When the cops caught Topper instead of John B, Rafe came home seething with rage. The frustration gnawed at him, a relentless beast within. He stormed into his room, the door slamming behind him with a force that reverberated through the walls. The room felt suffocating, closing in on him as he began frantically tearing through drawers and cabinets, desperately searching for something—anything—that could calm the storm raging inside his mind.
Allison emerged from the bathroom, her body wrapped in a towel, the steam still clinging to her skin. Concern was etched across her features as she observed Rafe's erratic behavior. "When did you get back? Did they catch John B?" she asked, her voice tentative, barely cutting through the tension thickening the air.
Rafe barely glanced at her, his eyes wild with frustration. "No," he snapped, his voice sharp and clipped, a knife slicing through the fragile peace that hung between them. He continued his search, the desperation in his movements growing with each passing second.
"What are you looking for?" Allison asked, stepping closer to him, trying to pierce through the wall he was building around himself.
"Cocaine. I need it," Rafe replied, his voice strained, cracking under the weight of his desperation. The admission was raw, a confession of the chaos swirling inside him.
Allison's heart clenched at his words. "We don't have any," she said gently, trying to calm the tempest within him, but Rafe's response was immediate and violent. He slammed his fist into the nightstand, the impact reverberating through the room, causing Allison to flinch in shock.
"Rafe—" she began, her voice trembling with concern, but he cut her off, his expression fierce, his eyes blazing with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Don't talk," he growled, his voice low and menacing, a threat hanging in the air between them.
"But—" she tried again, her heart pounding in her chest, only to be met with Rafe's hand gripping her wrist, his fingers digging into her skin with a painful pressure.
"That hurts, Rafe," Allison cried out, struggling to pull away, her eyes wide with fear as he used his other hand to slam the door shut behind her. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing in as Rafe's grip tightened, his desperation transforming into something darker.
"I need a fix, and you used all of my coke," Rafe hissed, his voice dripping with accusation, each word cutting into her like a blade.
"It wasn't just yours. I paid for that shit too," Allison retorted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. The defensiveness in her tone only seemed to fuel Rafe's rage.
Rafe closed his eyes, trying to regain control, but the frustration was too much. "I told you to shut up," he muttered through gritted teeth, his grip tightening around her wrist.
"No. What is going on, Rafe? Please talk to me," Allison pleaded, her voice filled with desperation, as she tried to shake off his hands, to break through the wall he was putting up between them.
"I told you what's going on. Are you stupid?" Rafe spat, his words sharp, cutting deep into her heart.
Allison tried to remain composed, but the wave of hurt crashing over her was too much. "Okay, if you need it that much, we can get the drug—" she began, but her words were cut off by a sharp tug on her hair, Rafe's hand yanking her head back with a roughness that sent a jolt of pain down her spine.
"Rafe!" Allison exclaimed, tears springing to her eyes, but he didn't respond. Instead, he dragged her by her hair, his grip unyielding as he threw her unceremoniously onto the bed, face first.
He moved quickly, removing the towel wrapped around her body with a roughness that left her feeling exposed and vulnerable. His movements were mechanical, devoid of the tenderness she had come to know from him. The intimacy that once existed between them had been replaced with something darker, something that terrified her. He discarded his own clothing just as quickly.
He pulled her head up from the sheets, lowering his head closer to her ear. "You have to be real quiet now, or I won't let you finish. Nod if you understand." Allison nodded, fear and frustration mingling in her gaze. "Good," he growled before pressing her head back against the bed.
Rafe positioned himself over her, his eyes cold and distant as he pushed himself inside her. Allison gasped, a mix of pain and pleasure flooding her senses, but there was no time to adjust, no time to process the overwhelming emotions coursing through her.
Rafe's pace was relentless, his thrusts hard and unfeeling. Each movement was a punishment, each thrust a reminder of the darkness that had taken hold of him. Allison's hands clutched at the sheets, her body trembling under the force of his movements. She bit down on her lip, trying to stifle the sounds of pain and pleasure that threatened to escape.
"Rafe," Allison choked out, her voice strained, but Rafe's hand was already around her neck, squeezing with just enough pressure to make breathing difficult.
"I told you to shut up," Rafe demanded, his voice cold and unyielding as he thrust into her violently. The words stung, but the way he said them, the lack of care, hurt even more.
When he finally reached his release, he did so inside her, letting out a groan that echoed in the silent room. He pulled out, releasing her neck and falling onto the bed next to her, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
Allison lay there, her body aching, her heart heavy with the weight of what had just happened. She felt a wave of defiance rises within her, a need to reclaim some sense of control.
"That's it?" Allison asked, catching her breath.
Rafe chuckled darkly. "I told you what will happen if you don't stay quiet."
Without thinking, she slipped her hand between her legs, rubbing her clit with a determination that was both an act of rebellion and a desperate attempt to find some semblance of pleasure.
Rafe noticed, his eyes narrowing in anger. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked, grabbing her hand and pulling it away. "Better go and clean yourself. You're a dripping mess."
Allison yanked her hand back, her anger flaring. "Fuck off, Rafe." She got up from the bed, pulling on her panties and shorts with quick, jerky movements. "I'm going to sleep in the guest room tonight."
Rafe let out a bitter laugh. "Seriously? Because I didn't let you finish?"
Allison spun around, her eyes blazing with anger. "Because you're acting like a fucking jerk, the one I didn't want to be with," she shot back.
"I thought you liked it rough," Rafe stated, a smirk forming on his face, but the words felt like another slap in the face.
Allison didn't respond. The fight drained out of her as she turned and headed towards the door, her heart heavy with hurt and frustration.
"Fine, go. See if I care," Rafe added, his words like a final blow, the one that cut the deepest. Allison left his room, her emotions in turmoil, a storm raging inside her that mirrored the one within Rafe.
・ • ・ • ・
Rafe woke up with a start, his first instinct screaming at him that he needed more coke. His body was drenched in sweat, his mind haunted by the events of the previous night. The room felt too small, too confining, and he needed to escape. He threw on his shorts and a t-shirt, the fabric clinging to his damp skin as he walked past the guest room, thoughts of Allison swirling in his mind. He hesitated, his hand hovering over the door handle, but he couldn't bring himself to go in. Instead, he turned away, his grip on reality slipping with each passing second.
He needed to ground himself, to find something that would bring him back from the edge. Grabbing his helmet, he left the house, muttering to himself as frustration boiled over. He slapped his face lightly, trying to jolt himself back to reality, but it wasn't enough. In a fit of anger, he threw the helmet to the ground. Taking a deep breath, he picked it up, put it on, and hopped on his dirt bike, driving away, hoping the rush of speed would drown out the chaos in his mind.
"Barry!" Rafe yelled as he burst into Barry's place, catching him mid-line. "I need cocaine."
Barry looked up, startled, then annoyed. "I'm all out, man. That was my last line right there. Everybody done came and done a run on me. Everybody stockin' up for this storm," he explained, his tone more irritated than anything else.
Rafe didn't believe him. He started searching through Barry's cabinets, his movements frantic. "Oh, I know you got it in here, bro."
"No, I don't got anything in here. I'm all out, man," Barry shouted back, his patience wearing thin.
"Bullshit, man! You're full of shit," Rafe yelled, storming into Barry's room with a desperation that bordered on madness.
Barry followed after him, his frustration boiling over. "People got to do something... Rafe! What did I say, bitch? I'm out! I'm out, bitch! Get out of here, man! Get out of my room!" He shoved Rafe out of the room, but the desperation in Rafe's eyes was unmistakable.
Rafe started hyperventilating, his hands trembling uncontrollably. "Where is it? I know you got some," he gasped, his eyes wild, pleading for relief.
"What the hell done got into you?" Barry asked, his confusion mixing with concern as he watched Rafe unravel before him.
Rafe tried to speak, but his voice broke, and he sank to the floor, his entire body shaking with sobs. The weight of everything—the sheriff's death, his violent behavior towards Allison, the fear that he might lose her—crashed down on him all at once, overwhelming him.
"Because I..." Rafe's voice broke, and tears spilled down his cheeks. "Some..."
"Oh, shit, man. Hey. Hey, look, dog," Barry said, approaching him cautiously. "Hey, Rafe? You're good. You're good. Breathe."
"Have you ever, uh... have you ever done something... that you never thought you would? Like, somethin'... somethin' bad?" Rafe asked, his voice shaky and raw, as he looked up at Barry with tear-filled eyes.
"Uh, what you done, Country Club? Was you late to a tee time? Huh?" Barry joked, trying to lighten the mood. "You can talk to me, man. Just... just tell me whatever the hell you done, 'cause I can promise you, whatever it was, I done worse, bro. I was in the army."
"I did, uh... something," Rafe sniffed, struggling to find the words. "And now I'm... I'm fucked, man, like, totally. Like, a hundred percent, I'm fucked." Tears poured down his face. "Like, for life, man. There's... There's no way out of this, bro."
・ • ・ • ・
When Allison woke up she felt like she hadn't slept at all. The emotional exhaustion from the previous night clung to her, making it difficult to pull herself out of bed. For a long time, she just laid there, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and hurt. When she finally found the strength to get up, she decided to sneak into Rafe's room to grab some fresh clothes, relieved to find that he was already gone.
Downstairs, she found Wheezie in the kitchen, loading dishes into the dishwasher. The sight of the younger girl's familiar routine brought a small, fleeting sense of normalcy to Allison, something she desperately needed.
"Good morning," Allison greeted her, trying to muster a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Good morning," Wheezie replied, turning to look at her. She immediately noticed the strain on Allison's face. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," Allison said, forcing a smile that felt even more hollow than before.
Wheezie wasn't convinced. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression skeptical. "Are you sure? I thought I heard you in the guest room last night, taking a shower."
Allison hesitated, the lie already forming on her lips. "Yeah, Rafe was using the bathroom in his room, so I used the one in the guest room," she explained, hoping to avoid further questions.
Wheezie didn't seem entirely convinced, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she gave Allison a knowing look. "You know you can tell me if my brother did something."
Allison forced another smile, though the truth weighed heavily on her heart. "No, Wheezie, it's fine. He can just be a jerk sometimes." She glanced away, trying to push down the emotions bubbling up inside her. "Is he around here somewhere?"
"No, I think he left the house about an hour ago," Wheezie replied, her tone casual.
Allison guessed Rafe was either searching for John B or looking for drugs—neither option filled her with any comfort.
・ • ・ • ・
It was early evening when Rafe returned home, his steps heavy with exhaustion and the weight of the day's events. He entered his room and froze when he saw Allison packing a duffel bag on the bed. Her movements were deliberate, each item she placed in the bag a silent declaration of her decision.
"What are you doing?" Rafe asked, his voice startling her. He noticed how her breath hitched at the sound of his voice, but she didn't turn to look at him. "Are you packing?"
Allison took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was coming. "I think I'm going to stay at Jessica's for a while," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Rafe's heart sank. "No-no-no," he said frantically, the desperation seeping into his voice. "I need you," he admitted, his voice low and pleading.
Allison finally turned to face him, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and anger. "You need me for what? To take your anger and frustration out on me because you don't have drugs?" she snapped, her words cutting through him like a knife. She noticed the blood on his face, but she fought the urge to ask what happened. There were bigger issues at hand.
When he stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the floor, she turned back to her bag, zipping it up with a finality that made his heart race with fear. She threw the bag over her shoulder and moved towards the bedroom door, but Rafe stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Allison, please," Rafe begged, his voice breaking as he reached out to touch her, but she flinched away from him.
"Just let me go," Allison sighed, her voice weary, drained of the energy to argue.
"I can't let you go," Rafe whispered, his eyes falling on the bruises around her wrist. He reached out to touch them, his fingers trembling, but she jerked back. "Did I do that?"
"Yeah," Allison replied.
The sight of them made his stomach turn with guilt.
"I'm sorry, baby," Rafe said, his voice thick with emotion. "Please don't leave. I need you."
Allison sighed, the weight of her decision pressing down on her shoulders. "I just need a few days away, Rafe."
Rafe shook his head, his voice cracking as he spoke. "No. I can't do this without you. Please, don't go."
"What do you mean?" Allison asked, her tone softening. "What happened to you? Where have you been all day?"
Rafe moved to the bed, sitting down heavily as he buried his face in his hands. "I'm... I don't feel good. I thought I would feel better if I... if I-," he trailed off, unable to bring himself to finish the thought. The truth was too horrifying to say out loud, especially to her.
"If you what?" Allison pressed gently, sitting beside him, her voice full of concern.
Rafe sighed deeply, rubbing his eyes to hold back tears. "If I helped my dad, but I don't. And I hurt you. I'm sorry, Allison. I'm so sorry."
"You saved your dad from getting killed," Allison said, trying to understand the depth of his turmoil.
Rafe nodded slowly, knowing he couldn't tell her the full truth. He couldn't let her see the monster inside him. "Yeah, yeah, you're right," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Allison narrowed her eyes, sensing that there was more to the story, but she didn't press further. "You're confusing me, Rafe."
Rafe looked up at her, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "Look, I'm sorry I did this to you. It won't happen again, I promise."
He took her hand in his, his thumb gently brushing over the bruises on her wrist. Then, he kissed her wrist softly, his lips lingering on her skin as if he could somehow erase the marks he had left. "Please don't leave me, Allison."
Allison felt the anger and hurt begin to melt away as she looked into his eyes, seeing the broken boy underneath the tough exterior. She let him bury his head into her neck, his sobs shaking his body as he clung to her.
"Okay, I'll stay," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair to calm him down. When his sobs finally subsided, she took his face between her hands, forcing him to look at her. "Hey, look at me. What happened to you?"
She gently ran her fingertips over the bruises on his face and the dried blood. "I was looking for John B and ran into the Pogues. Jordan and Pope beat the shit out of me, mostly Pope," Rafe admitted, feeling a mix of shame and anger.
Allison's concern deepened, but she knew that pushing him further wouldn't help. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"
Rafe nodded, his heart heavy with the realization of how far he had fallen. They both rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom. As Rafe washed his face, the water stinging as it cleaned the cuts on his face, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror. The sight was almost unrecognizable to him—bruises darkened his skin, and the dried blood on his face was a stark reminder of the violence he had been involved in. He looked tired, and worn down, like the weight of the world was pressing on his shoulders.
Allison stood behind him, her gaze filled with concern and something else—something that looked like pity. It made Rafe feel small like he was just a broken shell of the man he used to be. Her fingers gently brushed over a particularly nasty bruise on his cheek, causing him to wince involuntarily.
"Do you need some painkillers?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rafe shook his head, though the truth was, that he wanted to numb the pain somehow—just not with pills. "No, it's okay. I'm just going to take a shower. Thank you."
Allison nodded, though her eyes lingered on him, worry etched across her face. She turned to leave the bathroom, giving him space, but he reached out and grabbed her hand, his grip gentle but firm.
"Will you take a shower with me?" he asked, his voice carrying a vulnerability that caught her off guard.
Allison hesitated for a moment, sensing the fragility in his request. She could see that he was struggling, battling demons that she couldn't fully understand. But she also knew that right now, he needed her, and despite everything that had happened between them, she wasn't ready to walk away from him.
"Okay, I will," she finally said, her voice soft and reassuring.
A small, almost relieved smile tugged at the corners of Rafe's lips, and he let go of her hand to undress. He stepped into the shower first, the warm water cascading over his battered body, washing away the remnants of the fight. The heat soothed his aching muscles, but it did little to ease the turmoil in his mind.
Allison joined him, stepping under the spray of water. Her eyes lingered on the bruises marking his skin, and she gently pressed her fingers to one of the darker ones, causing him to wince slightly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with guilt.
Rafe turned to face her, the water streaming down his face as he shook his head. "I deserved it, I guess," he mumbled, his fingers brushing over the bruises on her wrist. The sight of them made his chest tighten with regret. "After what I've done."
"My bruises don't hurt as much," Allison told him, her voice soft and reassuring, as if trying to convince him that what he did wasn't so bad.
"Did anyone see them?" Rafe asked, a hint of fear creeping into his voice. The last thing he wanted was for others to know how badly he had hurt her.
"No, I had them covered in the morning," Allison replied, watching as his expression fell, the guilt weighing heavily on him.
"I'm sorry, baby," Rafe muttered, his voice breaking with emotion.
"You don't have to apologize anymore. I know you're sorry," Allison said, meeting his gaze with a softness that made him feel both comforted and undeserving of her forgiveness.
Rafe pressed his forehead against hers, their noses touching as they stood there, the water pouring down around them. For a moment, they just held each other, letting the silence between them speak the words they couldn't say out loud. The warmth of her skin against his was a reminder that she was still there, that she hadn't left him, despite everything.
Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, the water splashing against their faces as they pressed closer together. There was a desperation in the way Rafe kissed her as if he was afraid this might be the last time. He was searching for reassurance, for the connection he was terrified of losing.
It took a few minutes before they pulled away, both breathing heavily, their foreheads still touching. Their lips hovered close enough that Allison could feel the warmth of his breath when he finally spoke.
"I want to make you feel good. Can I?" Rafe's voice was filled with a mixture of desire and a need to make up for the hurt he'd caused her.
Allison nodded against him, and Rafe didn't waste a second. He turned off the water, quickly picked her up, and carried her out of the shower. They were both soaking wet, but neither of them cared. He laid her down on the bed, the water from their bodies soaking into the sheets.
Rafe started by kissing her neck, trailing soft, lingering kisses down towards her chest. His lips and tongue found her breasts, and Allison couldn't help but bring her hands to his back, feeling the muscles move under his skin as he worked. When he sucked on one of her nipples, she arched her back against the mattress, struggling to contain the euphoric moan that threatened to escape her lips.
After a few minutes of lavishing attention on her breasts, Rafe began to move lower, leaving a trail of kisses down her stomach. He spread her legs apart, his head disappearing between them just before she felt his lips softly kissing her inner thighs. Each kiss drew closer to her sex, causing her body to break out in goosebumps.
Rafe traced her folds with his finger before sliding it through her arousal, feeling just how wet she already was. Allison gasped sharply at the sensation, her breath catching in her throat. The sound of her pleasure made Rafe groan, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her before he ran his tongue across her sensitive flesh, tasting her.
When his tongue found her clit, Allison grabbed the sheets, moaning in pleasure as the sensation sent waves of heat coursing through her. She closed her eyes when she felt Rafe's finger enter her, his tongue still teasing her clit with passion and precision.
Rafe moved his finger inside her in a steady rhythm, his eyes locked on her face as he watched her reactions. When her eyes met his, he growled against her, the sound vibrating through her body, pushing her closer to the edge.
Allison threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him in place as she felt the pressure building inside her. When Rafe slipped a second finger inside her, it was the final push she needed. Her orgasm hit her with full force, her back arching, her lips parting as a loud breath escaped her.
She smiled down at him lovingly, running her fingers through his wet hair. Rafe licked his lips with a proud smile, clearly pleased with himself.
"I'm not done yet," Rafe told her, his voice filled with a mix of determination and desire. He grasped her ass, lifting her hips as he positioned himself between her legs once more.
Allison's breath caught in her throat as Rafe's tongue circled her clit, sending another wave of pleasure through her body. She grabbed the sheets again, her back arching as he worked his magic.
"Rafe," she moaned, her voice a mix of pleasure and desperation.
She wrapped her legs around his head, unsure how he could breathe, but he only seemed hungrier. Rafe growled against her, his fingers sliding back inside her, his movements relentless.
The knot in her stomach tightened as his tongue worked her clit with expert precision, bringing her to the brink of ecstasy once again. Her body trembled uncontrollably as she neared her second climax, the intensity of his touch overwhelming her senses.
"Cum for me again, pretty girl," Rafe murmured against her folds, his voice vibrating against her, sending shivers down her spine.
Allison let go, waves of pleasure washing over her as she screamed his name, her back arching off the bed. She was breathless, her heart pounding in her chest as Rafe watched her with a satisfied smile, his eyes dark with desire and pride.
But he wasn't finished. With two fingers still inside her, he curled them just right, hitting her sweet spot over and over again. His lips found her clit once more, sucking and circling it with his tongue, pushing her into a state of complete surrender.
Allison's body responded to him like it was made for him, each thrust of his fingers drawing out moans she was ashamed of, because of how loud it had been and anyone could've heard it.
"Oh God! Fuck me harder!" Allison cried out, her voice strained with need.
Rafe growled, speeding up his thrusts. His fingers moved in and out of her vigorously, each movement pushing her closer to the edge. He could feel her walls clenching around his fingers, her body responding to his touch.
When she looked down at him, their eyes locked, and the intensity of his gaze was almost too much for her to handle. She couldn't hold on any longer.
Her third orgasm hit her like a tidal wave, her body shaking violently as she squirted into his mouth. Rafe didn't stop, swallowing everything, licking her clean, pushing her into overstimulation. Allison's body was a trembling mess, her legs shaking uncontrollably as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Did-did I just...?" Allison mumbled, her voice weak from pleasure and surprise.
Rafe smirked, a smug look on his face. "You did."
He brought his fingers, covered in her wetness, to his lips and licked them clean. The sight of him combined with the satisfied "mmm" he let out was mouth-watering for Allison.
Unable to resist, she grabbed him, pulling him up to her, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Her hand curled around the back of his neck, deepening the kiss as she tasted herself on his lips.
His hand started to move between her legs again, but Allison quickly stopped him. "No, I'm too sensitive right now," she spoke against his mouth, her voice trembling with exhaustion and fulfillment.
Rafe nodded in understanding, feeling a surge of pride for making her feel so good. He rolled over onto his back, his body hitting the mattress next to her as he tried to steady his breathing. The room was filled with the sound of their labored breaths, and the warmth of their bodies mingled with the lingering heat of their passion.
"I barely slept last night," Rafe admitted softly, his voice carrying a weight that hinted at the turmoil he had been wrestling with.
Allison turned her head to look at him, her fingers gently brushing a strand of damp hair from his forehead. "Yeah, me too," she replied, her voice tinged with empathy. She could sense the strain in his words, the exhaustion that ran deeper than just physical fatigue.
Rafe gazed at her, a mixture of emotions swirling in his blue eyes—regret, longing, and something more vulnerable. He moved closer, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if he was silently apologizing for everything that had transpired between them.
As Allison's eyes drifted downward, they caught sight of his erection, a reminder of the desire that still lingered between them. She felt a pang of guilt, knowing he had focused solely on her pleasure tonight.
"I should probably take care of that," Allison spoke softly, beginning to lift herself into a sitting position. Her intention was to reciprocate the attention he had lavished on her, to show him that she wanted to take care of him too.
But Rafe stopped her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and urging her back down onto the bed. His touch was firm yet tender, a silent refusal. "Oh, no. This night was only about you," he said with a small, reassuring smile. There was a rare softness in his voice, one that carried an unfamiliar gentleness, as if he wanted to give her something more than just physical satisfaction.
"Are you sure?" Allison asked, searching his eyes for any hint of uncertainty.
"Yes," Rafe nodded, his expression earnest. He reached over to the side of the bed, pulling the sheets up to cover them both. "Let's just go to sleep, yeah?"
Allison nodded, sliding under the sheets beside him, feeling a sense of comfort in the simplicity of the moment. As she snuggled against him, she hummed in contentment, finding the perfect spot where her head nestled into the crook of his neck, her body fitting seamlessly against his.
Rafe's arm wrapped around her back, holding her firmly yet protectively, as if he was afraid she might slip away in the night. He sighed, the tension in his body slowly dissipating as the warmth of her presence seeped into him. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sliver of peace, a momentary respite from the chaos that usually plagued his mind.
Allison, too, felt a sense of relief. Despite everything they had been through—the pain, the anger, the mistakes—they were still here, together, in this fragile yet profound connection. She knew they weren't perfect, far from it, but in this moment, they were enough for each other.
They fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in the warmth and closeness. It wasn't a perfect resolution, and the road ahead was still fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but in this moment, they had each other. And sometimes, that was all they needed.
THIS IS THE END OF SEASON 1, NEXT CHAPTERS WILL BE FROM SEASON 2.