Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

13) Stargazing

Aris's P.O.V

I think I regret asking to be put in a room with her. It's just that I think I genuinely upset her. Made her mad, hurt her, something. I think I did something wrong. Whether it was dragging her against her will or what was supposed to just be light teasing was unsure.

She wasn't too badly hurt, but it still wasn't good. She had to have a cut on her cheek bandaged, a few on her arms, an ankle and wrist wrapped, and nothing could really be done about her bloody lip.

She didn't even wince. She would just occasionally roll her eyes as she was fixed up.

She was awake. We both were. She was staring at the ceiling as I stared at her.

"I'm sorry,"I blurted out.

Slowly sitting up, she turned to look at me, cocking her head to the side. Sitting up as well, I looked back, repeating my words.

"Why?"

"I upset you."

"Why would you apologize for anything? I've been so rude to you. Why would you be sorry for anything?"She asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Because I upset you."

"Even if you did, why does it matter?"

"Because I don't want to make you feel bad."

"You should though. I've been rude to you."

"Why do you think you've really been rude? You were a little when we first met, but you've been nice to hang out with since then,"I assured her.

"No. I'll get snappy with you."

"Not as much as you believe. I like talking to you."

"I've called you city boy."

"I've called you poet."

"Why are you nice to me?"

"Because I like you,"I said simply.

"Oh,"She mumbled.

"Yeah. I like talking to you,"I smiled.

"You didn't hurt me feelings. You don't have to apologize."

"You've just been quiet tonight. I wanted to be sure I didn't do something wrong."

Letting out a small chuckle, she shook her head before looking at me again.

"You're real nice to people ya' probably shouldn't be. That's something most people ain't got in 'em."

Looking her up and down in disbelief, my eyes widened as her accent just seemed to randomly changed. She suddenly sounded like the most proud Texan to ever exist.

"Sorry. It slips out when I actually feel okay,"She whispered, this hint of shame in her voice.

"No, no, no. I didn't mean to freeze like that. I just haven't noticed it,"I explained.

"I hide it,"She admitted.

"Why? It's nice."

"I'm used to hiding the way I talk,"She said quietly, about to chew on her lip before wincing. Fixating on the tent door, she settled for biting her nails.

"I like the way you talk."

"I can't really talk the way I do though. I've had to hide me identity in all ways so I had to disguise my voice. That and I used to get told how stupid I sound when I didn't."

"Why would someone call you stupid for it? You talk perfectly fine."

I can understand the first one, but seriously? Who has time to make fun of anyone out here? Plus, if she was okay around then why would they change that?