Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

76) Last Resorts

Aris's P.O.V

I'm an inconsistent sleeper. Being here for good has definitely helped. The stability's great for me, when it's there of course. Now that it exists, now that I can know what to expect again, I should go back to being fine.

Still, stable or not, I'm bound to wake up to someone shuffling out of my arms, also perfectly shining the lantern we forgot to shut off in my face.

Slowly opening my eyes, I squinted before rubbing my face, removing my hold from her.

"Sorry,"She whispered.

"It's fine,"I said through a yawn, sitting up just to see that outside was still fairly dark. It's definitely sometime during the middle of the night.

"Couldn't sleep,"She explained.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, city boy."

"Okay, my secret poet. Okay,"I nodded, gently cradling her cheek, running my thumb along her skin. She pressed her palm against my hand, giving me a small but real smile. Her hair was still messy, random strays sticking out, but it was down. It was down, and suited her so well, and framed her angelic face. Taking my other hand, I pushed some of it out of her eyes.

"Thank ya'. For listenin',"She said softly.

"Do you feel any better?"

"Yeah. Better than I thought I would."

Cupping her other cheek, I held her in my hands, never wanting to let go. She looks so pretty, like a star sent from above given a human form.

Without thinking about it, in the heat of taking in her beauty, my eyes glanced past her neck. Catching myself, I quickly looked away, my face burning.

"Nothin' ya' haven't already seen,"She quietly pointed out.

"I know. Just don't want you to think I'm looking just to look."

"I know you're not. Ya' look at me far too softly. I can see it in your eyes."

"Admire,"I quietly correctly.

"Hm?"

"I'm admiring you. You're beautiful. Really beautiful."

"You're beautiful too."

Looking over at her again, I pushed a lock of hair behind her ear before kissing her temple. As I pulled away, her gaze burned deep into me, something that took my breath away.

"I love you."

"I love ya' too."

"I like how you've been using your real accent. It's nice,"I smiled.

"Just tired of switchin' back and forth. Figured there ain't much else people can say to me at this point,"She shrugged.

"I don't know how anyone could say anything bad to you. Anything at all."

"I have my flaws."

"Yes. Your very, very human flaws that make you so much better."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Turning her head, she kissed my palm before getting up. Staying in my spot, I waited, watching as she walked over to the lantern, dimming it to where barely the shadows were visible.

"Ya' need to go back to sleep,"She whispered as she crawled back into bed, facing away from me but staying close, her legs tangled with mine.

"What about you?"