Connected by Colors & Shapes

Chapter 6

It took me a while to process what he said. Probably too long because Jason's face scrunched in regret.

" Sorry. I shouldn't have-"

" It's fine."

He blinked in surprise.

" Wait really?"

" Yeah. I've got an undershirt on so . . . y'know." I shrugged.

" Okay . . . as long long as you're cool with it." He looked away after a second with a slight blush on his face.

About time he got flustered and not me.

I slipped off my slightly oversized shirt and tossed it on the armrest of the couch. When I turned back, Jason's expression was unreadable.

" Jay what's wrong?"

He didn't answer.

" Jay!"

" . . My mark . . ." his hand hovered over my shoulder before he shakily drew it back. " It looks like a scar."

I glanced at it then him.

" Yeah I guess. What's wrong with that?" I asked nonchalantly.

He laughed. It didn't sound like his normal one. It was quiet and broken.

" What's wrong with me is the better question."

I could now read the look on his face. The amount of sadness and shame made my heart ache. This was the first time he'd shown this side to me. I had to careful with him.

I moved closer to him and embraced him gently as to not aggravate his fresh bruises. He tensed at first but soon relaxed, still keeping his hands to his sides.

" There's nothing wrong with you, Jason. At least not enough to make you a bad person."

He hugged me back, so carefully that I could hardly feel it.

" You're only saying that because you don't know much about me. All the bad that I've done. The people I've hurt." he murmured.

" I could if you tell me."

" . . . And if you feel differently about me? . . .What then?"

" We'll just have to see. But you can't expect anything to happen if you don't start it first."

He sighed and rested his head on mine.

" It's a really long story."

" Fine by me."

About an hour later he finished explaining everything to me. Somewhere in the middle of it, we both got tired of sitting on the couch. Which lead us to laying down on my bed, facing each other. I'd also held his hand at some point. He didn't let go.

" So. . .do you feel the same way about me?"

I wiped my eyes and tried to compose myself to no avail. The tears kept flowing.

" Ally. . ." he said soothingly, taking my face into his hands and using his thumbs to wipe away my tears.

"Sorry. I - I just wish that you didn't have to go through all of that." I managed to murmur.

" It's fine, Ally."

" No it's not. I-" I sniffed. " I should've been there for you. And I wasn't."

He pulled me closer to him. My forehead touched his chest. I could make out a few faint scars on him, causing me more sadness.

" You were in a weird way. Besides, I probably screwed up your life enough with my mark disappearing and all."

I held him tighter.