Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

55) All Better

My shirt was obviously still off when I woke up to him kissing my forehead. Finding myself smiling first thing in the morning, I slightly tightened my grip on him.

That's when it hit me. He probably couldn't see much of me in the dark of night. In the morning though? That’d be so much different.

Pushing him off of me, I found top on the ground. Standing up with my back to him, I grabbed it and pulled over my head, making sure it covered me completely.

“Poet-”
“I have to get to work,”I interrupted.

“Y/N, just stop for one second,”He insisted, standing up.

“No, I-”
“Poet,”He said firmly, grabbing my hand. Spinning me around, he cupped my face, taking a slow breath. I unintentionally copied it, realizing his heavy mine had gotten.

“I know I kissed you without all your clothes on. Just like how I know I wasn't just kissing you. I love you. I love you for so much more than that. I wouldn't care if you never let me kiss you at all. As long as our love was still the way it is,”He whispered, pressing his forehead against mine.

“Then, why does it feel wrong? Being loved like that?”

“Because you don't see what I can.”

“What can you see in me?”I dared to ask.

“Someone absolutely wonderful even if she doesn't know it. Like a butterfly who doesn't see their own wings. And even if your wings are a little rough around the edges, they should be admired. Like a cat that hisses because it doesn't know how to be loved. And it still never does anything more. Not to someone who doesn't deserve it. You, my secret poet, are the brightest soul,”He said softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“You see me in ways nobody else does.”

“Well, you don't exactly let many people see you,”He pointed out. Simply shrugging in response, I kept my gaze on him.

“As long as I'm here you're adored, my poet. Absolutely adored.”

× ~ × ~ × ~ ×

“I take it you two made up?”

I avoided her eyes as I nodded. My face flushed at the way making up escalated to making out. Don't get me wrong, it was great. It's just part of the story that can be left out.

“How’d you know?”

“You don't look sad anymore,”She said simply.

“I don't feel sad anymore so,”I trailed off, sewing the same stitches over and over again. It's still as relaxing as it gets even if it hurts my fingers. I’ve felt worse pain.

“Well-”
“Excuse me?”

I looked up at the sound of the quiet voice to see a very pale and very small girl, maybe twelve. She wore two brunette pigtails that went a little past her shoulders. She had these big caramel eyes that were flickering around the room. Her denim jeans showed off her scraped knee.

“Hi honey,”I said softly, putting my work down and kneeling so I was closer to her level. Pulling on her sleeves, she stared at me for a while. Staying quiet, I waited to see if she would approach me.

She took slow steps towards me, her head hung low.

“I scraped my knee,”She mumbled, her voice shaking a little bit.

“I can see that. I’ll fix it up. Alright?”

“Okay,”She nodded.

Mary placed the alcohol bottle, rag, and bandages on the bed I was just on. Grabbing them without actually looking, I opened it and poured it on the rag.

“This’ll sting a little bit,”I warned, pressing it to her wound. She whimpered before seeming to bite her lip. “It's okay. I know it hurts,”I coaxed, wiping it down and getting the blood.

“I tripped over a stick,”She explained.

“On the grass or sand?”

“Grass.”

“Well, we're gonna fix it all up,”I promised, unsticking the back and carefully placing the bandage over her injury. She let herself make a pained sound as I made sure it stuck by pressing down with my fingers.

“Thank you,”She said just a little firmer.

“Of course. Come back whenever you need. Okay?”

“Okay,”She promised, turning and leaving right after, still looking on the ground.

“She’s sweet,”I remarked when she was out of sight and earshot.

“Her name is Juliet,”Mary told me as I put the cap back on.

“Ya’ know her?”

“Yes. She likes to hide in the ships when they bring things. An extra brought her to me when he found her in a container.”

“Is she from a Maze?”

“Yeah. The youngest one there.”

Poor girl. That has to be scary. Being surrounded by people that are older than you. I’m sure I'd be reserved too if that was my life.

“She’s actually warming up to this place. She wouldn't have even thought of coming here last month.”

“I’d just think I’d have noticed her before,”I said as I went to put the supplies back in place.

“She’s still a hider. She likes the woods.”

“Well, the woods have plenty of places to hide,”I shrugged.

“Yeah. It worries me sometimes, but she always finds her way back.”

A good sense of direction and knowing how to stay out of sight? Smart and sweet then.

Before either of us could say anything the lunch bell rung.

“I’m gonna go wash my hands really quick,”I told her, heading to the washroom. I know it was a small wound, but it never hurts to disinfect after working with anyone. That's a privilege I have here, and I have definitely been using my fair share of it.

× ~ × ~ × ~ ×

It was still strange for me to keep my shirt off in front of him. It was strange for him to do the same. It was strange for him to listen when I told him to keep the lantern off so he couldn't see me too clearly. It was strange to just be reading as he trailed his fingertips up and down my spine.

Maybe this is normal. Maybe this isn't. I don't know.

I like it though.

Quietly yawning, he loosely wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my neck. His skin against mine was strangely nice. Nicer than the silk pajama tops. Maybe because he’s far warmer than them, something I appreciated since I get cold way too easily.

“Don't stay up too late,”He mumbled.

“I won't,”I promised, placing one of my hands over his while still reading.

“Okay. I love you,”He whispered, already sounding like he was dozing off.

“I love you too.”