Wasteland.(Aarmau AU)

Chapter 6: Rock and a Soft Place

The next day and a half were hard for them, even Impact sensed their unwillingness to part.

For Aaron it was a struggle against his head and his heart.  His mind knew better but his heart was willing.

For Aphmau, it was the fear of being alone. To feel helpless and to be stripped of her innocence again.

But how can someone love, if their both afraid of their heart breaking.

It was time, they both went into the main room, avoiding each other's eyes. Aph had already taken off her bandages. And Aaron was leaning on the garage doorframe.

She sighed, God, she was going to miss this place.

And everyone in it.

She went to the doorway, not looking back. She heard Impact whimper, but she kept looking on.

She knew that if she looked back, she wouldn't be able to look away.

"Good luck..." She heard Aaron trial off, he must have been at the doorway now.  She tried to ignore the gnawing feeling at her heart.

And with great speed she whipped around and wrapped her arms around Aaron's neck.

the sudden warmth and weight startled him, but after a second he hugged her back. His arms lacing around her back.

Her arm hit his scar, but it didn't phase him. It just made him hold tighter.

Aphmau, was, of course surprised that he had returned her hug. But she smiled and she felt hot tears run down her face.

Aaron felt them run down his back, he realized what was happening. He released her, looking her right in the eye. Of course this didn't have the desired effect because he still had his mask on.

She sniffed and tried to hide her tears, but even she knew it was a losing battle.

"Aphmau."

The suddenness of the way he said her name made her jump. But she met his mask anyway.

He put his hands on either side of the mask and slowly lifted it off his head.

And with that, for the first time, Steel met Caramel.

He paused for a second. Looked at the bruises and the tears of the crying girl in front of him. And he bent down and picked her up.

"Wha- W-What are you doing?!" She stammered, tears still pouring down her face.

He dropped her on the bed, and then pushed his armchair next to it.

"Right, now, tell me again, what happened to you, for you to get hurt so badly." His unconcerned, stupid facade was gone. His mind was screaming at him to stop, to let her go. But his heart was open to her, it had been the moment she stepped in to his home.

And at the moment, that's what he was listening to.

She sniffed.

"Take it from the top, what exactly happened?"

She nodded, she supposed it would be nice to tell someone, even if she might never see him again.