Looking back on it she probably shouldn't have called. It was late and she was tired and she was known to lose her filter if she lacked sleep. (not that she had much of a filter to begin with) But something made her press that button. She hung up after the first ring and sat it in front of her on the bed, then counted, 3….2….1….
The phone lit up, she let it ring once, twice, then decided to pick up. She didn't even get to say anything before he asked if she was okay. She was going to brush it off, put on an act, laugh and say 'of course she was fine, she must have just bumped her phone, so sorry.' But something bubbled up inside her and she let out a sob she didn't know she was holding in. He said something then; she wasn't sure what because she'd completely broken down and dropped the phone. When she picked it back up he'd already hung up and that only made her cry more.

Five minutes later her tears had settled and she just felt mostly numb. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door, she jumped a bit, not expecting anyone at, she glanced at the clock and sighed, one thirty in the morning. She wiped her tears, grabbed a sweater, wrapped it around herself and padded downstairs. She didn't even bother to check who it was, just stared at him when she opened the door.

"What's wrong?" He asked. She could feel the tears welling up again, she shook her head,

"Nothing." But her voice cracked and she knew it didn't come out as convincing as she wanted it to. She stepped back and let him inside. He closed the door and turned to face her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to keep her voice in check.

"You called, I told you I would be right over, what's wrong, just tell me." She looked up into his eyes, she could feel the tears run.

"I can't."
"You can, just tell me." He stepped in closer to her.

"I didn't mean to chase you away." She'd wanted that to come out a lot stronger but she was crying again and it just sounded miserable.

"What do you mean, chase me away?" He shook his head as he looked down at her.

"You were going to leave, you said so. You said there was nothing keeping you here. God I was so stupid, I should have just said me, what about me. But I didn't because I was so wrapped up in my own stupid thoughts and so concerned with someone else and then look at how that turned out. But you were there for me, you were always there for me and I was such an idiot." She was breathing to fast, she had to stop for breath. He reached out and held her arms.

"You're not an idiot." He said quietly.
"I am, I was gonna just let you leave, I did let you leave. You were gone, for six months and I had no idea where you were and I was worried sick. Why didn't you call?" She looked up at him, her eyes shiny from still unshed tears.

"Because I didn't think you cared." He knew he was being blunt; he was also a little worried she'd slap him again but she didn't, she just shook her head.

"I do care, I should have told you, I should have just said it, I don't know what I was scared of."

"It's okay, it's gonna be okay." He pulled her in close and wrapped his arms around her tight. She cried but she held him close. He kissed the top of her head gently and let her cry. Finally she cried herself out and he realized she was very slowly falling asleep in his arms so he picked her up, carried her upstairs, and laid her down on her bed. He turned to leave but she grabbed his hand and he turned back to her.

"I am sorry."
"It's okay."
"No, I am so sorry." He walked back over to her, brushed a few stray pieces of hair from her face and kissed her softly.

"I forgive you." He said quietly.