If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 23

Previously: 

Can watched the sky out the window as it got brighter and brighter. He knew his alarm would go off soon, telling him it was time to leave. He reached over Sanem, to the bedside table and silenced it before it had a chance to ring. There was no way he was leaving her. Gossip or not.

Sanem felt the bed move and woke up to see Can switching off his phone. "What are you doing?"

"I'm not going anywhere." He put his phone down and went back to cuddling Sanem.

"Are we just going to stay in bed all day?"

"We can do whatever you want."

She thought about that and turned around in their embrace to face him, "I don't want to be inside. Would you take me somewhere?"

"I'll take you anywhere. Where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere sounds nice." she smiled at him.

He smiled back as he thought of place to take her, "I know a place. But we have to be quick."

Intrigued by this, Sanem leaned forward and kissed him before going to get up. "I'll be ready in 5."

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After Can went to get his truck from its parking spot a few blocks away, the two drove to the outskirts of Fener. Driving down a little dirt road through the forest until the road abruptly stopped. "We're here."

Normally Sanem would ask for more detail, seeing nothing of interest out of the car windows. This time she just smiled and got out of the car, trusting that he had a reason for this spot. Can took her hand and led her through the trees. They came to the edge of a cliff with a rocky overhang that overlooked the forest below. Sanem could see the sun just starting to rise above the mountain ahead. The colors in the sky changing with every passing second. She took a breath, filling her lungs with the cool fresh morning air.

They sat down on the ground to watch the sunrise together. Sanem sat between Can's legs and she leaned back on his chest. She played with his hands, interlocking hers with his, trailing her fingertips across his palms, or holding onto his fingers.

They stayed seated until well after the sun had completely risen from behind the mountain. They didn't speak the whole time. Sanem just continued to play with Can's hands. Can thought it felt just as good as when she scratched at his beard.

It was comfortable and peaceful. Just the two of them staring out at the vastness. They both knew it couldn't last and that they needed to talk. Sanem gave his hands one last squeeze before letting go and turning around. She criss crossed her legs and he scooted a little closer, one leg still on either side of her.

"Are you ready to talk?" His voice was quiet and soft.

She nodded her head and sniffled a little, the tears already threatening to come back.

"In the bathroom, I - I don't know what happened. All these images started coming into my mind. And I couldn't make them stop. I thought about him and what... could have happened. What he could have done. What he wanted to do." She hung her head and took a few more breaths, "I thought about what he could have taken away from me. From us. And I thought about not being able to stop him. Stop him from putting his hands..." She shook her head a tear ran down her cheek and fell onto her hands resting in her lap.

Can went to reach for her hand but slowly drew back. He wanted to comfort her, but wasn't sure if it would help or hurt her more. Sanem saw him pull his hand back and her breathing quickened. "No!" She reached out and took his hand. She looked at him with pleading eyes, "Please, Can. Don't be afraid to touch me. It's one of the only things keeping me from spiraling right now."