Petal's POV

"I… I lost the necklace you gave me. Gray, Gray oh my god I lost it and I can't find it and I-" Choking on my breath, I stopped talking, my throat feeling as if it was being tightened by an iron fist.

"Hey, hey, don't worry about it. I'm gonna be here for a really long time, we have forever to be together and I can get you dozens of necklaces like that one." With worry in his eyes, he hugged me to his chest, holding me delicately, almost as if he knew how easy it would be to break me.

"No but it isn't the actual necklace, it's what it represents. It's the first gift I've ever gotten… And I've lost it." A bitter feeling rested in my mouth, making my nose scrunch up. I was over reacting to this so badly, yet I couldn't help myself. The words on my father's note kept replaying over and over in my head, making me feel sick to my stomach. And I'd lost my necklace on top of it all. It was all just too much. I needed to cry long and hard. But no one was giving me a long enough break to do that. "Just shows that I don't deserve nice things, really." My imminent demise was looming over my shoulder, and it seemed as if I didn't even have time to breathe.

"Don't you dare say that Petal Grace. You deserve the moon and the stars and everything in between. Hell, I don't deserve you. So please stop thinking such horrible things and tell me what's actually wrong." He knew that I wasn't that upset over the necklace, but rather all of it piling up on top of me. I was going to end up breaking, and the necklace was just the straw that broke the camel's back. He couldn't know that though, I didn't want to put him in danger – and knowing Gray he'd probably go charging head first if he saw the note.

"It's- Nothing. Nothing at all." Once again, a bitter feeling settled in my throat, making me feel sick. Everything in my body ached me to tell him, but I couldn't. There was no way I'd be putting him in danger. However, I guess he hadn't realised how thick headed I was going to be about this, because he pulled me back, looking at me with pleading eyes. And with more angst in my chest than ever before, I wanted nothing more than to be in his arms again.

"Petal, please-" Unable to hold the tears back any longer, I threw myself into his arms. I couldn't tell him what was upsetting me, but none of my mental boundaries said he couldn't comfort me. And that's all I needed in these moments of pain - his strong arms to hold me as if he'd never let me go.

"Please just hold me. That's all I need." It wouldn't fix all of my problems but, for that one second, it did. Enveloped in Grays arms, tears cascading down my cheeks, I felt the world around us come to a halt. Here, nothing could hurt me. Not the monster, not my thoughts, no one. And as he kissed the crown of my head and started whispering sweet nothings in my ear, I felt myself melting further into the embrace, leaving all my fears behind me.

"I know you've told me a dozen times that you can't be fixed but… It's moments like these when I wish I could give you my heart to replace your broken one." At his comment, more self-defence walls broke, making me cry harder into his chest.

"You're truly too good for this world Gray." Pulling away slightly, he made me look up into his eyes, pinning me down with his beautiful brown eyes. I knew he was going to say something important then, he always made us keep eye contact whilst he told me the things he wanted to make sure I understood. Like when he told me I was a savant, or when he told me he'd trust me with his life. And even when he told me he loved me more than words could describe.

"I beg to differ. I'm pretty sure you're the one who's too good. You belong tucked away in the forest, playing with daffodils and nymphs, not a trouble in the world. You belong away from all the problems that monster forced you to endure and away from cruel humanity. You have a heart of gold, Petal, and we all know how much that's coveted by humans. I'm afraid one of these days the evil of this world is going to shatter you, just because they can't stand to see someone as good as you." Throughout his speech, my tears had finally ceased, as I took in the wonder his eyes possessed. He truly saw me this way, somehow.

The image he portrayed was simply too beautiful to be associated with me, but I allowed myself to forget my inhibitions in that moment, pretending I could believe the words he was saying.

It made me want to start bawling all over again. Instead, I went up on my tiptoes. Just like Gray always looked me dead in the eye when he had something important to tell me, I always whispered stuff like that. If it was truly important, the rest of the world didn't deserve to be able to catch a glimpse of it. It was solely for Gray. Although to be fair, he was my world.

"I love you." In an instant, I was back in his arms, him spinning me round in circles. A triumphant smile was sent my way, the look of someone who'd won the Olympics plastered on his features. I'd never seen anything cuter in my life. And to think I could cause someone to have this reaction – It made my heart swell.

"You know what? I change my mind, you don't belong in the forest. Because despite being too good for us, I don't want you anywhere else but by my side."

"Are you capable of saying anything that isn't horribly sappy and romantic?" Shooting me an amused smile, he shook his head stubbornly. He'd stopped spinning me around but hadn't put me back down, so I wrapped my legs around his waist to keep myself upright.

"Nope. But you love me anyway." A laugh escaped me at that, his antics amusing me more than anything. Before meeting Gray I'd thought cockiness a terrible feature for someone to possess. But as I dissolved in a fit of giggles, the fireplace roaring behind us and happiness consuming me – I didn't want him anywhere but by my side either.

"Yeah, I kinda do."

Hi :)

Am I capable of writing something that isn't corny af? Nope ;) Hope you liked this chapter, and I mean at least it's a step up from last week's really sad chapter, right? Kind of? She's still having a melt down, but she's got Gray by her side so it's all good :)

We reached the target! I'm so happy you guys are still enjoying my story :) We're almost at the end now, only about 10 more chapters to go (plus any bonus chapters I feel like putting in :D ), and tbh it's been such a journey. Like seriously, I've never stuck this long to a story, and it feels like it's all thanks to you guys for being so great :) Goal for this chapter is 115, so let's hope we can reach it, right? (as always, no pressure :) )

Bye bye xx