The Religious & The Damaged (UNDER EDITING)

49

Elias

  I walk into my room with Joseph, and he sits on the bed.

  I close the door and kneel at my bed and take the first aid from underneath it.

  I move to sit on the bed and I crawl over to him, and I feel his eyes on me.

  I'm in front of him now, and I take the ointment from inside the kit and look at him.

  "Can I touch you?"

  He nods slowly.

  I lean forward and spread the ointment over his forming bruises.

  I see that he's staring at me, but I focus on what I'm doing rather look to meet his gaze.

  And a frown tugs at my lips as I think back to the fight; the guilt coursing through my veins.

  "What's wrong?" He asks, seemingly noticing the sudden change.

  I sigh and lean back—sitting on the back of my legs as I stare down at the tube in my hands in my lap and I begin to fiddle with it.

  "I'm sorry." I say.

  "Why are you sorry?"

  "It just feels like my fault somehow."

  I look at him, and he stares at me with furrowed brows and a confused expression.

  "The fight." I clarify.

  "It's not." He says.

  "I know, but you know, a part of me thinks that if I didn't talk to you that none of this would've happened, and you wouldn't be in this situation-"

  He shakes his head and tugs me closer, his hand in mine. "No, you saved my life, Elias. You know that, I know you do. And I wouldn't trade this for anything." His expression softens. "It's not your fault."

  I inhale shakily and blink away the tears that fill my eyes, and my brows tremble as they furrow—my heart feels heavy and warm at the same time; the comfort of his words hit me.

  "I love you too." I say, my voice shaky and full of emotion.

  A gentle smile tugs at his lips.

  "I love you so much. I'm sorry I ever doubted that." I add.

  His thumb slowly swipes across my cheek, and I fall into his chest—his hands planted on my back and my head against the side of his neck.

  His warmth overwhelms me; my previous doubt overwhelms me.

  I know I love him for sure now.

  In some bittersweet way, today helped me realize that.

  I'm not sure exactly why, I don't have all the answers but I don't care about them—I love Joseph and that's all that matters now.

  I lean back and press my lips against his.

  He kisses back and tugs me closer until I'm sitting on his lap, and his arms wrap around me.

  I lean closer and the movement causes Joseph to let out a light noise within our kiss.

  We kiss for a long time, and he pushes at my shoulder until I'm laid back on the bed and he hovers over me.

  "I love you." He speaks softly, his lips brushing against mine.

  "I love you." I reply, and his lips meet mine again.

  Our lips move in a quick rhythm, and the intensity of the moment makes my heart flutter with excitement and love.

  Butterflies form in my stomach, and I know he feels it too.