Thank You

*Her*

His eyes wandered, focusing on my lips. There was a hesitation, though, in the way he watched me. The buzz in my head was strong and the taste of liquor was bitter on the back of my throat.

“You love me?”

I ran my hand down his cheek, letting my fingers dig into the soft skin behind his ear. I nodded, desperate for him to not push me away.

Everything in me had physically reacted when he confessed his dark secret. The very idea of taking someone else’s life had me feeling nauseous. Murder wasn’t something I could live with.

But when I looked into his eyes, I didn’t see a murderer. When I looked at the clenched muscles around his jaw, all I saw was regret.

He was just as equally ashamed, and horrified as I was.

He wasn’t a murderer, he was my protector.

The tension in his body evaporated, and he continued to lean into me until his forehead pressed against mine. His arms wrapped tight around my waist and he pulled me in until his face rested in the crook of my neck.

“I love you too, baby.”

The words dressed my skin in his breath and a shiver ran down my spine. I let him hold me. Let his body mold against mine. Let his warmth cascade over me. My throat was heavy with emotion and I keep my mouth shut, afraid I would burst into sobs if I even attempted to talk.

He pulled away slowly, his hands caressing my waist.

The deepness of his green eyes focused on me and I found myself feeling self-conscious. I exhaled brokenly, not sure how we could go back to everything as if everything was normal.

I was ready to pull away and delve into the awkwardness that had begun to make me stiff when a knock at my door had us both looking toward the living room.

I gave Kian an apologetic look before looking in the mirror to make sure I didn’t look as if I was crying and made my way to the door.

“Brian?” I whispered as I opened the door.

He stood in the doorway, shrugging, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left the way I did without making sure you were okay. I know you wanted me to leave, but I had to make sure you were safe.”

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from, but still a tad bit annoyed that he was here. Now. Right at this moment.

His eyes wandered over my shoulder, but I knew he wouldn’t find Kian, who was still in the bathroom.

His electric blue eyes focused on me, “Are you okay?”

I frowned, feeling uncomfortable with the question. It made me irrationally angry that anyone would question my safety with Kian.

“I’m fine Brian. I don’t need you to check up on me.”

“I know. I just- I called you, and you didn’t answer.”

I didn’t even know where my phone was.

I wrapped my arms around myself, eager to get back to Kian’s warmth. Eager to push aside the awkwardness I had felt earlier.

“I’m fine, Brian.”

He frowned, “Can I call you later?”

I didn’t want him to.

“Maybe,” I whispered.

He recoiled, not expecting that answer. His eyes wandered over my shoulder again, “I thought I was going to change your mind.”

“What?”

He smiled softy, “About not wanting a relationship.”

My eyes widened, a heat of betrayal running up my chest.

“But it’s not that you didn’t want a relationship, was it?”

Kian’s footsteps echoed in the hallway as he made his way toward me. I leaned into his warmth when he appeared behind me, placing his hand on my waist.

I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat, “No.”

Brian clenched his jaw, his eyes meeting Kian’s. I was happily surprised to not find hatred, or even anger in his gaze. He looked defeated, sad.

The corner’s of his lips lifted in a reluctant smile and he nodded, “I’ll leave you alone, then.”

I reached for his hand before he could walk away, “I want to be friends. I’ve always wanted to be friends. I just struggled, because I knew you wanted more than I could offer. Last night- I was-I didn’t mean for it to happen. But I do like you, Brian.”

A slow, red, hot blush crawled up his chest and onto his cheeks. He kept his gaze on the floor but nodded as he heard every single word. He shot his eyes up to Kian for a vulnerable moment.

Kian tensed behind me, inhaling and exhaling slowly before speaking, “Thank you.”

Brian stepped back, looking at Kian with a frown.

“Thank you for being there for her.”

His fingers dug deeper into the skin of my waist and I leaned further into his chest.

Brian only nodded before looking down at me, “Always.”

The intensity in the the sincerity of that word was knee-buckling. It was too much, because still, despite my warnings, it meant much more to him than it did to me.

“I’ll see you in class,” Were the last words he muttered before leaving.

“Are you okay?” Kian whispered, locking the door behind him.

I exhaled and nodded, “Yes, I think so.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry about what?”

He shrugged, “Were you- did you want to be with him?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, “What? You would leave me so I can be with him?”

His eyes darted to the ground, “Yes.”

I exhaled, “I don’t want anyone but you, Kian.”

His chest expanded with a slow inhale and he cupped my jaw with hand, “Can I kiss you now?”

I nodded, eagerly.

He stepped toward me and pressed his lips to mine, enveloping me in the heat of his breath. It set my body on fire, and I hoped, hoped to God, that he would not pull away