Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

35) Avoidant But Loved

Aris’s P.O.V

I get to acknowledge it. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, I can acknowledge that she likes me. More than likes me actually. I can acknowledge that we’re in love, and holding hands, and finally together.

When I woke up, I saw that our hands were still together, our fingers loosely locked in place. Sometime during the night she had ended just a little closer.

She was healing from the wounds she got with Janson, her once bruised nose going back to the same shade as the rest of her face. The cuts on her arms were fading, leaving almost no sign of her most recent and last kill. Her shoulder, the only visible injury right now, was still an unsettling purple and blue though.

It’ll heal. She’ll heal just fine.

She’s so calm when she sleeps. Her eyes stayed shut as she slowly breathed in and out. Her head was laying on her other hand. Her hair was down for what must be the first time since I’ve met her, loose strands framing her face.

She’s safe now. She’s safe forever. I’ll make sure of it.

Running my fingers over her knuckles, I couldn't help but smile at everything about this. At everything about her. At everything about being with her.

This is something I won't screw up. I don't need to have been with anyone else to know how to be good to her. My first relationship is going to be my last. I’m sure of it.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Seeing me beside her, she gave a tired smile before pulling my hand to her lips. Kissing the back of it, she left shivers up my arms. Even as she put our hands back in their original position, the chills were still there.

“You ready to get breakfast?”I suggested.

“Maybe. I do wish I knew where they got it from.”

“They send people out to find food like that. Pretty much everything else is grown or caught here.”

“Course ya’ know that.”

“So are you going to get up now?”

Shaking her head no, she shut her eyes again. Letting out a small sigh, she squeezed my hand.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just,”She trailed off.

“Just what?”I gently pushed.

“Feel bad. I don't like it. Killin’ people. I never have,”She whispered.

“You're really brave for still doing it to help others. Really, really brave,”I promised.

“I never feel brave after. When it comes crashin’ down and I realize what I did, I can't even look at myself. I just became a mess. Don't eat, don't sleep, don't brush my hair. I just stare at nothing all day usually.”

“I can help with one of those.”

“Hm?”She mumbled, opening her eyes.

“I can brush your hair.”

“The episodes last ‘round a week. I can't ask ya’ to do that.”

“You could, and you aren't asking. I’m offering.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah. I’m sure,”I reassured her.

Taking her hand out of mine, she slowly sat up, her body just as drained as her mind. Grabbing the small bag that she had been given, she dug around for a moment before handing me the brush as I crossed my legs. Sitting up sort of straight, she scooted closer to me until she was barely an inch in front of me.