Afterlight (Fanfiction) - EDITING ✓

chapter twenty-six

Chloe

     THE morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over the living room. The air felt heavy with the weight of yesterday's events at the lake—the memory of one question lingering in my mind like a melody I couldn't shake.

What are we?

Justin hadn't had a clear answer, and honestly, neither did I. He'd said he wanted us to be something, but that didn't make it any easier for me. My heart and my mind were at war. My heart screamed for him, desperate to hold on to the way he made me feel—safe, alive, adored. But my mind? It whispered warnings, reminding me of the chaos tied to him, the danger woven into his world.

My mind always seemed to win. Except now, I was stuck somewhere in the middle, unable to move in either direction.

I curled up on the couch, reaching for the remote to drown my thoughts in mindless television. The news droned on in the background, its monotone anchors discussing things I could barely focus on. I flipped through the channels, finally stopping on Peter Pan. A nostalgic warmth crept over me as the familiar music filled the room.

Disney movies had always been a part of my childhood, a piece of happiness my parents clung to after moving to the U.S. from Italy. They worked tirelessly, but they made sure Brad and I never felt the weight of their struggles. Our weekends were often spent at Disneyland, my brother and I running wild while my parents smiled, watching us chase dreams we didn't yet know were fragile.

Out of all the Disney movies, Alice in Wonderland was the one I related to the most. Like Alice, I'd always been curious. Curious enough to fall down the wrong rabbit holes—like Justin.

At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, I glanced over to see him making his way down. His damp, light brown hair clung to his forehead, and his fitted shirt stretched over his toned chest, the dark ink of his tattoos peeking out from beneath the sleeves. His honey-brown eyes sparkled when they met mine, and he smiled, a boyish grin that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You took long enough," I teased, trying to keep my tone light as I turned my attention back to the screen.

"I had to cool off," he said, a wicked smirk tugging at his lips as he plopped down on the couch, lifting my legs to rest them on his lap.

He trailed a finger down my leg, and my breath hitched, the sensation sending goosebumps racing across my skin. His smirk deepened, and I couldn't help but remember the way his hands had roamed over me yesterday, the way his lips had claimed mine. My cheeks flushed at the memory.

"You like what you're seeing?" he asked, arching his back slightly as if to stretch—but really just to show off the faint outline of his abs beneath his shirt.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the TV. "I do... love this movie," I shot back, trying to suppress a grin.

Justin chuckled, leaning closer. His breath was warm against my skin as he pressed a kiss to my shoulder.

I turned to protest, but he moved faster, hovering over me and nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. "We're watching Peter Pan," I said, trying to sound stern even as my voice wavered.

He ignored me, trailing kisses along my collarbone. "But I crave your attention, princess," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

I pushed at his chest, but he only grinned, shifting his focus to my stomach, where his fingers danced across my skin. I burst into laughter, squirming beneath him. "Stop! Justin, stop!" I squealed, my voice a mix of laughter and desperation.