Afterlight (Fanfiction) - EDITING ✓

chapter thirty-one

Chloe

The steady ticking of Justin's clock was the first sound that brought me back to consciousness. It was rhythmic, soothing, yet grounding—a tether to reality after the chaos of the last few days. I blinked, the morning sun pouring in through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room. Slowly, my gaze shifted to Justin.

He was slumped on the couch, his head thrown back against the seat, eyes closed in what I hoped was a rare moment of rest. My head had been resting in his lap, but I carefully moved, sitting upright without waking him. My breath hitched as I took him in.

His face was marked with bruises, shades of deep blue and purple staining his golden skin like a cruel artist had taken a brush to him. Each one told a story I didn't want to read. His arms, his jaw—everything about him bore the evidence of what he'd endured, all for me. My chest tightened as guilt swelled up, heavy and suffocating. Over the past few days, he'd fought for me, stood in the way of pain that should have been mine. And now here he was, sleeping as though the world hadn't tried to break him.

Gingerly, I reached out, running my fingers through his hair, the soft bronze strands slipping between them like silk. He stirred slightly, letting out a low groan, but didn't wake. My fingers traced down his face, skimming over the bruises with a featherlight touch, careful not to hurt him. My heart ached as I leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

The moment my lips touched his, his hands instinctively found my hips. His fingers curled around them, firm yet tender, sending tiny shocks of electricity shooting through my body. I gasped against his mouth, and his lips parted slightly, drawing me in. When his eyes opened, they met mine with a burning intensity—a mix of passion and something deeper.

Pain. Pain that I had caused.

He brushed his thumb across my cheek, his touch light but steady. "You don't have to apologize," he murmured, his voice rough from sleep. "Especially not for something you didn't do." His words carried a quiet strength, but I could hear the exhaustion beneath them.

"I caused this," I whispered, my voice breaking as I gestured to his bruised body. "If I'd just stayed in the room... If I'd listened—"

"Then we wouldn't be here, with you taking care of your boyfriend." His tone was firm but kind, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. He shifted to sit up, grimacing slightly at the effort.

I let out a small laugh, though it was thick with emotion. "I don't deserve you," My hands stayed on his face, framing it as I stared into his eyes. "I really don't."

He grinned, but it was lopsided, soft. "Oh, I know," he teased, his voice lighter now. "But I'm not exactly a bargain either, princess. We're stuck with each other."

The air between us shifted, the heaviness giving way to something warmer, softer. The house was silent save for the faint rustle of leaves outside, and the scent of citrus and woodsy cologne lingered in the air—a smell I'd come to associate with him. With home.

"I'm sorry on Brad's behalf, though," I said quietly, breaking the silence. "For everything he said. For how he treated you."

Justin raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Apologizing for Brad? That's ambitious of you. What's next? World peace?"

I laughed despite myself, shaking my head. "I should have left you after all."

"And yet, you didn't," he said, his tone playful. "Lucky me."

I bit my lip, the gratitude swelling up inside me threatening to spill over. "Come on," I said, stepping back slightly and glancing at his bruises. "Let's get you cleaned up."