After Dusk • Peter Hayes 2

Jealousy, Jealousy

Peter Hayes had done exactly the opposite of what he'd wanted. He'd cared for her, worried about her safety and well-being when he shouldn't have. 

The whole point on his being stuck with her was to protect her without her knowing, all she was supposed to know was the old Peter. The one who didn't care about anything or anyone and here he was carrying her into the bathroom again so she could shower.

When she'd stood on that glass he felt his heart race, panic setting in on him instantly.

After all she had thrown the vase at him.

He was supposed to be keeping her safe from Jeanine but he hadn't been keeping her safe from himself, and in pushing her away he'd essentially pushed her on that glass.

Well, of course he hadn't but, it felt like he had.

Then the following day when she stood up and he heard the pain in her wince as she stood from the bed had him move on instinct. Seeing her in pain he felt this urge to guard her, but the thought of staying away to her flashed to his mind. He watched her shake her head at his not helping her but he had to try and keep her safe from him. He had to push her away, he had to make her believe he was the Peter she met that first day in dauntless.

Then she hunched over the bed and no matter what his brain was yelling at him his heart overruled it.

He jogged the short distance to her and without thinking placed one hand on her back and one around her arm, the sensation of her soft skin against the rough skin on his hands had him briefly close his eyes and take in a deep breath before releasing it as he opened his eyes.

Just as he had done, she lifted her foot, the white bandage had turned more red than it's initial colour and he had to help her.

That had been exactly what he'd done.

Only, it hadn't been as quick and easy as he'd thought, thanks to his getting lost in the moment when placing her on the unit. His hands were tight on her hips, a feeling he'd missed. Touching her.

He let his want get the best of him for a moment. Digging his fingers into her skin before trailing his hands down her body, desperate to touch her bare thighs, her bare skin. It was softer than he'd remembered, it was hot and such a contrast to his skin. Although, he had felt the heat rising at something as simple as a touch.

He'd thought about all those times he'd kissed her, when he was allowed to touch her hips and her waist and her legs.

Sliding her thumbs over the top of her thighs in a swirling motion had been a step too far.

That had been when he'd seen her squirming at his touch. Immediately causing him to pull away and mentally scold himself for the sheer stupidity of his own actions.

Now the following day, he'd just placed her down in the bathroom again, ensuring not to touch her waist or hips again and turning to grab her a couple of towels, "I'll get that" he'd nodded towards the shower, indicating he'd turn it on to avoid her straining.

"You don't expect me to undress in front of you do you?" The sound of concern in her voice scorned him a little.

"Nothing I haven't seen before" he'd given what would be a typical Candor Peter answer. Something that had obviously worked when Piper scoffed and rolled her eyes, "unless you want to give me a free show, you can wait till I leave" he gave her a mocking smile.

She again hadn't properly answered him.

She did however watch as he stretched in to turn the shower on, his bicep muscles tensing while he did. It had taken Pipers mind off her pain so much she placed her foot down flat, immediately pulling her leg back up and toppling forward as she did.