Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

58) Ours

Aris’s P.O.V

She could barely keep her eyes open by now, and she was definitely trying. It seems like there actually being a happy event that she could fully participate in wore her out.

I really did my best to think of everything. Putting it on the beach since she hasn't been on it much despite always looking at the water, making sure it was only friends, banning all alcohol. And I think this one is better than any of them. The laughter was genuine, everyone was fully present, and most importantly, she was so happy. Exhausted but happy.

Seeing as it was only Sonya, Abby, Thomas, and Brenda left by the shore, and us by the dying fire, it was for sure fair game to head out. For

“You ready to get to bed?”I suggested. She just shrugged but covered her mouth as she yawned so I’ll take that as a yes. “Come on,”I smiled, standing up and holding my hand out for her. She accepted, also letting me know that her hands were ice cold. As she stood up I firmly grasped mine around hers, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles.

“Thank you. Really,”She whispered, meeting my eyes.

“Of course. Anything for my poet,”I promised, kissing the back of her hand before leading her home.

“You’re worth everything to me. I’d do anything for you,”She said, leaning closer to me as we made our way from crunchy sand to damp grass.

“I know you would. You’ve done a lot for me,”I promised.

“I’ll love you forever. You know that, right?”

“I do. I just need you to be with me forever too,”I said quietly, remembering what it was like to not have her. It crushed me when she left. My world stopped spinning, because it had no reason to. Not without her.

“I’ll do everything to stay,”She said gently.

“Or you just could stay?”I whispered, stopping in my tracks right outside our place.

Ours.

It belongs to us.

“I’ll never know that for sure. You already know that,”She sighed, taking both my hands in hers.

“But you have to know I don't care what happens to me as long as I have you.”

“I told you from the start that getting involved with me is always trouble. You have to remember that. Even if I’ve changed, the world hasn't. Maybe ours has, but it doesn't revolve around us. You have to remember that you are still in danger.”

Going silent, I stared at her beat up shoes. Even in the moonlight I couldn't help but notice the stains of red right by the souls and on the laces. It was faded and not overwhelming, barely noticeable in fact, but it was there.

Just like her past. There's blood on her hands, even if it's not fair she has it. I’d be an idiot not to recognize that.

I’d be even dumber to ever think it could define her.

I know what I want, and I want her. It's that simple.

Unlacing my fingers from hers, I slowly placed my hands on her cheeks, cradling her face. She didn't object to it as her eyes burned into mine as though they were the embers of the night, holding a gentleness only she could ever look at me with.

Pressing my lips to her temple, I tried to silently tell her that I remember the conversation. The image of her only an hour before, covered in blood and with her shoulder bruised a deeper purple, was haunting. The fact that something so much worse could have happened to her was impossible to ignore. From the blood stains on the ground to the red flowing down the sink as I cleaned off her knife, that night never left my memory.

But neither did the one I met her. Neither did the one I laid her head on my lap as we drove here. Neither did the one I showed her the stars. Neither did the one she told me about her past. Neither did the one she left. Neither did the one I confessed my love for her.

I love her more than I care about myself. Nobody and nothing could ever replace her. Not even my old memories could mean as much as she does.

× ~ × ~ × ~ ×

She always smells the same now. Soap, a hint or rubbing alcohol, and ink. The strangest things throughout the day remind me of her.

I love it though. When I get randomly reminded that she exists.

Keeping my eyes shut, I nuzzled my face into her hair, breathing in in the hopes that the smell would carry with me throughout the day. Maybe it’s clingy, but I couldn't care less. I am unbelievably attached to her. This girl is my weakness. Just the sight of her is enough to fill me with warmth and admiration.

Pressing my lips to her neck, I softly kissed her skin for longer than needed. I need it though. It’s not even about the kisses. I have to show her how much I love her.

Groaning, she reached her arm behind her, slowly tangling her hands in my hair. Sighing, I loosened my hold on her as she stretched, yawning as she turned to face me.

“Hi,”I whispered.

“Hi.”

Laying there in a nice silence, we just stared at each other. She didn't mention that I wasn't supposed to look at her in the morning until she had a shirt on. She seemed completely calm. Of course, she could just be sleepy. There's no way to tell.

“You’re prettiest when you're relaxed,”I sighed, taking a strand of her hair and twirling my finger around it. She failed to hide her smile as she looked at the canopy wall, biting her lip anyway in a feeble attempt to.

“You're pretty when you smile too.”

At my words she let a wide grin spread across her face, her eyes lighting up in happiness.

Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. And I don't mind one bit. If she wants my oxygen she is more than welcome to have it. She can have all of it. She can have every part of me. Anything to make her happy. From the clothes on my back, to my time, to my touch, to my soft words, she gets all of it.

“Thank you for last night. That was really sweet,”She said softly.

“I’m glad you liked it. I’d do anything for you. Anything at all,”I swore.

Placing her head on my chest, she rested her hand on my shoulder and her other close to her. Running my hands through her hair, I stared at the roof, finding myself wearing a ridiculous grin.

She means everything to me. Absolutely everything and by now I’m sure she knows it.