Here we go again!

Chapter 9

(Image ^ not mine, I found it on pinterest!) 

Sorry for the long delay, my editor wasn't doing their job :(

Chapter 9 - Mental Breakdown!

Since that day at the restaurant, Genya's been on edge.

He hadn't gotten a good look at the face of the man who'd tormented you. If he had, he would've done nothing less than track him down and have a nice chat. He could still pull some strings and find this Henry. Unfortunately, Genya knew better than to use violence, he didn't want to risk scaring you off.

You were special, you were sweet.

Genya knew you belonged with someone who didn't have the history of violence he did.

In his childhood, it didn't take a lot to set him off. If a boy provoked him in the slightest manner, he wouldn't hesitate to punch him in his face and a fight would ensue. If a girl was annoying him, or looked at him wrong, he wouldn't hesitate to pull her hair to shock her into silence.

Luckily adulthood had softened his behaviour, however the guilt of his past had never fully left. Sometimes the urges he felt as a kid would return in all their wrath, but only directed towards strangers. Not to people he cared about, and never to you.

No, he could never hurt you. You were too precious to him, and he understood why. Your presence was enough to calm him, and your smile always made his heart skip and his throat tighten.

"You're beautiful." Words he'd always think but hardly ever dared to say. He'd noticed you tense at compliments, clearly uncomfortable or perhaps unused to them. He'd have to ease you into them, he couldn't keep the words in his head forever.

"Ever think of getting married?" Genya asked mindlessly, him and his friend on duty, sitting in their police car, on a look out for suspicious activity.

In his peripheral vision, Genya could see his friend freeze, his lips hovering over the rim of his coffee cup, before letting out a small cough. "Isn't it too early for you and Y/n to get married!? You guys aren't even dating yet."

Genya shrugged, "we're not dating... yet."

His partner nudged him with his elbow, "Well, when you do, I expect to be given the role of best man."

Genya hummed in acknowledgement, his eyes focused on a wedding dress boutique across the street. He adjusted the collar of his compression shirt, before quickly fixing his hair in the rearview of his car. "I think our shift is just about over. I'll just get off here."

Popping a mint into his mouth and checking his breath for the fifth time, Genya picked up his bag of takeout and the bouquet of light pink tulips he bought, before making his way towards your shady apartment complex. The one he always forgets to investigate at his workplace.

Making his way to your door, he quieted, trying to discern if your neighbours were going to be a disturbance once again. Luckily, and surprisingly, they were quiet. He knocked on your door a few times, it didn't take long for you to answer.

As the door opened, he studied your expression, the way your eyes lit up and the corners of your lips curled into a soft yet excited smile.

"Genya, what a surprise..." You whispered. God, your voice... he'd die happy if the last thing he hears are your words of comfort.

"I come bearing gifts, m'lady" He joked, holding up the bag of takeout and the flowers.

He noticed the way your eyes widened and your lips parted, the colour of your cheeks changing. You liked this... good.

You were quick to take the tulips from his hands and lightly trace the delicate flowers with the tip of your finger.

"You didn't have too..." You said shyly.

He smiled, his eyes filled with affection. "I wanted to."

You smiled and let him inside. He sat on your couch and looked around. The inside of your apartment was definitely in contrast to the overall building.

Your walls were a bit cracked, but it seemed you were in the process of covering them in delicate and floral wallpaper. It suited you.

You got some plates from your kitchen before approaching him with a smile.

"I didn't know when I'd get to see you again, I'm glad you came to visit." The smile never left his face.

"I've missed you." The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them, your eyes softened.

"I've missed you too."

The evening continued, with the both of you sharing a meal and happily conversating.

Genya mostly stayed quiet, letting you rant about everything and anything. First it was work, then the conversation somehow led to how you believed that cats were the supreme being.

Your expression suddenly faltered, and you didn't seem as bright. Genya straightened, "Are-"

"I wanted to apologise for... before."

Oh.

He sighed, "It wasn't your fault, I don't see why you'd need to apologise."

You smiled awkwardly, "I got snot all over your shirt."

He shrugged, a teasing glint in his eye as he stared down at you, "I didn't notice."

"I'm sure my crying face looked ugly."

He tensed, "Y/n. You're always beautiful."

You got silent, before tears started pricking at the corner of your eyes and your lips started quivering.

"Don't lie." You whispered hoarsely, shoving your hand onto your mouth out of embarrassment.

"I'm not a liar Y/n."

You attempted to smile, and it all came crashing down with a heartbreaking sob.

Perhaps the incident was waying down on you more than he thought. He quickly wrapped you in his arms as your sniffles and sobs echoed in his ears.

He traced patterns in your back, as you mumbled apologies before eventually the words came out before you could stop them. You mumbled out sentences upon sentences, each explaining your past relationship with Henry.

Genya was tense, his arms around you tightening with every word. You sounded so miserable. It broke his heart.

Hearing all that you had to endure with that scum, it angered him. He felt that violent rage that he felt as a kid start to take form. He took a deep breath before letting you lean your head on his shoulder, your sobs eventually calmed and you were silent save a few soft snores.

He let out a sigh and leaned back on the couch, shifting so that your head would remain where it was. Laying his head back into one of the cat cushions you had on the couch, he glanced at his arms wrapped around you.

The feeling of being next to you, the thought of being a pillar in your life, brought him great comfort. He kissed the top of your head, closed his eyes. He'd have to talk to you about Henry, he knew it'd be hard but, it wasn't healthy for you to stay like this. His thoughts eventually slowed, and he fell asleep at your side.

1.1k words

Thank you to my editor for finally doing their thing!