Our Flame

xl

NADIA

Waking up next to Ezra is something I've done the past week. You think that I would be use to it, but I'm not. Waking up next to him is comfort, in a human form.

I've never felt safer. Then when I leave his bed, I remember how much my father wants me dead. It's almost like all the safety I felt, is being taken away from me.

I don't enjoy thinking about it like that because what will happen after these three months? Will I lose that comfort? Will I lose everything?

I lay facing him, and him facing me. We're chest to chest and all I can do is think about how he defended me to Issac. He didn't have to defend me, he probably shouldn't have.

But he did, just like when he didn't have to save me.

"How long have you been up?"

A smile makes its way onto my face at the sound of his voice, "Ten minutes." I shrug. Ezra hums in response as I trace his tattoos.

More specifically a small tree on his chest, "I got it a few months after Astria passed." He speaks. "It was a nickname, now it's a memory."

"I'm sorry." Ezra looks at me, "You did nothing, πανεμορφη."

translation: beautiful

I get up from his arms sitting in front of him, "Don't try to justify your apology." Ezra says. I chuckle, "What if I was about to tell you how handsome you are?"

Ezra shakes his head as he smiles, "Show me your favorite tattoo you have." Ezra tells me. I pull up my shirt revealing the three angels on my stomach.

I couldn't decide between showing him the angels or the hearts, so I'll do both. "I think it represents Luka, Niko and I." I shortly explain.

"Your twin and other brother?" Ezra questions, I nod. "And then this one." I show the hearts on my arm. "What does it mean?"

"I gave a piece of my heart to each of my brothers." I respond. I look back at Ezra as he's leaning his head on the headboard, just watching me.

Why is he so... perfect? His abs are on full display and his shorts rest a little below his V line. I can't help but stare at him.

I probably wouldn't even be alive without him and now I have these confusing, stupid feelings for him. I hate to say it, I didn't feel this with Vera.

This is new.

With Vera, we were both in the process of healing. We found healing within each other. I'm so glad we did yet I still can't help but wonder; would we have loved each other if it weren't for rehab?

If it weren't for our addictions, would I have been so in love with her? Was it love or a bond built on trauma?

Ezra pulls me out of my thoughts, "When do you start school?" Ezra grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers. "Tomorrow." I smile.

He smiles again as if my happiness was the reason which causes my smile to grow, I cover my face. "Stop." I groan. "I'm not doing anything." He laughs. "You're being you."