Hey you guys :3 I don't know if I'll be updating as frequently anymore – I'm going through a problem right now… It's minor at the moment, and I don't feel the need to tell you about it unless it becomes serious. I hope to get rid of it before it gets bad, but… I'm not sure. So just bear with me, okay? c: And enjoy chapter 21 :D

OwOwOwOwOwOwO

I stayed with Alois all Friday, watching him, talking to him, taking care of anything he needed. He didn't seem very eager to have me there, though, to my disappointment. Something had changed, he didn't trust me.

Canterbury arrived once school was over with, and Alois seemed very excited to have him there. They talked, Alois laughed. I couldn't help but feel jealous. I sat and watched for a moment, before stepping out to get something to eat.

When I came back, Canterbury was gone, to my relief. Alois was leaning against his pillow, smiling slightly to himself, happy.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked gently.

"No." He shook his head, without looking at me.

I bit my lip. "I would never hurt you."

"But you have before."

"That's just it, Alois, before!" I sat down next to him, leaning forwards. "Before, Alois, before I knew I loved you."

He still didn't look at me, lifting his pinkie finger to his lips and nibbling on it.

"Alois, I love you!" I took his hand, drawing it away from his mouth, and he flinched, trying to tug it away from me, but I held on. "You can't keep thinking that I did this to you!" I held up his hand so he could see the bandages. "I would never do this to you! Not ever!"

He looked pained, and still tried to wrench his hand away, but I only gripped the fingers tighter. "Alois." I pressed, leaning closer to him. "I love you." Our noses were inches apart; I could feel his frantic breaths on my face. "Nothing, nothing could change that."

He blushed slightly, and finally his hand was motionless, but he still looked stressed.

I brushed my lips over his, and he winced away. I frowned. "What's wrong? Why don't you trust me?" I lifted my free hand to hold the side of his face. "Why won't you let me kiss you?"

"I don't…" he murmured. "I don't want to be touched." He moved his hand feebly in mine again, trying to pull away, but I still didn't let him. "He… you… pressed me d-down… I couldn't breathe, I…" he stumbled slightly with his words, and I saw a tear run down his cheek. I quickly wiped it away with my free hand. I didn't want to see him cry.

"I can't… I feel like… like I can't breathe again…" this time when he tried to tug his hand away, I let him.

"I'm sorry, Alois…" I said quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't come in time, I'm sorry I couldn't stop him…" I looked at him and I hoped to God he could tell that I was telling the truth. "I heard you scream and I ran, Alois… I had to get to you and still I… I couldn't before he…" my eyes moved to his bandages. "I love you so much, I wanted to do all I could to protect you and if I could have taken those scars on my wrist for you, I would have."

More tears dripped from his cheeks, but I brushed each one away with the tips of my fingers. "I'm serious, Alois, I've never been more serious in my life."

He looked down at his lap, blinking furiously to force the tears back, but they didn't stop coming. He finally looked up at me, and lifted a dainty, fragile hand to the side of my face. He didn't say anything, but I knew what the gesture meant. He believed me, he loved me, but things were still different.

I closed my eyes and let his hand warm my cheek, leaning forwards so our foreheads just barely touched. "I'll make things okay for you again." I promised. "I'll make sure you stay safe."

He tilted his chin forwards and let our lips meet gently, not rushed or needy. Hesitant, timid, like most other kisses we'd shared. I let him kiss me, and I kissed him back, just as softly, just as gently. When finally he pulled away, he buried his face in my shoulder, his fingers clenching around the fabric of my shirt. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close to me, kissing the top of his head before resting my cheek lightly on it.

"You'll be alright." I promised. "You don't ever have to be afraid of me. I'll keep you safe."

"I want to believe that…" He whispered back. "I need to believe that…"

I rocked him back and forth gently, listening to his voice fade away until the only noise in the room was the sound of light, September wind knocking branches against the window. I hoped that things could go back to the way they were. But I knew they wouldn't.

OwOwOwOwOwO

Sorry for the short chapter, you guys… I just wanted to put something up and I didn't know when I'd get the chance to update again, so… yeah :3 I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Huggles,

Emzi