Disclaimer: I don't own them...


The city below blurs through the glass.
His face is the only thing I see.
His eyes, green and piercing.
How did we end up here?
I'm scared.
Don't leave.
I love you.

The rain blurs the view from the penthouse window.
The tears in her brown eyes, it's as if she prompted the downpour.
How did we get to this place?
Don't leave.
I need you.

My heart stutters at the thought that he won't be there when I walk out.
I'm not asking for much.
Unconditional love.
Your heart.
Your body.
I want it all.

I can hear her cries.
What does she want from me?
She owns me.
My heart.
My soul.
Doesn't she already know this?
I can't fight things I can't see.

I step out of the warm water and move toward him.
I'm vibrating, I know he's near.
I leave a trail of water on the marble floor.
The lights are dim.
The rain pounds against the windows.
A swirl of smoke rises from across the room.

With my head in my hands, I watch the smoke from my cigarette rise toward the ceiling.
I tremble; she's near.
My eyes seek her out, without my consent.
The rain echoes, my breath leaves me at the sight of her.
Wrapped in a towel, hair dripping, eyes red and swollen.
She moves toward me in slow calculated steps.
I swallow roughly.

I can feel the tears burning in my eyes.
My throat aches from the swallowed sobs.
He's still here.
Beautiful in his sorrow.
Broken and in pain; my fault.
Head in his hands, hair tangled in his fingers, cigarette between his lips.
His eyes slowly open and move to me, hesitantly.

She stops and I can hear the drip, drip of the water on the floor.
Her face crumbles and I'm on my feet.
I'm sorry, she says over and over.
I don't know why, she says.
My steps are slow, but I reach her before she falls.
I can't keep doing this; we can't keep doing this.
I know, she says.
What do we do?

I don't know what to do.
We stay, we fight, we love, I say.
Stay.

I love you, but things have to change.
I can't keep doing this.

I love you, I promise things will change.

I lift her up and her face is even with mine.
I look into her eyes.
I promise, she says.
I'm not him.
Her body goes slack and I cradle her in my arms.
I lay her down, and grab more towels.

He quietly moves around the room.
He dries me off and wraps me in blankets.
He wraps a towel around my hair.
I reach for his hand.
I know you're not him.

I lie next to her and she clings to me.
We'll get through this.
You have to trust me.

I'll try harder.
I love you and it scares me.

I won't take advantage of that, I'm just as scared as you are.

Can I stay?

As long as you want. Forever.