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Chapter Twenty-Two Alt: Perfect.*

Trigger warnings for this chapter:

• Slightly graphic smut

• Effects of trauma and PTSD

• Topics surrounding sexual assault/abuse

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Please note that the switched points of view also really matter, in this chapter.

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*Thursday, May 21, 2020; 10:03 P.M.*

*Linden's point of view*

After we get out, Adrian wraps a towel around me, and sets me down on the counter, again.

"So, about earlier..." She starts.

"Again, I'm really sorry for hurting you, Linden. It was all my fault, I was the one who didn't tell you that I didn't want my scars being touched."

"Once again, I failed you. I told you that I wouldn't treat you like how they did, that I couldn't hurt you, even if I wanted to, and here I was, hurting you."

"I don't feel that you treated me like how they did, it was just a mistake. You didn't mean it."

"Though, don't you know just how many times that people like them have laid their hands on someone, and then tried to act like they didn't mean it?"

"Hasn't Ian ever hit you, and then tried to say it was a mistake, and that he "lost control"? Hasn't he ever said that it wouldn't happen again, but it did, and it happened multiple times over?"

"I know that I would never hurt you on purpose, but the fact that I have the ability to do that, just makes me feel so ashamed of myself. And I know that I'm not perfect, but I just don't want you to suffer more than you already do. I don't want to be the reason for any of your suffering."

"And I don't know exactly what we are right now, but I know that I don't want what we have, to go to shit."

"Look at me, Adrian." I softly tell her, as I look into her eyes. She does as I say, and I exhale, afterward.

"Our relationship isn't going to go to shit, because I know that you're a good person, and that you'd never do anything to harm me. You know what you're doing, you know right from wrong, and while I know that you technically have the ability to hurt me, I feel that you don't have that ability."

"I know that you don't want to be the reason for my suffering, and you never will be, because anything bad that may happen, won't be because of you, because you love me, and you'd never do anything to hurt me, on purpose."

"I also feel like this would be an appropriate time to tell you that, well...you kind of intimidate me."

"I do?" She questions.

"Yeah." I answer.

"The thing is, I have that kind of effect on people."

"And you're right, I'd never do anything to hurt you. But I can see where you're coming from."

"I don't really know what to say, but I just want you to know that you don't have to worry about anything."

Adrian holds both of my hands, and she looks deeply into my eyes.

"Linden, I promise you that I'll never hurt you, again. And I promise that I'll communicate with you better, okay?"

"Okay. I believe you." I reply.

"Can I kiss you?" She asks.

"Yeah."

She leans down and kisses me. I put my hand on the back of her neck, and pull her closer to me. In return, she tangles her fingers in my hair, and I moan into her mouth.