Rose

I'd woken up late in the afternoon and was trying to realize what was going on. I soon realized Nate wasn't home which made me really angry.

I had convinced him to stay home until he was well enough to walk without limping, but I guess he'd broken his promise.

I wondered what was so important that he had to go. Why wouldn't he listen to me? I only wanted him to be okay.

I waited for him to come back home. I was already really annoyed but I was trying to console it. I didn't want me and Nate to fight. He must've had an important reason to go.

Suddenly, I started getting worried. Maybe something was wrong and he absolutely had to go somewhere. Maybe he wasn't okay. My mind was filling up with scenarios and I couldn't control it.

I sighed and turned on the TV to distract myself. After several hours, I heard someone unlock the door.

"Hey Rosy" He greeted.

I turned around to look at him, "Where were you?" I asked with a serious tone.

"Rose I'm sorry but I had to-"

"You're not answering my question"

I felt like I was pushing him too much. Where he was was his own business after all.

"I went to Cole's and then went to our base to fill in Ares and Leo about my progress" He said.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. I was still sitting on the couch hugging myself and he walled towards me and took a seat beside me.

"I was scared you wouldn't let me, I had to go Rosy" He said desperately.

"Okay" I whispered not wanting to fight him about this. All this time with Cole had taught me many lessons, one of them was pick your own battles and that's how I learned to be obedient.

He reached out to touch my face but I flinched automatically. I regretted it immediately. I didn't want him to think I was scared of him.

"Hey, don't be like that" He whispered.

"I'm just worried about you. You're obsessed with taking Cole down and you forget about what's good for you"

"I just want you to be finally free. You deserve it Rosy" He said.

"And what happens after I'm free?" I asked.

"We will find your parents and you'll go fix your life"

Oh.

Somehow I felt rejected. Why was I so stupid as to think he wanted me around? Of course he didn't. I wouldn't want me around either if I were him.

"I see. I'm going to bed. Goodnight" I whispered not trusting my own voice and then stood up walking towards my room.

It didn't take him long to figure out why I reacted like this and after a few seconds I felt his big hand around my wrist.

"Rose, I didn't mean it like that" He said.

I sighed quietly and out on a smile on my face as I turned to face him, "Like what?" I asked pretending to be clueless.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, "I don't want to get rid of you"

"Nate, I understand. We're not related in any way. Why would you want me around?"

"No that's not it!" He looked frustrated, like he wanted to tell me something but couldn't find words to say it.

"Nate, I understand" I said reaching for his hand.

"And I told you this is not what I meant!" He said.

"Then what?" I asked feeling my eyes welling up.

The only person to ever offer me help, the one who's risking his life to save me and yet he wants to get rid of me too. Like all the others.

Maybe Cole was the only one who would never let me go, but I didn't want that. I didn't want Cole.

"I wish I could keep you with me forever Rosy" He said, "But I can't. You deserve better"

"What do you mean? I asked.

"You deserve a good man who will love you and have family with you and who will have a normal job and will be your age" He said. His voice was husky and he was slightly gritting his teeth.

He looked angry and I wasn't sure why.

"As much as I wish to protect you I am dangerous. I can't drag you back into this life when you're just getting out of it"

"But I feel safe around you" I said. "You're the only person to ever make me feel safe"

I gathered all my will and looked up at him right in the eyes.

"Rose I'm sorry" He said shaking his head.

This time I couldn't help but let a tear roll as I looked down. I felt like a middle school girl getting rejected by her crush, but I couldn't help it.

"No. I am sorry. I'm sorry for speaking about this. I shouldn't have gotten into your business" I said.

It reminded me of my days with Cole. I always had to ask sorry whenever I asked or said too much. It broke me that I had to do this with Nate too, but at least it wasn't his fault.

"No, why did you just say that?" He asked grabbing my wrist. I flinched scared when I saw him getting irritated, "Why are you flinching? And why did you say that?" He asked again.

"What do you mean? I said too much" I whispered keeping my gaze on the floor. I just wanted him to leave me alone.

"So what? You used to say that to Cole didn't you?" He pointed out. "Answer me"

"Yes, I'm nosy sometimes it has nothing to do with him" I said. I was in denial. It had everything to do with him.

"No, you used to say that to him. Why do you suddenly feel the need to say it to me?" He asked not letting go of my wrist. "Why did you flinch when I tried to touch you? Why are you so scared?"

All these questions were making me anxious. I felt as if I was being interrogated.

"I don't know!" I said.

"You think Cole and I are the same don't you?" He asked.

No, I don't.

"Didn't you just say you're dangerous?" I said.

"Yes, but I would never hurt you"

"I know, okay? Why do you care about all that stuff?"

"You think I like the fact that everything I do reminds you of him? I always try to be the complete opposite so that you forget about him because I don't want him in your mind especially when you're with me" He said.

"He's not-"

"You're always comparing me to him, I can feel it and I hate it!" He said covering his face with his hands."Everything I do, you will always find a way to associate it to him"

I felt bad because I knew it was true. I didn't want this, but he had traumatized me in such a way that I would probably never be able to forget about him. Nate had to know it.

"You're right" I said trying to hide my face with my hair, "I always think about the things he did to me and it will take me a long time to forget. I don't know if I can"

"It kills me that you compare me to him. I don't want to be the same"

"I'm sorry Nate" I said.

He wasn't the same.

"I am not the same" He whispered, "I am not, right Rosy? Why won't you answer me? You think I'm the same?"

He was frowning and clenching his jaw and his fists. He was angry and even though I knew he wouldn't hurt me I was scared.

"I'm not the same" He whispered again and held my face, his lips a breath away from mine and he looked into my eyes, waiting. I didn't move away and he pushed his lips against mine.

I didn't expect it, not at all. Even though Cole had kissed me before, that was nothing like this. Nate was way more gentle and passionate.

Stop comparing them!

"Don't think about him" He growled against my lips, "I'm not him"

His lips were really plump and soft and his hands were cupping my face. He was obviously experienced and even though I'd been kissed before I was insecure.

I hardly ever kissed Cole back, only when he threatened me.

His lips glided over mine passionately as I was trying to keep up with him.

He slowed down and pulled away leaning his forehead on mine. "One day I'll make you forget about him. I don't want you to think about him. I only want you to think about me because-" he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear "-because I only think about you"

I wanted to melt right then and there. I felt like this was a dream or something. I thought he saw me as his friend. I thought he had many girls chasing him. He was devilishly handsome. He had sharp features and a greek god body any girl would like him.

"Y-you said-" he shushed me with a peck on the lips.

"I said what I said because I want you to have a safe happy life"

"I'm happy when I'm with you" I admitted.

He smiled and pulled me into his embrace.

"Let's go put you to bed okay? We have all the time in the world to figure it out"

"Okay" I said quietly.

He lifted me up to keep me in his arms and walked to my room.

He put me down on the bed and kissed my forehead saying 'goodnight'.

Should I ask him to stay?

Maybe he doesn't want to.

Or maybe he does but he's not telling me.

Actually he probably doesn't.

"Nate?" I called out.

He turned around and hummed in reply.

I shouldn't come off as clingy.

"Nothing. Goodnight"

"Are you sure?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded, "Yes, goodnight"

"Sleep tight angel" He whispered giving me his signature smirk before leaving the room.