JASON
I lean over the toilet, my hair being held back by Jason. I don't drink much, I don't even particularly like to do it but on the off chance that I do, it's not hard to get totally wasted. I have no tolerance.
"It's okay, baby. You're okay." Jason comforts me as I continue throwing up. After I finish emptying whatever contents are left in my stomach, I lean back against the tub and look up at Jason with watery and bloodshot eyes.
"I'm sorry." I mumble in embarrassment. He crouches down and places his hand on my cheek, a strand of his hair falling in front of his face.
"Don't apologize. You drank a little too much, so what? Everything's fine. You're okay." he speaks softly.
He's always been very empathetic. I think that because he has been in situations similar to this, he has a special understanding of people who struggle. His thumb rubs over my face in a comforting manner and I relax into his touch even more.
"I'm a mess." I state humorlessly.
"Babygirl, we all are." he tells me, his voice quiet. He then moves over and sits beside me. His presence provides me with a new sense of security. I rest my head on his shoulder and allow him to pull me closer.
"I love you." he tells me. "Always will. You're my girl."
And it's not the most romantic of moments, but it's us. It's true and authentic. We're both broken people who hurt every now and again. And now is just one of those times. But he's here. He always will be. He's told me that and I believe him. I trust him.
"I love you too, Jason."
MIKE
I take a seat on the old and uncomfortable mattress in this dingy, beat up motel room. It's not much but it's all we've got right now.
"You hungry?" Mike asks while laying down next to me, his arms going behind his head as he stares at the ceiling. I give him no answer which he takes as a no.
"You need to eat, baby. You're not eating enough." he tells me.
I ignore him and look ahead at the T.V which has been playing the same local news channel. Things got to be too much in Rosewood, so we left and seeing the news makes me realize how much of a good decision that was.
"I'm okay, Mike." I assure him. But I'm not and he knows that. We don't have a home. We never really did. Rosewood has always been a false sense of home. It was disguised as a picture perfect town but it held secrets; dark ones. And Mike and I saw them first hand.
I feel the bed shifting and before I know it, Mike is behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. He rests his chin in my shoulder and peepers my cheek in small kisses. After all these years of being with him, he still manages to give me butterflies.
"I know you feel lost, Y/N. But you're not. As long as you're with me, you're not lost." he whispers. His words speak volumes to me and I find myself tearing up. I lean back into him and shut my eyes, wanting to be as present as I can in this moment.
"You're my home, Mike." I state with no apprehension.
"Hm?" he hums gently.
"Rosewood may not be our home anymore but you are. I love you."
And though I no longer live in Rosewood, Mike is my home. He is familiarity and love and comfort and acceptance.
EZRA
I lay on Ezra's messy bed, watching as he finishers up grading papers. I smile at his intent focus and curl up into the blankets.
I close my eyes and just as I'm about to fall asleep, I feel the bed sink down and look over to see Ezra lying next to me. He's wearing a small smile as he kisses my forehead, letting his lips linger on my skin.
I place my hand on his and move closer to him, our legs becoming tangled underneath the covers. I love these moments just as much as I love him. We can forget about all of the chaos encircling us and just simply be.
"You'll never know how much I love you." he tells me.
"Oh, I think I have an idea." I giggle while snuggling further under the blankets, resting my head on his chest so I can hear his steady heartbeat.
"You're my everything."
This time, his tone is serious and his voice is unwavering. I smirk to myself and look up at him.
"I'm in love with you, Ezra."
He places his lips upon mine and that was that. I was in love with him and he was in love with me. It was just that simple.
