The Firefly

46°

-Jake.-

I called out to him, trying to make my voice authoritative.

-Where the heck are you going?- No answer.

-You're going to hurt yourself!- I shouted leaning off the couch and looking for him in the dark.

I remained silent waiting for his response, which, however, didn't come.

A small thunderclap in the distance made my hair stand on end. -Jake Lee Hale, listen to me now! You're blind you can't go around the house like this alone!- I jumped up abruptly and, forgetting my surroundings, threw myself into the darkness.

What was he thinking, disappearing like that? And what's more, even without his cane? I thought.

-A fool.- I muttered to myself, I had to find him before he got hurt. The moon was covered by clouds so it didn't shed light; it was like being blind.

A chill ran down my entire spine. There was a thud coming from downstairs. -Jake!- I exclaimed realizing it was coming from the stairs.

-Oh God, are you all right?- I trudged through the darkness in the direction of the noise. -Don't worry.- He yelled at me from a distance, but his voice had a different tone than usual.

-I'm coming, don't move.- I ordered him by taking off my heels and throwing them into the darkness at my side, he didn't respond.

I hoped with all my might that nothing had been done.

-Amber.- He called to me. -You have to trust me.-

It almost sounded like a plea.

I found the first step and with enormous relief the railing as well. 

How had he gotten so far away in such a short time? There was total silence during the entire time it took me to walk down the stairs, too much quiet.

Out of nowhere a metallic humming sound was heard throughout the house and I realized what he had done. The lights came back on forcing me to keep my eyes closed for a few moments.

He had turned the power back on....

Without a second thought I ran to where I knew the power generator was.

There he was, standing and motionless like a plaster statue, but as beautiful as a Greek god.

He seemed to feel my presence because he turned his head toward me.

At that moment it was as if my legs were moving on their own, I hugged him back.

-You shouldn't have.- I scolded him as I spread the ointment on his ankle.

With difficulty I had managed to carry him to his room since, in addition to guiding him, I had also had to support him.

In fact, after the hug I had noticed that he was not resting his left foot, and he had confessed to me that he had tripped on the last step of the staircase.

-It was immature.-

He smiled, mockingly. He knew very well the effect he had on me when he did that. -You shouldn't have.- I repeated, he made a small, amused grimace.

Lost in his eyes for a moment I stopped massaging and bandaging his ankle. Without any real control over my movements I moved closer, leaving him a light kiss on his cheek.

-Thank you.- I murmured.

For a few moments he was petrified by my gesture, then turned his face in the opposite direction to mine covering his cheeks with a few strands of hair.

Despite his astonishment, however, he did not turn away; he contracted his jaw. -I'll finish bandaging your ankle.- I exclaimed.

With a quick, decisive move he grabbed my wrist. -It doesn't hurt anymore.- He affirmed pulling me to him, I remained motionless: crushed against his chest.

-I like being like this, with you.- He continued by lowering his voice and, as if he wanted to observe my face, he slowly opened his eyes.

When that icy gaze pointed in my direction, I pulled away slightly to fill my eyes.

Jake closed them suddenly, tightening his lips.

 -You have to tell me if my eyes makes you feel uncomfortable.- He whispered.

I took a good look at him, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing bad or wrong in them. Neither in him nor in his eyes.

I continued to study him, looking for some flaws, but I guess if you love a person you have a hard time finding any.

Despite all my efforts my feelings had not even faded, I could not deny it. With every second of silence that passed, Jake seemed more and more dejected.

How could he even think such a thing?

-I hope you're kidding.- I began by raising a hand intent on caressing his cheek, I retracted it just in time. -Jake, I think they are gorgeous.- I continued, smiling slowly.

-There is nothing beautiful about these eyes.- He spat with stubborn revulsion at not opening them.

Resting my ear on his chest I heard his heart. I let a heavy sigh pass through my lips as I gently stroked the back of his head with my hand.

-I would stay hours staring at them and never break away, believe it or not.- He was still for a few moments, then I felt his arms wrap around me again, at first slowly, then more and more intensely.

I felt his breath become shaky as he plunged his face into my hair.

Friends do it, friends do it.

-I would like to see you, I would like it so fucking much.- He murmured in a broken voice.

-Can you imagine me...-

-It's not the same.- He said almost in a whisper.

-To me.
it doesn't matter whether you see me or not
-...your presence is enough for me.-
to be happy.

Looking up I saw him hint at an almost trembling grimace. -I would love so much to see your smile, Brat.-

-Time to time.- I murmured, studying his hand harpooned on my arm like a child with his teddy bear.

He leaned his back against soft pillows propped against the headboard. The small bajour on his bedside table was lit. -Can I ask you a favor?- He asked in a soft voice; I nodded.

-Would you sleep here, with me?- He asked directly. No part of me was against it; I really wanted to accept. Only a tiny little voice screamed at me to refuse, my conscience insisted.

-I'll help you if you have nightmares.... or paralysis, like last time.-

He added in a thread of last hope.

-All right.- Looking up I noticed how a small smile had appeared on his lips. He grabbed the blanket at his side, pulling it over us.

-Good night.- I whispered, letting the beat of her heart lull me.

-Great dreams.- I heard him murmur from just above my head.