ι'м ησт qυιтє нυмαη, вυт ι'м ησт qυιтє α мα¢нιηє {Rue}

[assassinrue]

Valerie glanced around her and realized with a rumble of ferocity, she'd have to be naked to talk to him. Of course. What could make this any more annoying? She shifted back and glared at Aron. "What?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron did his best to keep his eyes focused on her face, as to not make her any more uncomfortable, but damn it was hard. "Why are you running from me? I was trying to rescue you."

[assassinrue]

"Because everytime you show up in my life, something goes wrong!"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Yeah, well, I tried to tell you that!" Aron snapped. "From the beginning, I said you should stay away from me. I got you kidnapped for God's sake! But now we're both neck deep in it, and you need to let me protect you."

[assassinrue]

Valerie snorted derisively and let out a sarcastic laugh. "Protect me? really?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron's face twisted into a scowl. "Well clearly you're not equipped to protect yourself."

[assassinrue]

"Why do you care? Go search for missing men or whatever it is you do." She turned away from him and walked.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron's forehead furrowed. He stepped forward and caught her arm before she could get far. "Val, just give me a chance."

[assassinrue]

Valerie spun around, her eyes violent and dark. "I gave you a chance, Aron. You disappeared without a word."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

That shut him up, but only for a few seconds. "I made the wrong call," he said finally. "I thought I was doing what was best for you. I didn't realize how much it would hurt you... I guess I should have."

[assassinrue]

"So what is this? Atonement? Do you think you can fix the damage you've done just with an apology and a quick rescue?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"No!" Aron ran his fingers through his dark hair in frustration. "I don't. But I have to do something."

[assassinrue]

"Why?" Valerie sounded resigned.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron shook his head slightly, his expression turning wistful. "Because I love you. And because this is all my fault."

[assassinrue]

Valerie felt all the air sucked out of her lungs and every muscle seemed to cramp. "You do?" Gods she sounded meek, she hated it, and she hated more that she wanted him to love her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron grimaced, mistaking her tone for disappointment. So she didn't love him after all, and she didn't want him to love her. He wondered if she ever had and he'd ruined it, or if it had never been meant to last.

[assassinrue]

Valerie turned her head away from him. "Nevermind, I don't want to know the truth."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Valerie, please, just let me fix this," Aron said. "Let me get you out of danger, and then you'll never have to see me again. I promise."

[assassinrue]

Valerie hunched into herself, wrapping her arms around her body. "That's not what I want." She mumbled.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aron dared not let those words ignite hope in him. "Then what do you want?"