STAND BY ME | SLASH

SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN

I really thought I could make her happy, but I could tell she was starting to miss Axl. I knew she loved him and I knew she wanted to go home, but I was so scared she would get hurt again that I wouldn't let her leave. My god that woman was patient with me.

I wish I knew sooner that the best way to make her happy was to set her free, and if I was lucky, maybe she would have come back to me. If I hadn't been so selfish, maybe I could have actually helped Layla find herself again. Most would say the woman she used to be was gone, but to me, she was the same woman I fell in love with ever since I laid my eyes on her.

I tried telling her how I felt about her more than a few times, but she'd always leave the room as if she was frightened and scared of my words. She didn't wanna hear it, but for some odd reason, she'd always come back to me whether it was the next day, or even hours later, somehow she'd always end up back in my arms.

It drove me crazy. As much as I loved holding her in my arms, cradling her like a sleeping child, I wanted so much more, I needed so much more.

✟

They were on the couch as usual, with Slash laying on top of her, his head resting in the valley of her breasts as she gently played with his curls. Tention had begun to rise between the two after a small incident that involved Layla trying to leave and Slash not letting her, but forgiveness was found, and any unpleasant feelings were pushed aside in favour of keeping the peace.

Layla then felt the soft caressing of his lips upon her chest, gentle pecks trailing up to her neck. "What are you doin'?" She asked softly.

"Lovin' on you," Slash mumbled against her skin, pressing a kiss to the underside of her chin before he was suddenly shoved off of her. He furrowed his brows at her though she refused to meet his gaze. He sighed exasperatedly. "Look I can't keep fucking doing this, when are you going to accept the way I feel about you? Because every time I try and tell you, you run away and then immediately come running back. I love you, Layla, how many times do I have to say it?"

"You have no right to say that to me." Layla crossed her arms over her chest, still refusing to meet his gaze.

Slash huffed and stared at the floor. It was silent for a few moments before he spoke again. "Look I don't expect you to return my feelings, but I just wish you understood how I feel." He glanced over at her once more; her arms dropped, but she wouldn't look at him, so he took the time to admire her form.

She was beautiful.

Slash couldn't help the filthy ideas that came to mind as the wide strap of her tank top slowly slid down her shoulder; he never realized he could ever want someone so badly.

That's when he had an idea.

"Let me show you." He suddenly spoke. She slowly turned to face him, her eyes wide and her cheeks red.

"What did you say?"

Instead of answering her, Slash picked her up and brought her into his lap. Out of sheer embarrassment, she buried her face in his neck, which made him chuckle slightly. He continued where left off and began kissing her neck again, all the way up to her jaw and up to her ear. "Please, Layla, let me show you how I feel about you... I don't ever want you to feel like I just want you for your body, but the best way I know how to express my love is by making it. So, please... Let me make love to you, let me make you feel good." He bit her lobe and awaited her response. "I won't do anything without your consent..."