I hear them come down the stairs before I see them. Appearing from the kitchen doorway, the first thing I notice is them coming down side by side, with no sign of tension.

They've been up there in Fin's room for almost 30 minutes, and I didn't mind waiting, with the time used to do what was needed. I just hope that the talk served as an opening for more chats to come.

Wesley is the first to notice me. He stops in his tracks, making Fin to do the same, as well as to quirk his brow at my hand with a bowl of cereal.

" Sorry, I was hungry, " I try to say.

" And you didn't think to make some for me? " Wesley says, with a teasing tone but I ignore him.

" Um, when you're ready, could you take me home?" I ask Fin.

" Yeah....Sure." He trails off, glancing between Wesley and me.

I think he can sense the tension between us.

I turn around, heading back to the kitchen. I take a seat on the stool and continue on eating.

" You have every right to be mad at me." Good. " But I do too." Wait, what?

My eyes snap to him, narrowing in the process.

" You were laying next to him."

" That's all you care about, that I laid next to him?" I slowly rise to my feet, not in the slightest, believing this.

" Am I not suppose to do that, because I didn't like ----------"

" I'm in uncomfortable clothes because of you, I went to a place I shouldn't have been to, in the first place. I was placed on an old disgusting man's lap, where he had his filthy hands on me, breathing on me and -----------" I shudder at the reminder, chills travelling up along my arms.

" Chloe ----------"

" I should have left then but still, I thought of Wesley, who might be in trouble. Little did I know I'd end up in the basement, where violence is all I see. I got dragged outside and then got hit!"

" I get it, I know!" He pushes off the wall, taking a few steps forward.

" No, you don't!.......You bloody don't know how I felt, how I feel, because, because......."  I take a breath.

" I shouldn't have agreed to this. " I mumble, shaking my head.

" W-what are you saying?" He takes another step forward.

I only have to look at him for him to get the full picture, to understand.

Without another word, I start rushing off towards the exit, wanting more than anything to get out of here. My plans are ruined by him blocking my path.

" Get out of my way." I warn him.

" No, I'm not letting you go anywhere until we talk." I open my mouth to argue but he beats me to it. " In fact, I'm not letting you out of my sight looking like that."

" What, not your taste? Well, that's fine because that old man from last night said -----------"

I'm cut off when I'm suddenly pulled to a chest, his arm wrapping tightly around my waist. I struggle to get out of his hold, because of his tight hold.

" Dare finish that sentence and I swear........"

"What? What will you do, huh?" I taunt him, tilting my chin up and getting in eye level with him.

" I will bloody kiss you, " he says so low, I almost miss it.

My eyes widen a bit before they narrow. " You wouldn't dare."

He leans close and I tilt my head back, realizing that he's serious.

" Do you honestly think I will stand by and let you do that?"

" No, you most likely will try to punch me and struggle."

" Then why would you even dare try?" I'm clearly confused by this.

Something passes through his eyes." Because something in me wants to."

We remain in this position, looking into each others eyes, making it quite difficult to look away. It's as if I'll miss something important if I do.

" Nothing has changed, I'm still mad at you." I tell him, not knowing exactly what to say to him.

" Let me make it up to you." He tells me.

" No." I say, twisting my body in his hold, where my back is to him.

Instead of this working in my advantage, it seems to work in his favour because I'm pulled much closer to him, if that is even possible.

" Let me make it up to you please, I can't stand to see you mad at me. " He says close to my ear.

" I've been before. What's so different about this time?" I say, still struggling yet he doesn't let up.

" It's my fault."

" It's always your fault." I huff, getting impatient with him.

He needs to let me go.

His response to what I've just said is a low chuckle, making me frown." This time was different, totally different, " he says seriously.

" How? " I stop struggling, now curious.

He doesn't say anything for a few seconds before speaking up. " Instead of calling for you and trusting in you to hear me and listen, I turned to the worst place possible. Instead of this not reaching you, my foolish decision and my actions, forced your hand. You got dragged into so much in one night because of me, and I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for what I put you through."

I've now calmed down and at a loss for words on what to say.

" Let me make it up to you. Give me a chance to say I'm sorry."

" Let me go." I say, but he doesn't let go.

" I won't run." I promise.

A few seconds pass and his hold loosens around me. I step out of his hold, maintaining a good enough space, leaning my back against the counter.

" Okay, I forgive you. Now can we let this go?"

" No."

" Why not?"

His hands clench into fists and his jaw works for a minute or so, before he sighs, hands unclench.

At first he doesn't hold my gaze. " I can't."

" Why not?"

He doesn't answer this time, but holds my gaze.

" Why ?" I ask once again, stepping forward and closer now.

" I can't find any other reason than that you mean something to me, you've found a way to claim meaning in my life. "

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