Forgotten age [a Martin Freeman fanfic]

16.

"Don't you worry, Pearl. I'll drive her." Martin said when we finally reached Pearl's car.

She was left speechless, mouth wide open until she exclaimed:

"Martin! I swear... If Mel suffers in any way because of you... I'll kill you. Understood?" 

"I'll be fine, Pearl!" I whined nervously, feeling a bit embarrassed."

"She gave me a second chance," He intervened. "And that's a lot after how I treated her. I honestly don't think I deserve it. I promise I won't mess up again, Pearl. I'd be a fool if I did."

"Aw..." I muttered under my breath, my limbs going numb. Oh, how he made me feel.

Pearl narrowed her eyes at him while she started the car. Martin passed his arm around my waist suddenly and I gasped in surprise. 

"You okay?" He chuckled as we watched Pearl's car disappear.

"Wow..." I sighed. "The memories..."

The sun was hiding behind the city's skyline while we drove across London bridge.

He nodded. "I know."

I turned to look at him, his gaze fixed on the road. The peachy color of the sunset hit his skin beautifully, making the moment even more fairy tale worthy.

I raised my hand until it reached Martin's white hair. He peeked at me and hid a smile. I had forgotten how incredibly soft his hair felt between my fingers.

"What happened between you and Jeremy?" He asked, breaking the silence.

I looked away from him. You happened, I thought, again.

"Well... um, it's complicated," I started, clearing my throat. "Basically... He said I lied to him. He said I never loved him. He... He said I was only with him 'cause he made me, um, think of you. Stupid, huh?"

"Well, yeah, to be honest! You dated the guy for two whole years, after sleeping with me! I mean, you went back to him after everything that happened between us. You must've felt something for him!"

"Exactly..." I lied.

I closed my eyes trying to picture the events of that day on my mind.

Sex with Martin had been... amazing, almost magical. Not only did we complement each other physically, also emotionally. And that was something I never felt with Jeremy. 

However, when we finished and Martin was cuddling me in bed, his skin on my skin, his warm breath on my shoulder... Everything was so perfect... I freaked out.

I knew something so good could not last forever, so I saved both of us some time and ended it before it could kill us. I was too young to get myself into something like that. Or so I thought. 

"You know, Martin?" We locked gazes when he stopped at the red light. "I never thanked you for that night."

He raised his brows surprised. "You stormed out. I thought there was nothing to be thankful for."

"Not at all!" I exclaimed. "I've been thinking of that night ever since... I guess Jeremy wasn't wrong, after all..."

"What?"

The light turned green.

"I ran away from you because I was afraid of what might have happened." I confessed.