𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈 ━ 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫

chapter twenty eight
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As Dante pulled in to the driveway of the building where (Y/N) lived in her stepfather's penthouse apartment, he let out a slow breath to try and ease his nerves. He didn't want to seem crazy for driving all the way to her place just because of something his friends said, but he couldn't help it. In the few months that he had known (Y/N), he had come to care for her deeply.

She was a good person, he knew.

A good friend.

Sometimes he wondered what it would be like if they were something more, but how he had to shove those thoughts aside to focus on (Y/N)'s needs more than his own.

It was why he was here.

In the first place, it was why he cared.

After taking in another deep breath, Dante turned off his car and slowly climbed out, shutting the door and locking it behind him as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Entering the building, he took the elevator up to the floor as designated on the Kingston directory page, slightly in awe at how nice just the foyer and elevator were in comparison to his own house. By any means, he was very comfortable, but this whole apartment building was on a whole other level.

Well...

Her stepfather did buy her a brand new car as if it wasn't a big deal...

I wonder what he does?

It must be a pretty high-paying job.

Shaking the thought away, Dante traversed through the halls to the specified door that was (Y/N)'s apartment, his fist raised and ready to knock until something stopped him. His hand trembled in midair, swallowing thickly as he imaged (Y/N) opening the door, hearing the reason as to why he was there, and then slamming the door back in his face. It was a rejection he wasn't sure he would be able to handle, especially since all he wanted was to be there for her in support.

Steeling himself for any sort of reaction (Y/N) might have to his presence, he knocked.

Stepping back, he waited.

The seconds that ticked by felt like hours, the wait was that torturous. Already Dante could feel a bead of cold, nervous sweat trickle down the back of his neck. He knew why he felt this way, why he was so scared of (Y/N)'s rejection to his help. He knew he cared for her much more than just as a friend, even if she didn't. It was why, when she opened the door and looked at him with those dull (E/C) eyes that had once been filled with so much life, that he wanted to take her in his arms, embracing her to show that he was there for her now.

Of course, he didn't do that.

But, he desperately wanted to.

"Hi, (Y/N)," Dante forced out, his voice hoarse as if he had been screaming, something he cleared away with a slight cough before he continued speaking again. "I'm sorry for coming here unannounced... and on such short notice... but I had to."

"What?" (Y/N) uttered, sounding confused.

"I know what happened... with your mom," he announced, watching as her expression slightly crumbled upon mention of her deceased mother, guilt clawing up and squeezing his heart painfully tight at the sight. "I can't imagine what you're going through right now, and... it pains me to see you this way. I'm really worried about you. Carlos, Maya, and Zara, too. All of us are, really. I'm not sure what we should be doing to help, but all I know is that I just want to be beside you in case you do want to talk. O-Or if you don't want to talk at all, but just need someone. Please... I don't want you to be alone."

At that point, Dante knew he had been rambling, but he was desperate.

He needed to get his feelings across.

He needed to show (Y/N) that he cared enough to do something about it. He wanted to show that he actually gave a damn about her and what she was going through, and that he would do anything she wanted him to do if it meant making sure she felt better than before.

And he did.

As (Y/N) stared at Dante, noticing the determination glimmering within his dark gaze, she was moved.

More than moved, probably.

She was completely taken aback.

Completely shocked.

And completely touched by his kindness.

Without even thinking, her body moving on its own, she stepped forward and latched onto him in a tight hug, her eyes squeezing shut as she buried her face into his chest. He was wearing a sweater than day, so both the warmth from that and his body comforted her more than he could've imagined. Dante inhaled sharply, his eyes widening as he stumbled backwards upon (Y/N)'s sudden hug, his heart rate accelerating as if he were jogging a marathon instead of just receiving a simple hug.

Then again, it wasn't so simple to him.

Swallowing thickly, his fingers twitching, he hesitated for only a moment before he hugged (Y/N) back, his cheek resting on her head as he did so. Closing his eyes, he smiled softly when he was able to catch a whiff of her shampoo: something fruity with a hint of vanilla.

It suited her, in his mind.

"Thank you," (Y/N)'s muffled voice finally rang out, Dante's eyes snapping open at the sound.

"Hm?"

"Thank you... for coming here," she continued, her voice cracking as small trails of tears slid down her cheeks, something she hid from him by continuing to lightly press her face into his chest. "I think... I think I needed this. A lot. I-I miss her so much. I just don't know what to do with myself."

Dante opened his mouth, ready to apologize and reassure her that everything would be alright, but then he stopped.

That's not what she wants to hear.

"I'll always be here for you," he murmured softly, staring at the wall in front of him as he continued to hold (Y/N). "Always."

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To be continued...