"Let's have a talk, because there are some things that I've been wanting to get off of my chest."

"Okay," August then motioned for her to have a seat on the sofa "I'm all ears..."

"As you know, I've been super transparent and open about the way I feel for you, while that may seem all fine and dandy— I have standards too August."

He nodded a bit as she continued with her statement, "I do believe that men can be pursued by women, the women who have enough confidence to do so that is. Nevertheless, I am the chase as well okay?"

"I know that, I was waiting for you to realize it too." he exhaled while shaking his head "In a sense I've been looking for the perfect opportunity to pursue you back, it's always been about August— when it should be about Laurielle too."

"The fact that you've acknowledged the obvious is what makes me happy, so from now on I want this to be balanced between the both of us, no one should pursue the other more, sound good?"

"Absolutely, and just to make it official..." he grabbed her hands into his own "Laurielle Erves, will you be my equal?"

"Of course I will," beaming while pulling him into her embrace, she relaxed against his body as he massaged the center of her back, relieving some of that tension she possessed

Laurielle could feel herself sinking deeper into his arms, it felt almost therapeutic for both her and August; All he wanted to do was strengthen their bond.

"Thank you for being so patient with me, I crave your gentleness, the way you're so kind— and I'm going to work on how I converse with you, I know I can come off a bit harsh at times, but I'll work on that for us." he whispered into her ear before placing a soft kiss on the side of her head

"You're welcome,"

He then pulled back to look at her, "So Lauri, since we've got a little time to spare I figured we could utilize that by having you tell me more about yourself, or even your family?"

"I come from a very small family, well from what I know and what I've been told since a child— the only ones who really matter are my aunt and uncle, of course my cousin Andrea, then my mom and dad..."

"Are they from Pasadena?"

"No, more like Sacramento. Pasadena was my own choice once I moved out of the house and started the path that I'm on now."

"That's interesting,"

"Yeah, my dad is a retired veteran so he has this whole cognitive attitude, he's very strict and a little closed minded at times, a lovable human being but a pain in most cases."

"So he's pretty much just set in his ways to say the least..."

"Bingo," she laughed a bit "Now my mom is the complete opposite, she's adventurous, free spirited, just an all around ray of sunshine— no matter the circumstances."

"Like someone I know," he teased as she attempted to hide her smile "Your mom sounds cool."

"She is, and she's a travel agent so that's always been something pretty exciting for her, she's a natural explorer."

"When was the last time you seen your folks?"

Laurielle pondered the question before answering, "It's been a while, maybe 6 months... which is kind of a long time for me since I'm so close to them."

August listened as she went on and on about her family, he didn't mind at all. If anything this gave him insight and more information about her,

"That's really nice Cher, the way you start beamin' while talking about your folks is amazing." he then sighed deeply after his comment, causing Laurielle to tilt her head to the side "I couldn't tell you one positive thing about mine."

"And that's okay, besides the way you speak highly of your grandparents is enough for me to know that you didn't suffer long August, sometimes we have to let the past go and focus on the present, and the lessons we have been taught throughout our times of darkness... you told me earlier that there's beauty in pain, don't you believe that too?"

"To a certain extent, but pain is also just pain."

"It's not okay for you to feed me fancy phrases that you don't even believe in." she folded her arms, seeming to catch a slight attitude "Where's the hope in that?"

"My job is to reassure you at all times, and if anything I'm learning a lot from you so THAT is my hope, and no I'm not asking for you to save me, I do believe that people should have the strength to heal on their own, I'm one of those people so I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

"But I feel obligated to help, especially with the way you think and view certain things— what's so wrong with having someone in your corner?"

"I don't want to disappoint you Lauri, that's my biggest fear when it comes down to us."

"I won't throw my hands in the air giving up if you do, nobody is perfect so I don't expect you to be. Before I can give you a legit shot, you've got to give yourself one first."

He chuckled in disbelief, "Why can't you just do what I say woman?"

"Because you're in no shape for me to submit to you August, besides we're still on the surface..."

"I can't argue with that."

"Good," she adjusted herself on the sofa now draping her legs across his lap, she initially thought that he'd make jokes about her feet but instead he massaged them

"Promise me something?"

"And what might that be August?"

He hesitated a bit, "Promise me that you won't start back harming yourself... with those pills."

"It's easy to make a promise just as well as it's easier to break one, but I have gone cold turkey and it's been a little rough— I'm managing though so that counts for something right?"

"That's a start in the right direction yes, I just don't think I could bare seeing you in that state. It honestly hurt to hear you were in the hospital and I had no clue, I could've been there with you if I wasn't being so stubborn."

"I wouldn't have wanted you to be, because that's not the Laurielle you know me as. I'd like to display the image of me now to you than anything else."

"Well in the future I do believe both of our images will become tainted at some point, due to an overwhelming circumstance that'll allow this perfect picture we have of each other, to come crashing down. We need to be ready for that..."

"In your words, we'll cross that bridge when we get there— I just want to cherish these moments right now with you, I'm at peace."

"Me too, in fact..." he pulled her body onto his as she nervously straddled him "You are my peace."

"I-I am?" she questioned with a stutter, she could feel his hands gliding underneath the shirt she wore as he gracefully caressed her back, he then nodded his head "Yeah?"

Physical touch is one of Laurielle's weaknesses , but also a love language of hers, so August had been slowly breaking her down realizing that of course,

"Remember when I said I'd start here with my kisses?" he asked while swirling his finger in a circle around her collarbone

"Yes," she responded barely above a whisper, her body began trembling and before she could get another word out he had already attached his lips to her flesh

Slightly arching her back, she had given him more access as she hissed at the feeling of him roughly sucking against her chest, marking his territory by leaving a purplish bruise behind. "August..." she softly spoke his name

"Alright Cher, " he smiled before patting her bottom signaling for her to get up, and that he was done teasing

Laurielle said a quick prayer while gathering her thoughts again, "I wasn't expecting that at all."

"There's more to come, trust me."