Coyotes and Wolves, Milo Manheim Original Story

Feelings

POV: Third Person

Milo took his time in helping Estella relax. He was still worried about her panic attack the night before. Milo also felt bad that she didn't come and get him, and if it wasn't for Henry she could've been suffering all night. He understood that she felt embarrassed about what happened, and yeah-- it was all her idea, but he couldn't get her reaction out of his mind, and why she was so angry with him.

Estella laid back against the white porcelain tub, the hot water supporting her body as her muscles relaxed. The soft floral scents of the bubbles put her into a calm and comfortable headspace. Not to mention her sweet handsome boyfriend who was carefully and gently scrubbing her clean with a wash cloth, and massaging her hair and scalp washing away the stress of the previous night.

Milo began to massage her shoulders and neck from outside of the tub. 

"Milo, this is ridiculous. Just come in with me." She complained.

"Oh, no. You can't be trusted, babygirl." He quipped. "Come on, just be patient. Now, lay back, and relax."

She huffed in annoyance, but laid back and shut her eyes as his strong hands worked her muscles gently but firmly-- releasing all of the tension as shivers went up her spine. 

"Baby?" He voiced, carefully.

"Umhm?" She replied in a soft hum.

"I need to talk about last night." He began, his hands continuing to massage her shoulders.

"Oh." She uttered lowly, as she opened her eyes. 

"I don't think you're upset just because the night got messed up." He offered, carefully.

Estella remained silent, listening expectantly for him to continue.

Milo moved next to the her, kneeling on the bathroom floor. He took the wash cloth and started to gently apply it to her neck and up to her face.

"Was it about Delilah?" He asked.

"I'm just...really confused, Milo. And, I don't like that feeling." She answered, reluctantly.

"What? What are you worried about, Princess?" Milo asked with concern in his voice, as he began to glide the wash cloth in small circles over her cheeks.

"She has feelings for you. And I was just getting used to that. We were sort of even becoming friends." Estella voiced, reluctantly.

"Okay...then, what's changed?" He challenged, gently.

"You." She replied pointedly, removing his hand from her face, and standing up to step out of the tub. Milo grimaced up at her incredulously. 

He followed her to the towel rack and stopped her, turning her to face him. His eyes were serious, but he simply reached behind her and pulled down a soft blue towel from the rack. He began to pat her dry, and wrapped it around her.

"Go sit down on the bed, Estella." He requested.

She sighed, but did as he asked and turned away from him on the bed, wrapped in the puffy blue terry cloth. Milo took her comb and sat behind her, pulling gently at the knots through her sleek wet hair.

"What do you mean, me?" He piped up, working the comb through her locks.

"Nothing." She sighed, dismissively.

He turned her around to face him, and pulled her close.

"Stop. This is about trust, remember? Now, do you trust me enough to tell me the truth, or not?" He demanded.

"I think you have feelings for her too." She expressed, softly.

Milo remained silent, as he searched her face.

"I love you." He expressed, with resolve.

"That's not a denial." Estella countered. 

"I don't know what to say to that." Milo expressed, despondently. "I know that I want you and only you. Why can't you just believe me?" 

"It's more complicated than that. And you know it." Estella quoted his conversation with Delilah. "Does that sound familiar?" She challenged.

"It is complicated, Estella! I can't just pretend that it's not. But that's not the point! Do you believe that I love you more than anything, or not?" He demanded, sadly. 

"Yes, but..." Estella began, before he cut her off.

"Then that's it! It's you and me and nothing else matters!" He reminded her, pointedly.

"You're right, Milo. It shouldn't matter, but it does. I don't like how I feel right now." She expressed, sadly.

Milo slowly dropped to his knees, so he could be at her level, and hugged her around her waist.

"What can I do, baby? How can I fix this?" He whispered, with a hint of desperation.

"I...I wish I knew." She replied.

"Do you...not want to be with me anymore?" He voiced, softly.

"That's the problem. I never want to be without you. But, I don't feel like you're all mine anymore." She revealed, with tears in her eyes. 

"I can't help what I feel! I can help what I do, and what I choose! That's what matters! And I want you. Always. Forever. No one else!" He entreated. 

"And what if we get separated by college? What if you catch feelings for yet another "friend"? What then, Milo?" She snapped, challengingly. 

"That isn't fair!" He exploded. "We don't even know where we're going to end up yet. And just because feelings exist it doesn't mean it's the same thing as being in love! It doesn't have to be so black and white, Princess!" 

"This coming from the guy who flips out whenever I even mention someone of the opposite sex?" Estella argued, accusingly.

Milo didn't know how to respond at first, but then a thought struck him.

"Do you have feelings for Eric?" He asked, reluctantly. 

"What? Don't turn this around on me!" Estella exclaimed, lowering her brow and jumping to her feet.

"Well...that was an interesting reaction." He drawled, in a flat tone.

"What are you talking about?" She scoffed, dismissively. 

"You couldn't get out of my arms fast enough, Estella! What are you hiding? Or better yet, what are you hiding from yourself?" He challenged. 

"I need to get out of here." Estella voiced, shaking her head and rushing over to gather an outfit to wear.

"Do whatever you need to." Milo sighed in defeat, leaving the room and walking across the hall to start his own shower.