Dangerously Close (Aris x Reader)

80) What Once Was

Insane.

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different ideas.

A state of mind that prevents normal perception.

Foolish, outrageous, illogical.

That could be me. I might be insane now. A psycho who can't separate paranoia and hurt feelings from reality.

Despite the constant heat, the sun always beaming down on everything, I found the longest clothes I owned. A dark hoodie with rips at the bottom, black pants that stopped fitting right now that I wasn't malnourished and dying in a desert, shoes I know still have blood at the bottom. Just as an extra, hair down and hanging over my shoulders.

“You trying to give yourself heat stroke?”He remarked, a false lightheartedness in his voice. He was actually dressed appropriately. A plain blue T-shirt, denim jeans, white tennis shoes, neat hair pulled out of his eyes.

“Worse things have happened,”I shrugged.

“Y/N-”
“Don't,”I warned.

“Nobody else thinks anything of your scars but those two morons. And if they do, it's because they know you and the story behind them.”

“I wish ya’ were still a little intimidated by me,”I sighed.

“I mean I never really was. More of curious.”

“No. Ya’ were noisy.”

“Still am.”

“Yeah. I can tell.”

He shrugged before moving on my side of the rack, pushing clothes aside until he landed on something that he took off the hanger.

“Are ya’ kiddin’ me right now?”

He didn't answer as he chose a pair of pants that would actually be comfortable, showing that no. He was not.

“There you are. Something that won't kill you,”He smiled innocently, holding them out for me.

“I’m not puttin’ it on,”I promised, crossing my arms.

“Then, pick something that won't make you miserable.”

“I’m not miserable.”

He didn't move, still waiting for me to take it as he stared at me like he had all day. Knowing him, he wouldn't hesitate to stay here in this uncomfortable position and miss work just to ensure my health.

“Fuckin’ prick,”I grumbled, throwing my hoodie off and slinging it over the rack before accepting the clothes. Sliding the shirt down my arms, I adjusted it at the bottom before tossing my shoes off, glaring at him while I did. He was completely and utterly unaffected. The only time I actually worry him is when I act off or something happens to me.

I can't believe he convinced me to wear an entirely new outfit without one threat. He just smiled like some sweet angel, used that loving voice, and handed me something.

“Much better. Almost.”

“What do ya’ mean almost?”

“You can't leave your hair down like that.”

“Why the hell not?”

“It's going to make you uncomfortable later. You're going to be trying to keep it off your neck and remembering you don't have a rubber band.”

I kept my deadpan expression as he held out a hair tie and brush, same cute smile as always. Rolling my eyes, I accepted that too before heading to the Clinic to fix it up there.