Fragile Fire

Chapter 13

No. I don't know what to say to him. This is all my fault. I can't believe this. I need to leave. Now. Archer notices my internal freak out and pales.

"V," he starts, "don't." I shake my head and walk to the door.

"I won't put you in danger." I state pulling on my shoes and grabbing his sweat shirt.

"V, we've talked about this."

"Well this is the last time," I say with tears running down my face.

I open the door and run down the stairs with Archer right on my tail.

"V! Nessa! Vanessa!" He yells after me. I ignore him and run outside his apartment into the pouring rain.

"No Archer!" I yell, "I will not let you die because of me!" I'm sobbing now in soaking wet clothes.

"V," he whispers pulling me into his arms. Grasping onto his shirt in the pouring rain I feel at home. It's almost funny. That in the pouring rain I feel warm. Whether its because I'm with someone I love or his sweatshirt.

"Archer," I whisper, "when is the funeral? We should pay our respects."

"It's in three days," he whispers into my hair and I nod.

 ~ later ~

I'm sitting on Archer's bed with his boxers and a t-shirt on when he comes out of the bathroom in just a towel. Water droplets trickle from his hair to his cheek. I flip over so he can change when I feel the bed tip and see him climb over me. I buckle in his weight but revel in it.

"You're wet" I giggle and his fingers come to my sides to tickle me. "Stop!" I yell laughing. His eyes meet mine and he leans down to kiss me. Right before he can though I flip us over. His thumbs rub my sides and I slowly kiss every inch of his face.

"I love you so much," he whispers to me and I smile.

"I love you too." I smirk and he groans. "Are you okay?" I ask worried.

"Yeah, I'm good." He says rotating his hips and I gasp. Archer must notice because he does it again.

"Archer," I mumble and he bites his lip.

"I'm in love with you," he says.

"Me too," I whisper and curl into his side. His arm wraps around me causing my head to rest on his chest feeling the rise and of it.

I feel every heart beat and hear his slow relaxed breathing. That alone reminds me that I'm safe and that I'm loved.

 ~ later ~

I wake up to the sound of my name being called.

"Nes!" It sounds like... Toby?

"Toby?" I call to him and see his small frame in the door.

"Why? Why weren't you there? You abandoned us! You deserve to lose everything!" He yells accusingly.

"This isn't you Toby! I didn't abandon you!"

"You left us to burn!" His voice becomes raspier and he steps into the light. Finally allowing me to see his burned face.

"I'd never wish burning to anyone Toby! I don't want to hurt anyone!" I yell starting to cry.

"We burned! You left us there to die! This is on you!" He screams at me.

"I'm sorry Toby!" I yell.

"V? V! Vanessa!" I hear Archer yelling for me. My eyes shoot open and I shake. "Are you okay?" He asks holding me close.

"It's not my fault. I didn't do it." I mumble rocking and Archer places soft kisses on my head.

"I know. It's not your fault V." He says softly and holds me in his arms until the daylight ceases.