♡♡♡

Aresius' POV

I finished tying my tie and grabbed my overcoat. Shrugging it onto my shoulders, I walked downstairs, unlocking my phone. I had a few messages from work, but the only one I cared about was the one that I had received ten minutes ago.

I calmed down slightly, knowing that she was okay. I hadn't gotten any sleep last night, instead choosing to message Sylvester periodically to ask if she was okay.

That was all that mattered. She was all that mattered.

I replied to him with a simple yes; I had to see her for myself.

I walked downstairs, trying to keep my composure and trying not to think of how she had behaved yesterday.

Albeit she had just woken up, but she couldn't even look at me.

Couldn't look at me, or didn't want to look at me?

I clenched my jaw at the thought; I knew that I had hurt her and she didn't deserve that, but I felt physically ill at the idea of her not wanting anything to do with me.

I would make it up to her. I had to.

She deserved an explanation, or at the very least, she deserved to know that my actions were not her fault. It was my fault. All that I had done was my fault, completely unprovoked by her.

I chugged a cup of coffee and had fed Grasso, who for once, as though he knew that something was wrong, nudged my hand with his head instead of hissing at me. My phone chimed with a new notification and I unlocked my phone.

I sent him a quick reply, not wanting to think about work before I went to the hospital.

I haphazardly grabbed some papers from the dining table and shoved my feet in my shoes. Locking the front door, I walked to my car and sat down, buckling my seat belt. As I placed my hands on the steering wheel, my eyes fell onto the bracelet she had given me.

I hadn't taken it off since the day she had put it on me.

I straightened it and reversed out of my driveway, deciding to make a pit stop first to do something I probably should have done a while ago.

I parked in front of the little flower shop in the city and got out, locking my car. The bell on the door chimed as I walked inside of the small, fresh smelling store. I looked around at all of the flowers that were available, feeling overwhelmed.

Before I could make a move to pick anything up, someone cleared their throat.

"Good morning, how can I help you today my dear?" the matronly woman wearing a floral dress asked me from behind the counter.

I swallowed, clearing my throat, "I need something for my..." I trailed off, and she smiled at me encouragingly.

"I need something for someone who's in the hospital."

She nodded in understanding, and then she hesitated, seemingly figuring out her next words.

"What is this person like?" she asked.

"She's..." I took a breath, "She's magnificent. Inside and out," I stopped myself before I started having a revelation in front of the flower shop owner.

I clenched my jaw, shaking myself off.

The lady beamed and started grabbing something, but quickly turned back to me, "Do you have a budget? Any preferences for anything?"

"No."

She hummed, and began pulling flowers from around the shop. I watched her as she grabbed things and put them together, holding them in her hand. A migraine filtered into my head and all I could think about was seeing her.

After what seemed like ages, she finally returned to the counter to wrap the brown paper around the flowers. When she reached for two white ribbons, I spoke up.

"Pink-" she looked up at me, "Pink and grey ribbons."

She smiled knowingly and nodded, grabbing a light pink and grey ribbon to tie the bouquet.

My own finger went subconsciously to the bracelet she had made me, and I touch the pink and grey threads that it was made out of.

"Well here you go! I've added some chrysanthemums, some baby's breath, hydrangeas, peonies," she pointed out all of the flowers, all of them some shade of white, green or cream.

Then she looked up at me, "The last flower right here," she point to the two largest flowers in the bunch, the only ones that had a tinge of pink on them, "These are primroses. They represent new beginnings, femininity," she looked down, finishing her bow, "And they're usually given someone, to let them know you can't live without them."

I froze, suddenly feeling so far away from here.

With my body on autopilot, I grabbed the bunch from her, thanking her lowly, and placing two hundred dollar bills on the counter.

I walked out into the morning sun, clutching the bouquet of flowers closely.

Would she like them?

Would she know what they meant?

I shook my head, snapping out of my reverie and sat in my car, carefully placing the bouquet on the passenger seat.

Her seat.

With a renewed vigour, I drove to the hospital. Parking my car, I grabbed the flowers and shut the door. Walking into the building, my shoes hitting the floor tile, I walked quickly to the elevator and pressed the button for her floor. Catching my reflection in the button panel of the elevator, I smoothed my hair down the best I could.

The elevator doors opened and I got out quickly, slowing down as I reached her room, trying to appear as though my heart wasn't beating a mile a minute.

Her Grandmother had stepped out of the room, a phone held to her ear, and she looked at me smiling. Her eyes fell to the flowers in my hand, and her smile widened, a soft look in her eyes. She tilted her head in greeting, and I nodded back, swallowing.

She continued her conversation and motioned for me to go inside.

I put my fingers on the door handle, willing myself to be calm.

Taking a deep breath I walked in.

She was sitting on the bed, a knitted sweater overtop her hospital gown. Her head was turned towards the window and she hadn't seen me yet.

"The bird is back grams, it has a worm this time," she giggled, and the sound made my heart feel lighter than it had for a long time.

"Did you finish you-" she stopped speaking as her head turned and I came into her view.

Her mouth was slightly agape and her eyes widened, "You came back," she whispered.

I nodded my head, "How are you feeling Alette?"

Her cheeks were tinged pink, "Better," she bit her lip and my eyes flitted down to her mouth, " I can leave today," she finished softly.

"Yes I heard, Sylvester told me," I stated, my voice quiet. I moved closer to the bed, holding the flowers out in front of me.

"These are for you," I told her, cursing my voice for sounding so breathless.

Her cheeks darkened, "For me?" her voice sounded as breathless as mine.

I nodded, and she held out her hands, her eyes staring at the flowers in amazement. She hugged them closer to herself, smelling them slightly.

And then, her face bloomed into a smile brighter and more ethereal than all of the flowers in the world combined.

"These are so pretty, I adore them, thank you," her eyes were shining when she looked up at me and I felt as though I had run a marathon. Not trusting myself to speak, I just nodded at her dumbly.

She went back to staring at the flowers in awe and before either of us could say anything else, the door opened and her Grams and Uncle walked inside.

She perked up, and held out the flowers slightly, "Look what Ares got me! Aren't they so beautiful? There's peonies, and some baby's breath, and chrysanthemums, and even some..." she trailed off, looking slightly shocked

I was conflicted because I didn't know if I wanted her to know what the primrose meant or not.

My brain had also not forgotten to notice that she had called me Ares; while it was an improvement from before, I missed when she called me Reece.

The stupid name had grown on me, only because she was the one that had given me it. I would shoot anyone else that called me it.

"Oh they are so beautiful my goodness! Most of these flowers are your favourites Faye, my you have good taste Adler," her grandmother cooed, looking down at them and smiling at me.

Sylvester cleared his throat, "They are pretty kiddo," he gave me a side-eye, "I'm sure he definitely had no help picking them out."

Her grandmother turned to glare at him and elbowed him in the stomach. He winced, smiling mischievously.

"Well Faye, I've actually got some bad news," Sylvester said, his voice taking a more serious tone. She looked up at him, cocking her head to the side.

"My apartment is getting an inspection because someone in the building had a bug infestation," he said, "So that means we can't stay there."

"Oh," Alette said, biting her lip in concern, "But Dr. Munroe said that I had to stay close to the hospital in case anything happened."

"Yes I know Faye, don't worry, we can get a hotel room or something for a few weeks."

"Sylvester that makes absolutely no sense at all," her grandmother said, shaking her head.

"Well mother, a hotel is the best option, I want to make sure Alette is close to the city, and if we can't stay at my place then that's what we have to do. I cannot believe I pay so much for an apartment in the middle of the city just for it to have bugs. It's a penthouse for goo-"

"She stays with me."

All three heads turned towards me.

I wanted to hit myself for saying it.

"It's close to the hospital, and more convenient than a hotel," I looked at Alette, trying to gauge her reaction, but I couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

I turned to her grandmother and Sylvester, "I have enough space, you're all welcome to stay,' my voice was firm, and I knew that I would do anything to make sure that she stayed with me.

Sylvester looked at me as though he was trying to figure something out, and her grandmother smiled at me gently, "We would hate to impose."

"You wouldn't be imposing."

"Well I mean...I wouldn't have a problem with it," she looked towards Sylvester and Alette, who was now looking down.

Sylvester looked at me, a frown on his face, he didn't say anything and instead looked at Alette, "Is that something you would be okay with Faye?"

She finally looked up, there was an undecipherable look in her eyes, but I could see moisture building up in her eyes. She didn't look my way once.

"I um d-don't want to be a burden," she mumbled, and my heart shattered in my chest.

I made her feel this way.

She had opened up to me, albeit slightly, she had opened up. And I pushed her away, making her feel as though she was the problem.

"You're not Faye," Sylvester immediately voiced out my exact thoughts. His tone was stern, more than I had ever heard it be.

She finally looked at me, sniffling, and I wish I could read her mind at that moment.

I cleared my throat, not even knowing what to say, "Grasso misses you." And so do I.

She stared at me for a brief moment, and the finally nodded her head. A light feeling coursed through my veins.

Knowing that she would be in my home, nearby, where I could keep her safe. Where I could see her everyday, know that she was okay. Where I could make it up to her.

I had broken her trust because of my own fears. I knew realistically that fears were valid but I couldn't use that as an excuse for my actions.

"Well that's settled then! Sylvester's already checked you out, so we can just pack up and get ready to go yes?" her grandmother looked around beaming at everyone.

Sylvester helped her get into the bathroom, whilst her grandmother and I grabbed the things in the room, getting ready to go.

When Alette was in the bathroom, Sylvester walked over to me. I stood up straight, squaring my shoulders.

"You better not do anything to hurt her Adler, or I'll kill you with my bare hands."

I clenched my jaw, exhaling out of nose. I respected Sylvester, and I knew he was only looking out for his niece, but I hated being spoken to like that. I nodded back at him, knowing that he was right in his own accord; knowing where he was coming from.

I didn't blame him for not trusting me.

"You will do no such thing Sylvester," his mother chastised him.

The unlocking of the bathroom door made us all step away and wait for her to come out.

She hobbled outside slowly, wearing a pair of soft baby blue sweatpants and a matching sweatshirt, "I'm ready to go," she said. Her voice was still quiet, and didn't have its usual liveliness in it.

"I brought a wheelchair because I don't want you to walk all the way down yet, have seat Faye," Sylvester said to her, smiling kindly.

She slowly nodded and sat down, holding onto the flowers I had given her.

As he wheeled her out, I grabbed everything from the room, making sure her grandmother wasn't holding anything, and we all made our way to the elevator.

She kept her head down, only looking up to wave and smile at some of the nurses.

When reached the parking garage, and I unlocked Sylvester's car to put everything in there. Then I walked over to my car and unlocked it, opening the passenger side door.

Sylvester helped her into the car, and she buckled in her seatbelt, making sure the bouquet of flowers was unharmed.

The way she held them, the way she looked at them, made them seem as though they were priceless. I felt triumphant that she liked them enough to see them that way.

He straightened up and looked at me again, a hard look in his eyes. Before he could say anything, her grandmother walked up to us and grabbed Sylvester's arm.

"They'll be fine Syl," she consoled gently, then she patted my arm and smiled, "He'll take care of her."

She bent down and poked her head through the window to talk to Alette, "My precious girl, is there anything you need from home? Syl and I will go and pick up your things while you go and get settled in."

I saw Alette shaking her head, and then she hesitated, "Maybe Ted?"

Who the hell was Ted?

And why the hell did I want to punch him in the face?

Her grandmother gave her a kiss on the forehead, and nodded. They all said their goodbyes and I walked around and opened the driver's side door. Trying to calm my thudding heart, I sat inside the car, starting the heater immediately to make sure she wasn't cold.

I turned my head towards her, "You're fine?"

She nodded her head, looking down. When I stayed quiet, I knew that she would take that as a prompt to look up at me.

And she did. She looked up at me with her beautiful eyes and whispered a quick yes.

Satisfied enough with her answer, I started reversing out of the parking spot when she moved her hand to my knee, making me brake immediately.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain? What do you need me to do?" I felt fear take over me as I scanned her face and body to see if anything was wrong.

"You f-forgot your s-seatbelt," she said, turning red.

I sighed in relief and she immediately apologized, "I'm s-sorry that w-was stupid I shouldn't hav-"

"No apologizing. I just thought you were hurt," I cut her unneeded apology off.

I buckled in my seatbelt and started driving again. She removed her hand from my knee, and I hated the loss of contact. Deciding to go for it myself, I grabbed her hand.

Realizing that not asking for her consent to touch her was probably a bad idea, even on a regular basis, but especially after what she had recently gone through, I glanced at her quickly, "This okay?"

She didn't answer for a second, and so I started letting go of her hand. But before I could, she gripped it tighter, "Don't let go p-please."

Her voice was soft and it washed over me, calming all of my senses.

I held onto her hand and we drove to my house.

Compared to hers, it was closer to the hospital, and I knew in the event of anything happening to her, I could rush her there. I hoped with all that was in me, that she would stay healthy.

We drove in silence and it was peaceful, much like every moment that she was with me. I decided to give into that fact; the fact that I felt at peace when she was with me, when I felt like every breath was easier, every move was lighter, every piece of the puzzle fit better when she was nearby.

The day at my house when I had unfairly lost my temper at her, I was fighting against it. It scared me how well she fit into my home and with the closest people to me. It scared me that she made me feel cared for, it scared me that I wanted her nearby. Seeing her make herself comfortable in my home, like she belonged. Seeing her hold Rowan, talk to him animatedly made me think of a future that I had no right dreaming for.

It scared me that she was wholly herself around me. That she was shy, but strong when she needed to be. That she was kind and giving. That she lit up my world so intensely in such a short period of time. That she did it without an ulterior motive.

She had me entranced, and I was afraid.

All of that, combined with bad news at work, over a case that I had thought we made a break in, I had lost it.

So I pushed her away. I pushed her away because I was afraid. Feeling in control, when I had always been so out of control, made me feel better about everything.

The circumstances of that day had sent me spiralling.

I had come to my senses, but was it too late?

I gripped her hand even tighter; I had to try.

I parked in my driveway and unbuckled my belt. Rushing to her side as she took off her seatbelt, I opened the door.

Her movements were slow, so I bent down and grabbed her arm, slowly helping her up.

In the guise of helping her, I put my arm around her waist; I was selfish, but she didn't move away from me. Instead, she leaned in closer to me, displacing some of her weight onto my side.

I made a note to myself to ask her if she was still hurting too much to walk. I didn't mind helping her though, if it were up to me, I would carry her to make sure she wasn't on her feet, but I didn't want to push.

I unlocked the door and we both stepped inside. I helped her sit on the bench by the door, while we took off our shoes. With my back turned to her, I closed the door, but turned around immediately when I heard her wince and gasp in pain. She had bent down at the waist slightly, but couldn't see to go down all the way to reach her shoes.

I immediately got on my knees, and she sat back up. My hands reached for her shoes and she hurriedly tried to stop me, "You don't nee-"

"Let me Alette," I said, my voice as soft as I could make it, but still staying firm.

I could sense her eyes on me as I took off her shoes and placed them on the mat by the door, beside mine. I looked at her, and she stared at me, seemingly trying to figure something out.

"Socks on or off?"

"O-on please," she stuttered, her cheeks pink.