THE AGENCY

Chapter 47: POINT OF RETREAT

POINT OF RETREAT

"Much better." He comments with a smile. "As I've told you, I'd rather have you unhappy and safe. A smile really would be a bonus though." He says as he tries to work his charm.
"Let's go." I state with a sigh.
"Come on at least a smirk?"
"No it's either coat or smile." I state.
"Coat it is then. Let's go, sweetness." He says as he ushers me out with his hand on the center of my back. I step forward, so he isn't touching me. "How long are you going to hold the coat against me?" he asks.
​"As long as I want." I reply deadpan as we step out into the cold frigid air.
​"Aren't you glad you're wearing a coat? It's freaking freezing out here." He comments as we briskly walk to the car. I roll my eyes. He once again tries to wrap his arm around me, but I shake his arm away from my shoulders.
​"No, I could have just ran to the car and I would've been perfectly fine." I say to him.
​"Whatever. Let's go." He says as we reach the car. I just heave a sigh as we drive in silence. We don't even argue over the driving dominance right now. We both stay stubbornly silent as we continue to drive neither one of us gives into saying a word. I can tell we're both itching to say something... but I refuse to give in. He just stares ahead and I can't take it. He always keeps a hand on my knee while driving... No...no...no chance, no way I won't say anything. He sighs and it just makes my frustration worse. I will prove it to him that I don't need this damn coat. I sit there as I bite my tongue. Soon he parks the car and it is conveniently close to the door. I find it the right moment to prove my point. ​
​"See, it's only like two freaking steps to the door, Xander. I don't want to have to carry the coat around. It's stupid." I say with a pout. I feel like an insolent child...
​"Are you calling me stupid? Excuse me, but I believe I have less risk of developing hypothermia. If you're so agitated then why don't you leave it behind, just don't come back to me because you're cold." He says with an irate tone. His eyes meet mine.
​"Fine, I will I say as I step out into the cold air. It strikes me hard though as I'm only wearing a thin t-shirt. I shiver and Xander's eyes narrow at me. I stand my ground and don't say a word.
​"Just wear it." He says tiredly as he rubs his eyes.
​"No! Why are you such a control freak! You have no right to tell me what to wear! You are not my master!" I yell at him as my eyes flare at him. His eyes narrow farther at me and he takes an intimidating step towards me. I back up, but my eyes never leave his as we go down to a stare off. I can play this game...
​" You're right." He says and it just makes me sigh because I feel this conversation is leading to a Xander point. When does it ever end in a Sky point? I mean seriously? "I can't force you to do anything because you're just too damn stubborn that you're blinded about what you need," he says strongly.
​"And you believe this to be a valid argument? You know what I need?" I say straight back as he backs me into the car.
​" I don't have the right to force, but you cannot violate my right to care for you. For that is stepping over the boundary, Sky." He says to me as he leans in dangerously close. He's not even smiling at me.
​"Are we really going to boundaries? You cannot abuse your right of care to cross the boundary of force. Because you know what? That's exactly what you are damn doing." I say to him. He just groans in frustration as he rests his forehead on mine.
​" We need a word." He grits through his teeth.
​"What are you talking about?" I ask still in a pissed off mood.
​"We're going too far into arguments these days and one day it'll be farther than we can imagine. We need to find a point of retreat. A point where we can remember how you're my sky and I'm your sunshine. We need a word to mark our point of retreat so we can remember just how far in love we are, that we forget about our frivolous arguments." He says.
​"You've got a point." I remark.
​"Why would I not?" he says to me and it just aggravates me. "This is exactly my point." He says as he brushes his chilled fingers across my scarlet cheeks. I look deep into his eyes and sigh.
​"How about, 'sunshine in my sky'?" I offer.
​"That's a phrase, darling and it only applies to you. We need an equal word." He explains.
​"How about 'forever'?" I suggest. "You know, because this is a forever between us." I explain hastily.
​"It's not unique and it doesn't uniquely pertain to us, Sky. We need this word to use in our point of retreat as well as in any time we need each other. It's for us to remember our promises..." he says. That's when it hits me.
​"Why not a combination of our names?" I say and I watch as his lips turn up into a smile. I smile back relieved. He can be extremely intense sometimes, but that's what I love...he's passionate.
​"Xansky?" he says with a cocky smile. I smack his shoulder and wrap my arms around his neck as his arms wrap around my waist.
​"That is just way too much male dominance." I whisper in his ear. He chuckles lightly as his lips brush my ear. That's when I find something that just might work...
​"Skander." I state with a laugh.
​"I would say it's a feminist suggestion, but I find it interesting." He says as he kisses my cheek.
​"Really? I think it's perfect." I say.
​"Maybe I do too, but I'm too many to admit it." He says.
​"Cut the crap. I know you love it." I say with another laugh as he feathers a series of kisses down my neck.
​"Ok, remember though," he says as he tilts my chin up to meet his eyes. "Whenever we need to remember or need each other and only then will you use our code." He reminds me strictly.
​"But I need you all the time, Xander." I try playfully.
​" Sure you do, a minute ago we were talking boundaries." He says with the roll of his eyes. "Let's go...or else we'll never accomplish anything. I'm supposed to be guiding your training for god's sake." He comments.
​"Skander." I say with a frown and I cross my arms.
​"What did I tell you? It's only used for the occasions I mentioned." He says as he looks back at me over his shoulder.
​"Well you're pissing me off. Doesn't that count?" I say. He just hangs his head. I giggle.
​"Well, I'd be saying Skander all day long if that worked." He comments snidely.
​"Skander." I say again with a frown.
​"Ok...ok...I get your point, Sky." He says with a laugh. "What did I do?" he mumbles under his breath. "Only for desperate measures and point of retreat, ok? Can you do that for my sake of sanity, sweetness?" he asks as he strolls back towards me and keeps a hand on my shoulder.
​"Alright, sunshine." I say and his smile brightens as we head into the building.