I turned to look at Tom, we'd been sat in the forest for nearly an hour, and he'd told me about home and his parents. He'd had a simple life as a child growing up in Scotland but he'd always had ambition. He spoke of how they'd sacrificed everything to give him the best education so he could get where he is now. He'd said about his training and exams, when he'd first arrived here, making friends with Miles. But now he wanted to hear my story, he knew about Sylvie, but kept asking more questions that I didn't want to answer; now we sat in an uncomfortable silence. He looked back at me now with those piercing blue eyes. I couldn't look into them. My gaze dropped to the ground and I heard him let out a sigh as if he were about to make some excuse to leave, I'd learnt he hated awkward silences. I didn't want to lose him, I'd known that since our first kiss, maybe before deep down but it'd taken a lot to admit it to myself.
"I'm scared, Tom," I turned slightly to see him staring at me, urging me to continue. "I don't want to lose you, not now, with this war it's important we stick together."
"I'm not going anywhere." He said clearly,
"You will, when you hear, you will," I was staring back into his eyes now; I could see a hint of confusion spreading across his brow. I let in a deep, unsteady breath. Then I felt his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest.
"I'm not going anywhere," he repeated, "I can't be away from you, I'm sorry but you're stuck with me." He kissed my forehead lightly sending a shiver through me.
"I don't have a pleasant past, I've done some dreadful things, and I can't see my daughter. That's why I'm here to show them I could look after her-"
"I know, you said."
"But that's not all."
"What else is there?"
"Plenty more." He wound his fingers into mine,
"There's no rush," he said, he understood. It's not I didn't trust him; I just wasn't ready to expose all. I tilted my head up and his lips met mine softly before he stood up, pulling me with him.
"let's walk."
