𝑴𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

•𝟔 | 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔•

**NOT EDITED**
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Aryia laid on her back on the large beanbag, staring up at the dirt ceiling. She held a hot water bag to her cheek by Vann's demand. She was mentally planning when she would next visit the Mansion. It would be after she's done more research.

The little girl that Aryia could only assume was Charlotte's older sister, confused her. And Aryia was planning on researching more about Winnie Burden and who she really was.

Vann, on the other hand, was still fuming. He texted Maverick and Millie that Aryia wasn't feeling well and they could go to the Mansion by themselves. Vann wasn't worried about them since they didn't seem to get effected by whatever the hell was in that damned Mansion.

Vann sat in the beanbag across from Aryia, a can of coke in his hand. He stared at his girlfriend lazily, but somehow possessive. He knew Aryia wouldn't get up and leave, but he stared at her like she was going to. Like he was watching over her and protecting her from an enemy trying to get though the blanket covering the entrance of the cave. He bit his cheek to keep him from saying anything.

Vann just wanted her to know how much she meant to him. She didn't understand how dangerous it was to go back after she allegedly got a large gash on her cheek from a ghost's memory. If whatever attacked her in the memory actually got a hold of her and killed her, he wouldn't know how to live with himself.

Vann wanted her to know his intentions. He wanted her to know that he was protecting her for her own good.

So, if words didn't show that, actions might.

Vann put down his coke can on the dresser, slowly standing from his spot on the beanbag.

He stumbled over to where Aryia laid, lowering himself directly on top of her. His head rested in the crook of her neck, while his arms snaked under her back, hugging her body close to his. His whole entire body seemed to just engulf hers.

Vann closed his eyes, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her sweet vanilla scent. Aryia's hand flew to the back of his head, subconsciously playing with the ends of his dark hair. Her other hand dropped the hot water bag, resting on Vann's shoulder.

Vann softly kissed Aryia's neck, causing her to hum. He squeezed her body impossibly closer to his.

"I love you." Vann mumbled into her soft skin, the vibrations sending sparks throughout her body.

"I love you, too." Aryia mumbled in reply.

Vann moved up toward the spot right below her ear, placing an open mouthed kiss there. Aryia's eyes flew open, her fingers playing with his hair coming to a halt. Vann smirked against her skin, causing her heart rate to pick up.

This time, Vann raked his teeth against the spot, slowly suckling the sensitive skin. Aryia subconsciously tilted her head to give him more access, making the sound she has previously when he kissed the spot.

"Don't go back." Vann pleaded, giving Aryia one last kiss on her neck before lifting his head.

He locked eyes with his girlfriend, who had a small pout on her lips.

"Please. Don't go back. I don't want you to get hurt more than you already have."

"I won't, baby. I promise." Aryia assured, although she knew full well it was a lie.

Vann gave her a sad smile. He knew she was lying. He knew she was going to go back and hurt herself. Aryia stiffled a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand.

Vann plopped his head down right in the same spot like it was, pulling one of his arms from underneath her back. He shoved his arm up her shirt, resting it on her bare shoulder. He began tracing his name with the tips of his fingers against her shoulder. Aryia couldn't help but smile, closing her eyes and resting her cheek on the top of Vann's head.

In just a moment, Aryia's breathing evened out and her body fully relaxed against his.

Vann let out a sigh of contentment, letting sleep consume him a few moments later.

∆∆∆

**How are you guys liking the book so far?**

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Aryia woke up, her body shifting on the beanbag. The heavy, comfortable weight on top of her wasn't there anymore. As her ears adjusted to the present, two voices whisper-yelled back and forth.

"Don't play dumb with me, Hennigan." One of the voices, Maverick, whispered-yelled.

"So what if we went, Powell? How does that concern you?" The second voice, Vann, whispered back.

Aryia slowly opened her eyes, faking a loud yawn so the pair arguing in front of her would notice she was awake. Vann looked over to her, giving her a small smile. As Maverick opened his mouth to argue once more, Aryia overtalked him.

"What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

Vann pulled out his phone, checking the time. "Just around two."

Maverick glared at the pair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "You're hiding something from me."

"What?" The pair asked in unison, causing Mav to scoff and shake his head.

"It's so obvious. Millie noticed it too. What the hell are you hiding?"

Just as Aryia was about to give in and reply, Vann beat her to it.

"We aren't hiding anything. Stop being a dick and mind your own business." Vann spat, taking a step closer to the other man.

Maverick seemed taken aback, narrowing his eyes at the pair. He began to walk out of the cave, knocking hard into Vann's shoulder as he did so.

"Fuck you guys." He said before storming out of the cave.

It was silent for a good minute before Vann grabbed the empty soda can from the dresser and threw it against the dirt wall.

"He was the one who got us in this situation in the first place." Vann grumbled, pointing at the blanket covering the cave's entrance.

"Nobody knew it was going to go down like this." Aryia replied, standing from the beanbag.

"Are you defending him?"

"No! No, I just-"

"No, Aryia. He knew the risks and he still put us through it."

"No, Vann. You two were being dumbasses and were arguing about if the paranormal was real or not. It was more like a competition than an exploration."

Vann paused, staring at her with a slight hurt in his chest. She was right. He could have said no. He wanted to say no, but he was too busy wanting to be right.

"And," Aryia added. "It was also my own fault. I was the one who wanted to go back and get that painting. I thought I could save Charlotte by getting her painting, but that doesn't seem like the case."

"It's not your favorite that you are hearing voices."

Aryia nodded, running her fingers through her hair. She sighed, shaking her head.

This argument wasn't a very fixable one.

And they might have just lost them a friend.