Science. {Jason DiLaurentis}

You've Survived, Now Live

The thing about escaping from hell, is that even though you're not longer living in it— your brain is. The memories crawl inside and tear away like a parasite at a feast.

For Sienna, it was like she was trapped in a tunnel of glass mirrors. The world around her didn't feel real. Even as the memories played on a loop in her head, she reckoned her surroundings, expecting to be pulled back into the darkness.

The only thing that convinced her that she wasn't imagining things— that she had made it out alive— was the hand in her own, clenching like a lifeline.

Sienna hadn't let go of Jason since he pulled her into his arms. Even as the EMT's were checking her over and the police were taking her initial statements, she remained locked onto him. They were molded together like sculptures in a museum with their heart's on full display.

Jason hadn't taken his eyes off of Sienna since he found her, half because he was afraid she would disappear and half because he wanted to be able to give her anything she needed.

So, the moment that the thoughts began to swarm inside Sienna's mind, Jason anticipated the words that would come out—the reassurance that she would need.

"I know that we need to talk about things, but right now I—" Sienna starts, her voice floating as she says it like everything they build would come crumbling down in seconds.

She was terrified that Jason would be angry with her, despite his calming presence. She could feel his gaze upon her and the way he tried to comfort and protect her every time she jumped at a loud noise.

She couldn't even meet his eyes as she started to give him the opportunity to leave, to take the out he deserved from loving her.

"You've been through hell, Si. We'll figure everything else out later." Jason immediately cut into her sentence, forcing Sienna to raise her gaze to his as the certainty coursed through his words. "Right now? Let's just get you out of here and make sure you're okay."

Sienna's eyes bore into Jason's, a million unsaid words rested in each pair. It was so surreal to see the eyes that had begun to only live in dreams. They were haunted, changed, but the essence of love still permeated their glossiness.

"I know I hurt you and it's selfish to ask but I really don't want to be alone right now." Sienna began, rubbing her fingers together inside Jason's hand, anxiously awaiting his response. "Will you stay with me?"

"There's no where else I would rather be than by your side." Jason's hold tightened on Sienna's hand, squeezing in assurance before his thumb began to rub circles to comfort her. "You don't have to do this alone anymore, okay? I have no intention of leaving you anytime soon. So, unless you ask me to, I'm not going anywhere."

Jason's reassurance sent immediate relief to Sienna. She couldn't imagine how she could have ever doubted him— Jason, who had been kind and patient with her. The boy who wiped away her tears and fought away her nightmares. He was the only person who ever truly understood her, and even now, he was offering her the comfort that she desperately needed but would never allow herself to ask for.

"I don't deserve you." Sienna's throat scratches, catching on the words as the emotion swarms her throat. The words are true, full of love and guilt— the entirety of her being for the mistakes she had made for loving the boy too deeply.

"You deserve everything." Jason's voice shakes, his soul bursting with meaning. There was no one else in the world that he could love more than Sienna and he was determined to be worthy of her and give her everything she deserved, no matter how long it takes.

They have eternity to get it right.

"I never thought i would see you again." Tears swim in Sienna's eyes, vulnerability escaping as she allows herself to feel warmth from the only person who has never judged her or made her feel unworthy. "I'm really, really, glad that you're here."