Aris Jones X Reader One Shots

More Than a Fling (Part 4)

Y/N was tuning out the other teens conversation as she laid on her bed. Keeping her eyes shut, she faced the wall as she hugged herself, wishing it was late at night. Wishing they were holding each other. Wishing they were able to smile as they spoke.

She was scared but brave. She knew that, and she knew he would believe the same.

She was struggling though and had forgotten almost every method of coping with difficult times that didn't involve him.

So now she was taking her mind back to around four months ago.

"That's insane,"She quietly laughed, absentmindedly running her hands through his hair as he laid on her chest. Keeping his eyes shut, he smiled at the comforting feeling.

"Well, it's true. I got out with a bat,"He shrugged.

"I used a butter knife. Stabbed a guard, climbed out the roof, and bada bing, bada boom. I'm out."

"Is that why we were given plastic silverware?"

"Probably,"She shrugged.

"I would pay to see you stab a guard."

"Well, I would pay to see you knock one out,"She grinned, looking down at him. Returning it, he reached up and brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. Blushing at the contact, she turned away.

"This place was lonely. No matter how many people I was around, I was always alone,"He whispered.

"I take it you're even lonlier now that I'm the only one around?"She guessed.

"No. Not at all."

"No?"She asked, surprised.

"No. Spending time with you is the only time that I don't feel lonely,"He told her, looking deep into her eyes. Reaching her hand out, she pressed her palms to her cheeks as an uncontrollable smile crossed her face.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Shutting her eyes, she just relished in the feeling of her having him close. Of meeting someone that reminded her that love is real. Of being so close to someone who taught her what it's like to belong.

Her subject name was wrong. Now she was sure of it.

A week later, they're back in a similar position. Pretending this place was normal. Or maybe forgetting it wasn't because of being together.

"Have you ever been in love?"She asked, putting her hands under her head as she faced him.

He is right now.

"Yes. Twice,"He admitted.

"Who?"

"Someone I once knew. She was just the first person to understand, you know? She was the first person I'd go to, and I was hers."

"What happened?"

Going silent, his eyes shone with grief. Understanding the look, she patted his shoulder for a moment. Moving closer, he rested his head on her shoulder. Softly running her hands through his hair, she rested her chin on top of his head.

"You deserve better than what you've been given,"She whispered.

"I think right now is as good as it gets."

"No. You're gonna be free again. You're gonna be happy."

He was too tired to clarify that he meant being with her was the best thing that's ever happened to him.