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Alette's POV

I woke up the next morning to the sound of a steady beating in my right ear. I blinked my eyes open slowly, feeling pain in my neck and back.

I winced and stretched my neck slightly, lifting my head off of a warm chest-

In alarm, my eyes shot up to see where I was.

The room was painted white, but filled with wooden, black and grey pieces. My eyes drifted higher, and my heart pounded as my eyes finally fell onto Aresius.

I was sleeping on top of him, my head rested on his chest. He had one arm wrapped around my waist, and the other lay on the bed, palm down. We were wrapped in the silky black sheets and a blanket that was on top of his bed. He grasped onto my waist tightly, and my brain finally cleared enough for me to remember what had happened last night.

A tremor ran through my body as I recalled the nightmare I had last night. It felt so real, almost as if I was going through that traumatic night all over again. But I was so lucky in my dream.

I could feel wetness in my eyes as the memory, and I sniffed quietly, not wanting to wake him up.

Why did that have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve that?

I should've listened to Tai.

Now that I was out of the hospital, my thoughts were finally directed towards what had really happened. My chest felt tight and I scrunched my eyes shut as I began to relive the feeling of that man's hand on me.

I shoved my face into his neck, clenching his shirt in my fists, trying to breathe; I basked in the safety that his body provided me at this moment.

I knew he was asleep, but I selfishly didn't care, I wanted to be okay. I wanted to feel protected.

I had been hurt so many times in my life, that those memories resurfaced at slightest of triggers.

I felt dirty and disgusted as I stifled a sob.

I wish Mama and Papa were here to tell me I would be okay.

Why did they have to leave me?

I choked back another sob as the tears escaped me. I was so focused on trying to be quiet as I cried, that I didn't notice the movement underneath me.

I felt his other arm come around me, and he hugged me close to his body.

He was awake.

"You're okay my angel," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep, "You're safe."

At his words, I finally let myself cry out loud, my body wracking with sobs. He rubbed his hand up and down my back, while the other held onto the back of my head.

When my throat hurt from crying and my tears subsided, he started sitting up slowly. Realizing I had been on top of him this whole time, I sat up fully. Looking down, I became hyper aware of the position we were in, and made a move to get off of him.

He put his hands on my waist, just by the curve of my hips, preventing me from moving. I steadied myself by placed my hands lightly on his shoulders, and I looked at him through my wet lashes.

"Such a strong girl," his voice was hoarse, "My brave, brave girl."

He leaned forwards and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. I closed my eyes, and airy feeling taking over my body. I opened my eyes when he moved back, his smoky eyes surveying my face.

My voice was a broken whisper when I spoke, "It w-was so s-scary R-Reece," I sniffled.

Hi jaw clenched and his eyes flashed in anger. He cupped my face softly, with his rough hand.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he said vehemently, "I won't let anyone, or anything cause you any harm ever again. That is my promise to you my angel."

His voice was full of conviction when he spoke and my heart thudded, feeling a sense of protection that I never had before. I didn't say anything, overcome with emotion and my lip wobbled.

He very slowly, raised his hand towards me, holding his pinkie out to me.

"Pinkie promise darling."

My lips automatically quirked up into a small smile, and I bashfully hooked my pinkie finger with his.

A smile overtook his beautifully carved face, as he pulled my hand towards his lips using our joined fingers. Giving me a kiss on the hand, and then another one on the forehead, he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

We stared at each other, no words exchanged between the two of us. My heart thudded against my chest, feeling as though it wanted to break out.

The sound of a phone notification snapped me out of my reverie and I hurriedly swung my leg over his body to get off of his lap.

I kneeled on the bed beside him, blushing profusely.

"Sorry," I mumbled, awkwardly gesturing to his lap, feeling heat creeping up my neck.

He gave me a smirk, making my mouth fall open slightly, and he threw the blanket off his body. Standing up and smoothing down his grey sweatpants and black shirt, he started walking in the direction of the bathroom. There was a glint in his eyes to accompany his smirk when he turned over his shoulder and said:

"I'm not."

Oh.

I turned a shade of red that probably didn't even exist, as he walked away like he hadn't just said that.

I tried to recuperate when I heard scratching and meow at his bedroom door. I immediately smiled, and slowly got off the bed, my bones cracking. My head still hurt slightly, and I tried not to move the stitches on my belly too much.

"I'm coming baby," I said, as I hobbled over to the door and opened it. I bent down to pick Grasso up, who happily hopped up into my arms. I kissed his and murmured, "Hi fluffy boy, good morning fluffy baby!"

The door of Ares' bathroom flung open, making me jump. He walked into the room, and looked around the room, "Who were you talking to?"

His jaw was set and his tone hard.

I furrowed my brows in confusion and then realization dawned on me.

"I was talking to Grasso! He was clawing at the door so I let him in," I paused, my eyes widened, "I'm sorry, was I not supposed to let him in?"

He let out a little breath, his shoulders not as tense and shook his head, "It's okay, don't apologize, you're fine."

I nodded and as he turned around, I spoke up again, "Aren't you going to say good morning to Grasso?" I cocked my head to the side.

Ares had an undecipherable look in his eyes, and there was some silence before his towering figure, walked over to Grasso and I.

He looked down the bundle of fluff in my arms, and said "Good morning," his tone flat.

I beamed, happy and he looked at me.

I inhaled sharply as he moved even closer to me, and Grasso jumped out of my arms to give him ample space.

Traitor.

I looked up at the giant of a man, who's hard chest was so close that I could have kissed it if I moved half an inch closer.

My cheeks turned red at my thoughts, and I looked up at him.

"Aren't you going to say good morning to me Alette?" his raspy voice, shot a tingle through my body.

I gulped, my eyes wide.

"G-good morning Ares," I whispered, my voice wavering from the intensity of his stare. I looked back down to his shirt covered lower chest, which was eye-level. Mind completely devoid of all rational thoughts, I leaned forwards and kissed his sternum.

What in the heck did I just do?

"Uh...I-I have t-to go to the bathroom," I squeaked and walked as fast as I could into the bathroom, closing the door behind. I feel back against the door, breathing heavily.

I held my chest and took a deep breath. I quickly walked to the sink and cleared the sleep out of my eyes, and rinsed my mouth; my toothbrush was in the other bathroom.

I tried to braid my hair but my arms hurt too much, so I just threw it in a low ponytail again.

I took another steadying breath and opened the bathroom door. I walked into the bedroom to see that he had made his bed, and was sitting on the edge of it, on his phone. He looked up when I walked in, his eyes solely on my face.

"Time for breakfast," he said slowly, and I nodded back. We walked towards the stairs, him behind me, until I stopped in my tracks, causing him to walk into my back. He put his hands on my waist to steady me and I turned around to him, my face pink.

"S-sorry, I have to g-get my phone and see Ted," I stuttered up at him.

His jaw clenched and he exhaled through his nose, "Who?" he gritted out.

"Ted! Come I'll show you," I beamed; grabbing his hand and walking towards the guest room I was staying in.

His house had three bedrooms, and everything was decorated beautifully. I wonder if he had gotten someone to do it, or if he had done it himself?

Probably himself.

His house was absolutely beautiful for someone his age-

My eyes widened and I turned around, my back hitting the closed door of the room.

He raised his brow in question.

"Reecie?"

"Hm?"

"How old are you?" I asked him, still holding his hand.

He paused for a moment, his eyes searching, "25," he said.

I nodded, "Oh cool!" I turned around and opened the door of the room. I walked inside towards my bags, when I noticed the unmade bed. The memories of my nightmare flashed through my head and I turned towards him, looking down at my feet.

"S-sorry about last night," I whispered, "Sorry for making you wake up, and having to share your be-"

"Alette," he cut me off, "Look at me."

I reluctantly looked up at him. He wasted no time in tugging me closer, and putting an arm around my waist.

"How many times do I have to ask you to stop apologizing? You've done nothing wrong darling," his tone was stern but his words were sweet.

"But I have done something wrong! I was being clingy when we met, then I made you pick me up all those times, and then I was being pushy on that day, which made you mad. Then you had to fight t-that m-man and help me, and then you had to stay a-at the hospital with me," I vented, looking at him. I could feel tears prickling at my eyes, "I'm a burden on everyone. Grams, Uncle Syl, Tai and now you," my voice got lower and lower, as I dropped my head in defeat.

"You listen to me, and you listen well Alette: you are not a burden on anyone. You are not, and you will never be. Not on your family, not on your friends, not on me. Everything I did, I did of my own volition. Because I wanted to do it. I want to do," he cupped my face as tears escaped my eyes.

I hiccupped and he looked down at me concerned.

"If you don't stop crying I'll tickle you," he said so seriously, that one would've thought he was talking about something grave.

I let out a wet laugh and a small smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"No more tears angel," he rasped, wiping my cheeks delicately.

"O-okay Reece," I mumbled, my voice scratchy. I sniffled and moved out of his arms, not that I wanted to, and I scrounged through my bag for my phone and Ted.

I pulled out my phone first, and then Ted; he was a scruffy, well-loved, stuffed frog toy, that my father had won for my mama at a carnival on the night that he had proposed to her. My parents had given him to me, and holding onto him got me through many a sleepless nights after they passed.

"Ted is a...frog?"

I whipped around to look at him, an incredulous look in his eyes.

I tiled my head, confused, "Of course he is, who else would Ted be?"

He just stared at me, and I recognized a look of relief on his face.

Why though?

Shrugging it off, I move forwards, clutching Ted, and my phone, suddenly embarrassed at how juvenile I probably looked, holding onto a stuffed toy. I quickly set Ted down softly on top of the bed, making sure he was upright.

"W-we can go get breakfast now," I told him, playing with my fingers and moving towards the door.

He didn't move so I looked at him from the doorway.

"Aren't you going to bring Ted?" he asked seriously. I turned red, but my heart pounded as I saw no teasing in his eyes.

Without waiting for a response, he walked over to the bed and picked up Ted, holding him delicately.

"Let's go eat," he said, tilting his head towards the staircase.

I just nodded mutely, overwhelmed with strange feelings.

Why did I want to suddenly hug him and never let go?

We walked out of the room and to the staircase, and before I could even take a step down, he stopped me, holding Ted out to me. I grabbed the stuffed frog and looked up at Aresius confused.

Before I could question him, he swooped down and picked me up, causing me to gasp.

My cheeks heated as he walked down the stairs effortlessly; as if I didn't weigh a significant amount. I did eat baked goods all the time, and barely ever had the time to actually work out. Even with that aside, my body was just shaped a specific way, meaning it looked bigger, especially because I wasn't that tall. Standing at only 5'4, I had wider hips, a fuller chest, and some squishy legs. I knew I weighed a healthy amount, and I was so thankful for that, but I also wasn't super happy with it all the time.

I squirmed in his arms, my own intrusive thoughts making me feel uncomfortable.

We reached the bottom step and he put me on my feet. I put my arms around myself, hugging myself to feel more secure.

"You don't need to do that," I mumbled, looking at the floor. He didn't answer, and I knew that he wouldn't reply unless I looked up at him.

Talk about operant conditioning.

I moved my eyes up to him and saw that he was staring at me intensely.

"You don't need to do that," I spoke slightly louder, and then I looked away from his face, not being able to meet his eyes, "I'm heavy...so um y-you shouldn't do that. I-I'm sorry for l-last night too, I didn't mean to fall asleep right on top of you."

"Enough Alette," he said firmly, "Don't speak down on yourself like that. You are healthy, your body is healthy, your body is-" he stopped speaking and clenched his jaw, looking as though he was holding something back.

His gaze travelled down my body, and I felt heat course through me.

"You're beautiful."

He said it with so much conviction that I could've nodded along if I wasn't so shocked.

A blush bloomed on my cheeks like the first flower of spring, and I smiled shyly.

He cleared his throat and simply stated "Breakfast," his voice tight.

I nodded, feeling brighter than before. I wrapped his index and middle finger in my hand, and we walked to the kitchen, smiling as I saw my flowers in the vase.

He refused to let me help cook breakfast, saying I needed rest, and so I watched from my seat on the island, at him cooking breakfast.

He was quite the specimen. His tattooed arm was on full display in his t-shirt, and his muscles were so prominent that they bulged every time he moved. His back muscles were seemingly carved by the greatest of sculptors, and I could see them flex as he cooked my breakfast, with his back to me.

An odd feeling coursed through me as I stared at him, and I blushed at my dwindling thoughts.

As if he would ever want to do anything like that with me.

I had never felt these kinds of feelings before, so turned away from them after what had happened to me. And this morning, I felt disgusted at the memory of what that man had done to me not even two weeks ago.

But this was different. This wasn't disgusting because it was on my own terms. I wanted to feel it; I wasn't being forced to do or feel anything.

I reeled my thoughts in, trying not to get carried away because he was just being a good friend and nothing more.

Right?

He placed a plate in front of me, snapping me out of my thoughts. My eyes widened at the plate in front of me. It was loaded with eggs, hash browns, toast, and some veggies. He placed some jam beside the plate, and glass of water. He then rifled through his fridge and placed a bowl of strawberries in front of me.

"T-this is a lot of food Reecie," I told him.

"You need to eat. You have to take medicine after."

"What about you?"

"I'll eat afterwards."

I frowned and pat the chair beside mine. He didn't question it, and sat down beside me without hesitating. I took a small nibble of the toast, and then loaded the fork up with some eggs and potato, and brought it up to his mouth.

"Open please," I told him. He stared at me for a few moments, and them finally wrapped his mouth against the fork, taking a bite. I beamed at him, and then put a bite in my mouth. It reminded me of when we got ice cream together. I paused amidst giving him a bite.

"We have to go to the ice cream parlour soon because I still have to buy you ice cream Reece, remember?" I reminded him, a small frown on my lips.

There was a silence in the room as he stared down at me. The fact that he still towered over me, even while we sat was unbelievable.

"You want to take me out Alette?" a gorgeous smirk was on his lips, a teasing lilt in his voice.

"N-no!" I blurted and my eyes widened, "I mean y-yes...um no wait I meant lik-"

A delightful sound escaped his throat, as he leaned his head back.

He was laughing.

I felt downright winded at the beautifully deep, raspy sound.

Even his laughter was attractive? How absolutely unfair. I will be calling the authorities.

I turned red looking away, ruffled by his laughter, and his teasing.

He used his hand to turn my head back towards him.

"I'm just teasing baby, I know what you meant."

I of course became even more flustered at his words, specifically that term of endearment.

Why did I not want him to stop?

He took the fork out of my hand, and took up the task of feeding me. I finished as much as I could, making sure to remind him to eat some as well. He then stood up and grabbed my medicine, handing me the pills.

I scrunched up my nose at pills. I hated those darn things.

He gave me a stern look and I sighed, giving in. I swallowed the pills, washing them down with some water. I sat on the chair, as Grasso jumped into my lap. I pet his head, staring at Reece who was leaning on the counter on his phone.

I pulled out my own phone, unlocking it and replying to both Tai and Josephine, and letting them know how I was doing. I sent a quick message to Uncle Syl, who I knew would be in a meeting right now, and then went through my contacts to call Grams. She picked up on the second ring with a little squeal. She asked how I was feeling and how my night went, and I chose to not bring up the nightmare because I didn't want to worry her. We spoke for a little bit, and finally said our goodbyes; her promising that she would come see me soon.

I ended the call, and glanced over at Reece, who was already looking at me. He cleared his throat, "Would you be okay if Oscar and Selina came over?" he asked, cautiously.

I nodded at him slowly, and then my eyes widened, "Selina! How is she? The baby?"

"Selina's good, they had a baby girl," he said, still leaning against the counter.

"Really? Oh wow, that's so cute!" I beamed at him, "What's her name?"

"Lucia."

"Aw! That's adorable, I can't wait to meet her," I said softly, buzzing at the idea of meeting a new baby.

And I would get to see Rowan again!