"I don't need you to love me Zane " she says, tears sliding down her face as she raises her red rimmed eyes to mine. "I just need it to stop.... for a little while."
That's what guts me enough to want to kill whoever hurt her and slay all her demons, to burn down the fuckign world to protect. Haveing such thoughts about her surprise me, I've never had such thoughts about anyone before I usually don't give a fuck.
She isn't confusing this for healing, she knows exactly what she's asking for. And why.
I close my eyes for a second my jaw tight. Everything in me is torn in two. Part of me wants to protect her from everything, from herself, from the world, from me.
The other part knows that denying her agency right now would be just another way of taking control away from her.
When I look at her again, my hands come up slowly and deliberately. I make sure she sees and feels it. No surprises.
