Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

71) The End of Us

Rough day. Again. It’s always a rough day. Always exhausting. Always blurring together but still unbearable.

So unbearable that I just want to go home and collapse on the bed. I just want to rant to Nameless and stay as close to Aris as physically possible. I just want everything to feel okay again. I deserve for it to feel okay. So much so that I’m one more bad thing away from explaining everything and breaking down.

I’m showered. I’m all cleaned off. I’m mostly presentable. My new bruises are perfectly hidden.

All reasons this should just be easy. If nothing else in my life is simple, it has to be this.

I didn't pay attention to anyone at all. No other conversation or look or whatever. I just walked into my canopy, a tired smile on my face as I saw Aris playing with Nameless, taunting her with her favorite string.

“Hi,”I sighed, taking a spot beside him.

“Hi,”He smiled back, handing me her toy. Dangling it close, I watched as she tackled it, forcing it still with her claws.

Today was long again.

This makes it better.

“Hey Y/N?”He asked in that voice. In the “I’m going to say something you're going to hate” voice. In a voice that suggested I stop playing with my baby for a second.

Hm. Baby.

Nameless is the closest I’ll ever get to that. I know that, but does Aris know that? He has to know that, right? It wouldn't make sense for him not to-right, right. I’m supposed to answer. I really need some sleep. I’m going to take someone's eye out or something at this rate.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I took a breath before looking at him. Jumping in my lap, she got herself comfortable as I waited for what I think will be the same conversation and kind of hope it isn't. At the same time, I don't want to be dealing with yet another problem. There's already plenty.w

“So you and Thomas are friends. I know that. And Thomas and I are friends too. And even if we weren't, I’d still trust you. Obviously. Hopefully obviously,”He began, sitting up straighter, his hands on his lap.

Is this about when I snapped at Thomas? Is he still caught up on that?

“Uh huh. We are.”

“And I love the way you look when you're around him. You look so happy,”He said slowly.

“Right. There a point to this or?”

“There is. I just figured it's important that,”He trailed off.

“Important that what?”

“That you know I don't buy it when I tell you,”He rushed out. Cocking my head to the side, I wondered why the hell he was spinning me in circles over here. I mean yes. I never get straight to the point on anything, but there's usually a reason for that.

A bad one too.

“What's wrong?”

“No getting past you, poet. So,”He spoke, taking my hand in his. When I let him, he placed them on the bed, lightly running his thumb over my knuckles. Sighing, he turned his gaze to me again.

“Poet, there's been this rumor. It's the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I know that, our friends know that, but it's there anyway. And it doesn't look like it's gotten back to you yet.”

Rumor.

Only two people in this place would care enough to start a rumor. Especially one that bad-mouthed me. Especially after I was already warned.