Morning came slowly,
John walked out of the bathroom, fresh and glowing, his damp hair falling perfectly over his forehead. The simple white towel resting on his shoulder made him look even more breathtaking. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
He noticed my stare and smirked. "What? Never seen a handsome man before?" he teased.
I quickly looked away, embarrassed. "Tch… you're so full of yourself."
John chuckled, drying his hair. "Maybe... but you're the one staring, sweetheart."
I pouted, but deep down, his teasing made my heart race. Soon, he disappeared into the kitchen, and after a while, returned with a tray of food. "Eat, or I'll feed you myself," he threatened playfully.
"You wouldn't dare," I glared.
"Try me." He sat down beside me, placing the tray between us. Slowly, he picked up a spoonful of food and brought it to my lips. "Open up."
Reluctantly, I obeyed. The taste wasn't bad—it was simple, but warm. "You… cooked this?" I asked softly.
John smiled. "Mm-hmm. Do I get a reward for that?"
"What kind of reward?" I narrowed my eyes.
He leaned in closer, grinning. "You'll see."
After breakfast, we ended up talking about random things—memories, dreams, silly wishes. It felt like we were kids again, free from the chains of our pasts.
Then, like a child, John pulled me to the bed, tickling me until I burst into laughter—a sound I hadn't made in years. "S-stop…!" I gasped, tears forming in my eyes from laughing too hard.
"You're too cute when you laugh," he whispered, finally letting me go but keeping his arms around me.
We lay there, staring at the ceiling, until night slowly crept in.
As the room dimmed, John's gaze became different—intense… dangerous.
"You know… you still need to be punished for ignoring me all these years," he whispered.
I flinched slightly, turning to look at him. "Punished?"
Without warning, he hovered over me, his eyes darkening. "Yeah… with this," he whispered before crashing his lips against mine.
The kiss wasn't gentle—it was full of all the emotions he held back. Pain, anger, longing… love.
I struggled at first, shocked by his sudden action, but slowly, I melted. My hands found his shoulders, gripping tightly as his kiss deepened.
John broke the kiss, his breathing heavy, his eyes fixed on mine. "I hate you… but I love you more," he confessed, his voice shaking.
I couldn't speak—my throat was dry, my heart pounding.
He smirked, leaning down again. "I can't stop… You brought this on yourself," he whispered, kissing me once more—this time softer, yet still consuming.
"I'm yours now… and you're mine. Don't even think of running away," he murmured against my lips.
For the first time… I didn't want to run.
And as he held me close, whispering things I never thought I'd hear… I felt safe.
Maybe… just maybe, love wasn't such a bad thing after all.
John's breath trembled as he pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against mine. I could feel the heat radiating from him, his hands still gently cupping my cheeks.
"I…" his voice cracked, "I don't want to hurt you…"
I stared at him, lost in the depth of his eyes—eyes filled with longing, pain, and so much love that it made my chest ache.
"Then… don't," I whispered, tears slipping down my face.
John groaned softly, burying his face in my neck. "You don't understand… I've waited for so long, I've carried this… this pain. Seeing you again, holding you… I'm scared I'll lose myself."
My hands moved up, threading through his soft hair. "John… I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere… I promise," I said, though my voice trembled.
He kissed my neck gently, his lips lingering there as if trying to memorize the moment. "I want you… but I don't want to break you. You've been through enough… I—" his voice broke, and his grip tightened.
I could feel him shaking, fighting with himself.
Slowly, I cupped his face, making him look at me. "John… I trust you."
That was all he needed to hear. His lips found mine again, but this time slower… tender. His kisses carried apologies, regrets, every unsaid word he kept buried all these years.
"I love you…" he whispered against my lips. "I love you so much it hurts… I hated seeing you suffer alone, but I didn't know how to reach you."
I cried silently, my heart breaking and healing at the same time. "I pushed everyone away… I'm sorry, John… I'm really sorry."
John wiped my tears gently. "Shh… no more sorry. Not tonight."
He laid me down slowly, his hands trembling as they brushed my hair back. "I swear… I'll be careful. I won't do anything to hurt you… but please… don't push me away again," he pleaded.
I nodded weakly, unable to stop the tears flowing.
"I just want to stay like this… holding you, feeling you," he whispered. "It's enough… It's enough for me to know you're real and you're here."
We stayed there… tangled together, lost in the silence, only the sound of our breathing filling the room.
His kisses trailed down my face, my jaw, my neck, but he stopped every time he felt me flinch—even slightly. "Tell me if I go too far… I mean it," he whispered.
I nodded again. "Okay…"
John smiled weakly, pressing his forehead to mine. "Sleep… it's late. Tomorrow, I'll cook again, and we'll talk… properly."
"Will you… stay?" I asked, scared it was all a dream.
"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, pulling me close. "You're mine… forever. And I'll prove it to you… every single day."
That night, I cried… not because of pain, but because someone finally stayed.
And for the first time in years… I slept peacefully in someone's arms.