A/N: Hello! Guess who's back and with another flashback chapter?! This girl! This time it's about Maria and Danny. Just a fair warning, it's sad but sweet. It also features underage drinking (they're both roughly 20 so take that as you will) and Maria almost gets assaulted. If that might upset you, I advise you skip. Also what do we think about the Rush Week mode coming out?! I'm excited although I heard it takes place after the game and first movie events - so I might have to change up my ending/epilogue depending what Johnny lore we get. But that's for a faaaar future. I hope you enjoy!

May 19th, 1972

Eleven Months Prior

The Smokin' Dog Bar

Song recommendation: "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby" by Cigarettes After Sex

TW: sexual assault and underage drinking.

Let The Rain Wash Your Pain Away (I'll Carry It For You)

Danny

-.-

I've been to this place a few times before but nothing like this. Yes, I was underage. But thankfully in this small town - nobody seemed to care. As long as you're actually over eighteen, the bartenders don't seem to mind. I don't come here or drink often unless it's with my friends or to take the edge off after an intense exam. But this time it was different. It was Maria and my six month anniversary and it was my pick for where to go. We try to go out once a week, just the two of us, unless we're severely busy. With each date we alternate on who gets to choose what we do. Last week, Maria suggested that we go out to the countryside and take pictures. I simply admired her as the photographer went to work, capturing sunflowers and tulips with her curious lens. Despite not being a very photogenic person, I even let her take some pictures of me. I lo- appreciate Maria so much.

The Smokin' Dog Bar was a little crowded for a Friday night. Then again, school was about to let out for everyone if it hadn't already. I had just finished my final exams today and Maria did yesterday - leaving us free until I go home to Fort Worth and she goes back to Uvalde. We're both about three hours away from our University and about an hour distance from where we live back at home. I plan to see her quite a bit despite her having to work. Last year, before Leland introduced me to her, Maria's pop's died. He suffered from a few different cancers and Maria became the main caretaker. With her mama working two jobs and Ana being in high school and a cheerleader, Maria became the new "man" of the house. She would care to him; cooking, cleaning, helping him use the bathroom, helping him when he got sick from his chemotherapy, and anything else you can think of. She did all that while applying for scholarships and working on the weekends (when her mother would be home). When Maria and Ana's dad died, their mama fell into a deep depression. That was the love of her life since she was fourteen. Maria eventually got a scholarship for her photography and decided to leave to attend college. Ana isn't in university yet as she's trying to be there for their mama still - who's still hasn't properly gotten over her husband. When Maria visits them, she ends up working to support them. They're still paying for the fathers funeral expenses and old hospital bills.

I've offered to help Maria and her family - my dad owns a car repair shop. Maybe that's where I become so handy with my repairs. Besides that point, I get a little bit of money helping him from time to time. I have a bit saved up as I plan to get my own apartment after college. But I know the stress and anxiety Maria still faces due to her family's financial situation. Every time I offer her help, she denies me. I wouldn't mind giving or even letting her borrow money - especially if I know it'll help them with bills, food, or paying off those expenses. But Maria is hard headed and cares more about others than she does for herself. Saying that she, Ana, and her mama will handle it. It hasn't stopped me from slipping her mother a random twenty bucks here and there to help with their monthly groceries or bills.

I decided to take Maria to the bar for a few reasons. Number one, it's normally quiet. She has anxiety at times and hates large crowds. So taking her to some place that's more crowded would make her uncomfortable. Number two, the food and alcohol is cheap and good. Not made by some famous chef, but definitely gets the job done. But three, she needed it. She's been working her ass off with her exams and final projects more than I've seen myself and our friends do with theirs. She pours all her heart and soul into her talent of photography - wanting to live up to her and her dad's dream but also not make the scholarship and everything she did go to waste. She's often canceled our plans or with our friends to study, submit photos, or even help people with their submissions.

She's always a hard worker and thinks of others.

But the bar was crowded despite it being a small hole in the wall. Like I said, probably people celebrating the end of the school year and graduating. Maria ordered a Pink Lady, which consisted of gin, a little bit of grenadine, and apparently some egg whites. I had ordered a White Russian - which is such a weird name now that I think about it. It's a rich but creamy drink made with vodka and coffee liqueur. Maria looked nice, wearing a simple black mod mini dress with a white mini cardigan over the top - it fastened by three black buttons to hug herself from the cold rain outside. I was wearing a deep V-neck type of shirt that showed off my chest (thanks Leland for the recommendation). The shirt itself was mainly black with dark gray lines and I had the sleeves rolled up just above my elbows. I also wore a pair of dark gray flared jeans, dark brown boots, and a sun and moon belt that I picked up a few years ago when I visited a small shop near the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. The belt itself is authentic leather with a handcrafted metal sun buckle with a crescent moon over it. I can't lie, we looked pretty dressed up compared to the rest of the people here - but then again I had taken her to a decently nice dinner beforehand. Once again, nothing super fancy or extravagant, but enough to treat her to a good experience.

Maria took a sip of her pink alcoholic drink before looking at me; "You know what I find cute?"

"You?" I said with a slight smirk. Maria rolled her eyes and shoved my arm - causing my body to sway slightly. Despite only having two drinks between the two of us, she was slightly buzzed already. When Maria drinks, she's either super giggly or flirty. Thanks to my biological father's side of the family, I tend to have a high tolerance. I need quite a few more drinks before I start to feel anything at all. The warmth of the alcohol coursing through my body provides me a much needed comfort amongst the recent stress and anxieties.

"No! I mean, thank you." Maria blushed slightly with the help of the alcohol, "But how I just pissed a few minutes ago and have to piss again."

Did I mention Maria is honest when she's tipsy too?

I chuckled and shook my head before taking a sip of my own drink. The hard vodka and coffee taste immediately being soothed by the cream and ice a few seconds later. It felt like a punch to the slap before kissing the tender area.

"That's adorable." I smiled over at Maria. She took that as her cue to leave for the bathroom once again. Going past the bartender who was severely understaffed and stressed, the crowd of people chattering, playing pool, and thick cloud of cigar and cigarette smoke. I watched her disappear within the crowd as I picked up my glass off the table again. I swirled it around - realizing I had only a sip left. I threw my head back as I poured the last few drops - letting out a disgusted groan as it burnt and then soothed my throat. I slid the glass back down onto the table, waiting for the runner to come pick it up, before making my way over to the bartender again. The man was probably in his thirties but had the personality of someone who's lived a million lives.

"Another round?" He asked as it was my third time ordering from him.

"Nah, man. I think the alcohol is getting a bit too much for her." I chuckled which caused the bartender to smirk with a slight shake of his head. He stepped away and grabbed an empty beer bottle someone left, threw it away, before coming back to talk to me.

"That girl sure is a lightweight." The bartender noticed before shrugging slightly, "Two more drinks and I would've denied her anymore."

"Yeah I don't need her sick the rest of the night." I laughed lightly. Maria was a lightweight despite saying her family would drink a lot and she probably has a high tolerance. I hate to break it to her but she doesn't. But of course, she's a Flores woman who are all stubborn. Well, basing it off her mother and sister. They're all stubborn and can be hot-headed at times. So after the third argument of trying to tell Maria to slow down her drinking, and her arguing back saying she's fine, I've just politely swapped her drink with something else non-alcoholic or kept a better watch on her. I swear, she acts like a cat who hissing and clawing their way out of the bath. "Can I have a lemonade and could you possibly make it pink?"

The bartender immediately read my mind before I could even finish the sentence. He pulled out a clean glass that was identical to the one Maria was drinking before filling it with lemon juice, water, and sugar. He pulled out some red food dye and disposed of a few droplets into the glass before mixing it. He topped it off with a little bit of egg white like the original drink. Despite it being slightly off colored, he did an amazing job. It was almost an exact replica of the alcoholic drink's appearance. My brows raised in amusement as he gave me a wink and slid it across the counter. The bartender smiled warmly before I gave him a little nod, a simple thank you, and walked away.

I made my way back across the crowded bar towards our table. I put my hand over the drink, careful not to spill it onto anyone or maybe someone who decided to spike her new non-alcoholic drink. I doubt anyone would but you never know. Supposedly, there's this guy that's traveling around Texas that's been drugging and luring girls back home with him. Before he gets caught, he would flee the bar with them wrapped around his arm. It's been reported that most of those girls don't end up coming back to that bar - or even back at all. The last thing I need is Maria to become a victim to one of those people.

As I approached our table, I noticed Maria wasn't back yet. Huh, that's weird. She normally doesn't take super long so for me to take a few minutes to push through the crowd, talk to the bartender, him making the new drink, push my way back through the same crowd, and she not be here... was a bit weird. I gently sat the drink down on our table before searching for her. I forcefully shoved my way through the crowd - heading towards the back of the small and crowded bar. I stopped at the girl's bathroom door and gently knocked. But when I did, the door slowly creaked open. It wasn't a huge public bathroom - the one with multiple stalls and sinks. It was just a singular toilet and sink in a large - almost empty - room. I did a quick scan through the darkness, as the light was turned off, before closing the door. Maria wasn't in it. Where the hell did she go? Did I get stood up on our six month anniversary? Surely not. Maria is much better than that. We're known to easily communicate our feelings which not only include the good but the bad and ugly. Did Maria and I fight? Yeah, at times. What couple doesn't? But I don't think the night was going bad to the point that she got up and left. Looking around, I saw a young woman who was facing towards the bathroom. Surely she saw where Maria went, right?

"Excuse me, miss." I interrupted her conversation. "I was wondering-"

"Not interested." She sighed out.

I blinked several times in confusion, "Excuse me?"

The woman rolled her eyes with a frustrated sigh, "No. I'm not interested in sleeping with you."

Oh, woah. I didn't expect that response. I stared at her for a few seconds in confusion - genuinely confused and puzzled by her immediate assumption. I barely even said anything and she was expecting me to ask to sleep with her?! I mean, she's pretty and all but that's such a bold assumption. Plus, the only one I looked at that way was Maria. We haven't done anything official as she would want to wait a bit longer - which is fine by me. I don't want to rush her. But this is all I haven't mentioned before. I shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut, as my hands waved in the air too.

"No! No no no! I wasn't going to ask for that. I was wondering if you've seen my girlfriend?" I asked as I looked her back in the eyes, "She's around your height, tan skin, brown hair, hazel eyes, wearing a black dress and a white cardigan thing?"

The woman's eyes widened as blood rushed to her cheeks. If embarrassment was a person and had a face, she would've been the perfect fit. The woman glanced over at her friend who looked just as puzzled at the interaction between the two of us. She stumbled over her words as her gaze traveled anywhere else besides my own eyes - ashamed to face me.

"Oh!" She exclaimed before thinking for a moment. Her brows knitted together as she tried to remember. Suddenly, she gasped and snapped her fingers in realization; "Oh yeah! About a minute ago, I think? Her dress was really cute! But, I think I saw her head to the back door?"

The back door? Why would she leave the entire building? My nervousness decided to get worse as the words escaped from the woman's painted lips. I quickly thanked her before rushing around the corner where the back emergency exit was. I pushed open the door and was immediately met with the pouring rain and chilly wind. God, I wish Maria wore something else. Don't get me wrong, she looked absolutely beautiful in what she was wearing. But with how exposed the dress made her legs, I was scared she's going to get sick or something. I offered her the jacket in the back seat of my truck but she declined. Once again, her stubbornness won.

The rain began to pour down on my brown strands almost immediately - drenching them as if I was taking a high pressure shower. Fuck! Maybe we should've left thirty minutes sooner? The rain had just started to fall but one of Maria's favorite songs came on and she insisted we stay. One song turned into two along with chattering and finishing our drinks. God, I could just listen to her speak forever. The way she passionately talks about her photography, her friends, home life, everything. Hell, she could make talking about paint drying interesting. I'm so happy to call her mine.

So, where was she?

I looked down the alley way back and forth - scanning for Maria. It was just a few dumpsters, trash cans, wet boxes, and a flickering street light. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck! Where did she go?! We took my truck here and I have my keys on me, so it's not like she randomly drove off without me. Not unless she decided to leave with some stranger. My heart race began to pick up as my breathing intensifies. Did I do something wrong?! I could've sworn this night was going good. Maybe I should've taken her somewhere else? There's not many other places to go to since we've gone almost everywhere the last six months. Fuck, I'll retake her to the same movie over and over again if it meant she doesn't run off again.

Then, I heard a yell that made my blood run cold.

I snapped my head immediately in the direction. Through the slight fog, which with the rain caused the lights to have a blurry effect, I saw a young woman. But... I also saw another figure. The larger figure was hovering above the young woman, one hand pinning both wrists above her head as one hand began to slowly trail up her thigh and short dress. She squirmed under his touch - trying to kick her foot up into his crotch but to no avail. She was completely helpless under his grasp. The rain drenched down her now messy long brown hair which matched the teardrops that were falling with the rain. Actually, it looked like Maria.

"¡ALETÉJATE DE MÍ, MONSTRUO!"

Oh yeah, that was my Maria.

I began to storm my way over, my boots splashing against the wet puddles of the asphalt as adrenaline began to pump through my veins. My eyes fixated on Maria's uncomfortable expression as tears rolled down her face harder - her head turned away to avoid the man. Then the young man's lips gently placed kisses down Maria's jawline and neck; he was smirking as if he had her right where he wanted her. His hand slid up her dress and exposed her thigh before slipping his fingers beneath her underwear.

That fuckING SON OF A-

My pace picked up to a full sprint before I reached the pair. I grabbed the perverted fuck off of my girlfriend by his denim jacket and slung him against the opposite side of the alley. His back hit the brick wall with a loud thud, his feet sliding against the wet pavement before regaining his balance. I stood in front of Maria, who was now trembling due to fear and the cold, trying to protect her from the man who was about to fully assault her. I grabbed the man from his old band shirt and slid him up the wall a bit - examining over his surprised expression. Yeah, I bet the stupid fucker wasn't expecting to see me. I watched his green eyes scan over my face in a panic as his curly red hair hung in front of his face - almost shielding himself from me. His mouth, that was on my girl's neck a few seconds prior, was gaped open in shock.

"Woah, man!" He exclaimed with a nervous laugh, "I was just showing the pretty girl a fun time!"

"Really?" I scoffed out, "It sure as fuck didn't look like she was enjoying it."

He smirked with a shrug, "She was playing hard to get, y'know?"

If Maria wasn't behind and needing me, I would've snapped this guy's neck. I've done a good job controlling my anger the last few years. But this guy was inches away from facing the wrath of God himself. It took what little self control I mustered up in the moment to not cause him worse pain than the trauma he most likely gave Maria. My sweet baby. My baby who wouldn't hurt a soul without a reason. My baby who would never think ill of someone at first. But thanks to this perverted bastard, her perspective might've just changed on all of that. I slammed the stranger against the wall again as he groaned out in pain - the back of his head hitting the brick one more.

"Actually, I would know her pretty well considering she's my fucking girlfriend."

You could see the color drain from the ginger's face. His eyes widened once more before I reared one fist back and connected it to his cheekbone. The man let out a pained grunt before throwing one back in my throat. I stumbled back as the wind was knocked out of me - a series of coughs and gasps for air as I held the struck area. I hunched forward which gave the man another idea; striking me once again but this time in the gut. I let out a groan and a final cough - catching my breath. You know, I'm so glad I'm friends with Leland. Because thanks to him, I was able to learn some wrestling moves. It was a few months ago when he, Sonny, and I hung out and we talked about our experiences in high school. Sonny was the leader of the sci-fi movie club and did chess - winning a few school tournaments. Leland admitted he knew Maria and Ana, Maria doing photography for the school events and yearbook while Ana did cheerleading and student council. Leland then mentioned he was captain of the wrestling team and even did football for a year before deciding wrestling was more his passion.

That's when Leland decided to give us a late night lesson on wrestling moves. He taught us how to properly tackle someone and be able to pin someone onto their side. I was able to tackle Leland successfully but not pin him down due to his strength, training, and basic predicting my movements. Sonny, on the other hand? Sonny could barely make Leland take a stumble backwards. Sonny is very thin compared to Leland and I but it was still fun trying to hype him up against Leland. After thirty minutes, he threw in the towel and resorted back to the comic he was reading before Leland's sudden lesson.

So once again, thank you Leland for teaching me.

I regathered my strength before running into the stranger. My arms wrapped around his waist as I put my entire weight into the tackle. Both of us fell against the wet asphalt with a loud thud and wet splash around us. The rain poured down harder as I climbed on top of him. He had a genuine look of fear in his eyes as he raised his arms to his face - trying to shield whatever was about to happen. Oh, so it's okay for him to pray and assault on someone vulnerable. But God forbid if I give him a taste of his medicine?

Damn, how fucking pathetic.

I moved his hands to the side before striking the same cheekbone again. Then again and again and again. I couldn't fucking stop. The pain from the first impact seemed to dim as my anger began to control me. The way it felt like I was just punching air, my jaw clenched shut, the sight of his blood splattering on my fist and pavement seemingly blocked out of my vision. I couldn't control myself. It felt like something or someone entirely took over. I just kept punching him over and over as tears of his own streamed down his face. He was begging for me to stop, to have mercy on him, but it went in one ear and out the other. You know the saying that people see red when they get mad? That was me. I didn't actually see red but it felt like I had tunnel vision and he was the only thing my eyes could focus and not tear away from. He almost hurt Maria. He has probably hurt other people in the past too. I wanted this mother fucker to learn that-"

"Danny!" Maria yelled out, "He's had enough!" I quickly glanced over my shoulder at the most beautiful young woman I've ever seen. Her hair and dress hugged her curvy body as the rain had completely smothered her. My grip and gaze immediately softened upon seeing her. She didn't look scared or angry, just worried. I glanced down at the man who was now beaten to a pulp. He had cuts and bruises over his face as a stream of blood poured out his mouth. Shit, did I break his tooth?! Well, it might teach him to keep his hands and mouth to himself. I glanced down at my hands - noticing my knuckles were cut up and bruised; stained with the blood of the sick man and my own. That's when the stinging pain started to kick in. I bent and stretched my fingers as I tried to relieve the pain but to no avail. Maria walked over to me and grabbed my arm, helping me stand up, as her voice was a gentle whisper; "Are you okay?"

Seriously? She could've gotten raped and she's asking me if I'm okay?!

Always the caring one.

"I'll manage." I groaned out as I stood beside her, "The real question is are you okay, baby?"

Maria shrugged before giving the same response; "I'll manage."

I gave her a little breathless laugh as she gave a soft smile in return. I looked down at the pathetic piece of shit, giving him a glare, before grabbing Maria's hand. My own hand trembled due to the pain and remaining adrenaline as I led her back to my truck. First, I opened her door before buckling her in and shutting it. Next, I walked over to the driver's side and got in. Finally, I fucking sped off before that asshole could even think of breathing in our direction again. I didn't know where exactly I was going. I just knew I needed to get Maria away from that fucking guy before he got any more funny ideas. Maybe it's just my protectiveness and worrying, but if he almost did that to her, who says he couldn't follow us back to our dorms? That wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

The ride to nowhere lasted about thirty minutes with me occasionally checking the rearview mirror. My bloodied knuckles mixed into multiple colors. Purple and yellow for the bruises but also white for the intense grip I had on the steering wheel. Maria was silent for almost the entire time, both of us refusing to speak about the situation at first. The only sound was the rain pouring down along with my windshield wipers squeaking, moving back and forth, trying to provide me with a clearer view. But the rain was coming down so hard it was almost impossible to see. We were out in the country with no streetlights - just my headlights desperately trying to provide a view through the intense rain and light fog.

I let out a frustrated sigh, "I need to pull over and wait."

"Okay." Maria simply responded quietly. It broke my heart. My poor girl was probably scared and traumatized. Part of me worried it was my fault as she has never seen me that violent before. But I tried to silently reassure myself that it was just me overthinking. That what I did was nothing to what that sick fucker could've done to her.

I decided to pull up to the front gate of some place. It looked like some run down mill? The entire place was on the verge of falling apart and even overgrown in some areas. Damn, this place could've been cleaned up and made into something better. Such a shame that people just up and abandoned places. I double locked the doors as I slowly slid my hands down the wheel and onto my lap. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath - trying to regulate my anger and nerves from earlier. Maria slid her hand down my arm before resting it on my wrist, her thumb gently rubbing my wrist.

"What happened?" I asked to break the silence, "I thought you were coming back."

Maria began to explain herself; "I was. But when I left the bathroom, that man told me you had went outside in the back. I had a feeling not to trust him but when I looked at where we were sitting - I didn't see you. Plus those stupid drinks didn't help either! So, I followed him. He began to walk us to the parking lot before he randomly shoved me against the wall and... he just... he... um..."

Maria trailed off as she began to remember. God, maybe I should've waited a bit longer. I raised both my hands and placed them on the sides of her face, cupping her cheeks. I used my thumbs to wipe off the excess rain that still dripped down her forehead and onto her full face. Maria's hazel eyes were sad and traumatized as she stared into my blue orbs. God, I hate seeing her like this. I've seen her sad and it hurts. But this?! It breaks me. Part of me wants to turn back around and get round two on the stupid fucker! But I knew that wouldn't automatically fix or help anything. Plus, the guy is probably long gone and crying over his destroyed ego. I closed my eyes and gently placed a gentle kiss to her chilled forehead as my thumbs gently stroked her face. I was hoping it would calm her down. Upon my wishful thinking, it worked. Maria's tense shoulders immediately relaxed as I heard her sigh gently - leaning her forehead more into my reassuring kiss.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I wish I got there sooner." I whispered before gently placing another kiss to her forehead, "I'm also sorry for you seeing me that way. I swear, I'll never leave you alone again."

Maria shook her head, "Don't apologize, mi amor. You saved me. If you didn't show up he could've-"

I cut Maria off, "Hey... let's not think down that path, okay? He didn't, right? That's what matters the most."

Maria nodded before closing her eyes again. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against hers, the rough pads of my thumbs stroking her silky smooth skin, trying to ground us. The rain continued to pour around us, trying to desperately block out the events of earlier. I let out a deep sigh as Maria gently placed her hands on my wrists. Her hands were so tiny compared to mine. Not to pull a cliche, but we compared hand sizes. Her little and soft hands were nothing to my large and rough ones. Fixing cars and other stuff a lot over time will do that a lot.

Suddenly, a new song appeared on the radio with lyrics we both knew insanely well;

Wise men say,

Only fools, only fools rush in.

Oh, but I, but I, I can't help falling in love with you.

I opened my eyes and gave a small smile, noticing Maria's eyes were still closed but mouthing the lyrics. I watched her as she continued into the next verse, her entire mood shifting. She was much calmer than earlier - the song and the gentle gestures I did brought her back down to Earth after experiencing something close to Hell. God, I was so lucky to have this girl. If I ever have the chance, I'd go up to those golden gates and shake God's own hand to tell him what an amazing job he did making her and bringing her into my life. Before Maria, I was basically lost. I always knew I was adopted but didn't know what happened to my biological parents. It turned out, my mother died in a car crash as my father killed himself when I was nine due to alcohol poisoning. When I turned eighteen, I wanted to desperately meet them. But due to their deaths, I never got the chance to. I never got to learn where I truly came from and I felt this longing for two individuals who couldn't take care of me - since my mom was a teenager and my biological dad didn't want a kid at all. I felt this empty void inside of me.

But then Maria came along. She taught me that it was okay to feel that way. We even bonded over having dead parents - as her own pops died a few years ago. We bonded over grief despite our situations and relationships with our parental figures being different. We bonded over music, movies, books, and even places we've both visited around the state. It felt like she was the inspiration I was searching for. She's my best friend. She's my other half. She's the love of my life.

I finished out the song that was over by now;

"Take my hand,

Take my whole life too.

For I can't help falling in love with you,

For I can't help falling in love with you."

Maria's eyes slowly opened as she gazed lovingly into my eyes. Her eyes sparkled even through the dark atmosphere around us. I gave her a tiny smile as she returned it back. God, my heart was fucking racing. If you listened closely, you could've heard it thumping out of my chest. I was so madly in love with this girl it was going to kill me someday. I would do anything for her just to make sure she's safe and happy. Maria's smile widened ever so slightly as she continued to stare deeply into my blue eyes.

"You know I enjoy your singing." Maria softly whispered.

Ever since singing karaoke with Leland that one night, Maria has basically begged me to sing more. I was still shy about doing it. But, on a few rare occasions, I decided to. She would always sit and listen despite me thinking I sound like absolute shit. The forced lessons when I was a kid didn't do me justice. But for some reason, she thought I hung the moon every single time I did. She would have many restless nights, grieving the loss of her dad, and I'd hum or sing her to a soothing sleep while running my fingers through her dark brown waves.

I smiled softly in return, "I know, baby." My eyes slowly moved from her soft hazel eyes to her cute button nose and full cheeks until they rested on her lips. They were once painted a nude color but now almost faded to her natural lip color due to the rain and lack of reapplication. I slid my thumb over the soft tissue of her lips which caused her to smile a little wider. It wasn't enough for a huge grin, but enough to know she was okay with it. I swallowed hard before asking; "Can I kiss you?"

Maria nodded, "Yes please."

My heart beat increased as she agreed. We hadn't kissed before. I know, six months and haven't kissed or even told each other we love one another. But I wanted to take it at her pace. Ask when she's ready or have her make the first move. I mean, after all, I was the one who begged Leland to have her talk to me. I moved my hands lower on her face - cupping her jaw and neck instead of her cheeks. Maria's gaze went from my eyes to my own lips before I noticed her leaning in. Holy shit, this was it! God, Danny. You're acting like you're a middle schooler who is about to have their first kiss ever. My breath hitched in my throat before I leaned in and met her halfway.

Maria's lips were softer than a fucking cloud. I immediately melted as I could taste something reminiscent of strawberries. I smiled against the kiss before sliding one hand to the back of her neck and pulling her closer. One of Maria's hands slid to my chest as we deepened the kiss - our mouths moving in sync slowly against each other. It was sweet. Passionate. Loving. It didn't feel out of place despite everything that happened. Judging from how well she was reacting to our kiss, it seemed like she needed and longed for it too. I've been craving her lips on mine since the second I saw her across the room at Leland's party. After six long months, I was finally able to know what it felt like.

I slowly pulled away from the kiss but noticed Maria slightly moved forward, probably wanting more. She caught herself before looking up at me. I felt my gaze softened as a flickering streetlight outside of the mill illuminated her delicate features.

She was the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on.

"Maria?" I asked sheepishly. Maria's posture changed slightly as she became alert to what I was going to say next. Butterflies twisted and turned in my stomach as I managed up the courage to tell her. God, why was I so nervous?! I've never felt this way about anyone else in my life. The few ex-girlfriend's never made me this happy and nervous at the same time. I took a deep breath before confessing;

"I'm in love with you."

Maria only answered by pulling me back into another kiss.