when we were BROKEN

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Late morning found them resting comfortably on the bed, Ginny nestled in Ji's arms as he lay back against the thin wall, propped by pillows. One earbud was in her ear, the other tucked into his, an old Simon & Garfunkel hit filling the silence. Neither had really slept, but just lying still and at ease, both got relief from the upheaval of the previous day. When her hand moved to rest higher on his chest, he took it in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her smile curved against him.

"Can we stay like this?" Her murmur was hushed, the beat of her heart soft to his ribs.

"For how long?"

"Forever?"

"What about food?"

"What's wrong with you?" Pushing up to stare at him, her glare was teasing. "Can't you just pretend?"

"I thought I told you. I'm not good at that, Mouse," he smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her brow. "Sorry."

"If we could stay like this forever, would you?"

His brow furrowed a little as he studied her features, taking in the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, the small, barely noticeable single freckle on the tip of her nose, and the full pink softness of her lips.

"Can I kiss you?"

"If you answer me,"

"What if you don't like my answer?" He could tell that surprised her, seeing how a shadow filled her eyes, bracing herself for rejection. Ginny's nod was faint.

"As long as it's honest, then... okay,"

"I wouldn't want to stay here forever with you," tracing a finger between her brows, he rubbed away her pained frown. "I'd prefer a tropical beach somewhere in the sun. Just you, me, and the ocean."

"For how long?"

"Until you're sick of me." Cupping her face, he stared into her eyes earnestly. "Could you ever do that, Ginny? Stay with me until you can't stand me anymore?"

"I'd like that, Ji," leaning into him, returning his intense look, her admission was honest. "I'll stay with you for the rest of my life if you want."

"Why do I feel like I just asked you to marry me?" Her instant frown made him chuckle, then he sobered, looking stricken. "Oh God, did I?"

"I don't think so?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes?"

"You can't answer me with a question, Mouse." Slight panic creased his features. "One of us has to be sure."

"Then, no."

"Are you just saying that?"

"Ji!" Laughing now, Ginny pulled free of him, sitting up. "Stop that! You're confusing me."

"I'm a screw-up, Mouse, but I don't want to blow this before I even get to the starting gate. Can we be clear? I was not asking you to marry me."

"I know. You didn't."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"So, we're good?"

"Just you, me, and the ocean," laying back into his open arms, she snuggled close. "Until we're sick of each other."

"Just you and me," he echoed softly, putting a finger under her chin to tilt her lips toward his.

Ginny chose not to comment on the slight lurch of her heart when he'd mentioned marriage. It hadn't been panic necessarily, or even aversion, but the notion wasn't one she was eager to pursue. Deep inside herself, Ginny knew she wasn't clean enough to be a wife. Too many men had been with her. Too many times she'd let someone climb on top of her to ever want to endure it again. Or be able to be that vulnerable.