Since We're Alone |NH|

I didn't know what spooked him. I knew it wasn't me. I knew it wasn't anything I had done. But someone, somewhere along the way had hurt him. I had my guess as to who, but didn't know how I could find out for sure. But whatever it was clearly left its mark; an unseen scar that was still healing.

We laid there in the quiet of the darkness. His breathing slowly began to steady and his fingers slowly ceased running down my arm. At some point, I knew he had fallen asleep.

I tilted my head back up towards his face, finding his cheek, kissing him.

"I don't know what made you so afraid," I whispered, "But I can see the shadow behind your face. Who hurt you? Who put your heart through so much pain? I hope you find a way to tell me what you're running from. I promise you can talk to me; you can trust me. I won't break you. I just want to know how to get in there. How do I get you to show me your heart?"

I kissed him once more before resting my head down again. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, loving the way his natural scent mixed with the cologne he had put on.

"I promise, you've got the best of me. And I'll do what it takes to bring out the best in you."