I Care {Darkiplier}

(Chapter 39)

Your eyes widened involuntarily, a flush of warmth trickling across your face as you took notice of the way he regarded you. A crease formed between his brow, as he looked on curiously. His deep, inky eyes seemed to pierce right through you.

Shit.

Shit shit shit!

Damnit! You just had to get lost in your thoughts.

Again.

Neither of you spoke for a long moment, long having stopped the sway of dancing. Following, you feel a pang of guilt immediately bubble up within your chest as you avert your eyes from Dark. Even with your gaze lowered, you could still feel Dark's inquisitive eyes glossing over you, searching for answers, anything to explain your sudden withdrawn behavior.

Of course, you know deep down he probably caught exactly onto your way of acting, that it was futile to try to halt his concern, but you still couldn't help but attempt to control the damage caused. You tried not to reveal much, as if keeping your eyes away from him would hide the truth. That it would take back what you just had given away.

The music that went on in the background didn't falter, continuing to fill the silence that long ago should have been broken by you. The muffled, gentle melody brought minimal comfort. Shame, embarrassment was at the forefront of your mind, internal panic ensuing.

Despite feeling the need to say something, anything, you still didn't speak. You found you couldn't, really. How could you explain such a thing to the man? It would just make things complicated. You couldn't make things wonkier than things probably were now. Not to mention, you still weren't even sure what was happening to you in the first place.

Right when you found something good with him, too.

That particular thought troubled you far more than you would admit.

Dark's grip on you didn't falter, and the presence of his aura hummed against you, reminding you of the current situation you seemed to find yourself in. He didn't talk either, though you could still feel his stare as he shifted how he stood.

...

The subtle shift, as one of his hands, twitched lightly against your body, before releasing you, made you tense. You weren't sure what was occurring, until his fingers, slide under your chin. His thumb softly moved against your chin as he guided you to look at him.

You hesitantly look at him, finding you had no choice.

His gaze held no judgment, still carrying the same look he had earlier. Concern, puzzlement, a lingering look of intrigue.

Your face ignited further by his touch, the gentle way he always seemed to regard you.

Still, you couldn't find the right words to speak.

So, seeing as you made no move to speak, he did so for you both. Dark broke the tension that brewed between you both. You couldn't help but still dread his reaction, even if there was no outward sign of anything terrible.

"Is everything alright?" His words come out soft, as worry laced the way he phrased them. "I do hope not to cause discomfort but...You seemed distracted." He gently pointed out, but not unkindly.

He knew something wasn't right with you. You knew it then. His hand moved, to caress the side of your face. Despite your internal struggles, you relaxed against his hold, unconsciously tilting your head into his palm.

Your expression couldn't help but melt at his words. Even with his concern, he was giving you an out, a way to not have to dive into it all. Even so...You knew you shouldn't lie to him...Dark doesn't deserve that.