Caught a Responsible Man after the Break Up

II - Together

She finished freshening up.

As she was facing herself in the bathroom mirror, she was also thinking how to proceed.

'Should I be responsible for him? He's a grown man, it shouldn't be a big deal to him, right? But he saved himself for this long. Am I a bad person? I led him to this.'

While in a state of confusion, she also realized. Her body is aching, yes but she is still ambulatory.

'But it kinda hurt walking, and isn't it a bit shameful?'

She grunted heavily.

"Argh! But we already did something, what else can be shameful!"

Her sudden outburst was met with three knocks on the door.

"Are you done do you want me to pick you up?"

She felt happy and responded, "Yes please."

Clover opened the door and saw her leaning on the counter.

She felt very comfortable with him and when she saw him approaching, her arms automatically went up so she could hug his neck.

He effortlessly hooked her behind the knees and she felt light-headed for a moment.

He walked towards the room and sat her at the chair where the ordered breakfast was set on the table.

"I forgot to ask you if you want coffee or milk so I ordered both, whichever you want, you can choose.  There's also canned fruit juice on the fridge."

He hasn't sat down and waited for her answer.

She looked up at his majestic height and said, "Milk, I love milk."

"Alright," he arranged the drinks accordingly then sat down.

She looked at the breakfast in front of her and saw two identical sets of two eggs, bacon, small sausages, pancakes, and syrup.

They went to eat a quiet yet very comfortable breakfast.  She even has the feeling of being cared for.

When they were done, Clover asked her to the balcony to finish their milk and coffee.

He sat her down and they enjoyed the view for a while.

The hotel they were in is located in the countryside, Sky Mist Hotel, and the balcony overlooks the vast area of forest and groves. The morning dew is cool and refreshing and brings a sense of peace just sitting there.

"This is my favorite resting place whenever I ask for vacation time from work."  Clover started.

"Ver..." She was about to say something but he cut her off gently.

"I'm Clover Goldtwist.  Ver is just my nickname. I promise to be responsible for you." He spoke in utmost sincerity which kind of scared her.

"Wait, what? No, no... don't need to be this serious. We were both under the influence of alcohol. We were both hurt and decided as adults when we did that last night."

"Yes, we were adults but I crossed the line and touched you. I don't feel right. I don't do touch-and-go. Right now, I can see you are still aching because of me. I'm really sorry for going overboard."

"That's fine.  Like I said, we were adults and did something adults do. I enjoyed it as much as you did.  This is just the normal aftermath. Don't be too cruel to yourself."

"No, I feel cruel to you..."

Ember feels like this large man is clingy but kinda cute. And she felt like they were going nowhere.

"Why do you feel so guilty? Were you... raised in a strict religious household?" she gently asked.

"I was raised by my grandma and yes, she is very religious. But not strict. She's also very kind. Anyway, that was why you're my first.  It was a temporary lack of sound judgment. I'm really sorry—"

"Hey stop saying sorry, I feel like you didn't like what happened last night, am I not enough?"

"What no, no, I enjoyed you last night. Wait, I mean—"

Ember chuckled, stood up, and sat on his lap.

"I'm just teasing you.  I know you enjoyed me last night, otherwise, my body wouldn't be having these marks and aches all over." She traced his earlobe with her finger and whispered.

"Fine, if you wanna be responsible, be responsible.  But not to the point of marriage."

"Why not?" Clover innocently asked with gentle eyes; Ember wanted to squeeze his cheeks.

Ember's thoughts: excuse me, is this man serious?

"I'm only 26.  I only worked for a year after I graduated then got stuck in my ex's house for three years.  I wanna live my life again.  Why don't we just be lovers now, get to know each other in the process, and see where it will take us?"

"But what if you get pregnant?" He asked again while supporting her back steadily.

He seemed sad. If he has furry ears, they would be drooping now.

"That's another thing... unlike you, I slept with my ex two nights ago.  I am not some pure, innocent girl you need to save just like a knight. What if I'm pregnant? It may not be yours, if we rush to marriage, wouldn't it be an insult to you?"

"Why?..." his voice trailed off.

Ember held his face and gently pulled it towards her. She appreciated everything, his eyes, brows, lips, chin...

"How about, we talk about it when and if we get to that bridge?"

"Are you scared of marriage?" Clover tightened his hold on her back and asked cautiously.

"I used to believe in it... But three years of continuous convincing have destroyed my faith in marriage."

She suddenly stopped and realized something, "Wait. This is not about my belief in marriage, this is about your belief that you should be responsible for me after our one night together. Isn't marriage sacred? Don't you think marriage in this way will not respect it?"

They both went silent.

"I understand. But we need to talk if you get pregnant. I will never wrong you." 

"Okay, fine. Just let me enjoy being your girlfriend for now." She made herself smaller and leaned her head on his shoulder and curled on his chest.

"Of course.  I just hope you won't dislike it."

"Huh, why?"

"Because I'm clingy. And I spoil a lot."

"Who wouldn't like that?"

"My ex, apparently."

"Come on.  I don't think so.  She enjoyed it that was why you were together for five years.  However, as with both our cases, white moonlight trumps all lovers, whether it's a stand-in or a real girlfriend or boyfriend.  It's a good thing that we found each other. Let's let them go live their lives."

She faced him again, "Since we're attracted to each other, we're compatible in bed, and you won't let me go easily... let's try being together."