"Sex isn't the most important part of a relationship. It's just a bonus."
Renna has been told many times that sex is an important part of life and vital in a relationship, but as a sex-repulsed asexual, she has no desire for sexual intimacy- -ever...
Nicole tucked a piece of her blonde hair free from her ponytail behind her ear. "How did you two meet?" She smiled at them, leaning forward with her elbow on the table, and her chin in her hand.
Jensen stayed quiet, shifting in his seat.
Renna answered her. "I started dating Levi, his room—"
"Oh. Oh, I thought..." She flicked her gaze between them both. "Oh. Okay. Sorry. How is Levi doing?" she asked, changing the subject, looking a little uncertain.
Renna's stomach sank. Deep.
For a brief moment, she had forgotten about him. Forgot about the danger. The threat. His existence.
Sitting with Jensen and his family made her feel safe. No reason to panic or be scared. But like always, she couldn't escape him. At least inside her head. Everything had a reminder. It always came back to him.
Jensen paused before answering. "We're not friends anymore. Or roommates."
"What happened?" his dad asked.
In the pause, Renna looked at Jensen, and Jensen lifted Charlie off his lap and placed her down in the chair next to him
"We has a falling out, and we—"
He shouldn't have to lie to his parents for me. I'm okay. "We broke up," she answered, cutting him off. "It was messy and Jensen helped me."
From the corner of her eye she saw Jensen staring at her.
"Oh. How messy?" Nicole asked her.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, Jensen replied. "He's an arsehole and we don't talk anymore."
Mark chuckled. "Gee, son, don't put it too lightly."
Jensen smiled at his father. Unbeknownst to him, that's putting it extremely lightly.
Nicole smiled but dropped it in a second to a serious expression. "What did he do?"
Renna looked at Jensen, wondering what he would say, but Jensen looked at her, as if looking for an answer. She looked down at the table, unsure how to answer it.
She knew she should be the one to say it, and could tell Jensen didn't want to say it for her if she didn't want it to be said, but she couldn't find the right words. Or bring herself to speak.
"Something private?" Nicole asked in a soft voice.
Jensen answered for her, "Yeah."
"Well, you don't have to say it, darling." She reached across the table, placing her hand flat on the table in front of Renna. "But you are okay?"
Kinda. "Yes."
"And you're safe?"
No. "Yes."
She looked at her son. "And you're okay?"
"Yeah, Mum. I'm good."
"Good." She took her hand back and leaned back in her seat.
Her husband leaned forward. "So what's going on between you two."
"Mark!" Nicole growled at her husband in an accusatory voice.
Nevertheless, Mark continued, leaning in closer. "Are you dating, or..."
"Mark." She spoke in a harsh whisper, as if she expected they wouldn't hear her, while she nudged him in the leg.
Renna and Jensen glanced at each other. They had never discussed their relationship. It didn't seem necessary. Until now. She didn't know how to answer.
They grew closer everyday. They were happy. And they both knew where they stood without creating a discussion.
Nicole tried to lecture Mark quietly, saying he shouldn't push them or be so direct, while he argued that he just wanted to know.
Renna and Jensen smiled at each other and came to a silent agreement. He looked at his parents while she stared at him.
His words cut off his parents hushed discussion. "Yeah, we are."
Renna smiled hearing him say it. For the first time, they had a proper label, and she couldn't believe she thought they didn't need one. It made her happier.
They both looked at the newly pronounced couple. As they glanced at Renna, she nodded her confirmation, and they grinned.
"Well done, son," Mark said to Jensen, winking. "Hold onto her tight." He whispered as if Renna wouldn't be able to hear him talking across her.
"What he meant is we're happy for you two." Nicole took a sip of her coffee.
Jensen leaned in close to her, winking at Mark. "I plan to," he said to him.
He sat up straight as Nicole asked Mark if he would like the second half of her cheese and ham toastie.
While Mark pulled the plate to in front of him, Renna saw Jensen's hand stretch out for her thigh, but stopped, paused, and returned to him as he remembered who he was reaching for. Her heart lightened with appreciation. She reached over and took his hand his off his leg and held it, placing their intertwined hands on her mid-thigh. With a glance over to her, she gave him a nod, and he smiled, relaxing.
I hold trust in him. I'm willing to extend more of myself and lower my boundaries for him. How much though? I guess I'll figure that out later?
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