Thirty minutes.

That's all it took for us to wander around the fair, play a few more silly games and devour are two sticks of rainbow cotton candy, before we finally drifted away.

My hands were practically bruising his ribs, from how hard I was clutching on him, while Jackson rode through the night careless, erasing all the traffic rules from his mind.

Some people would call it reckless, insesitive, stupid...well, I guess we were all these things and even more.

''Try and stand up.'' He yells, speeding the vehicle towards the open road.

''What?'' Panic immediately settles in me. The thought of falling over makes my stomach twitch and I find myself fisting his leather jacket, as if he is going to push me on purpose.

''No way!''

''Come on. You got it.''

''No Jackson.'' I answer, shaking my head.

It really flatters me how he thinks I am capable of doing things like that, but honestly I'm not trying to kill myself that way. The possibility of broken bones or worst, scattered body parts, does not sound appealing to me. I'm too much of a pussy for that.

He chuckles at my response, patting my thigh in comfort. The heat of his palm, smoothes the slight goosebumps on my skin and I press a kiss on his neck appreciating his gesture.

It feels really good to be so open about your fears, without thinking about getting judged every second of the day.

A lot of people believe that, trying to surpass them is more important than living with them, but honestly, the true power comes from your ability to acknowledge and accept your fears.

Getting over them comes second.

Two years in therapy guys.

''You okay back there?''

Jackson's voice brings me back to reality and I realize the motorcycle is cutting speed.

''Are we here already?'

''Five more minutes.''

Looking around reluctantly, I try to find any clue of where we are heading, but the route he chose makes it difficult to navigate.

''I promised you the best view of the town right?'' He asks, making me nod my head on his shoulder.

I kinda wished he would take me back to his house, since his terrace had the best view I've ever seen, but asking him to go there sounded kind of risky.

I mean what am I supposed to say?

''Please bring me to your place cause I missed the way your scent is lingering everywhere?''

Nope. That screams pathetic from miles away.

Maybe something like ''I kept thinking about our morning together. I wanna do that again.''

Noooo Daphne.

That would imply, I want him to eat me like a savage. Straight out inappropriate.

''A penny for your thoughts?''

My head snaps towards him, catching his eyes through the mirror.

''Sorry. What did you say?''

''You seemed pretty lost in there. What were you thinking?''

Oh, you know...Just your head between my legs, before the stupid panic attack interrupts my third orgasm.

''Nothing.''

''Okay.'' He says casually. Athough, I catch him smiling mischievously.

The thought of him knowing what I imagine, is enough to bring the heat back to my cheeks.

''We are here.''

Feeling the motorcycle coming to a halt, I free Jackson from my death grip lookin around in an aw.

He really does know the best places in town.

''Nice right?''

My feet carry me to the end of the hill, where you can see a perfect view of the city.

''Amazing.''I mumble, searching for any familiar places. ''Jackson look!'' I jump after a second. ''It's the ferris wheel!''

His hand wraps around my collarbone, bringing me back against his chest and I feel him humming over me. ''I know.'' He says, kissing the top of my head.

''It will start any moment now.''

''What?'' I ask, confused.

But the answer comes before Jackson.

A distant sound triggers the first one and a few seconds later, an explosion of light and colors takes over the sky. My lips part lightly and I find myself lost in a trance from their beauty.

Fireworks.

This is the first time I'm actually watching them explode. I used to hide every time I heard the sound. Especially after the incident. And for once, after all these years I remember why I loved them so much as a kid.

Jackson's lips find the shell of my ear and I hear him whispering to me: ''My house has a better view, but we wouldn't be able to see them clearly. Being scared of things doesn't mean, we can't enjoy them. You just need to find the right way.''

His words go straight to my heart, making my eyes water. I'll never be able to express how thankful I am for everything he does. It means the world to me knowing someone actually understands me and doesn't see me as a broken maschine that needs to get fixed.

''Baby why are you crying?''

The question caught me off guard mostly, because I haven't even realized I was. Jacskson's fingers caress my cheek gathering the salty texture, his rings brushing over my burning skin.

''I just...never thought I would see them again. It sounds stupid I know..''

''It's not.'' He cuts me off. ''Stop putting yourself down. You made it till here. Maybe the next time we'll see them from closer.''

There's these two words again.

Next time.

Is it really pathetic how my heart skips a beat every time he mentions them? I'm sure that, for most people they sound like something ordinary, the same way we say ''bye'' or ''see you later.''

But for me, it is a promise.

A promise that for once, I'll have something to expect waking up every day. No more trying to get through the week, to stay present, alive.

No more emptiness.

The blank is filled.

Twisting myself in his arms, I turn around on my tiptoes, leaving a kiss on his lips.

''Thank you.''

His eyes search mine for a moment, a look of complete seriousness on his face, until I see the corners of his mouth turning upwards and he dives in kissing me again.

Our lips collide together hard and fast. Like a hurricane crashing out bodies, we tug at each other harshly. His tongue traces my bottom lip, but I decide to tease him denying him the entrance. My action doesn't go unnoticed and soon Jackson's hand finds its way into my hair, fisting the roots between his fingers. My scalp burns deliciously under his hand, while he tries to seperate my lips, taking control of the kiss.

The feeling of his teeth biting my bottom weakens my legs, but it also intensifies the fire in my stomach and I don't know what comes over me, when I sneak my hand behind his neck, tugging on his hair equally harshly and fight for the dominance of the kiss.

A subtle groan escapes his lips, travelling straight to my core, making my guts twist in pure agony. The heat between my legs becomes almost unbearable and right before I claim my win over him, I feel his other hand sneaking under my dress. His rings leave a cold path on their way towards my thigh and when I'm finally sure they found their resting place against my hip, he lets them curl backwards and hover over my buttcheek.

A hard slap, makes me squirm in his hold, but I keep my lips shut, still denying him the entrance. I sense his body going rigid, before his fingers dig into my flesh, squeezing a handful of my asscheek. The cold metal of the rings leave an instant pain on my skin, making me moan, although it's not the movement that almost brings me to my knees.

Seconds later, his index and ring finger trace my wetness from behind, one of them lightly touching my clit, while the other one caresses my tightest hole and gives a light push through my underwear.

The feeling makes me yelp instantly, opening my mouth in a low moan, only for it to get swallowed by his tongue. My hips buckle against his hand, searching for some kind of comfort, but he doesn't spare me, retrieving his hand from under my dress.

''Jackson'' His name escapes my lips like a whine and I tug on his wrist lightly, trying to reposition it back between my legs.

The movement brings a dark chuckle off his chest, my lips hovering desperately over his, only for him to grab my hair harshly, whispering into my ear.

"Dirty Little Daphne."

His fingers dig into my scalp, shaking my head left and right, controlling my body like a rug doll.

"Looking like an angel, all soft and heavenly. But you've got two little horns over there. Don't you?'' He says, gently biting on my earlobe.

A pathetic whine is all that leaves my lips, no words able to form an answer, making me feel even more agitated than before.

Jackson's lips drag slowly from my jawline to the end of my mouth, letting them linger there for a while longer in a deep, almost painful kiss.

''Jack-''

My voice gets cut off by his tongue forcing its way between my teeth and without realizing it, I lightly bite into it, making him groan in response.

''Fuck'' He yelps, stepping backwards. ''Did you just bite me?''

My stomach drops, watching him wipe his mouth with the back of his hand and I feel my heart skipping several beats in guilt ''I'm sorry...''

''I can't believe you bit me.'' He whispers, more surprised than angry.

I tug on my lip embarrassed, looking around like a fool. Great way to kill the mood Daphne. Honestly, I don't even know why you keep trying. It's not like you are going to act normal anytime soon.

''I'm s-sorry Jackson..'' I stutter embarrassed. ''I didn't...''

His chuckle interrupts my words, making me slightly confused. ''You bit me.'' He says again, not being able to contain his laughter.

''I-...''

''Fuck. That was something.''

''Umm....what?''

''I mean I knew you had it in you. I just wasn't sure it's going to come out that easily.''

''Come out what? I don't understand.'' I say staring at him, with a baffled look on my face.

''Your baddie side.''

''I don't have a baddie side.''

''Yeah you do babe. It's coming out every time you feel threatened or extremely angry. I thought it was kinda obvious, but judging by your reaction you probably have no idea.''

My lips part slightly. eyebrows furrowing in confusion, while he strides towards me, a smug look on his face.

''You are a fucking badass my angel. Under all these layers of pure innocence and perfection, lies a resting fighter. Ready to to pop up whenever it's needed.''

His words echo through my head, like the lyrics of a song long time forgotten. I distantly remember Zoey's voice, mumbling something between the lines of how badass and amazing I am, although I take nothing for granted, since I can barely remember our drunk day together.

Shaking my head, I turn my eyes on him, only to find Jackson smiling proudly at me. His look is one I don't see often, the rare time I can recall it was mostly on my dad's face. Immediate heat rushes to my cheeks and I avert my gaze mumbling a barely audible ''Crazy.''

Jackson's hands circle my waist, his nose gently nudging my temple, whispering on top of my head. ''I'm not. It's all true. You are a born fighter. A fighter who was just pushed down from all the terrible things around you. But don't worry. We will bring it up to life.''

''I-I really didn't mean to react that way. You just got me off guard.''

''Don't apologize babe. You did the right thing. I was the wrong one, forcing myself on you.''

The last part of his sentence breaks my heart, mostly because he didn't do any of the above. Jackson has been nothing but gentle with me and I need him to know that. Know what a beautiful soul he is, how he makes me feel safer than anybody else.

How much in love I am with him.

''You didn't.'' I say, grabbing his leather jacket on a firm hold. ''You've never made me feel uncomfortable in any way, and there is no one I trust more than you.''

His brown irises flicker between mine and I watch him breath deeply. ''You trust me?''

A sudden feeling of insecurity seems to distract him and for a moment I see myself in his eyes. Lonely, sad and miserable helpless. ''I do.''

I watch the pained look on his face disappearing, when his eyes close shut and he rests our foreheads together, hands steady hugging me. ''I don't deserve your trust baby. Fuck, I don't even deserve you in the first place. But I am too much of a selfish prick to let you go.''

The sound of the three words, let you go, cut like a knife through my heart. I can't even imagine not seeing him again. It feels almost natural to be surrounded by his presence. Even though we don't know each other for too long, he feels like a part of me. A part I never knew I was missing, but now that I have it in my hands, there is no way I'm letting it slip.

''I don't have many things in life to care for. And it used to make me feel safe. This feeling of emptiness. It means you are untouchable. You don't need to be scared of anything, because there are only a few things that can finally get you and most of them are not even enough to kill you. It makes you helpless you know...the constant numbness. Sometimes you wish you could feel it. The pain, the doubt, the fear of being gone, of not seeing people you love. And when you realize you have nothing, it just makes you more desperate to search for it. Whatever this is.''

His lips hover over mine, talking quietly, like he is sharing a forbidden secret. I let my hands caress the back of his head, twisting his dark locks between my fingers in comfort. I almost feel like hyperventilating from everything I've heard, but I can't find myself to stop him. No matter how much I want to kiss his pain away and cuddle him in my arms I know, he needs this more than me. He needs to voice his fears and accept them. The same way he is making me face mine. And if the only thing I can do is sit and listen, then that's exactly what I am going to do.

Always.

''But now you are here.'' He whispers.

''And I'm fucking terrified. Because you are everything I've ever wished for. Even though I don't deserve to hold you and call you mine. That's the only thing I want. And it makes me sick knowing how much in danger I'm putting you. But I searched for you for so long angel. Forgive me, I can't let you go.''

My lips tremble slightly under his hold. His thumbs caressing them carefully, like he is touching some sort of priceless piece of art and before I have the chance to speak, our mouths strike together like two puzzle pieces finding their way towards another.

My eyes close instanly, humming in content and the only thing I can see behind my shut lids is light and color.

The fucking...fireworks.

❣