"But it's dark already." I didn't want to have to explain to him how I'd developed a fear of going out at night since I'd spent two weeks out on the streets. It would have to happen at some point but I was too comfortable in his arms to try to unearth my subconscious. "Although I guess that'd be ok." I'd just have to make sure not to separate too much from him - maybe having someone with me would make it better. In any case, I still wanted to go out with him, so it wasn't like the evening out would be torture. At least, that's what I tried to tell myself as I left his room to go get ready to leave for our date.

Changing into a skirt and a tank top, I put my hair up loosely, allowing a few strands to fall out of the pony tail. Back at my old house I never put my hair up, it making me feel too exposed. I'd learnt to be ok with that lately though. Gray had also freshened up, wearing a button up blue shirt with jeans. If i hadn't been so preoccupied with the darkness looming over us, I would've been able to appreciate how nice he looked in it, his lean but slightly muscled frame making me smile at the thought that he was mine. I'd never been able to say that about anyone, and it felt good. No, better than good, it set off a chain reaction of warmth to spread throughout my stomach and chest.

Soon we were heading downstairs, me feeling more and more tense the closer to the front door we got.

"Pet are you sure you wanna do this? You don't look like you do."

"It's… Fine. Completely. I'm just a little bit scared of going out when it's dark." We'd gotten to the front door, making me swallow nervously. I hadn't wanted to confess my fear but I really didn't want to go out there, where the monsters lurked.

"How about we hold hands? That way, if someone tries to do something to you, they'll have to go through me first." That sounded like as good a suggestion as any, but I was still mortified. What if they tried to do something to him? I wouldn't be able to protect him, I wasn't strong enough. And i didn't think he was strong enough to fight grown men with weapons either. At the expression of hesitance that was probably written all over my features, he let go of the doorknob. "Ok, so no outside then. Our options are the kitchen or the living room."

"I've an idea. We can binge out on ice cream tonight and just go on our date tomorrow morning." I'd detected the hint of dejection in his eyes when he'd said we could have a date in his house. It was obvious he wanted to do something special, and I didn't want to spoil that for him just because of my fear. We could just wait until the next day when everything would be much better.

"Sounds like a plan."

Half an hour later, there was a movie playing in the background and we were breaking the Guinness world record for nicest dressed people having a movie marathon. Neither of us had changed and I didn't mind, even if I was sure anyone would be able to see my pants if they made an appearance. My knees were curled up into my chest as I looked at the Tv with rapt attention. I wasn't sure what Gray was doing, although whatever it was it certainly wasn't watching the movie. He seemed to be shifting in his spot and every once in awhile he'd stretch his arms out, but then stopped halfway through the yawn and put his hands back down immediately.

"Do you want me to bring you a blanket?" He whispered this in my ear, as I nodding distractedly, hearing him leave the room. He came back quickly, so i put my knees down and leaned against his side, cuddling under the blanket. For what must've been the fifth time that night, his arms went over his head. This time though, he didn't jolt them back, instead slowly drifting them back so one was draped over my shoulder. I had to stifle a giggle, the whole situation amusing me a lot more than it should've. He'd been trying to make a move this whole night even though he'd had an arm wrapped around me not even an hour ago. I'd tease him for being shy but, really, I wasn't one to talk.

"Hey Gray?"

"Yeah?" Dragging my eyes away from the screen, I turned to him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks for understanding about the date." He was blushing bright red as he smiled at me. In response, he kissed me, making my eyes widen in surprise, just like during our first kiss. I soon relaxed though, kissing him back. The movie was all but forgotten, him pushing me on my back and leaning on his elbow so as to not crush me. I knew what making out was but had never imagined it could feel this good. His hand drifted lightly over my stomach as I wrapped my arms around his neck, trying to pull him impossibly closer. Breaking apart for air, he leaned his forehead against mine. We were both breathing heavily, our chests touching with every rise and fall, and I was pretty sure it was now me who was blushing.

He crashed our lips together again, and everything was right in the world. His hand brushed lightly over my hip, tracing the curve there and causing my tank top to ride up. But, suddenly, it wasn't him anymore.

The hand was no longer gentle, instead grabbing me with too much force. Pinning me underneath him, the monster stared at me with his green eyes and sardonic smile. I was back in his house, trapped by four walls and a body, but I couldn't do anything. I kept trying to move, but he simply gripped me tighter to him. Fear reverberated in my chest, sending me screaming in terror. I didn't want this. He couldn't be back.

"Don't worry Petal, the pain will be over soon. Just be a good girl for me." I started struggling more, wanting to get his body away from mine. Walls caved in on me, my breath becoming too shallow to even scream anymore. It was as if they were pressing down into my lungs, not allowing me to so much as get a full breath into them. I kicked furiously, knowing it would just make it worse but not knowing what else to do. Colours swam in front of my eyes, greens and black and blues all merging together, until I didn't understand what was happening or who I was or why.

"Please listen to me baby, please. It's just me, Gray. I love you." The voice called out to me, but my hazed brain twisted the words so they didn't make sense anymore. They were a low growl in my ears, the monster telling me to get down or I'd get a harsher beating tonight. Nothing made sense, it was all simply a blur of emotions and colours that I couldn't decipher. Except for one: fear. And green, the green of his eyes overtaking me with their vibrant hate.

And then the memory wasn't there anymore, all shattering and falling away from me in crystal fragments. I was back on the soft couch, with Gray cradling me to his chest. I had tears in my eyes, but I was safe again. Sobbing, I wrapped my arms around his neck, willing his comforting words to take effect.

"Sh, it's ok baby, I'm here." What he was saying continued to wash over me, not fully registering in my mind, but still managing to leave a calm feeling in my chest. "I love you, and I'm never going to leave, ok? I'm here. I'm here." Burrowing myself further into him, I let my eyes drift of their own accord. I was so tired again, even after sleeping for so long.

"Gray?" I asked, it coming out shaky due to the dryness of my throat. He hummed in response, tightening his arms around me. And I couldn't help but wonder how I'd confused him for the monster. His embrace didn't feel suffocating. He didn't smell of booze and broken dreams. He wasn't a monster – he was home. "I'm sorry."

"Don't you dare apologise Pet. God I'm the one who should be saying sorry, I should've known that you'd be scared."

"I don't want to be fragile and scared anymore." The knot in my throat tightened, forcing me to have to fight tears out of my eyes. "I want to be the girl you deserve."

"Don't you see? You're more than I deserve, you're perfect. And, yes you sometimes get scared, but don't we all? You're only human Pet, don't beat yourself up about it."

"You're too nice." My mumble was barely audible, his shirt and my tears muffling out the sound, yet he managed to hear. He laughed humourlessly, the action making his chest vibrate under me.

"You're one to talk." Kissing my head, he slid us down the couch until we were laying down again, me still held tightly in his chest. "Let's just sleep here." Sighing in contempt, I rubbed my cheek against his shoulder, wanting him to know how happy I was, right here, in his arms. The bitter taste in my mouth from the panic attack still lingered, and I still had tears accumulating in my eyes, but that didn't matter when I had him with me. All I could see was his shoulder, the line of his mouth, his cheeks, his neck, him, him, him. And I never wanted it to be any other way.

Hi :)

Sorry for the sad chapter, I actually wanted them to just have a cuddle session, but then I realised that Petal's mind would probably not take too nicely to being so close to someone. And this chapter was born! I'm so sorry for putting you through that misery Pet xD

Guys. Holy crud sticks (look at my ace cursing skills). Guys. Seriously oh my freaking god. Do you realise how amazing you are? We passed the target last time, and you guys got me more reviews than I've ever gotten for a chapter :O I'm not gonna lie, I did a happy dance xD Ok, so how about we try to reach 87? Completely optional, of coursies.

Bye bye! =^.^=