Against All Rules - Hunter || The Golden Guard x OC

43.) No Other Heart

  They leave in two days. All of the samples have been collected in the vials. It's starting to really sink in that this is it. They had a big dinner with everyone, almost everyone. Almost everything is packed and ready to leave again. Ellie can't stand to be at home so she goes to the office.

It's so much more her. But she still adores the lighting. It's pretty dark because it's late and the lighting was already dim. But not dark enough to where she can't see. She sits on the desk calmly tapping her fingers. The door opens and that's when she sees Hunter standing there.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were here. I just came to get this." He gestures to the picture of them on her board.

"It's fine, I've been trying to talk to you."

"I've just been busy." He lies.

"Busy?" She laughs.

"What's funny?" He asks.

"You've run away from me three times. Literally ran." She laughs again.

"I like your outfit. It seems like...you. The jeans, the t-shirt, it's all very you." He admits.

"Thanks. I haven't really been in situations where I can wear it since I've been here." She admits.

"You wanted to talk to me? Why?"

"I don't know, I miss talking to you. And I want to apologize again. I'm sorry for everything that happened." She tells him.

"Okay. Apology accepted." He nods before turning around.

"You're leaving already?" She asks.

"Yeah? I just came to grab the picture."

"I've spent the last week wanting to be alone with you, wanting to talk to you, wanting to know you again. I know that you don't want to see me, that you want to stay in your office and hide-"

"That's not what I want, Ellie. You're wrong." He sighs.

"You've avoided me this whole time. You've barely spoken to me since I've been here." She continues.

"To keep me from saying all the wrong things!" He tries.

"You can't even look me in the eyes. I wasn't sure if you were gonna care that I came back. I'm trying." She tries not to raise her voice.

"I have spent the last two weeks in misery!" He starts before they both go quiet. He takes a deep breath and tries to fight the words that want to spill out. "I can't talk to you or even be alone with you, because I know you wanted nothing to do with me. And understandably so after you saw everything about me. My flaws, my scars, I showed you everything wrong with me and stupidly expected you to stay with me."

"It wasn't just about you, it was never just about you. If it was, I wouldn't have left." She tries.

"I can't stop thinking about you. I haven't stopped for ten years. You would ease every single morning we were together. And you'd calm every single evening. I'm yours, Ellie. I have been yours for every single day of these last ten years."

"But I left you, I hurt you. I-"

"That doesn't matter to me anymore. I don't know how I could possibly be more clear with you." He shouts.

"Don't get mad at me." She says quietly.

"I'm not mad." He tries but the intensity is still there. He moves closer to her so they can be face to face.

"You look mad. You're completely flushed." She raises her voice.

"That's what happens when someone yearns for someone who doesn't feel the same! For ten fucking years, Ellie! I have been so in love with you without even knowing you. I've missed every ounce of your being, your presence for a decade. I missed your laugh, your voice, everything! I couldn't even stand to hear your name for so long. All because I have never been so in love with one person like I am with you. I love you with everything I have, Elle."

"I love you too."

"What?" He chokes out.

"I haven't stopped thinking about you either. Every single day, you crossed my mind. I've missed what we had so fucking much, Hunter. You've taken up every single free thought I ever had. Trying to let you go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. And I'm so sorry I left you." She apologizes through tears.

He quickly leans down before they both push their lips together. Her arms wrap around him to bring them in a little closer. He holds her tighter than he ever while his heart pounds. The breath is knocked out of both of them from the initial force.

His cold hands hold her warm face so urgently as her hands grip his shirt. Both of them think the same thing. This is the best kiss they've ever had. His hands gently wander along her face and jawline. She can't help but lean into his touch. A piece of her hair falls and he just moves it back out of the way, never disconnecting their lips.

They both pull away, completely out of breath. The room is silent for just a moment and it's surprisingly nice. Her eyes open to see him perfectly in front of her. She's missed him more than he could ever know, more than anything else.

"You're leaving." He says quietly.

"Why didn't you stop me?" She speaks up.

" What?"

"The first time, why didn't you stop me or tell me to stay? I mean, I know I actually did leave and it's still on me. But you knew me better than anyone. Never mind, it's stupid." She laughs it off.

"I don't know. I wanted you to be safe more than anything. I thought it would be better if you got away from all of this because of how traumatizing it was. That maybe if you went back to your realm, you could be happier and heal from everything." He shrugs.

"I don't wanna go home." She says quietly. "I'm tired of having to choose and not getting to choose you. But my sister's older now so really, I don't have a real reason to stay. I'm so sick of being invisible over there."

"So don't be. Stay, Ellie. Seeing you has driven me absolutely crazy, I'm still in love with you. I still get the same feeling I used to when I see you. I want you, Elle. More than I've ever wanted something or someone. Stay." He says while taking her hands.

"I'll try, I promise."