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And thank you to my girls!!

Edward

It's something. It's more than what I got from her before—and I only just met her. I try my best, console her the way I learned to over the years. I hold her, press my weight onto her little body, and let her feel my heartbeat—my vulnerability against hers. Havoc tells me about the blue vase in the corner of the room. It has white lilies, fake ones, but they're pretty. She tells me about the way the white paint on the ceiling has the tiniest flecks of dark blue before taking another breath. Each new one is less shaky than the last, before her eyes zero in on my face and the pain in her brown orbs washes away ever so slightly.

"There's tiny dots of blue in your eyes." She breathes.

I blink a few times and frown, smiling. "What, really?" After all, my entire life people told me I had my father's eyes—but my mother had blue ones.

"Yeah, like… they're miniscule. But now that I've seen it, I can't unsee them. You know?"

She's okay.

"You're doing so well, being so good." I smile and rub small circles on her upper arms. Havoc seems to relax a little more, taking one deep breath that steadies and grounds her. She looks at me with sad brown eyes, a small—fake—smile plastered on her lips that only emphasizes her tearful expression.

"I—" She sighs again before she rethinks her words. I know it's wrong, but she's naked and pressed against me, and she just started the most amazing blowjob I've had in months—so my body reacts. I curse at my dick inwardly, but she notices anyway. How could she not? There's not an inch between us. I feel Havoc pull away, and I let her, giving her the space she needs right now.

Havoc gets up, a wounded bird ready to fly again as I watch and see her try to put on her mask. It doesn't work, so her head drops low as she grabs the robe—dark, damp tresses dancing around her bare back until she disappears into the bathroom. This time, she takes her bag and leaves the door unlocked.

It's only been minutes, but it seems so much longer when she finally comes out. I know it's her—but her appearance almost makes me double-check. Slate gray leggings encase her strong thighs; her little waist highlighted by the way the white, cropped hoodie cuts her right at the narrowest point. Havoc's hair is pulled back, away from her washed face. Her cheeks are still a little blotchy, eyes red-rimmed, but she looks better. It's still strange to see her without her armor.

"I know you meant well, and thanks for listening, Edward. But…" She sighs. "I just… I can't give up the control, sorry. Even though it did feel good." Hearing her admit her feelings makes me realize I didn't read her wrong. I smile, my heart aching for some reason as she looks all torn and tortured.

I watch her turn around, check the room for anything she left behind, before her fingers curl around the door handle.

"Maybe you can't, but I can… I can try," I confess. Her movements falter slightly at my words before she walks out of the room without giving me another glance. As the door shuts, I punch the wall, my knuckles raw before I almost tug my hair straight from my scalp.

I can't let this connection sneak away. I've known her for a few hours, and nothing has ever felt this intense before. Then it hits me. She called me Edward—not Ginger, not princess—and she bared her soul to me. I owe it to the both of us to come through with my promise.

So... *pours some coffee* you guys okay?