➡received
⬅sent
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I see him at a bench around the corner of our apartment complex.
His head in his hands.
"Ryan," I say, walking towards him.
"Andy??" he jumps up. "You should go back inside! You shouldn't be out!" he says, turning me around to send me back inside.
"No," I say facing him. "I'm staying out here with you until you agree to staying."
"Andy, I already told you. I can't," he sighs, sitting back down.
I sit beside him and place my hand in his.
"Why? What can you not tell me that's beating you up so much?" I ask.
"I can't tell you.." he says. "You have to find out yourself.."
"Ryan, please. You're stressed. It's not worth it keeping all this stuff to yourself," I say, tucking a lose strand of hair behind his ear.
It's grown out so much. He's been too worried to take care of himself properly.
"It is. You're fragile. And I broke you..." he says.
"Am I still worth it...? Even though I'm broken...?" I ask.
He looks up at me, saddened.
"Of course, baby. You're worth so much. I would do anything for you," he says.
"So tell me what's bothering you," I say.
"Everything.." he says.
"Specifics?" I ask.
"I just.. I feel like shit anymore. I know you wanna go out and explore and do normal things... but I did this to you.. You didn't ask for it.. I don't want to ruin you any more.. I dont wanna see you hurt again. Being in that hospital... Seeing you... Just laying there... I don't wanna go through it.. Ever again.. I don't trust myself around you. That's why I've held back.. Let you do things yourself. Because if I do anything, theres opportunity that I'll do more damage than I already did," he says, quietly.
"You didn't do any damage Rye. Stop blaming yourself. If you feel bad then love me to make up for it. Take me out on dates. Cute shit. Don't wallow in a corner and distance yourself," I tell him. "I'm human. I'm not some delicate little flower that snaps at any touch."
His head shoots up again like before.
"Oh, Andy..." he locks eyes with me and places his hand on the back of my neck, massaging my hair. "I don't see you as a flower.. I promise.." He looks down and removes his hand. "I hate flowers..."
