Unbreakable

Chapter Twenty-Seven

June's POV

Anything? I don't even know where to begin. What do I even want to know?

"How long have you guys been a team?" Wow, that's the best I can do. He chuckles and it only worsens my self-consciousness.

"S-sorry," he stutters. Wait, he stuttered? He is not like any man I've ever known. Maybe I can trust him.

I let out a little giggle and the look on his face turns from unsure or concerned into a big grin, which only makes me giggle more. His eyes soften and I feel the emotion he feels for me, but it's strange and starting to make me feel awkward again.

"Are you going to answer?"

He blinks a couple times as if being shaken from his thoughts and replies with "Quite a while now, I don't actually know."

"Wow, such detail," I manage to say through hysterical giggling. He gives me a confused look, but only briefly, before joining me in laughter and the night makes a complete turnaround.

After an hour of devulging all sorts of information, the conversation lulls. We had talked about various missions, the most interesting of which is the current one they're working on: the Brandy Brothers. Apparently these guys have been on the rampage for a while and are too slick for the Aces.

"But there are none as interesting or important as the one to save you," he adds.

"Yeah," I drag out, not wanting the memories to come back. "Well, I didn't appreciate it enough. Sorry."

"It's not a problem, June. It was important to us and even just seeing you kept restored some of my sanity."

"Oh no. I made you go crazy? You don't seem out of your mind."

"I'm crazy for you. Completely out of my mind for you. I'd do anything to keep you safe," he says. "Always."

He's trying to say something to me, but I don't want to hear it. I don't how to feel about it. This is starting to get too much. Oh no. The panic is coming back.

His face turns from smouldering to  complete concern for me.

"June," he begins just as my breathing starts to pick up. "Baby."

"No, no, no," I mumble.

The next thing I know he's gotten out of his seat and is kneeling next to me. He places a hand on my thigh and takes my hand in his other. Suprisingly, it doesn't add to my anxiety. It begins to calm me.

"Breathe, babygirl."

"Sorry. I don't know what came over me. Sorry for ruining the night again. It's all I seem to be able to do."

"No, I'm sorry. None of this is your fault. Please don't think that way. I need to be more careful with my words and take care of you."

I nod and he gets up and sits back down in his seat. I take in a couple deep breaths and then a thought pops into my head.

"Careful with your words?" I begin and he gives me a very confused look, "babygirl?"

He cringes and gives me puppy dog eyes. What a cutie. Wait, what? I've never thought that about a guy before. He shrugs and tilts his head in a fake shy manner. I giggle at him and he grins his signature big smile.

I appreciate how he can fix everything and make me feel comfortable. For the first time in forever I feel like a human being and am starting to accept it. The life I had before was a phase, a horrible myth. As much as I want to convince myself of that, I know it will never be less real, but I can let it affect me less. I'm starting to get more confidence and strength back.

"Thank you," I say.

"For what?"

"For tonight. It's hardly been perfect, but it's like me: I don't have to be perfect to be valued."

"Your welcome, June."

"I-I've regained a little bit of myself. It's going to be a long process. Sorry in advanced."

"I'll be patient enough for you. I'll help you in any way I can."

"I know," I reach across the table and take his right hand between both of mine. He glances at his sandwiched hand and I see a glimmer of his feelings for me. "That's why I'm thanking you."

He nods and smiles softly.

"Now," I begin and he quirks an eyebrow. "About that nickname."