Logan

66. When You Move I Move

We'd offered to walk with Canyon to his house, it was a town house just a few blocks away from the historic district. As I walked with him, we passed my street, and I remembered the last time I saw it.

Canyon only lived maybe a mile from me, and I hadn't realized before. Kat opened the door, and when he stepped in, we watched as they hugged and shut the door behind us.

I'd been smart to wear my sweater, the rain was still coming down, but just a light sprinkle.

When we were on our way back to my house, Aeron stopped and took my hands in his.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," he looked at me with one eyebrow raised, and I sighed, "I'm actually really nervous. The last time I was at home, I was hooked up to my oxygen tank, I wasn't able to sleep in my own bed. It's been... almost five months."

"I haven't slept in my bed since I was twelve, at most. Boarding schools, military school, police academy, war, I've... learned to sleep where my head lays. You're lucky, Natalie."

I looked at him, giving a small smile, "Thank you, no one's ever said that before. I only wish it were true." I took a few more steps before talking again. "I'm really glad you're here with me."

"So am I," he smiled, "I'm happy Frankie's going to be alright, she really gave us a scare."

I nodded, "I almost thought... well, I-"

"You saved her life, Natalie. You can reflect on that instead, she's not going to die, she's going to be alright." He squeezed my hand, and when I turned to look at him, our eyes met. I studied him for a moment, wondering if I should kiss him. It's not like I didn't want to, I just felt conflicted. I hadn't kissed anyone in so long, but before I could think anymore he tore his gaze away.

"I see you, you know." He whispered.

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*Aeron's POV*

All of this was surreal. It had been almost a year since I'd seen anything beyond Lakeside. I felt nervous when we went to the hospital, but after seeing Frankie, and Canyon, being with Natalie felt safer than anything I'd ever done.

I'd felt fulfilled when we went to the diner, even though the food was mediocre at best, but I was still with some of the best people.

Walking Canyon back to his house, really put things in perspective for me. I would be spending most of my time with Natalie, and who knew how long this would be. How long would things last before it would just be me and my suitcase again? It didn't matter, I just wanted to live in the moment with her. I'd thought of kissing her many times since leaving, but I wanted her to be ready. I gave myself a moment as we walked to Natalie's house.

Walking up to her house cemented the relationship for me, that she was with me for a reason and it wasn't superficial or a way to hurt me. We entered through the garage door, it was a large house, but when she opened the door, it was a living room, then kitchen, with a dining room and I could see bedrooms on the right hand side. At the far side of the wall were stairs, probably leading up to more bedrooms.

"If it's alright with you, Natalie, I'm going to just take a look around the back."

She nodded, "Go ahead, I'll be here."

I walked back out the door, down the steps, through the garage door, and I walked around the back. There was a patio, some chairs, and a grill that was covered up. I noticed the garden, and vines hanging over the pergola. It was almost like a wonderland back here, all of the potted plants, chairs, it was meant for people to hang out here. I'd seen photos of Natalie's friends, it was no wonder. I moved over to the side of the house, and noticed a bedroom. I looked in to see Natalie, undressing. Part of me wanted to look away, but part of me remembered the scars on her body, and how it pained her for me to see them. I walked away before she could see me, and I came back around. I hadn't seen one of these houses before, where the first floor seemed more like a basement.