Days had turned into weeks, weeks into months. He was gone a lot, apparently by his own choosing. He had pulled away from her, she could feel it. She could feel his presence slip away from her conciousness. It wouldn't leave her alone. He avoided her gaze, avoided being around her. It had been a very gradual process where he ghosted her on an almost professional level. Changes had been subtle at first, fairly obvious later on. She would question herself if he really did ignore her over dinner or was that just because they were talking to others? Did he just deliberately leave the room when she came in or was he just on his way to do something else? She wasn't one to judge quickly, but uncertainty started to creep in. She would like to think he was still her go-to-person, eventhough they hadn't had a decent conversation in months. She knew, if something was up, he would still be there for her. Right? At least, she hoped he would. His actions had made her doubt.

For a while there he seemed to be relaxed enough to let his guard down around her and showed her a side of him not many people got to see. She felt honoured when he did; she knew it had taken him a tremendous amount of effort and trust to get this far with her.

She thought she'd been clear enough with him to show her feelings were mutual, without scaring him off completely. She had been comfortable around him too. It was her way of showing she cared. When he was there for a visit and she needed a shower or a change of clothes, she wouldn't be a prude and ask him to leave, she would just be almost-naked with him being there and not care. He would do her the courtesy of looking away (and blush, that was so cute), but she wouldn't ask him to. Together they had been in enough gross situations of being covered in whatever disgusting substance, albeit their own or someone else's, to not be ashamed anymore. If the occassion arose, they'd shower together or sleep in the same bed and be at ease with eachother.

But the moment she would ask him to do something for her and he'd bitten her head off, she knew for sure, he was retreating. Not just his friendship or his companionship, but as a whole he was just fading. She'd noticed him trying to disappear into the background everytime she was around him. He went back to lurking in corridors. Brooding in his cell for hours on end not wanting to be disturbed even when there were a lot of things going on that needed his attention. It was the proverbial last straw.

"Hey...", poking her head aroudn the celldoor, she checked what his mood was like today.

"Hey...". Surprised to see her here? Nah, not really.

"Do you have a minute...?"

"I guess...", he gave a big sigh. He had always known they would end up having a conversation like this in the end. Where he could finally put an end to all this. He was sorry about having to hurt her, but it was for the best. Self preservation.

"So, ehh, I was wondering...what's up?" Just keep it simple and cool. You'd never know if he would ignite and explode at her. Again.

"Whatdoyamean?" Sure, play dumb.

"Well...it's pretty obvious you're not talking to me anymore. Is something wrong? Have I done something wrong?"

"Nah...just want to spend some time alone."

"Are you all right...?"

"Hmmm. Gotta be. I'm just tired".

"Tired of what?"

"Tired of being here, I guess."

"Are you leaving?" Oh please God, tell me he's not leaving...please...

"Nah. Thought about it, but I can't."

"Oh, thank God. I don't want you to leave. I've noticed you've been pulling away from me. I'm still here, you know. You might have given up on me, but I'm not giving up on you. On us." Aaand, there it was.

"I haven't given up. On you. It's just... wait...is there an "us"?" What the hell was she talking about? Did he miss something?

"I was hoping there was, but you've seemed to have pulled the plug on that one." Great, more lies to fill his head with.

"How can you talk about an "us" when I can't even look you in the eye and tell you how I feel? Hell, does it matter what I feel, I've been pretty much friend-zoned..."

"Friend-zoned?! Well...you have a headstart now, might as well keep going...?", she smriked while leaning back to the wall.

"I thought we had something. But now, I think I've been alone all along..." Oh you poor man. How you make life so much more difficult.

"You are not alone. You have all of me." What?! WHAT!?

"So, what is it, that YOU want?" I WANT YOU, YOU DAMN GORGEOUS WOMAN. I WANT TO HAVE IT ALL WITH YOU!

"I dunno, I haven't made up my mind yet..." Even now, he was too scared to go after what he wanted. Who he wanted.

His eyes pleaded to put an end to this. He was embarrased to the hilt and wanted it to stop. Arms hanging loosely next to his body, shoulders low, head hanging, on the verge of tears; he gave up. Like a little puppy rolling over to show its pink belly. It was out there, he'd said as much as he dared and all he could do was hope she could read minds.

Taking a small step forward, their bodies almost touched, she was so close. So small compared to him. Becoming increasingly intimidated by her presence, he glanced left and right looking for an escape, but couldn't find it. Darting eyes, trying to avoid her gaze. Cupping his cheeks with her hands, she gave him a tender kiss on his chapped lips. Butterflies sprung to life inside him, fluttering about in his abdomen. After what seemed like an eternity, he felt like his knees were about to give in, she let him go. Opening his eyes, he inspected her face for a reaction. Shocked to see her eyes were still half an inch from his face, she softly whispered,"I've made up your mind...".