At End's Gate

CONFLICTED

Blake finished his meal earlier than the others. He went to sit next to his conflicted sister. She looked at him and then fixed her gaze on the screen." James told you didn't he?"

"No. I could see it for myself. It's obvious you know. James and I grew up with you so we know you more than you know yourself," he chuckled.

"B it's strange. We're in the middle of a crisis and someone dares to think about falling in love." She tilted her head and sighed.

"Sis that's just how the heart operates. It gives into the temptation of loving someone despite there being a likelihood of losing that person. You and Conner are spending a lot of time together. You're confiding in each other in a time of pain. That establishes a connection between the two of you."

"I don't know if I like him that way. All I know is that I feel safer when we talk. For a brief moment I forget the fact that tomorrow is not certain. I feel like we're all gonna be okay. Honestly I don't think I would be able to take care of you on my own."

"That's the problem Paige. You focus on taking care of us. If you take care of us who will take care of you?" Paige looked depressed slightly after being asked that question. Blake continued." You're so used to protecting us that someone else protecting you makes you feel vulnerable because you fear losing that person."

"Blake Erin is still out there. I can feel it and as far as I know I was in a committed relationship so I'll not waste time thinking about feeling something for Conner." She looked worried.

"Paige it's not even Erin that's making you fight falling for Conner," he raked his hand in her hair." I can see it by the way you look at Conner. It's quite obvious. You're afraid of making an attachment and losing him. We're in the middle of a war zone and you know that if you allow your feelings to grow he'll be reckless and do everything to protect you even if it means sacrificing himself. That's what scares you." He looked at her. She didn't complain. He rubbed her back." It's okay P. You're going to figure out what you're feeling right now. Give it time but don't resent Conner that will just make our survival mission awkward."

"Thanks B. You thought of that all by yourself?" Paige asked with a small smile.

Blake grinned." Yes." Paige looked at him with an unconvinced look." What? Can't a brother get deep without facing judgements," he laughed," okay James helped." He grinned." Oh P one last thing. You can't tame the heart." He laughed." That was all me. I'm now tired. See you tomorrow morning." He left her.

Paige's shift was almost over when Conner finally came back and sat next to her." Okay. This is awkward. I've never poured my heart out like that to any girl like I did with you in my life." He paused for a while to let Paige talk but she didn't." Hmmmm," he sighed with frustration.

"Conner it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. What you said was really nice but I want to be honest with you. I don't think what you feel for me is real. We're in the middle of a crisis and we're finding peace in each other so this time we're spending together confuses us to think that we have these feelings. We're afraid and we're healing together from an experience that was very traumatic and on top of that this dark experience is just beginning. We don't even know how this story is going to end." She looked at him. He looked so sad and dejected. She took his hand." I want to be honest with you and myself. I actually feel what you feel. I feel normal when we talk about movies, series and colours. I forget that we're in the middle of the most terrifying experience. I'm not trying to fight falling for you because of Erin," she took a deep breath," but I don't want to fall for you because I don't want to fall for you then lose you. Maybe after all this and if we truly have feelings for each other then we might give it a chance."

"Yeah that's okay," he said with a sad but satisfied look. Paige knew he was satisfied with her confession. He smiled." I can't believe all this happened because I tucked your hair behind your ear." He laughed.

"I'm glad you understood," Paige said smiling.

"I definitely understand." He smiled." You kinda like me so I'll take that."
Paige looked annoyed. He noticed." Okay I won't say anything like that again." He laughed.

Paige felt happy that she cleared the air." So it's official for now we focus on survival."

"Agreed."

Hope you liked it. Feel free to share your views. Good day :-)