gets a hopeful expression. "What does that mean?" he asks, fumbling with the hem of his vest.

I pause for a moment, looking him up and down. There's a lot to take in. He's very tall.

I don't have an answer for his question, so I ask my own.

"Would you try to hurt me, Peter?" I peer into his eyes. "I'm not inclined to trust people easily." A memory of what I did—or tried to do—to the last people that hurt me comes to mind.

Peter shakes his head passionately. "No! God, no. I would never hurt you, Lily."

I wondered what it would take for Peter to become harmful.

He goes on. "I want to protect you."

I frown in contemplation. "Why is that?" I shrug. "Why do you think I need protecting?"

Peter looks at me. His gaze feels as though I'm a statue, and he's admiring the craftmanship of something so unique and beautiful. He's in awe of such perfection.

I look down at my body. My oversized shirt that hides my body, a ratty hoodie. Baggy jeans with ripped hems. Old converse shoes. A coffee cup that's just about seen the end of its lifespan. How can he look at me and see art?

Why do his eyes feel so genuine? Why am I just as interested in him as he is in me? Even if it's not in the same way, I'm curious why he's so drawn to me.

"I don't have an answer for that. I just wanted to..." Peter trails off as his eyes stare into mine. His hand raises as though he wants to touch me, but he drops it again. Good choice. He clears his throat and looks away. "I just wanted to meet you."

"Well, you've met me." I pull away from the railing and start walking back the way we came. "Is it all you thought it'd be?"

Peter trails behind me. "It's better," he mumbles. I'm not sure I hear him right. "I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust."

I look over my shoulder at him and frown. "I probably sound like a broken record, but why are you so fixated on me?"

Peter smiles, flashing some sharp canines. "Ever heard the saying 'like attracts like'?"

I laugh wryly. "As a matter of fact, I have." I sip my coffee.

"It makes a certain kinda sense, doesn't it?" Peter says, putting his hands in his pockets.

I look ahead of me, stoic. "Maybe."

"It's getting late," Peter says. "We should get you home. You're probably tired. I'm sorry I've kept you so late." He doesn't seem like he means the last part. "Do you...want me to walk you home?"

I laugh and grasp my coffee cup a little tighter than necessary. "Maybe next time. I'll call you."

Peter's face brightens at the words "next time."

"Oh, okay. Um...I guess I'll see you later, then."

"Bye Peter," I say, waving over my shoulder.

~

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