Stray

Cracks

The Next Morning

Ximena is sound asleep in Augustine's arms. He watches her as she slowly wakes up, cuddling him tighter.

"Someone slept good." - Acse

Ximena slowly opens her eyes, stretching.

"Hey, that's my line." - Ximena

Augustine kisses her on her forehead, causing her to smile.

"And someone's finally learning a thing or two about affection." - Ximena

Augustine laughs.

"Wow, low blow..." - Acse

Ximena giggles, doing circles with her finger on Augustine's chest.

"I had a good amount to drink last night...but I definitely still remember slipping up bad last night...(Ximena has a brief flash back of her slipping up, confessing her love to Augustine)..." - Ximena

"What, is something on your mind?" - Acse

"He didn't say it back either...maybe I should just ignore it for now...besides, I've still yet to see the not so good side of Augustine....speaking of that..." - Ximena

"It's just....never mind." - Ximena

"Never mind is the last thing I wanted to hear leave your mouth. What is it?" - Acse

"W-well, I don't want to ruin the mood...but I really want to know about the dried...the dried blood on your hands yesterday..." - Ximena

"Oh...I said not to ask if your not read—.." - Acse

"And I'm ready... I need to see all of you...I need it all in order to love you correctly...so...I'm ready." - Ximena

Augustine sighs.

"Well...faster than I expected but...here goes nothing." - Acse

Augustine sits up.

"As said before...I'm not here to sell you some fantasy. You're no hostage and you have evidence on me if all this becomes too much...." - Acse

Ximena sits up as well.

"A guy...he claims to know my father. I felt as though he was bluffing so I offered him money to spill. He kept raising the price and attempted to extort me....so I hired a team to.....to 'collect' him for me. Instead of paying the man...I got all the information I needed and more by....." - Acse

"B-beating him until he talked...." - Ximena

"To say the least...yes." - Acse

Ximena is sat there completely speechless. She deals with people like him all the time but being as close as she is with him, it still comes to her as a surprise.

"H-he's no longer...." - Acse

Ximena mouth drops, she covers it.

"As said before, you are always free to lea—.." - Acse

Ximena stands up out of frustration.

"Stop saying that." - Ximena

"Wha—.." - Acse

"Stop telling me I can just leave. I'm here because I want to be and I know you want me to be as well. So can you please act like it." - Ximena

"Well yes but—.." - Acse

"But nothing. I told you that I'm yours...so fight for me to stay instead of always encouraging me to go." - Ximena

Augustine stand up, towering over her. He raises his tone but never shouts.