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The burning sensation didn't leave my throat as I brushed my teeth, looking into the mirror. What I was met with was a paler version of myself, hair matted down slightly from having just emptied out the contents of my stomach into the toilet.

The urge to vomit had just sprung up all of a sudden; yesterday I had been just fine, attending work without any issue or strain. I had come back from that Friday evening, looking forward to finally seeing everyone. It had been a while since we had all met up, even seeing Aaron had been difficult and we lived in the same house. So, we had all planned to spend the Saturday together and have a move night at our house. Well, that was was going to happen until I excused myself when I had felt the violent churning of my stomach, leaving Aaron to select a movie before everyone arrived.

"Just breathe." I whispered shakily, trying to fight the urge to vomit as I placed my toothbrush in the pot. If everyone was to be coning over after so long, I couldn't bring up this feeling, especially when I knew how they would all act.

With three boys in particular.

All of them would be worried, but I knew that those three especially would jump to conclusions and make it a bigger deal than it actually was. I had known them for 6 years now and it was only with all those years that I began to learn how terribly protective they were. So, with them in mind, I forced myself to smile, looking at my frail reflection.

"Just a few hours." I spoke to myself before withdrawing out of the bathroom and down the stairs. The smell of popcorn wafted to my nose as I entered the lounge and I gritted my teeth as I felt the pounding in my head, choosing to focus instead on the only man who could cause my stomach to churn in a positive manner.

Aaron.

His broad back was to me as he crouched slightly, looking through several movie collections and I felt myself smile at just the mere sight of him after him being so busy with work. Just seeing him doing such a mundane task made my heart clench and my footsteps sounded as I neared in.

"If I pick a horror movie, will you act scared and cuddle into me?" Aaron drawled suggestively, looking busily through the movies and I smiled weakly at the sound of his voice.

"It'll probably be Danny who will end up cuddling into you out of fear, but I won't exactly be opposed to that." I joked and Aaron let out a laugh, standing up to his full form.

"Speaking of which, Justin messaged; he and Danny are two minutes away. Pray for him." He said and I could only imagine how Danny would be testing every single strand of Justin's patience.

"That's fine and what about the others?" I asked and Aaron shrugged, turning to face me.

"I think they'll be h-" He stopped mid-way then, looking to me with his intense blue gaze and my eyebrows furrowed in concern at the strange look in his eyes. I opened my mouth to ask if he was okay, but he spoke before I could, his voice low.

"What's wrong, Lexi?" Was all he asked and I blanked at the sudden question, shaking my head unsurely.

"Wrong? Nothing." I answered and his jaw twitched at this as he moved closer, his cologne warming my senses. His much cooler hand took hold of mine and he brought it up to his lips, kissing softly against my knuckles, making me shiver. All the while, he didn't lose eye contact and I watched as he frowned.

"I can tell when you're fake smiling. What happened?" He asked, his voice gentle and I pursed my lips at his words. After the time when I had hid my illness from him, I had vowed I would not lie to him again. If we were to be together, we had to have healthy communication and be able to share things. With this, I opened my mouth, the pounding in my head increasing.

"It's just..." I hesitated after this and Aaron nodded encouragingly, urging me along. I sighed at this, looking down at this and placing my free hand against my heated head.

"I'm..." I began before cutting off again and Aaron's hold on my hand tightened as he pulled my face up with his free hand. I felt everything pull back into focus as I took in his face, his eyebrows drawn together in worry.

"You're scaring me, princess." He murmured softly, caressing my cheek with his hand and, at his words, I pursed my lips yet again.

"I just... feel sick." I voiced out, hating that I would probably ruin the evening now, but my thoughts were cut short as Aaron tensed.

"What?" If he hadn't been so close, I wouldn't have heard his low voice, but I did and I looked up only to meet the heavy storm of his gaze. It was so heavy that I almost lost myself, but I recomposed myself to speak.

"It's just nausea and a bit of head pain." I explained, grimacing as the pounding of my head wouldn't relent. It was silent for a moment then as Aaron just stood there, making the concern fill me, but then he was withdrawing away from me, grabbing his keys from the coffee table.

"Let's go." Was all he said, grabbing my arm and hauling me towards the door and I let out a noise of surprise at this, my legs hurrying along to keep up with his larger strides.

"Go?! Go where?" I called out and Aaron's hold tightened on my arm as he walked, his back to me.

"Where else? To the hospital." He edged out and my eyes widened at his words as I digged my heels into the ground in a bid to stop us from moving. He was really going to take me to the hospital over this?

"What?! But what about movie night?" I squeaked out incredulously and Aaron turned at this, shocking me with the glare in his eyes as he looked at me.

"Do you honestly think I fucking care about movie night right now?" He bit out, running his free hand through his hair and I went agape at his cold tone, scowling at him.

"Why are you getting angry? I just don't want to ruin movie night for something silly." I retorted in defense. After all, I was just slightly sick, but Aaron didn't take kindly to my words and I watched as he ran a hand down his face, shaking his head.

"We are not having this conversation again, Lexi, let's go." He muttered more to himself and I frowned at his odd words, trying to pull my arm out his grasp.

"I don't want to go, I want to spend time with e everyone. Why are you so adamant on this?" I protested with each tug and it was then that Aaron responded, pulling me into him with a single tug and I stiffened as I hit against his hard chest, snapping up to meet his heated gaze.

"Because I can't risk losing you again." He spoke harshly, angry gaze searing through me and I sucked in a breath at his words.

It was then I realised.

I had been so stupid to forget that just a mere 6 years ago, he had nearly lost me and I had been adamant on dismissing my illness. I had easily forgotten, but it seemed as though the fear of me leaving still haunted him. His grip loosened then, making my arm drop as we continued to look at each other.

"Aaron.." Was all I could say, my voice a mere whisper. I didn't know whether to apologise or explain to him that he needn't be afraid. I didn't know what to do, but watch as he sighed tiredly, the anger leaving him as he rested both hands against my cheeks, caressing my face.

"Please, baby, don't be stubborn." He murmured softly, a sadness to his tone and I knew it was because the fear of people leaving him was something that still affected him greatly. It was with his forlorn tone that I couldn't help it as I tiptoed, pressing my lips to him.

He responded within seconds, arms winding around my waist in a familiar stance and I sighed into the warmth of his lips, knowing that this was all I could ever wish for in life: to be in his hold for an eternity.

My legs gave out yet Aaron held me to him as he deepened the kiss, taking every essence of mine until it was entwined with his. Until all I knew was him and, oddly, I was okay with that. I was okay with his kiss being the beginning and the end of all my being.

Then, just as it had begun, it stopped and I opened my eyes as he withdrew, purposeful eyes searing through every ounce of my body.

"Lexi..." He began, his voice deeper now and I felt my lips quirk into a smile as I wound my arms around his neck.

"Yesterday evening." Was all I said and Aaron frowned, making my smile widen as I continued.

"Drake's barbeque- the pink meat, I think it was that. I just have food poisoning, Walker." I reassured teasingly, but my heart clenched as his body relaxed slightly and his blue eyes searched my own.

"You're telling the truth?" He muttered unsurely and I leaned forward, kissing his cheek before nodding as I withdrew.

"100%." I voiced honestly and he looked to be in thought for a moment before his lips quirked up almost mischievously. My eyes narrowed at this, knowing him enough to know he was up to no good.

"What?" I drawled suspiciously and he bit his lip at this, shaking his head. I fought the urge to lean forward and kiss him again at the enticing sight of him.

"It's nothing." He spoke in his innocent tone and this only made me more suspicious as I folded my arms, a stern expression on my face.

"No, it's something, tell me." I protested and his eyes glinted playfully, the familiar smirk making its way to his face. I tensed then as his arms pulled me into him again, running feverishly down my sides.

"Aaron..." My protests died as he nuzzled my neck, his scent muddling my senses. I could only shiver as he let out a deep laugh, arms tightening around me.

"I know some ways to make you feel better." His words made me shudder and I opened my mouth to protest, but I couldn't say anything as he kissed my neck.

"Let me pamper you, princess."

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