Compassion and Oblivion

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Flower Dance (Verona)

Author's Note:

Welcome back! Just a few more things to mention:

Once again, there are more POV changes in this chapter, so pay close attention to who is speaking/thinking/acting.

I picked another song to play during a certain scene in this chapter. No spoilers, but here's the link if you want to give it a listen. I typed the lyrics as well, similarly to last chapter.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQNwJWn_bgM

Lastly, there is some *spicy content* that happens in this chapter. Not explicitly smut, but it's certainly the spiciest that I have ever written. Please don't roast me.

Enjoy! ❤️

As you walk back to the cottage together, Shane never removes his arm from around you. He continues to support your trembling shoulders as you silently allow the tears to fall.

"Do you want to talk about it at all?" Shane murmurs, his green eyes gazing down at you with concern.

You sniffle and draw in a shaky breath. "I just feel so stupid for being upset. I feel like I don't have any room to be upset right now, when Sebastian's world is probably falling apart. I think Abigail shocked everyone, but I can't even imagine what Seb's going through right now."

"Well, how do you feel?" Shane pushes on, squeezing your shoulder gently. "Right now, I don't care a thing in the world about how that kid feels. I'm worried about you. Just because he's going through something, doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to be hurt, too."

Your chin trembles. "Honestly...I'm mortified. Was he just toying with me again? Leading me on? The other day at the pier, when he had his arm wrapped around me and he held his umbrella above us, it felt real. It always felt real, everything that happened between us." A broken sob slips past your lips. "Am I just that gullible? Is it that easy to take advantage of me?"

Shane caresses his thumb against your arm. "I wish I had the right answers for you, (Y/N). Neither of us know what's going on in that brat's head."

You give Shane a small, halfhearted laugh. "Brat?"

Shane rolls his eyes. "Honestly, I'm holding back for your sake. I could call him a lot worse right now, for the way he's making you feel. What, he's too good to dance with more than one person?"

Your face falls, as you had been thinking the same thing after he rejected you.

Shane silently curses himself. "Sorry. I'll stop."

You wrap your arm around his waist as you walk side by side. "Thanks for saving me from that situation. If you hadn't swooped in and asked me to dance with you instead, I don't know what I would've done. I felt frozen...I probably would've stood there awkwardly for an uncomfortable amount of time."

"I was planning to have a dance with you anyway," Shane admits. "I'm glad I was in earshot. After I heard that piss poor excuse, I figured I'd just dance with you sooner than I had planned. Joja Man to the rescue."

You giggle. "I'm sorry we didn't finish our dance."

Shane smiles. "That's okay, Farm Girl. Just promise me one next year, 'kay?"

"Promise."

You and Shane arrive at your doorstep.

"Are you going back to the dance?" you ask, almost hesitant to be alone.

"Nah," he grunts. "I already danced with you, Jas, and Aunt Marnie - plus I got a great meal out of it. I don't see much reason to head back there now. I'll probably just head home and play some video games, or check the scores on the gridball game."