A/N: Finally, after a LONG wait, I have updated! My sincerest apologies to you all! I feel as if I have committed a crime! Anyways, please remember to R&R! And check out my other HoND fanfic, Hellfire (it's a Frollo/OC, and not the Mary-Sue kind of Frollofic)! ^_^
Chapter 3
Arabella's POV
I groggily opened my eyes and felt next to me for Clopin's warmth, but couldn't find anything. I deduced that he must have gone for a midnight stroll, a pastime that he enjoyed.
Suddenly, without warning, Clopin stormed into his-our- caravan, and picked me up. "Why didn't you tell me?" he growled.
I woke up, fully alert, and shook my head ferverently, "Clopin- What are you-?" Out of instinct, I kicked and bucked, trying to get out of his grasp. It didn't hurt, but it shocked me.
He shook me, practically steaming with uncontained rage, "How could you-? I-I thought you would tell me everything! That's what you promised! Why wouldn't you tell me?"
"I don't even know what you're talking about!"
"Don't act silly!" he squeezed my shoulders tightly, "I had to hear it from Esmeralda, Mon Dieu! I didn't even get to hear it from you. Who else knew? I'm asking because, apparently, you trust everyone except me!"
I pushed myself out of my grasp, but he was too strong, "What are you talking about? You're crazy!"
"I'm talking," Clopin said in a voice that was dangerously low, "about that bastard, Clifton. That damned bastard who forced himself on you. Who-who-" Clopin dropped me suddenly on the bed and collapsed on there as well. He let out a defeated sob, and covered his face with his hands, "The man who raped you."
A jolt of shock hit me, and I grabbed the bed covers. I needed something to hold onto. Anything. "Clopin, I'm sorry. I-I didn't want to worry you. I knew you would-"
"Would what?" Clopin's said in an accusatory tone, "So that's it, then? Not tell me? Leave me in the dark? While everyone else gets to comfort you, and I'm prancing around like an idiot, thinking the world is all rosy and perfect?"
"Clopin-" I said softly, his accusations causing me to cry softly, "I knew you'd be this angry. I knew you'd go to Clifton looking for a fight. And I knew he'd win. How...I can't lose you."
"How am I supposed to know you- the real you- if you won't tell me the truth?" He looked up, and I saw fresh tears escape his eyes. "All this time, I was upset because you wouldn't let us make love. I had no idea-"
"I should have told you, I know," I said, desperately wishing Clopin would comfort me. I yearned for him to kiss my forehead, pull me into his arms, or stroke my hand. "I-I did what I thought was best. I didn't want to hurt you."
"I know," he said, his voice absent of any emotion. He stared straight ahead, as if in deep thought.
I reached for his shoulder. "Clopin-?"
He jerked suddenly, and I took my hand quickly from his shoulder. "Arabella, I'm s-sorry, I should have asked how you are doing. This must have been more painful for you than for me," he said blankly.
"You're not still angry?"
"Of course not. I-I was more hurt than angry."
I sighed, my shoulders slumping in defeat, "I never wanted to hurt you, Clopin." I started to cry again, "I thought I could protect you." I wiped my nose noisily on my sleeve and turned away from him, "You couldn't possibly imagine...the pain. I felt horrible."
He gathered me in his arms and kissed my forehead softly. Even through these gestures of affection, I could feel that he was still angry with me. No, not angry. Hurt. "If you had told me earlier, I could have helped you get through the pain."
"I know. It's something I regret. And Clopin? A part of me-deep, deep down- was afraid that you would leave me because I can't make love to you."
He stiffened, "What on Earth made you think that?"
"Well," I explained, "you're just so...promiscuous."
Clopin sighed, "Arabella, mon amour, you don't give me enough credit. I love you, and I'll always love you. It saddens me that you would think so little of me."
"I know, Clopin," my cries ceased and were replaced with soft hiccups that shook my body, "That was stupid of me. I am sorry."
"I am sorry too, Arabella," he said as he wiped my tears gently from my cheeks. "I shouldn't have scared you like that. I let my temper get away from me. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"Not at all. Just gave me quite a fright."
Clopin seemed to deflate, "I'm sorry, I acted like such a monster. I was angry, hurt, wild. You will never see me act like that again, cherie."
I nodded, "I know it was because you were upset." I paused, unsure if the subject should be brought up, but I did so anyway, "Clopin? I want to talk about...the incident."
His eyes widened, "You want to talk about it? Are you sure?"
"More than sure. I...I need someone to talk to. Maybe then I can begin to heal."
"Okay," Clopin held me closer to him so that I could hear the rhythmic beat of his heart. "Tell me everything."
A/N: Okay, well, that's chapter 3! I hope you like it, and yeah, I am a bit rusty at writing fanfiction, but hopefully I'll get back into the groove of writing! Please remember to leave a review on your way out! ^_^
