Might as Well Face it, You're Addicted to Love (Joe Perry/Nikki Sixx)

Chapter 184: An Evening with the Perry Family Part 3 (Josephine Nicole Perry)

What an evening this has been....me having a meltdown, Hunter.... Hunter calmed me down, learning HE had a panic attack about meeting my family who welcomed him as one of their own. It's been emotional, it's been bitter-sweet & really, it's been everything. And the look, the vibe I was getting from Hunter...have been & especially when I said I'd love to play Wembley & my siblings following suit....us as the band. Well, I guess it does something to me that frightens & confuses me, but in a way means something.... now, it's he & I hanging out in my room as he takes things in, my organized chaos safe space....and I....

"Josephine?" Hunter's voice breaks me out of my inner monologue, a variety of emotions flash across his face.

"Um.... yes? S-Sorry I was just thinking about everything...." I stammer, feeling embarrassed. You, I was really thinking about YOU & why that scares me....

He moves closer to me, close enough to touch.... but it gives me space too.

"Hey, you're ok here darling." Softly, "----I could tell you were just deep in thought, and whatever it is, you'll share when you're ready." A brief pause, his eyes.... gaze getting more serious, those eyes of his dark just filled with tears.... emotion. "----No one's ever.... done, what you plan on doing for me....no hesitation. And you're family, it's as I said.... You're their heart & soul & I get to be part of that. They've welcomed me, set me at ease because of YOU."

I don't know what to say right now, I can't seem to find words.... but you don't need them, because it seems my best friend in this world...the one who truly understands me knows what to do as slowly, surprising me....as he develops me in a hug.

I don't understand or am afraid to, I am touched don't get me wrong....and there is a part of me that don't want to let GO.... I just wish I knew what it MEANS, though something tells me I should.

We part, him seeming reluctant to....and I feel a strange loss, still I can't find words until I do....

"So.... what do you think of my room?" Still, he is close, giving me space but close...me feeling nervous.

"It screams you Josephine.... you've got amazing taste darling." Hunter smiles to set me at ease & I decide I want to show him something.... well one of the many things I love, but it's very special......my sketch book or one of my latest ones.

"I wanna show you something special..." I say walking over to my draw desk filled with all sorts of drawings, pictures & I find the sketch book I'm looking for as I then find a place to sit, And I realize Hunter is still where he was his eyes finding mine. "---Come sit with me." He does so, no hesitation.... his leg brushing against mine as he does so make me blush, "—I just wanted you to look at my latest sketch collection, see what you think." I hold it out, he takes it from me with our fingers touching, his eyes never once leave mine & it does stuff to me.

No other words are spoken as he looks through the sketch book seeing sketches of: My parents, my siblings, my extended family, outfit designs.... designs meant for the stage, to be worn.... things from my memories from our Boston house & really everything.

Hunter looks up his gaze meeting mine.... that intense look again, that look of awe if I didn't know better....

"Just when I thought, you couldn't get any more amazing.... you proved me wrong. Not that I haven't thought about how amazing you are. These sketches, damn it's like looking at photographs, stunning.... stunning photographs. Though honestly?" Here he pauses a moment before continuing. "----They don't compare to the hands that have rendered them. It's like seeing.... seeing a reflection Josephine darling of who you are."

Once again, I find myself speechless....and I can't find words. He's again left me speechless. I've never heard anyone say those words to me the way he DOES.

"---Josephine? You all right darling? You're crying." Hunter's voice floats to me, breaking me out of my fog & I bring my hands up to my face in at attempt to stem the flow of tears. Still, I am speechless....and I only cry more. Suddenly I feel someone next to me & gentle touches trying to get me to uncurl from myself. "---Shhh, hey I'm here....and I am sorry that I made you cry...."

It is at those words; I managed to look at him.... seeing his Ernest look, his concern & choke out, "---No, its...it's just.... that was.... I mean you......beautiful." His eyes widen & the air.... the air is charged.

Now he's the once rendered speechless & I am vaguely aware of him still having my wrists in a gentle hold....and he hasn't let go.... he's not letting go.

Why doesn't he let go......how can he SEE me? What does.... why.... I am just so lost, scared.... confused. I feel.... OH GOD......Now it hits me: am I getting FEELINGS for him? Have I been? Hell, I can't deny he's attractive.... It should be illegal just HOW attractive Hunter is. It's just so scary....so fucking scary.... how the HELL can I tell my best friend, who I've only known for a month, yet it feels like forever.... that I am.... might just be in love with him?

I don't know if I am ready for all of this.... I don't want to ruin our friendship. Would he still be my friend? I don't want to lose him....and I am getting upset again, beginning to panic.... i break away from him, stumbling & I retreat to a corner......rocking back & forth trying to BREATHE.

And STILL he's here, I am surrounded by him.... i try & get away.... but he holds me, and I give up.... slumping against him.

"Josephine! Please.... please talk to me.... I didn't mean.... shit..." Hunter stammers & he stills but a moment before his tone shifts to one of realization & slowly, he says, "---Oh god.... oh DARLING. I UNDESTAND...." He whispers, "Now I SEE.... look at me please.... PLEASE."

I finally do so......and the look.... oh, the look....it scares me, yet I want more....

Slowly, tentatively he reaches out & caresses my face....

"My Josephine.... I didn't see.... i haven't.... but NOW, now.... I see that I'm really falling hard for you. I have been, I am in love with you. It all makes sense love, it's scary.... It's everything. I see now how much it frightens you.... yet, yet you want...no NEED more. You feel the same way, I know you do.... I see that now." I quit breathing, realizing....it is hitting me like a bolt of lightning that he IS right. "---I realize tonight, just now.... just HOW much you mean to me. You challenge me, you UNDERSTAND when no one has or does. You wonder what I see in you? Well, how can I not see how brave you are, how beautiful, how kind.... how just YOU, that you are. How could I not fall for you?"

"Hunter.... I.... I.... you're right.... i just.... i realized.... but I just didn't.... don't want to lose you...as a friend...."

"You WONT. You'll still be my best friend in this world.... the only one I want to be my world."

I exhale, closing my eyes before opening them.... i need to let GO....

"I love you..." I stammer before gaining more confidence saying in wonder, "I love you, it scares me.... but I want more.... i just want...can you SHOW me what you mean?"

"I can...." Hunter's face inches towards mine, his breath ghosting across my lips before I feel them on my own & my world explodes....in a GOOD way. I SEE. The kiss starts off hesitant, slow and I respond.... the kiss growing more passionate, Hunter pulling me closer to deepen the kiss....my lungs are burning for air now, and I don't CARE.

"WOW...." I manage, panting slightly...well really, it's the both of us. "---I SEE now Hunter...I see & you're so right.... together, together I want to learn with you. I don't know what I am doing......i just...."

"Josephine....my empress Josephine.... Together, we'll learn...we will. You've healed what has for so long been broken. I am FOUND and lost in you both and we will fully heal together."

"Can you kiss me again?" I ask.

"Gladly...." Once again, I feel his lips over mine & I am lost.... lost in HIM.

He called me his 'Empress'.... he called me.... Hunter, there is so much I want to say to you still....and I feel that you wanna say to me.... for now, though that can wait.... for it's just you & I, you & I.

A/N: I wanted to move things along for Josephine & Hunter a bit, really, I couldn't resist. It's meant to be & together.... Together, they will learn. More to come soon!