**WE ARE ALMOST AT 2K VIEWS AND I AM SERIOUSLY DANCING IN CIRCLES YOU GUYS. That is amazing to me. Thank you SO SO SO much. I love you all.**

**Edited**

Poppy's POV

Once Knox's nose was all bandaged up, we were ready to go. The nurse gave him strict instructions not to overdo it until his bruising went down. Noticing his lack of attention, she directed the words at me and repeated them once again. I nodded, giving her my full attention so I would know what to do with Knox's nose.

I was thankful that despite the amount of discomfort it brought him, Knox was able to get up and walk out of the hospital, only leaning a bit of his weight against me. I made the executive decision to just have our ride drop us off at his house, that way he didn't have to suffer another trip once getting home unlike if he were to stay at my place.

Knox and I were both relatively silent the entire ride. He'd turned much more serious than he'd been earlier; I knew it was because he was aware I was going to make him have a talk with me about everything that's happened the last two-ish weeks.

The silence finally broke once we were inside and he gently laid himself down on his bed.

"Knox..." I trailed off, waiting for him to start talking.

"I know...I've made progress," he sighed out, looking conflicted. "However, I don't know if it's the progress you're looking for," he explained further.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. This wasn't for me, this was for him.

"I know that I can be the man that you need. I know that I can and will treat you better than anyone else ever could because I love you more than anyone else ever could," he stated adamantly, a fierce look in his eyes as he spoke, "but I still don't see what you see in me when I look at myself. I've tried, Poppy, believe me, I have. I just...I spent so long buying into the garbage my dad filled my head with," he growled, looking upset with himself.

That was when I realized how utterly wrong I'd been. Not about taking a step back and trying to get Knox to see his own self-worth, but about the way in which I went about it. After discovering that his irrational and impulsive behavior when it comes to me stems from his insecurities about his self-worth, the absolute last thing I should've done was push him away; regardless of how good my intentions were.

Doing what I'd done had only served to confirm what he believed about himself. What I should've done instead - and what I was going to do now - was reassure him of my love for him while making sure I reiterated what I see in him. Giving him peace of mind that what he sees and what I see are completely opposite would soothe his need to act irrationally whenever he feels threatened about our relationship. I felt horribly dumb about the ill-advised decision I'd made, but this was my first real relationship and Knox and I were learning together as we went. I cupped his cheek with my palm and turned his face so that we were staring into each other's eyes.

"I was so wrong," I admitted. "I should've never proposed this separation in the first place. I see that now after everything that's happened tonight, with the way you've let your self-hatred affect your fighting; I know that had none of this happened, you would've never allowed that pretty boy to even touch you," I joked, delighted when I saw a small smile light up his face. "I can tell that these feelings have just festered for the weeks we've been apart, and that's all my fault. I wish I could go back in time and stay by your side as we tackled this issue together, but I can't. So, Instead, we're going to focus on the now and I'm going to help you see the man that you truly are," I assured. He looked doubtful, but I refused to allow that mentality to linger in his head for long.

"Just take tonight, for example. Despite the pain all over your body, you pushed yourself and brought me incredible pleasure just so I would stop worrying about your physical state and all the other crap that's been going on," I pointed out, maintaining eye contact so he could see how much that had meant to me. "You're the only man for me, Knox, and I will spend the rest of my life proving it to you if that's what it takes," I whispered with determination in my eyes. The corners of his lips raised in a real, genuine smile that had butterflies fluttering all over my stomach.

"Now how am I supposed to work towards deserving you when you say things like that, Flower?" he asked before pulling me into him for a deep, loving kiss. Things grew heated quickly, our clothes flying off as our talk ended with a passionate round of lovemaking.

**

I woke up to the adorably annoying sound of Knox snoring lightly in my ear as he spooned me. I let out a quiet giggle and carefully turned in his arms so that I was facing him. I snuggled further into his chest while examining his features. He looked so at peace. The dark bags that he'd sported just hours ago were nearly gone and the permanent scowl he'd worn was replaced with the tiniest content smile. To say I was relieved was an underestimate; he'd looked so... off when I saw him in the ring last night.

His eyes abruptly fluttered open and his smile widened as he caught me staring. My body was incredibly sore from our intimacy that'd carried on until the early morning hours. I'd tried insisting we take a break a few times, adamant on following the nurse's orders of taking it easy, but the hickies that littered my entire body were proof of how successful my attempts at that were.

"Good morning, Daddy," I chirped teasingly albeit sleepily. Ever since the first time I'd called him it myself just last night, I'd become addicted to the way he responded to it. I'd never pegged myself as being...kinky, but I guess the right person can bring that out of you.

"Mmmm, it is a good morning indeed," Knox rumbled back with dark, lustful eyes before beginning to suck on the unmarked skin of my neck. I hummed blissfully as he did so, but lightly pushed against his chest as he moved to readjust my leg up and over his hip before grinding against me.

"I'm sore," I whined. I was rewarded with the deep vibrations of his chest as he laughed.

"I know, Flower, but it was so sweet of you to bring me breakfast in bed," he murmured with a smug half-grin. I raised a single eyebrow in question but quickly understood what his words meant as soon as he disappeared underneath the sheets.

I gasped when I felt his hot breath against my sex as he massaged my inner thighs with his strong hands. "V-very good mornING!" I said, squealing towards the end of my response as he drove his tongue into my heat, massaging my walls expertly. My cries of pleasure grew louder and his fingers replaced his tongue as it ventured up to my clit. I wasn't even thinking about the possibility of ripping the sheets in my death-grip as I arched my back against the bed, crying out in pleasure.

His mouth was definitely the most sinful part of him.

My legs began to shake as he increased the pace of his fingers and harshly sucked my clit into his mouth. I could feel my orgasm building, only seconds away from shattering.

"Oh God! Knox! Don't stop! Don't stop!" I mewled. He gave my clit a final flick with his tongue while pressing his fingers up against a spot deep inside of me, and I came. Hard. My body convulsed, stars dancing across my vision before I squeezed them shut, the pleasure too much for me to handle.

"Come back, Flower. You can do it. Be a good girl and come back for me, yeah?" I heard Knox's soothing voice call out, but it sounded fuzzy and slightly far away. I cracked my eyes open and blinked a few times to rid them of their haze before I was finally able to look up at Knox's frame hovering over me. I grew confused, why he was asking me to come back?

"W-what?" I croaked out, my throat sore from screaming last night and then again this morning.

"You passed out, baby. Been out about a minute or two now. Are you okay?" he asked with concern lacing his tone. It took me longer than it should've to process the information he was telling me as well as the question he'd asked. I must've looked as bewildered as I felt because he chuckled in response and continued explaining.

"I found your G-spot, baby," he spoke with a proud gleam in his eye. I flushed as I remembered the minuscule information my high school health class had taught us about the female G-spot. I knew for a fact that it was going to quickly become one of my favorite "spots". And it would probably be Knox's favorite, too if that look on his face was anything to go by.

"Do you have anything planned for the day?" I randomly asked twenty minutes later as he played with the tips of my hair.

"Besides staying in bed all day and ravishing you? No, Flower, I don't," he said cheekily before pinching my side and causing me to giggle. I was astounded with his libido - the man seemed absolutely insatiable.

"I have a couple things I need to get done; Kiara and I are running low on groceries and I need to pick up my birth control before I run out. The pharmacy's been calling the last couple of days with reminders," I rattled off. I felt his body tense under the hand I'd been using to lazily stroking his chest.

"You're on birth control?" he asked slowly.

I snorted. "Obviously. You didn't really think I was okay with us having completely unprotected sex, did you? I would've made you wear a condom if I'd not been on the pill," I explained like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I can't believe he thought we were just having a jolly old time getting good and knocked up. I was in no way ready to have a child; I could barely take care of myself, let alone another human being.

Not yet at least.

"Why are you even on them?" he asked, an irritated edge in his tone.

"I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome," I responded off-handedly, but I knew I was going to have to explain further because he looked absolutely lost. "Basically, I have enlarged ovaries with small cysts on them. It's not fatal or anything, but it causes my body to have a hormonal imbalance so I don't naturally get my period but every seven or eight months. The pills help regulate everything and keep my body in check. It's pretty common," I finished with a shrug.

"I want kids," he stated, causing me to freeze as I examined his expression and body language. Okay, Poppy. Slow and proceed with caution.

"What exactly do you mean by 'I want kids'?" I asked cautiously.

"I mean, I want kids. With you. Soon," he insisted. I nearly choked on my own spit as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. Everything from the tone of his voice to his tense posture told me that he was being completely serious.

"No. No way, Knox. I'm only eighteen years old! I just started college. It's going to be at least four years before we even start trying to have kids. Nevermind the timeframe, I want to be married before moving onto that step together; I don't want children out of wedlock," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. His face began to turn a deep shade of red as the vein in the side of his neck bulged. He shot out of bed and began pacing the floor.

"What the fuck do you mean four years? I'm not waiting four damn years to have our first kid. I'll give you a year and a half. Two years max. I refuse to wait four years," he argued with his hands on his hips, a look of finality on his face. Was this his idea of negotiation? Because if so, I'm not sure how he's done so well with his business. His stance took on one of defiance as he crossing his arms over his chest and squared his shoulders. I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous he was being. Yelling will not solve this.

"I can see that you're clearly worked up about this, so we'll discuss the matter once we've both got a clear head," I ordered before slumping back against the bed and allowing myself to drift back to sleep.

After Knox finally managed to drag me out of bed a few hours later, we got most of the errands I'd said I needed to get done, done. As we were on our way home, I spotted a tattoo shop a ways ahead.

"I wanna get a tattoo," I said, shocking both Knox and myself.

"You what?" Knox gaped.

"A tattoo. You know, those things you have all over your arms and chest? I want one of those," I murmured, leaning over the middle console of his truck to trace the intricate ink of my name on his forearm.

"Okay...my main guy doesn't normally do walk-ins, but I know he'll make an exception for me," he said.

My nerves began building as we parked and headed into the parlor. It was filled with guys covered in ink from what appeared to be head to toe, but most looked a lot like Knox.

"Killer! My dude! What is up, man? How've you been?" came a loud, manly voice. I watched as Knox exchanged a quick hand-shake with a much smaller man than himself. It was almost comical seeing them next to each other.

"Good, good. Thanks for the ink, man. It healed beautifully," Knox said as he jutted out his arm so the guy could examine the tattoo of my name. The man nodded in agreement.

"So...you must be the famous Poppy then?" he asked with a quirked brow and smile as he shifted his gaze to me.

"Yep, that would be me," I laughed softly with a small wave. "What's your name?" I asked while politely holding out my hand.

"Kurt, nice to meet you! I've known this dumb mother fucker since we were teens in that shit hole of a school," he joked while punching Knox in the arm playfully.

Knox rolled his eyes before completely skipping all the small talk. "My girl wants a little ink and I refuse to let her have anyone but the best do it. Can you squeeze her in?" Knox asked, but it the look on his face was more like a demand. I doubt anyone could ever successfully tell him no, even me. We're getting there, though...

"Of course, dude!" Kurt said in a duh tone. "What is it that you have in mind?" he asked. I pulled up my phone and showed him the picture I'd found a few days ago while I was moping over Knox. I saw it in passing on social media and it made me immediately think of Knox. I loved everything about it, but I was hoping you could help by making some stylistic changes so that the tattoo was unique to me.

"Oh, yeah, that'll be an easy one. Where do you want it, and do you want it exactly like this?" he questioned while pointing a finger towards my phone screen.

I shook my head. "I know I want it on my back left shoulder, but I was thinking you could just kind of tweak it however you see fit. Add your own twist to it if that makes sense. I'd like it to be unique to me," I said, explaining my earlier thoughts. I saw his eyes light up with excitement, clearly all-in with the idea of having complete artistic control over the design. "Is there a significant meaning behind it?" he replied quizzically, yet there was a knowing look in his eyes. I nodded and discretely tilted my head towards Knox. A shit-eating grin took over his face as he realized what I'd meant. "Perfect. I know exactly what I'd like to do, so let me go get it drawn up and I'll be back in a little bit. Sound good?"

I nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing up and down with pent up excitement. "So, what's it going to be, Flower?" Knox wondered with a curious look on his face. I just shook my head back and forth before pretending to zip my lips shut and throw away the key.

"It's a surprise," I replied much to his annoyance.

"I don't like surprises," he grumbled quietly, a deep scowl on his face. I just laughed and nodded, already having known this little tidbit about him. Knox and I stood in the waiting area just casually chatting about everything from his business to my classes until Kurt finally wandered out from his hiding spot in the back.

"Alright. I just need final okay on the sketch before I print out the stencil and get you all prepped for some ink," he explained.

"Close your eyes!" I ordered Knox. He shot me an irritated glare before dramatically covering his eyes with the palm of his hand. Kurt flipped the paper so I could see what he'd worked up, my breath instantly escaping my body at how beautiful it was.

It was more incredible than anything I could've ever imagined in my mind. I made sure to tell Kurt as much.

"I'm glad you like it. Come on back and we'll get this bad boy done!"

I smiled so wide it almost hurt Kurt lead us back to a small, private tattooing room. There was a big black chair in the middle and various cabinets filled with supplies lining the walls. Knox threatened Kurt after he told me to remove my shirt and pull my bra strap down, but I just shushed him with a laugh as I took his hand in my own and gave it a thoughtful squeeze.

I had to keep reminding myself to breathe deeply and stay calm so I wouldn't squirm in the chair. The sensation wasn't too bad, just more of an annoying sting than anything. Knox sat by my side the entire time - facing my front that is, much to his dismay - smiling and he stroked my hair and cheeks. He constantly told me how good I was doing and would let me squeeze his hands when it became particularly painful. I wasn't sure how much time had passed by the time Kurt was done, but I was more than excited when he offered to take a picture for me before he wrapped it up.

I wasn't sure how, but he managed to make it even more beautiful than when he'd drawn it out. It was truly a piece of art and I was so in love. Kurt had altered the original photo of a sunflower with the quote "you are my sunshine" written in a line along the stem into more of a watercolor painting. The way he'd expertly shaded the entire thing made it look so abstract, but realistic at the same time. The colors were so vibrant, yet simple and stunning.

"It's absolutely amazing, Kurt. I cannot thank you enough!" I gushed happily.

"Can I finally see it now?" Knox asked impatiently. I giggled before finally nodding and spinning so my back was facing him.

He laughed softly. "I love it, Flower. It fits you perfectly," he murmured, kissing the back of my head. I turned back around to face him and beamed, more than glad that he thought so, too.

"It makes me think of you," I confessed, leaning up to place a sweet kiss on his inviting lips. I pulled away after a few seconds, remembering that we weren't in the room alone, and watched as his eyes darkened with lust before gawking at him.

"Seriously?" I hissed out through a disbelieving whisper. He chuckled huskily, clearly knowing exactly what I was referring to.

"You're completely addictive, my succulent little flower," he growled quietly before leaning down to whisper against the shell of my ear, "we need to get home before I give everyone in this shop an example of how well I take care of you." I gasped in both need and shock before pushing him away from me. I made sure to keep my distance as he paid for the ink - despite my adamant protest against it. Once back in the car, my phone started to ring. A smile instantly lit up my face when I saw who it was.

"Mom!" I called out happily.

"Hi, sweet girl! Are you busy tonight? If not, your father and I were wondering if you and Knox would like to come over for dinner."

"Yeah, that sounds alright. Do you want me to come early to help get everything prepared?" I asked, not wanting to burden her without offering to help first.

"Nope! Just bring you and that hunk of yours!" she joked.

"Okay," I laughed, "I'll see you around dinner time, then. Love you," I said, waiting to hang up until she got a chance to say it back.

"What'd she want?" Knox asked curiously while switching lanes.

"We're having dinner with my parents tonight," I informed him, not giving him the choice to back out. He groaned playfully but agreed; he knew it would make me happy if he came.

"Be good and I'll reward you later," I purred against the soft skin right underneath his ear, letting my mouth wander farther down to suck on the delicate skin there. He groaned loudly before cursing under his breath.

"You can bet your ass I'll be on my best behavior," he grunted.