Gideon's POV

Gideon needed to apologize, but he couldn't even face her.

He fucking hit her.

She tried to stop him before things got really bad, but destroying Ruin had been the only thing on his mind. When Ruin shouted "You hit her!" that's when Gideon came back to his senses. He watched as she bled and eventually collapsed.

I stood there and did nothing...

Go talk to her, that's what he had to do. He hadn't been himself since it happened. Hardly eating, not sleeping. Her bloody hands and nose were all he saw when every time he closed his eyes. I really didn't mean to. Go tell her that.

Gideon walks to the hospital. He had to stop himself from turning back at least three times.

He told the woman at the desk who he was looking for and she told him which room to go to. Walking down the hall to that room was the hardest thing he's ever done.

When he walks into the room, her head is turned towards the window. Gideon clears his throat, she turns and smiles, but it fades quickly. His heart sinks when he sees the bruising around her nose. I probably broke it.

That smile she gave him was for someone else...that hurt.

He'd been standing in the same place for awhile and she didn't say anything to him. You say something.

Walking a little further into the room, Gideon pulls his beanie off and attempts to smile. "How are you?" he asks. "I'm...better, thanks." She gives him a small smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

She is not as pale as she was and she definitely looked stronger, but it was the bruising that bothered him. Gideon felt like something was stuck in his throat so he cleared it again. "I wanted to come sooner but..."

"Gideon, its okay, you don't have to explain." She looks at him then down at her hands. He closed his eyes and that weird feeling in his throat came back. "I-I'm sorry, [y/n]." It came out almost like a sob, but Gideon didn't cry, did he?

When he opened his eyes again everything was blurry, but he could see her staring at him in shock. "Gideon..."

"I'm so fucking sorry. I didn't mean to do it. I should have stopped...I shouldn't have even started. Fuck me..." He wiped his eyes and looked away. He couldn't believe this, he was crying. When he looked back at [y/n] she was crying, too.

"I know you didn't mean to. I shouldn't have tried to stop you the way I did, but I was so scared. I've never seen you like that, Gideon. I don't like it..."

Gideon isn't sure what to say so he just walks over to her and hugs her. She sobs quietly in his arms and he fights back more tears. He finally pulls away and she manages another smile. "Sorry for crying all over your shirt."

"Don't worry about it." Gideon smiles for the first time in what feels like ages."So when do you get out of here? You're looking much better."

"Tonight actually. I can't wait."

He can tell how happy she is by the smile on her face. "That's great! We should celebrate." He looks at her for an answer and the smile is gone again. Why does she keep doing that?

"I, um, already have plans tonight, but definitely some other time."

Gideon nods feeling as though he'd just been slapped. "Some other time then."

His whole world felt like it was falling apart again. He knew he should have come to see her sooner.

A nurse comes in to bring her some lunch and Gideon takes that as his cue to leave. "I'll see you soon," he says putting his beanie back on.

"For sure. Thanks for coming to see me." She smiles at him again and it almost, almost makes him feel better.

"No problem. Enjoy your lunch and have a good night." Gideon walks out of the room feeling like he was going to cry again. You knew what would happen. You can't blame anyone but yourself.

That's what hurt him the most. It wasn't her fault, it wasn't Ruin's fault no matter how much he hated him. The fault was his and his alone and there was nothing he could do about it.

Your POV

Gideon cried.

Gideon apologized.

Gideon cried?

You sat there staring at your sandwich replaying everything that just happened. He was genuinely sorry. You knew he didn't do it on purpose, but like you told him, it was scary. Sure, your Captain was a feisty, but that...that was something totally different. Enough thinking about that. Eat your food.

You eat your sandwich in silence and start to think about Ruin. What did he have planned? If anything happened, Ilona would never let you live it down. Oh well.

After lunch, the time seemed to drag on. When the sun finally started to set, you patiently waited for the doctor to come in and give you the all clear. About twenty minutes later, the doctor gives you one last check up, you're allowed to sign your release papers and get the hell out of there.

You rush back to your room to shower and put some nice but casual clothes on. Your phone rings as you brush your hair. Ilona. "Hello, Ilona."

"Are you out?" she asks.

"Yes. I'm doing well, thanks. How are you?"

She laughs. "Ruin asked me for your number so I gave it to him. Hope you don't mind."

"No, that's okay." You want to tell her about Gideon, but you didn't want to be stuck on the phone talking about that for too long right now. You had to get ready. "Listen Ilona, I'm still pretty tired do I'm gonna get some rest, okay?"

"No problem. Call me whenever you can." Ilona hangs up.

You feel bad about lying to her, but that was a conversation for another time. You look in the mirror. Skinny jeans and a tank top, that was fine. Ruin wasn't taking you out or anything, at least you didn't think so.

Your phone rings again and its a number you don't recognize. Must be him. "Hello?"

"Hey there," the familiar voice says. "You out of the hospital yet?"

"Yup, I'm already back at my room."

"Awesome. I got us a couple of beers and stuff. Your place or mine?" Ruin asks and you're not sure what to tell him. "You know what, I'll come to you. You're probably still a little worn out from everything. I wouldn't want anything happening to you."

"Okay, that's fine."

"I'll try to come by when its a little darker so I don't stand out as much." Ruin laughs.

"Good idea. I'll be waiting."

"I hope I won't disappoint, sweetheart," he says and you get chills. Before you start to daydream you tell him you'll see him soon and hang up. Get yourself together.

You watch TV and try not to check the clock as it gets darker. You're nervous and excited. You check yourself in the mirror once more then a knock on the door startles you. As you open the door, you smooth your hair down and smile up at Ruin. "Come in," you say holding the door for him.

The door closes and you realize you're alone with him. Like really alone.

This will be interesting...

Ruin's POV

Ruin could see how nervous she got once the door closed.

They had been alone before, but not quite like this. He was a little nervous too, but he wasn't going to let her see that. She looks at the bags in his hands. "What did you get us?"

"Well, I wasn't sure what you liked so there's some Guinness, Blue Moon, and Bud Light. If you wanna be really bad, I got some Jameson." He starts pulling things out of the bags and hands her a Bud Light, he assumed that was more her speed.

She rolls her eyes and reaches around to grab a Guinness. "Thanks."

Ruin laughs and pulls out a pack of plastic shot glasses. "I came prepared."

"Of course you did." She takes a shot glass.

"What's your poison?" he asks and she points to the Jameson. He pours hers first then some for himself and lifts the shot glass to her. "Cheers."

"Cheers," she repeats and downs the shot. Ruin expected her to cough and sputter like some other people, but she didn't. He was impressed. "Yummy," she says with an adorable smile.

Picking up her Guinness, she starts to look around for a bottle opener. "I know I have one here somewhere."

He could easily open it for her, but was enjoying watching her walk around. Finally her says, "Give it here" and pops the cap right off. She smiles at him, loosening up a bit, but still nervous.

"So how are you feeling?" he asks.

"I'm feeling better. I just wish the bruises would go away." She reaches to touch her nose and he stops her.

"Don't." Ruin holds on to her hand a little longer than necessary. Her pupils dilate and she licks her lips quickly. "Um, let's have another shot, huh?"

"Whatever you like."

The minutes turn into hours and [y/n] is much more outgoing and flirty. She's singing along to some song on the radio and standing on her bed dancing. Ruin was willing himself to stay in the chair. Don't you dare.

She looks at him and he motions her over with his finger. "Okay, okay." [Y/N] steps off the bed on wobbly legs and sits across from him. "Why don't you have a boyfriend?" Ruin asks genuinely interested.

"Um, well I did, but it didn't work out. I think I'm a little too hardheaded, too stubborn. Men don't like it."

"It's not that. You just have to find a guy that can handle you." As he says this, his eyes trail down her body. That shirt and those jeans fit her just right.

"Let's play Never Have I Ever!" she says enthusiastically.

"With two people?" Ruin asks.

"That just makes it more fun, don't you think? Pour us a few shots. I'll go first! Hmmm...Never have I ever killed someone." They both take a shot and he looks at her in shock. "Really?"

"I'm in the military just like you, Donnie. I've had to do things I really didn't want to."

He nods and she looks at him, her eyes a little unfocused. God, he wanted her. Keep it together, Donnie. "What are you thinking about?" she asks tilting her head to the side. Kissing you again... Ruin shakes his head, "Nothing. My turn...Never have I ever made out with someone in the space between two buildings." She bursts into laughter then drinks, as does he.

"That was oddly specific," she says laughing again.

"I couldn't think of anything else." Ruin sits back in the chair and looks at her.

"What?"

"Nothing, just...looking." he says.

She drinks some more. "Truth or dare?" she says. "I thought we were playing Never Have I Ever."

"Just pick one."

"Okay. Truth." Ruin answers.

She looks at him for a long time before speaking. "Do you want to kiss me again?" He stares at her then looks at her lips, "Yes." She stands a little off-balance. "Okay then, kiss me."

Ruin stands slowly and closes the space between them in one step. He picks her up, she squeals and laughs, but the laugh is cut short as he starts kissing her. He stops for a moment. "I apologize for anything you may...feel." She smiles against his lips, "Just kiss me, Donnie."

Ruin continues to kiss her. Usually he would be taking her clothes off by now, but for some reason, this kiss was enough. Then she started pulling his hair and biting his lip and he nearly lost control.

He pulls away and puts her down, keeping a hand on her back to steady her. Her face is flushed and her lips are swollen.

"I should get going." Ruin really didn't want to leave, but he would only cause trouble if her stayed.

"Oh okay." She looks down and walks around him to the door.

"[Y/N]..."

She wont look at him.

"[Y/N], you didn't do anything wrong, okay? It's me. I want you more than you know. So fucking bad, but I respect you too much to do this after we've been drinking. One of these days though, I'll show you just how bad, how much I want you." Ruin says trying his hardest not to stare at her pouted lips.

"I understand. I appreciate that...goodnight, Donnie."

He kisses her once more and leaves.

Good for you, Donnie boy. No, what the hell were you thinking?!

I did the right thing Ruin thinks.

As he's walking, he thinks of something that stops him dead in his tracks.

I left her all hot and bothered. What if she turns to Gideon for relief?

For the rest of the night Ruin has a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach and can't sleep.

Nice guys finish last, right?