Remington
"I don't think I need that much, I'll just grab a couple bags of my clothes and stuff." Austyn opened her front door quietly, and lead me through it to her room.
"Bring whatever you want," I said reassuringly, "we can even come back if you need to."
"I'm not taking that much," She decided, "just what I need."
I nodded silently, deciding against the argument, and helping her pack a couple bags instead. A comfortable silence developed between the two of us as we each started grabbing clothes, hair stuff, and other things she needed for her day to day.
"Can you go get Milo," Austyn asked sweetly, "Shay let him out before she left. That was a couple minutes before we got here."
"Sure thing my sweetness."
I put one last t-shirt in the bag I was packing, and zipped it up, before pulling her bedroom door open, and heading down the hallway towards the backyard.
"Hey boy," I cooed at the puppy -who was getting rather big- as he trotted over the threshold, and kneeled down, receiving a lick to the face, "hey, you wanna come stay with me for a couple days?"
Milo let out a loud bark, taking me back a bit, "Ok, I'll take that as a yes, even though you sound kind of angry."
"Aw look at this," Milo barked again, and my eyes finally followed his, across the house to the front door, "baby voice and everything, how cute."
I pushed myself to me feet, and narrowed my eyes angrily, "What are you doing here Ryan?"
"Don't get bitchy, I'm here for Austyn." He said smugly.
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to see you." I scoffed.
"And why would you think that?"
"The bruises on her knuckles," The look on his face dropped when he realized I knew about their last interaction, bringing the blood in my veins to a boil. I stomped angrily across the room, and stepped up to him, "if you ever-"
I felt a soft hand tug me back before I could reach him, and I let out a light sigh when I saw Austyn's face. The faint bruise on her cheek, could've been enough to set me over the edge, if it weren't for the pleading look in her eyes, "Rem, don't. It's not worth it."
"See? Look at that," Ryan smirked proudly, "I knew you still cared about me. Let's go, and we can talk about this."
Milo barked again after Austyn crossed her arms, prompting Ryan to pull her toward him roughly, "I said let's go."
"Get off of me!" Austyn yelled, and he threw her into the wall.
I grabbed him by the collar, and threw him up next to her, slamming him roughly a couple of times. He winced as Milo bit his leg.
"Good boy." I smirked at the dog.
"Get the hell off of me, you ass." Ryan growled.
"Don't you ever, and I mean ever, even begin to process the idea of coming within a ten foot radius of her again. Do you understand?" I spat sourly.
"And what are you gonna do if I do?" He smiled.
Austyn had put both herself, and her dog behind me.
"I'll take a step back and let her beat the piss out of you herself," I took in his black eye, as well as the rest of the bruises on his face, that made it obvious that he got it worse than she did, and I let out a genuine chuckle, "again."
Ryan's adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously, and before he could respond, I threw him out the front door.
"Fucker," I muttered under my breath before turning to Austyn, and wrapping my arms around her protectively, "are you ok?"
When she shed a couple tears, Milo rubbed against her leg to comfort her. I kissed her forehead tenderly and wiped her tears, "Come on. Let's go get the rest of your stuff so we can get the fuck out of here."
I let her out of my grip, and retreated to her room. She waited on the sofa, with her head in her hands, while I finished packing her bags, and carried them out to my car. My heart was aching at the sight of her being so exhausted, and fed up with it all. She looked hopeless.
"Austyn," I breathed out, crouching down in front of her and taking her hands in mine, just like she had done with me the last time I was sitting in her exact spot, "we should probably go now."
Milo's head nuzzled into her lap. I was extremely grateful for his presence, due to the fact that he seemed to know her so well. He knew exactly how to comfort her, and when something was wrong. I rubbed his head to thank him, and he glanced at me with sad eyes.
"Yeah," She agreed quietly, "let me just- uh go grab his leash."
Austyn was terrified, and shaking but, I didn't say anything because I could tell she was trying to hide it. She grabbed the dog leash off of the counter and hooked it to Milo's collar, following it with a sweet kiss to his forehead, "Come on bud, let's go for a ride."
Milo followed us out of the door calmly, hopping into Austyn's lap after she sat in the passenger seat of my car. I closed the door behind them, then went around the front of the car to get into the drivers seat, and started home. Every time I glanced her direction she was either rubbing Milo's head, or just gazing out of the window. I was really worried about her but, I didn't want to overstep. I just wanted her to talk to me.
"Are you hungry at all?" I said awkwardly.
"No," She smiled weakly, "we stopped on the way there."
"Yeah- I know I just- wanna make sure you're ok." I rambled.
"I'm fine."
The words were so easy to say. Even when they weren't true. I was trying my best to believe her, and I wish I could've. The rest of the ride was silent, as well as us carrying her bags in, and letting her get settled. Emerson and Sebastian exchanged a few words with her when they stopped to play with her puppy but, other than that, we made our way upstairs without a word.
"Uh, the guest room is down the hall. Really, you can stay here for as long as you need." I smiled.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"No problem," I shrugged, "that's what friends are for-"
Austyn cut me off by throwing herself into my arms, and holding on to me for dear life, "No one's ever done this much for me."
My heart could've shattered at the words, and I had to fight back tears. Letting her stay with me was so simple, I didn't even have to think twice but, it seemed to mean a lot to her.
"It's ok, really it's nothing." I sighed contently.
"It's not nothing," She said quickly, "I think you're my favorite person."
Her head was pressed into my chest, and I was grateful that she couldn't see the look on my face. My eyebrows were raised at the sudden confession. I hadn't been expecting it, and I didn't know how to respond. So, I just pulled her lips to mine instead. I could've told her right then and there. I should've but, I couldn't spit it out.
"It's late," I smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, "we should go to bed, you're obviously exhausted. If you need anything don't be afraid to come knocking on my door, ok?"
"Yeah, goodnight," Austyn smiled, and took a couple steps down the hall before turning back around, "um- actually, do you mind- if I stay with you tonight?"
I chuckled at the nervous grin on her face, and nodded my head.
"Of course my sweetness."
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Question: What's your favorite holiday?
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