Always

Chapter 37

Harry's POV

I woke very early the next morning- the sun was just starting to peak through the curtains in Joey's room the first time I opened my eyes. A grin spread across my face as I felt the comforting weight of her laying across my chest, arms wrapped tightly around my torso, my arm cradling around her back, holding her tightly to me. Her cheek was pressed to my skin, and I could feel her softly exhaled breaths blowing across my skin.

She looked so incredibly beautiful as she slept- full lips pursed slightly, eyes gently closed, allowing her long eyelashes to fan out across her cheeks. Her smooth skin had a healthy glow, and she looked peaceful. For the thousandth time, it struck me how unbelievably lucky I was that I was able to call this angelic girl mine, especially after my best efforts to ruin things with her forever. Yet here she was, draped across my body, clinging to me in her sleep, mine.

My heart swelled at the sight of her, feeling as if it were surely ready to burst with love for this girl. This angel who had appeared in my life and brought me out of my shell, showed me that there were still plenty of things in life worth living for, that it was okay to miss what was gone but not to let it ruin your future. She had truly saved me.

There was no way I could ever explain how much she meant to me, or exactly how much she had done for me. She was my world now, my life, my everything, and I would do everything in my power to never, ever lose her again.

As I fell back asleep, I knew I would spend the rest of my life trying to prove to her that I did deserve her love, if she let me, even though I was certain I never would. Being her, though, she would give it willingly, despite me being unworthy, and I would take it.

She could have anyone in the world, yet she had chosen me, and I was not going to screw it up again. My heart belongs to her to do with what she will, and I trust her to take care of it for me. I love her. She is mine, and I am hers. Always.

***

Joey's POV

The blaring sound of Harry's alarm on his phone jerked me out of my sleep the next morning. It had been days since I'd actually set an alarm, so upon hearing his, I probably jumped two feet in the air. Harry, who was lying practically on top of me, stirred at my abrupt movement, waking up much more gracefully than I just had. He squeezed his arms, which were wrapped tightly around my torso, bringing his body closer to mine as his face nuzzled into the warmth of my neck. He groaned quietly in the still morning air.

"Morning," he said, chest vibrating against mine with the deep gravel of his voice. He placed a small kiss to the skin of my neck.

"Morning," I returned, smile stretching across my lips. I pet my fingers through his hair, which had dried haphazardly from the rain and our ensuing activities. He hummed in appreciation.

"I love you," he mumbled against my neck, causing my heart to flutter against my ribcage.

"I'm never going to get tired of hearing you say that," I admitted, grin stretching even farther across my face.

"I'll tell you every day," he said sleepily, kissing my neck again before raising his head to look at me. Despite sounding so tired, his face was bright and clear, eyes dancing with life as he met my gaze.

"Every day?" I asked happily. I probably looked ridiculous from how much I was smiling but I couldn't help it. This amazing boy, this wonderful, brilliant, beautiful, naked boy, had proclaimed his love to me, and I was never going to let him go.

He nodded. "Mmmhmm. You have to say it back, though, that's the deal," he replied, grinning sheepishly at me.

"Okay," I obliged before pulling him forward and pressing a light kiss to his lips. I held my lips against his for a few seconds before pulling back. "I love you, too, Harry."