Silver's jaw fell open, eyes blinking as if he was in shock. They stood across from each other in silence. Scarlet couldn't understand why he didn't answer yet. Did she admit it too soon? Sure, they said it the day she thought he betrayed her, but nothing happened between them since then. She took a couple steps away from him, too afraid that she said the wrong thing. Hands falling to her sides, she started to turn away just as he cleared his throat.

    "Wait. Don't go. You...You what?"

    Taking a deep breath, she knew that everything they've been through made their relationship difficult with all the changes that came their way, but she never expected him to react that way. Then again, she understood. It was a drastic change and even though she said it, she couldn't fully trust him yet. She wasn't ready for another heartbreak. Opening those walls up again would be too hard. Unsure of herself she said, "You heard me. I know you did." Still, she stayed with her back facing him. She didn't want to be the one to come to him anymore. He needed to show her that everything he'd been saying has been true. Scarlet crossed her arms, waiting for him to say something. But when footsteps slapped against the concrete, all she could do was smile.

His hand fell on her shoulder, turning her toward him. "Of course I heard you," he answered, grinning. "I'm not going to make another mistake again. I just wanted to hear you say it."

    The smile that filled her face moments ago left immediately. Part of her wasn't sure if she could even get it back. But she couldn't turn away from him. It'd be too difficult, especially considering he had both of his hands on her shoulders. All she could do was look into his beautiful blue eyes; that just made her heart hurt worse. "I...I can't." Silence came over her, fumbling to find the correct words. "You said you aren't going to make another mistake, but that...it was one. I shouldn't have." Every word she spoke only made it more real. Heart pounding in her chest, she didn't want to hear what he would say next. She blinked, trying to hide the tears that were begging to come out. When she felt one roll down her cheek, she knew it failed. The conversation wasn't even close to being over yet, but if it kept going, the tears would end up coming down in a waterfall.

    Something changed in him. That darkness she once found in him seemed to be disappearing now, the grin replacing every image she had of him filled with sadness. He brought his hand up to her cheek, taking his thumb and brushing the tear that fell away from her face. "It wasn't a mistake, Scar. No matter what you think, don't pin this as one of those. My heart is beating more than ever before now that you've finally told me you love me. I've been waiting for this moment because I've always loved you. And I'm always going to. In every world we could be in, there's no mistaking that. I promise."

    "But we can't do this, Silver."

    "And why can't we?"

    "I...don't..." She fell silent again. It was killing her inside, but she couldn't keep admitting things. What if everything she said was wrong? But deep down, she knew that telling him the truth was the only way she could trust him. If she wanted him to tell her the whole truth, she had to do the same. With a sigh, she said, "After everything...you know...all of it. I just can't. How can I?" Her heart raced, panic starting to rush through her. Scarlet opened a conversation she wasn't sure she was ready to hear, but it was out there now. All she could do was wait and see.

    He smiled, still holding on to her. "Look, Scar. I know it's been a rough couple of months and I'm sure it's felt like an eternity here. It sure has to me. And I know you might not be ready to forgive me. Though it hurts my heart, I know I messed up. I get it. You have a right to be upset and disappointed in me. But all you need to know is that I've always been here to protect you. Ash may have forced me to leave you, to act like I never cared for you, but he can never take away my love for you." He sighed, but continued, too quick to let her speak. "I've always had a plan. Isn't it true that any kind of trouble you've managed to get yourself into, I've always been here to help you out of it?"

She nodded. "But–"

"Shh." He pressed a finger to her lips. "Listen. No matter what happens, Ash will never take you away from me. Never." He shook her, a small smile spreading across her face. "I love you and I will say that a million times if that's what it takes." Grinning, his hand brushed against her cheek, moving a few pieces of her hair out of her face. "I'm always going to be here for you. Now it's up to you to trust me. I will get us through this. Just trust me. Please."

Tears threatened to fall again, leaving her unable to speak. She wanted to trust him. Though part of her knew that opening that spot in her heart would be difficult. But if she didn't do this would there be a chance she'd lose him? She didn't know that for sure. All she knew was that he put up a good argument she didn't know how to refuse.

Moments passed and she still hadn't said a word, but Silver wouldn't let her. He looked into her eyes, grabbing her hand now. Heat ran through her cheeks from his touch. Silver squeezed it and asked, "Do you promise to trust me?"

The waterfall of tears broke within seconds and all she could see was water with bits of her blurry best friend in between. The sunglasses fell off her face, but Silver bent down and grabbed them before she could. With the drops flowing so fast, she tried to wipe every tear away with her hands. When that didn't work, Silver pulled her in close. She rested her head on his shoulder and wept.

He patted her back. "So...I take that as a yes?"

She stood up, laughing and he wiped more tears off her face, trying to keep it as dry as possible. "Mhm." Scarlet smiled, wrapping an arm around his waist. "I trust you."

He grinned, the two of them moving back toward the hole in the glass. "I'm glad. Now let's go see what Ash is up to. Whatcha think about that?"

No matter how much she didn't want to admit to trusting him before, now that she did, it took a huge weight off her shoulders. Maybe now she could finally be happy. They couldn't be separated now. Now she knew that he would do anything in his power to keep her close to him. And that only made her smile more. She poked him playfully. It was a small thing, but she missed him. There was a chance she could do this. Time to make it work. "Let's do this."