Afterlight ✔️

chapter fifty-three

— Chloe Romano

Reaching the foot of the bed, Justin watched me sternly, his head resting against the headboard. After cleaning his knuckles in the bathroom, I told him I was in need of a walk, alone. He tried to convince me to let him tag alone, but I really needed to be alone for some time which is exactly what I told him. He accepted it although I knew it took every ounce of willpower to let me go on my own and eventually after around 45 minutes I returned.

"Chloe?" Justin called out to me, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I murmured, testing my voice. He opened his arms, signaling me to join him. I moved across the bed and leaned back on him, his strong arms wrapped around me.

"I'm sorry for losing it earlier." He said quietly, kissing the side of my head. "I know you don't like to see me fight."

My fingertips traced one of his tattoos, he had become so thoughtful over these past months and I loved it. "I understood where you came from and I want to thank you for defending me. You've always been protective over me."

"That is true." He chuckled. I leaned my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Justin was the only person who protected me without making me feel any less powerless.

"You know, we never got to go to Disney World, so I got us tickets." He said, his mouth against my hair, his thumb running down my arm.

"Shut up!" I leaned up too quickly, almost connecting Justin's chin with my head. "Are you serious?"

"I'd never joke about something as serious as Disney World, Chlo." He smiled as he used his nickname for me.

"Thank you so much, I just– wow." I pecked him on the lips, twice. Small moments like those made me love him even more, if that was possible, and it wasn't because I was going to my favorite place– It was because he listened and knew what I loved, he knew me too well, better than anyone else and I knew he had no intention going there, but he would only because of me.

"We can go whenever you want." Justin brought me back into his arms. "I feel like it'll help take your mind off of some things."

"That's very thoughtful of you." I whispered and turned around to face him, covering his lips with my own. "My parents used to take me all the time. It's going to be so amazing going with you."

"Well, I've never been there so you'll just have to show me what all the hype is about."

I smiled at him. "You'll love it."

Reaching up, I wasted no time kissing him. He purred in appreciation as his tongue grazed gently over mine, his hand moving to my stomach. My fingers tug at his shirt, signaling that I wanted it off. His body shook with a slight chuckle with my lips still attached to his before breaking the kiss to pull the shirt over his head. Throwing it on the ground, I climbed on top of him. My stomach flipped over and over, and my head started to spin as Justin started to unbutton my jeans.

A knock interrupted our little make out, causing me to roll my eyes. Perfect timing. "Come in!" I yelled, sitting next to Justin on the bed, not even caring that it was very obvious what we were doing.

David stepped in. "I brought you some brownies from that bakery you like down the street." He said, looking down at the box of brownies before his eyes met mine and Justin's. Eyeing Justin's naked torso, he raised an eyebrow. "I see you guys are busy."

"No, it's okay." I said. I didn't want to seem ungrateful as he clearly went out his way to get one of those brownies I really liked. The fact that he thought about wanting to cheer me up was very sweet. Getting up quickly, I smiled and took it from his hands. "Thank you, they smell amazing."