Scared – Prompt #11 – Lovers

Claire looked up at Hugh, lips pausing at his neck for a few seconds, a faint blush spreading on her cheeks. Oh, crap.

"I-I'm sorry," she mumbled, drawing back, her body freezing up. Again.

She felt his arms go around her in comfort and shook her head hard, shaking him off abruptly.

"Don't!" she snapped. "Just – don't, Hugh! Okay? Leave me alone!"

Why, why couldn't she get it together?

"Claire," Hugh's hand hesitated, then touched her shoulder lightly, squeezing it gently, reassuringly. "I'm sorry. Did I do something-?"

She stared at him. "You didn't do anything! It's me, Hugh. All me. I just-"

She held his hand tight, realising that when she pushed him away she had made him worry that he had been the one in the wrong. She hastened to reassure him.

"I'm sorry I'm so scared, Hugh. I know I shouldn't be-"

"Why shouldn't you be?" he asked gently, taking her into his arms. "There's no rulebook, Claire, Every person, every relationship is different. It doesn't matter, okay?"

"It does to me," she whispered softly, kissing his chest above his heart. "I don't want you to…think that I'm-"

"What do you take me for?" Hugh's voice now held a hint of anger and his arms tightened around her as he kissed her roughly suddenly. "As if I would go off you just because we haven't slept together!"

Claire managed a weak, watery smile and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I-I just – I'm being silly. Ignore me."

"Well, that'll be difficult," Hugh mused, laying her down beneath him and gently smoothing her hair back over her forehead. "Because you're always on my mind. I can't ignore you, Claire."

"I do love you," she murmured quietly, closing her eyes and snuggling up to him as he lay beside her. "You know that, right?"

"I know I love you," he responded, smiling a little. "And if you love me, then understand; I don't care about this stuff. It'll happen when it happens, Claire. Don't try to rush it, or tell yourself you're not good enough because it's not true. And this is not – and will never be - why I love you. Okay?"

"Okay," she nodded, her heart feeling lighter and happier as she lay her head against his shoulder to sleep.

Thank you, Hugh, she thought.

(386 words)

A/N:- I love this. I love it. 'Nuff said.

Oh, Hugh! ^_^

This turned out way longer than the 100 words I had initially intended it to be, lol! But, I wanted to expand it a little and angry-OC-Hugh-ness is always a pleasure.

Stupid Claire, hehe! XD;

PS. I am going to be auctioning fics to raise money for the SUPPORT STACY AUCTION, so please, if you like my stories and you have some time, please BID ON ME OR THE OTHER FABULOUS AUTHORS ON HERE:.?f=16 !

It's for a good cause! Bids start on Jan 15th - 18th 2010, so please please check it out! ^_^