Soon after Gordon had left, Crane made his way back downstairs, where he took a seat on Diana's bedside. She kept sleeping silently.
He knew that once she woke up, she'd suffer from the effects the sedative had on her. She'd be dizzy, light-headed, and feel incredibly exhausted.
He wanted to be there for her when she woke up; he wouldn't leave her side.
She would be confused, and scared. She'd feel alone, and would probably go back into her timid, silent shell.
Carefully, he moved closer, and pulled her into his arms. Her head rested against his chest, while he gently pulled her legs over his lap. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold her like this again once she woke up. She would be afraid to even be near him, he knew that.
He sighed, and brushed her hair out of her face. He wanted her so badly. And even though she was here now…the mere thought of her being afraid of him…it broke his heart. He wanted to spare her from suffering. She didn't deserve to be tormented more violence, or abuse.
...
When Diana slowly became conscious again, her head was pounding, and her thoughts were very hazy.
She opened her eyes, and blinked a few times. Her vision was very blurry, but it slowly cleared. She soon found herself lost in a pair of blue eyes looking down on her. She recognized those eyes immediately.
'J-Jonathan?' she softly asked.
He smiled faintly, and nodded. She shifted, and realized he had cradled her in his arms. She felt warmth radiating from him; she felt safe.
Her thoughts wandered to Adam and his family. Flashes of the fire went by before her eyes.
'W-what happened to Adam and his family?' she asked.
'Don't tire yourself out with questions; just rest now, my love' he whispered warmly.
He kissed the top of her head. She leaned into his embrace, but grew worried and scared at seeing her change of clothing. She tiredly looked around her, seeing she was in a room she was unfamiliar with. Fear seeped into her.
'W-where am I? What happened to my clothes?' she panicky asked.
'Hush…' he tried to calm her down.
She looked into his blue eyes.
'Tell me the truth' she nearly begged him.
'Diana…you've been through a lot. I'll explain everything when you're doing better. You need to rest' he told her.
She swallowed thickly. An awful feeling stirred in her stomach. Why was she feeling so unsafe all of the sudden? Jonathan would never hurt her, or lie to her.
He touched the side of her face. His fingers were incredibly warm against her skin, as he caressed her temple softly, and caringly.
She closed her eyes briefly, her head beginning to spin again. Tears prickled in her eyes.
'My head…it hurts' she weakly whimpered.
He took one of her hands, and laced their fingers together. She watched him with shock, and embarrassment, as he gently grazed his lips against her fingertips. The contact was strange and sudden, but she found herself unable to tell him to stop.
'I know. The effects will only last a few more hours. You'll feel a lot better soon' he comforted her.
She frowned. What was he talking about?
'W-what?' she asked.
He smiled weakly.
'Don't ask anything; just rest' he spoke.
'You're h-hiding something' she stated.
She pulled her hand out of his grasp. His expression changed to one of worry.
'Where am I?'
She tried to sound strong, but she was too tired, and too weak to stay composed.
'You don't have to be afraid. You're safe now. You'll never get hurt again, I made sure of that' he assured her.
She faintly shook her head. Why was he avoiding all her questions?
'Where am I?' she repeated.
Tears began to fill her eyes. She was confused, and frustrated by the lack of information he was giving her.
'You're in your new home. You'll be staying with me' he explained.
Her eyes widened.
'W-what?' she exclaimed.
'After we got outside, I had to give you a mild sedative, because you were so panicked and scared. You fainted, so I brought you here' he said.
'You…you changed my clothes?' she asked with tears in her eyes.
The thought of Jonathan changing her clothes while she was unconscious scared, and repulsed her.
'Shh…calm down…there's nothing to worry about' he whispered.
She attempted to get out of his grasp, but her body was too exhausted to put up a struggle.
He held her close, attempting to hush her, as she started to cry. She was scared. Why had he brought her here?
'Why am I here?' she choked.
'I brought you here to protect you, Diana' he soothed her.
She sobbed softly, confused, and afraid of what his real intentions were. She simply sensed he wasn't telling the truth.
'Don't be afraid. I'll never hurt you' he whispered.
He nuzzled his nose against her temple. A soft, shaky sigh escaped her. He was so close…
She felt her heartbeat pick up at seeing him so up close. Never had she been so close to someone, and had she felt comfortable by that fact. Not even with Adam…had she felt this way. Jonathan simply stirred feelings inside of her, feelings she had never felt before.
'Close your eyes, and try to sleep some more. You'll feel better in a few hours' he whispered.
He tenderly eased her down onto the bed, and pulled up the pink sheets to cover her. He stood up afterwards, and headed for the door. He opened it. She bit her lip. She didn't want to be alone.
'Jonathan…' she cried weakly.
He turned to look at her. He gave her a reassuring smile.
'It's alright. You're safe' he promised.
Before she could call his name again, he had closed, and locked the door.
She tried to sit up, but it was proven to be a huge task for her body to do so. She trembled heavily, as she slowly got into a sitting position. She tried her hardest to remain strong, but more tears began to run down her pale cheeks.
She looked at the closed door.
'Jonathan?' she called softly.
She felt her arms threatening to give out, the weight of having to support her body too much. More tears filled her eyes.
'Jonathan!'
She tried to scream, but she felt so exhausted.
She collapsed back onto the bed, her head in the many, thick pillows. She moaned in pain. Her head felt as if it was going to explode.
She breathed heavily, and grasped her fingers into the pillows. Tears ran down her face uncontrollably. She just hoped Jonathan was right. She felt terrible.
...
Crane halted briefly on the stairs when he heard his name being called. His gaze softened. He understood she was scared. But he would get her a glass of water first, to ease her headache. He wouldn't get her aspirin; she already had enough sedating drugs in her system.
'You're an idiot'
'Excuse me?' Crane asked out loud.
'You should've just forced her down on that bed, and taken her then. She was too weak to resist. You had the opportunity, and you blew it!'
'Unlike you, I do care for her pleasure'
'Ohh believe me, I do care. I care about hearing her scream out as we take that curvy body of hers'
'Enough!'
Crane cut his other half of aggressively. He wouldn't reduce to the level her stepfather had assaulted her. He would teach her what it would be like to be loved. She would have to feel safe, and secure, before he could slowly bring her into a relationship with him. Intimacy wouldn't be important, for a very long time. Her happiness was much more important.
...
When Crane entered Diana's bedroom again, he found her in bed, lying on her side, her face towards him. She had her eyes closed.
'Diana?' he asked carefully.
She opened her eyes slowly. He smiled.
'I got you something to drink' he said, holding up the glass he had in his hand.
She tried to sit up, but had a lot of trouble doing so. He went to sit on the bed, and placed the glass on her nightstand.
He helped her sit up, and picked up the glass with his free hand. He had made sure to put a straw in the glass, to make it easier on her.
He bended the straw lightly, before slowly bringing it up to her lips. She sipped up the cool water, and he saw how much good it did to her.
He watched as a stray drop of water slid down her chin, and neck, and ended in the swell of her breasts. He tried his hardest not to be distracted by her lovely frame, but she was simply too inviting for him to look away from.
She soon grasped the glass with her own hand, but he kept holding it, in case she would accidently drop it, due to her lack of strength at the moment.
She emptied the glass about halfway, before pulling away. She wiped her mouth, and sighed in content.
'When I get better…can I go back to Adam's family?' she asked.
He felt heartbroken at the thought of her wanting to leave him. He decided to just keep the truth from her, since the loss of the Fischer family, would probably damage her even more.
'I'm afraid you'll have to stay here, Diana. After all that's happened, it's not safe for you out there' he explained.
Her eyes widened. He saw her eyes starting to water. It got to him. To see her so upset broke his heart.
'I promise I'll take very good care of you' he whispered.
'N-no…I want to go home' she argued softly.
'This is your home now' he tried to hush her.
'Let me go! I'm scared!' she weakly cried out.
He narrowed his eyes. He had been very gentle this far, but she was testing his patience.
'Diana, enough. You need to accept the fact you're remaining here. I won't let you go' he spoke.
'But-' 'I said enough!' he snarled.
She flinched. His harsh gaze softened instantly. Her bottom lip trembled.
She broke down crying. He sighed, and pulled her into his arms. She buried her face into his collar.
'Please…I'm scared' she begged softly.
'I'm afraid I won't be able to let you go, Diana' he apologized.
She sobbed harder, making him curse himself for making her cry. He hated seeing her so upset.
He rocked her from side to side.
'Shh…' he hushed her.
'Please let me go…' she pleaded softly.
He stroked her hair.
'It's alright…you're safe here. I won't let anyone ever hurt you again' he whispered.
She kept sobbing.
'Hush now…you know I'll never hurt you' he spoke warmly.
'What about Sylvia? And Richard? Where are they?' she asked.
'I'll explain everything later. For now…all you need to know is that you're safe here' he explained.
She didn't seem satisfied with his answer, because he heard her grumble a few displeased words, before burying her face back into his neck.
He allowed a small smile to creep up his lips. He was so glad he finally had her. He had waited so long, but it had been worth it. Because she would never leave his side.
...
Minor changes, but I wanted to add these little changes to display her distrust towards Crane.
Anyways, have a nice day!
~TheOneWithTooManyInterests