"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," I said as I walked into the small apartment bedroom me and Cliff had been renting for the last month, courtesy of Aaron until both of us could get jobs. I held a tray of food in one hand, and a glass of water in the other.

Cliff's eyes remained closed even after I called out to him and he rolled over to face away from me. He clearly had no intention of heeding my call, or acknowledging the fact that he really needed to get out of bed.

"Cliff, seriously," I said. "If you sleep too late, it will turn into a habit."

When he still didn't move, I placed the food on the dresser and walked over to shake his shoulder. "Cliff, get up-" Before I could prompt him another time, he grabbed onto my wrist firmly with one hand and dragged me underneath the blankets with him. I stared at him in mild surprise before frowning. "That's not funny," I said.

Cliff chuckled. "I think it's very funny," he replied, leaning in to kiss at my neck. He went on a mission of exploring the best ways to turn me on as I tried to worm away.

"Cliff, seriously," I protested. "You need to eat your breakfast."

He groaned dramatically and put his face in my shoulder. "I don't want to eat that," he said, snuggling closer to me suggestively. "What I want is right here..."

I shivered as a cold hand slid up my shirt, and finally forced him to roll over so I was sitting on him. "No," I said, making him pout. I leaned down to kiss him chastely. "That's dinner."

He grinned as he watched me stand and grab his food. I set it on the edge of the bed and told him to eat it or I would stop making him breakfast. He grumbled some more about not wanting me to go, but I left and went into the living room.

Since our escape from the mental institution, Cliff had steadily been getting better. He had been in really bad shape when we found him, but with care and attention, he was almost fully healthy again. Personally, I thought he was already as healthy as an ox and was just pulling my leg, but he was still having nightmares occasionally, and he didn't like to be left alone, so I humored him. He deserved some attention after what he had been through. As for our relationship, it had become... more interactive, I guess you could say. I could easily admit that he was my boyfriend, and I was his. As a result, we had started taking steps to further our relationship.

I wasn't living with Kevin anymore, I had left the day after we rescued Cliff. From what I was reading in my letters from Kevin, his parents were freaking out about my "disappearance" and had already reported it to the police. But they wouldn't find us, of that I was sure. I still met up with Kevin sometimes in secret, just to chat and swap stories. We intended to stay friends, even if it was a little difficult to communicate.

Rowen and Aaron had agreed to help pay for the apartment we were occupying until Cliff was better and had a good enough paying job. I got a job, but without a degree, it wasn't the best and it certainly couldn't support the both of us. We planned to buy a house and live like before when we had enough money for it, but we both knew that prospect was a long way off with many obstacles in between.

I was staring out the kitchen window, washing my coffee mug, when I heard Cliff set his dishes on the counter behind me. "You're zoning out again," he said. "What's on your mind?"

I dried my hands on a towel. "Nothing," I said.

I decided to start some laundry and grabbed the hamper with our clothes. The laundry machines were located on the first floor of the complex, so I left the apartment and walked down the stairs, balancing the large basket of clothes in my arms carefully to avoid tripping. After putting the dirty clothes into the washer and setting it to run, I headed back upstairs. I was just reaching the apartment when I heard a familiar voice.

"Zane!" Aaron called, hurrying up the stairs behind me with a wave.

"Hey," I said, surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Cliff didn't tell you?" Aaron asked. "He's helping me with a job tonight."

I stared at him, believing him to be joking. However, when his expression told otherwise, my mood slowly turned sour. "He is, is he?" I turned back to the front door. "Well, then. Let me go talk to him for a minute."

I stormed into the apartment and flung the door to the bedroom open. I didn't even give Cliff a warning before I burst into the bathroom where he was getting dressed and glared at him. He hastily pulled a shirt on. "Everything... okay?" he asked when he saw my face.

I crossed my arms with a scowl that could scorch and kicked the door open so Cliff could see Aaron entering the apartment behind me. "When, exactly, did you plan on telling me about your appointment with Aaron?" I asked. "Or did you think I wouldn't find out and you could go gallivanting off while I wasn't looking?"

Now very much aware of the situation he had cause, Cliff ducked his head. "Oh, yeah... About that," he mumbled, looking to Aaron for help. Unfortunately for him, his friend just looked away sheepishly. Cliff looked back at me, finally admitting the defeat of not having an excuse good enough for me to believe.

I threw my hands up. "Why do I even try?" I snapped.

"I was going to tell you," Cliff started, but I as already walking away.

"Of course you weren't," I bit out over my shoulder. "Somehow, I'm not surprised."

I left the room in a huff and walked out of the apartment. After everything we had been through, Cliff was still hiding things from me; he was still as secretive with his life outside of the apartment as he had been before he was arrested. I didn't know if it was because he thought he couldn't trust me, if I was still just a ward, or if it was something else entirely, but it made me so angry I could scream. Of all people for him to hide things from, his list should not include me. 

I went into the trees behind the apartment building and walked until I couldn't see anything except wildlife and the sky. When I was finally alone, and far, far away from Cliff and his lies, I leaned against a tree and slid to the ground. I rested my chin in my palm and stared through the trees in the direction of the apartment. This was good, I told myself. Solitude was good. Whatever reason Cliff had for lying to me was not worth my time, effort, or anger, and sitting here for a while would be good to remind me of that fact.

That entire concept was all a big fat lie, but sitting there did give me time to think and meditate on what I would say when I returned. I spent so long in my thoughts, I eventually fell asleep. I must have dozed for hours, because when I woke again, the sun was setting behind the tree tops. The only reason I had awoke was because I felt myself being jostled. I was being carried, and I recognized the familiar arms that held me. I remained silent was Cliff carried me home and laid me down in our bed. However, even then, I didn't move nor acknowledge his presence.

Finally, he sighed. "I'm sorry," he said, defeated. "I didn't want you to worry about me. You've been so concerned about me being careful and staying safe... I thought you'd be upset if I told you."

I remained obstinate.

Carefully, Cliff took my hand and pressed his lips to it. "Can you please open your eyes and talk to me?"

He knew I was awake, probably had all along. Knowing I couldn't keep up my act for much longer, I relented and looked up at him. "I'm more upset that you didn't tell me," I said. "Besides, what would have happened if I woke up and found you gone? What would I think? You could've been anywhere and I wouldn't have known."

Cliff slouched, clearly uneasy with that prospect. "I didn't think of that."

"Obviously," I said, but I wasn't mad anymore, I didn't want him to think that I was. I took his hand. "Don't lie to me. After everything we've been through, don't you dare lie to me about this sort of thing."

"I understand," Cliff said, genuine regret in his voice. "I won't do it again."

"Good," I said. Then I stood. "I need to make dinner. I should've gotten started on it sooner," I said, glancing at the clock.

However, before I could take even a single step, Cliff wrapped an arm around my waist. "I'm not hungry," he said. "Can't we just spend time together?"

"Cliff, you have to eat something," I protested.

"Fine," he said. "Then I want you."

I pulled away and backed towards the door. "No. That's tomorrow's dinner," I said, unable to hide my own grin. "You'll have to wait to eat that meal."

"No way," Cliff said adamantly, leaving the bed to follow me. "I'm not waiting any longer and you certainly can't make me."

He lunged for me, but I moved sideways and ducked into the living room. I laughed loud enough for the neighbors to hear as he chased me around the couch, narrowly grabbing my arm and hoisting me into the air.

"No!" I yelled through my laughter with mock outrage as he carried me back into the bedroom. He dropped me on the bed unceremoniously and pinned my wrists. I bit my lip, trying to look innocent. "You're going to need all your energy for tonight," I said.

"Then you better get ready," Cliff chuckled. "'Cause I need to recharge."

I closed my eyes as he leaned down, kissing me chastely at first. I tugged on his shirt impatiently, and he happily gave me what I really wanted. We only had a few hours before his departure to danger, but we spent each second together in a heated room filled with love, sweat, and moans.

*******

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