fucked up.

37- decorations (kats pov)

She laughed like a kid, that loud, raw kinda sound that made the room feel warmer. Her feet left the floor as I spun her around, arms tight around her waist. Damn she made me forget how tired I was. She looked so fucking happy, all bright eyes and chubby cheeks.

"You done?" I asked, still grinning, setting her down slow.

"No. Do it again," she smirked up at me. I leaned in, halfway kissing her, ready to scoop her up again. Then I saw it.

Movement. Right outside the fucking window.

I froze.

Didn't say shit. Just locked in. My narrowed, staring down the shadow. Someone was there. Watching.

And they weren't moving.

My body tensed without meaning to. That easy feeling before? Gone. Just like that. My hands dropped from her waist, but I stayed close. Didn't let her see my face.

"Kat?" she says softly, confused.

I stepped around her slowly, sliding between her and the window.

"Grab your phone," I said, voice low and controlled. Didn't want to scare her, just listen.

She blinked. "Why? What's going on?"

I didn't respond. My eyes were locked. Waiting for that shadow to make a move. My jaw clenched. Fuck, I could feel the anger bubbling up, but I shoved it down. Not now, not in front of her.

"Kat..."

"Just go. Please."

She went. I heard footsteps fade, her breath catch. Good. My Smart girl.

"I'm just gonna check something. Stay inside. Lock the door after I leave. I'll be right back, coconut." I needed to go get that fucker but everything is happening too fast. I turned back to the window. Didn't see him anymore, but I fucking knew where he went. Back entrance. That's what I would do if I was trying to sneak in.

I didn't think, just moved. Slipped out the door, quiet and fast. Made it around the building and there he was. Hooded, shifty, like he ain't know I was already on him.

I grabbed him before he could bolt.

"Who the fuck are you?" I growled, slamming him against the wall. My fist moved before he could talk. Once to the gut, and on across the jaw. He tried to block the next one but I had him pinned.

"Talk, bitch!!" I barked, spit flying from my lips, chest heaving. He didn't say shit. Just looked at me, terrified but lips were sealed.

I leaned down, grabbed his shoulders and slammed his head into the hard carpet. "Fucking pussy, don't come back around us again." A thud and crack was followed by that.

He scrambled off, limping into the shadows. Stupid bitch ass. Runs like a damn horse.

I took a minute, wiped my knuckles on my shirt, then pulled out my phone.

Me: I'm good. On my way back.

Didn't matter if my hands were shook a little. She couldn't see that.

When I walked back in, she was by the door, still holding her phone as a weapon. Her eyes scanned me, worried. Her face almost scrunched up. I gave her the most neutral face I could manage.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Nothing, just thought I was somebody, that's all."

She didn't believe me. I could tell. But she let it go, and I was grateful. I didn't want to talk about ts. Not with her looking at me like this, like she's fall apart if I told her the truth.

"Let's go get food," I muttered. Something light. Something to shift the air.

The Taco bell parking lot was quiet. Just me, her and the bowl. I sparked up, staring at the sky, trying to picture an image of the dudes face. Had to be Cammie, no matter what look. Had to be.

I passed the bowl to her without a word. Just watched her tiny fingers curl around it, how her eyes stayed on me.

"You sure you're okay?" she asked.

I nodded, slow. "Yeah, just don't like how it felt."

She turned towards me. I felt her eyes on me, but I couldn't look.

"I don't like anyone watching you," I said finally, voice low, laced with more than I meant to give away.

She blinked. "Was someone watching me?"

I didn't answer. Just flexed my jaw. "I handled it."

Another beat of silence. The her hand was on my shoulder, soft, grounding.

"I feel safe with you, you know?"

I looked at her. Really looked.

"You should."

We passed the bowl back and forth again, her soft shoulder leaning against mine. The tension melted slow, like resin in the heat. I let myself breathe for the first time since I saw that fucking shadow.

"You owe me for that setup day, y'know?" I said, nudging her playfully.

She laughed, head tilted back. "I think spinning me was the highlight."

"You looked like a damn piñata"

"You spun me, idiot!"

I chuckled, then reached out and brushed my thumb over her cheek. She leaned into it.

"Weird day, huh?"

"Yeah," she said, eyes half lidded.

But she believed me when I said it was okay. And that? That fucked me up in the best way.

Because i'll do absolutely fucking anything to keep this girl safe.

Even if it meant beating shadows in the dark.