Keeping Adalyne (Threequel)

A Game

Jazmin

Adalyne just blinked at me a couple of times before looking away and sitting back. She didn't say anything for a moment, then finally, "You're in love with the person I was 10 years ago. It's just an illusion."

I smiled at the uncertainty in her voice, then said, "I don't think so. You have changed some, yes, but deep down you're still the same girl I fell in love with."

I saw a fluttering of Adalyne's eyelids and I knew that was the right thing to say. One of the major changes I've witnessed in Adalyne was the caution she seemed to hold onto. Sure, she's bold and just flat out makes it known what she wants, yet there's a wall there that seems to only be half built, but still high enough to keep out whatever she's trying to protect herself from. Maybe it's from me. No, I know it's from me. Now, to just convince her to tear it down and let me in.

"Where do we go from here, Jazmin?"

"I know where I want to go from here, but I'm not sure if you want the same thing."

"What do you want?" Adalyne asked quietly.

"I want you. All of you. The good parts, the insane parts, even the parts of you that you don't like. I will love them all the same if you give me a chance."

"You're asking for a lot." Adalyne mumbled.

"Am I?"

"I told you... this doesn't end in happily ever after. I'm too damaged."

"That's what you think. I don't feel the same way. I think you've grown and now you're this whole new woman I can't wait to get to know. Have you been through some very real shit and did it affect you? Yes. Did it do irreparable damage? No. You're much stronger than that."

"You have a lot more faith in me than I have in myself."

"That's a shame," I said, "You're so incredible. I wish you could see it."

"What you're asking, it's risky and frankly, I'm scared. My heart is still in pieces and one small mishap, one more hurt... I just couldn't take it, Jazmin."

"Give me a chance, Adalyne. 3 weeks to prove I'm worth the risk. 3 weeks to be what your heart needs to heal. I saved you once, I can do it again."

"I don't need saving anymore, Jazmin. I can protect myself and I need to stand on my own. I'm tired of the women I love trying to fix every freaking thing in my life, as if I'm some sort of emotional invalid. I know I'm screwed up. I know it will take time and maybe some professional help before I can really heal and accept reality."

"You don't need a hero anymore, do you?"

"I don't." Adalyne answered.

"Then I'll be what you need - a soldier."

"That's still a hero."

"No, that's what society thinks, but a true soldier doesn't have a hero complex. I would celebrate your successes with you, and any battles you have, well, I'll stand next you and fight. If you fall, then I fall too."

"You make it sound so easy."

"Love isn't easy, but surviving without you is much harder." I said.

Adalyne closed her eyes and I watched a tear slip down her cheek as she shakily whispered, "I am still in love with Moira and you have Lilith to deal with. We are not good for each other until we both let go. I need more time and 3 weeks isn't enough."

"I have let go and I can accept the part of you that still loves her." I whispered back.

"Trust me when I say you may think that now, but eventually, half of my heart wouldn't be enough for you. If it were, I would dive headfirst into this and give you what's left of me."