Being His

Chapter 15

As Rio and Ezekiel sat in the quiet of the aftermath, each taking a moment to gather their thoughts and emotions, Ezekiel looked at his right hand man.

"She was terrified," Rio spoke quietly. "I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. I didn't know what to do." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "She was so... lost. I felt like I was watching someone drown, and I couldn't do anything to save them."

Ezekiel listened intently, nodding along as if he could see the same fear and desperation in his friend's words. "I know," he said softly. Freyja's frightened expression was the last thing he saw before his vision became blurry. The memory of her voice, saying that he would be fine, rang through his head like a constant echo. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "I think..." he began, hesitating. "She's not cut out for this life Rio." Ezekiel looked his friend in the eye. "I think we both know she can't handle the pressure. She's strong, but she's fragile too. And I don't want to keep putting her through this. Not if it means she's going to get hurt." He paused, searching for the right words. "I don't want her to be another casualty, Rio. Not if it's avoidable."

Rio looked away, his jaw clenched tight. "I know," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But what can we do? She hadn't left your side unless it's to take a quick shower and when she eats it's at your side."

Ezekiel sighed heavily. "I think it's for the best if this relationship ends" he said softly. "It's not fair to her. She deserves someone who can be there for her, someone who can give her the time and attention she needs." He paused, looking away for a moment before meeting Rio's eyes once more. "And I can't be that person for her. Not if it means she'll always be at risk."

Rio nodded, understanding the weight of Ezekiel's words. He knew how much Ezekiel cared for Freyja, but the life they led was unpredictable and dangerous. It was better for everyone if they let her go, if they found someone who could give her the normalcy and safety she deserved.

"So what do we do now?" Rio asked softly. "Do we have a talk with her?".

Ezekiel sighed. "I need to tell her". He said, more to himself than to Rio. "I need to let her go, for her own good. And for mine too." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "We'll talk tonight, after things have settled down. When we're both thinking clearly." He glanced over at Rio, seeing the understanding in his eyes. "I just want her to be happy, Rio. No matter what that means for us." Rio nodded. He reached out and clapped Ezekiel on the shoulder.

That night, as they sat in the dimly lit room, Freyja was twiddling with her fingers, the feeling that she had at the safe house cane back full force. Ezekiel took a deep breath and began to speak. His words were halting at first, but as he continued, they gained strength and clarity. He told Freyja how much she meant to him, how much he cared for her and how much he wanted her to be happy.

"You're breaking up with me." she cut him off. It wasn't a question, she stated the fact and when he met Ezekiel's eyes she knew it was true. "You don't want me anymore."

"Freyja, that's not-" he started, but she cut him off again, her voice hard and bitter.

"No, let me finish. You don't want to hurt me, do you? You think I can't handle it. Well, you're right. I can't handle this." She gestured between them, her hand shaking slightly. "I can't handle knowing that you don't want me anymore. I can't handle the thought of not being with you. I thought I was going to loose you and when you woke up I felt like I could breathe again" Her voice broke, and she swallowed hard before continuing. "But I understand. You don't want me in your life. I just wish..." She trailed off, her eyes filling with tears.

Ezekiel reached out to her but she pulled back. "Freyja, I don't want you to think that I don't care for you. It's just..." He paused, searching for the right words.

Freyja shook her head, wiping away the tears that had escaped her eyes. "It's okay. I understand." Her voice was calm now, resigned to the fact that their relationship was over. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

Ezekiel watched her, feeling a mixture of sadness and guilt. He knew that he was making the right decision for both of them, but it didn't make it any easier to see the pain in her eyes. He wished there was another way, some other option that wouldn't leave them both feeling so empty.

"Freyja, I don't want to hurt you." He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice. "I care for you and I will always care for you. You will always have a place in my heart, no matter what."

Her eyes widened slightly at his words, hope flaring briefly in their depths before being extinguished just as quickly. "But you don't want to be with me." It was a statement, not a question. She knew the truth. She knew that no matter how much he cared for her, he couldn't risk being with her anymore. It was safer for him if she wasn't a part of his life.

Ezekiel reached out to her, his hand trembling slightly. "Freyja, I-"

She cut him off, shaking her head. "Don't say anything else." Her voice was thick with emotion. "There's nothing left to say." She stood up, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'll get my things. I'll be out of your way. You know it's funny, you say you don't want to hurt me but that's what you're doing" Before he could react, she turned and hurried out of the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.