Avalon paid no heed to this and continued.

"You still love me and you know it!" She screeched.

Aaron dragged a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I don't love you, Avalon. How can I when I love Lexi?" He shouted.

Everything stopped for me there.

Aaron froze in his tracks, having realised what he said.

But, I couldn't concentrate on anything over the beating of my heart.

____________________________________________

Everything.

She was everything, he knew it in the moment that their lips touched. He knew it in the moment he felt the soft caress of her lips. It was all he could do to close the small gap remaining between their bodies and his arm encircled her waist, while his hand held her face gently, afraid she would break her with his touch. She was, in all essences, precious to him in ways that made him scared to lose her.

Even now, when she did nothing, it created a fear in him. Had he truly lost her or- rather- did she not love him to begin with? Yes, she had said she loved him in the hospital but his mind was quick to disregard that. She was in a moment of angst, trying to get him to not leave the hospital. If she had meant her confession, would she not have thought it important to tell him anything pertaining to her illness?

Yet, with his lips on hers now, he so badly wished for that very confession to be true. He knew she felt something for him, albeit it if it be scarce. He could tell by the way her body trembled as he kissed her, making him hold to her tightly.

And then, after what seemed like an eternity, her lips moved against his and he felt his heart implode at the action. It took everything in him for his heart to keep beating and he smiled against her lips, feeling an elation that he had not felt in a while. Recently, it had been chaotic event followed by chaotic event, turning his days into nothing but a bottomless cycle of dark misery. It was with but one touch from Lexi that the cycle collapsed, allowing him the sweet feel of happiness that ceased to stop rising.

Even more so when she encircled her hands around his neck, the happiness rised and he gave into its warmth, tightening his arm around her waist and lifting her slightly off the ground. It wasn't too high but just enough so that her feet were hovering above the ground and he let out a laugh as her body stiffened against him in surprise.

In response, she softly punched his chest, making him smirk against her lips. He was about to pinch her playfully, but then she moved a hand to stroke through his hair, making him still as her fingers weaved through the strands. His heart was in his throat at this point and they pulled back, their faces just inches apart.

He could only stare as she breathed heavily, lips slightly swollen and doe eyes looking up at him in ways that made his heart ache. He couldn't find the strength to look away from her as he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, a smile on his face.

"God, you're beautiful." He muttered honestly, more to himself than her, but he could tell she heard it from the way that she blushed at his words. This only made the smile on his face widen. He couldn't believe he had this beauty. He lowered her to the floor, slowly, his eyes never leaving her. Again, the fear of losing her was wreaking his body and, so, he kept her in her line of sight.

He didn't even look away when her embarrassed gaze looked around the room. He knew it was because they had company but he couldn't find it in him to care about that. Lexi was the only one that he could see and he reveled in her sight in peaceful silence.

Well, until a voice spoke up.

"No, go ahead, carry on. You've already broken my heart; what more could you do?" Avalon whispered, her voice trembling and Aaron turned to her looking at the wall, her eyes filled to the brim with tears that slowly began to streak down her face. It made him remember her presence and, suddenly, he felt tired. He felt too tired to deal with something that he no longer held any attachment to.

He let out a sigh, knowing he had to close that chapter off as he moved closer to her.

"Avalon, whatever happened between us; what you did, I forgive you for it. I really do. We don't need to cling on to whatever happened between us. At the time, what we had, was good. But, now, we need to move on. You need to move on." He was gentle with his words, meaning them truly. Sure, with all she had done to him, he should have held resentment for her, but even resentment was a feeling and Aaron knew he no longer held any feeling for her whatsoever. Even hating someone means they mean something to you and he could feel nothing but indifference.

So, in in indifference, he wished for the matter to finish quickly, but he knew it wouldn't be so with her. As he searched her eyes for understanding, he could tell she held no semblance of moving on as she sneered, raising a finger to point at Lexi.

"I know, you'll regret it, choosing her over me. But, when you come to that realisation, I won't be your shoulder to cry on. Don't think of coming to me, I won't be there." She replied, a warning in her tone that was almost comical. It was clear: he had been dating a lunatic.

Danny scoffing brought him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, I think he'll live, but thanks for the advice, Dr. Phil." He taunted, the sarcasm heavy in his tone and Aaron fought back a laugh at his best friend's words. Even Justin cracked a slight smile, finding Danny's words amusing.

Avalon glared pointedly at Danny at hus words, but said nothing in response and it made him feel relieved. Had she given up finally? However, his hope was dashed when she turned her gaze back to him, a bitter smile on her face.

"I thought you'd wait for me, you know? Whilst I was in Scotland, you were on my mind 24/7. Just you. I thought it'd be the same for the both of us, but- turns out- it wasn't. That's okay though. I guess, life goes on. You can't control these things. But, I'll never love anyone as much I love you, Aaron. That is the truth." She sobbed yet again and he had no will to argue against her words or talk about her infidelity. Rather, he chose to agree with a nod of his head and a serious look on his face.

"Yeah, you're right. Your life will go on, with or without me. In this case, without me. You will be missed." He said in a mock serious tone. Anything now to get her to leave, was his thought.

"I know, I will. You're gonna miss all this." She said with a smirk before turning and waking to the door. He sighed as he saw her exiting, glad to finally know the argument was over. Well, relief that turned into laughter as Danny spoke.

"Begone, she-demon! Return to the dark hole from which you came!" He trailed behind her bellowing to which Avalon glared at him as she walked out the door.

He followed her out the door as she made her way to the stairs. Justin looked at their retreating figures with a blank look before turning to Aaron, a slight smile in his eyes that only Aaron could detect.

"I'll see her out. I don't trust Danny not to throw a punch." He stated bluntly and, with that, he was out the door.

It was then he realised where he was. In the room. With lexi. Just the two of them.

He looked up to see her looking at the ground and his hands clenched by his side involuntarily at the mere sight of her. He was unsure now of how to act after the impromptu kiss and, so, he stayed idle just staring at her.

She raised her head then suddenly and then they were looking at each other. The uncertainty of how to act then increased until she smiled at him in ways that made his stomach flip: he couldn't help but smile back, the silence still pursuing. He realised how quiet it had fallen and, so, opening his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words so silence fell yet again.

It would have stretched awkwardly had Danny's voice not boomed from downstairs.

"In the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, I condemn you back to hell!" His voice boomed and Aaron laughed alongside Lexi, filling the silence.

Thank god for Danny boy.

*******************

"Aaron, seriously?" She said, glaring jokingly at him. He wouldn't disclose that she looked hot when she looked angry like that.

No, he merely held his hands up in surrender, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Hey, calm the anger, gorgeous. It's an opinion, not a fact." He replied, leaning back against the headboard of the bed they were currently sat on. Another thing he didn't disclose was how wild his thoughts were running at the mere sight of her on a bed beside him.

She nudged his arm with her elbow softly but he still let out an exaggerated wince, making her let out a wince before speaking.

"It may be my opinion, but it's right and overrules yours. Face it, white chocolate is the best, no question about it." She finalised and he realised he was fond of her bossy tone. In response, he raised an eyebrow at her words, the smirk still on his face.

"Better than milk chocolate?" He questioned to which she nodded, hair falling into her face at the action. He bit his lip to control his hands as he nodded at her words.

"White chocolate is better then." He finalised, a cheeky smile on his lips and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him.

"Uh huh... and what's with the sudden change in your opinion, may I ask?" She questioned and he liked that she knew him well. What she didn't know, however, was his reason for complying was simply because he loved her more than he loved anything else and, so, her words would always be the absolute monopoly of truth even if she said the sky is green.

He shook his head, the cheeky smile still playing on his face as he knew that it irked her.

"Can I not agree with you, without you thinking I'm hatching a devious plan?" He questioned innocently and she scoffed at his words, folding her arms.

"Really? So, your motives are?" She asked, the accusatory tone evident in her voice and his smile widened at the firm sterness of her voice . Had he always found it this attractive?

He couldn't help his instincts then as he latched a hand around her wrist, pulling her towards him. He could take in her wonderful scent now and he did just that, smiling as her cheeks heated up. She was looking around at this moment, anxious to meet his gaze and he didn't like not being able to see her doe eyes. So, he reached a hand out, lifting her face up with a gentle motion. He scanned her face with fiery eyes, his voice a gentle whisper as he spoke.

"My motives are to do what I've been failing to do, this whole time. I want to make you happy, Lexi. I want to be the reason for the smile on your face." His words were spoken in earnest; the way he had treated her had set about a guilt like no other and he promised that he'd spend the rest of his life making it up to her. She smiled at his words as he stroked her hair and he just looked, imprinting it to memory. His hand moved to her face and he touched her lips with a finger.

"Just like this." He muttered to himself, adoration clear in his eyes and she blushed yet again. He was about to tease her for it, but stopped upon hearing the door open.

Danny walked in the door with two pink oven gloves, on his hand and a grin on his face.

"Pecan pie, anyone?" He asked excitedly and Aaron only raised an eyebrow, drawing an arm lazily around Lexi's slender waist.

"You mean the pecan pie I brought that comes in a box, Danny? Those gloves aren't fooling anyone." Aaron said, motioning to the oven gloves on Danny's hands.

Danny seemed confused for a moment, but then his eyes lit up and he motioned towards the gloves.

"Oh, these gloves? No, I wore them because I was cold and Justin wouldn't let me turn up the heat." Danny explained , with a pout.

Suddenly, Justin appeared behind Danny, smacking his head to which Danny squealed.

"Yeah, that's because the dial you were turning was the oven heat and it doesn't apply to the rest of the room." He said, a dull annoyance in his tone and Aaron reveled in the vibrations of Lexi's laughter as she smiled at Justin's words.

Justin spared another glare towards Danny before turning to Aaron and Lexi.

"Get downstairs, guys. I've ordered pizza." He stated, pushing Danny out the door.

Much to Aaron's dismay, Lexi made a move to get off his lap, skipping towards the door. He would have smiled at how cute it was had she not banged her hand on the side of the door, a loud whimper leaving her lips.

He felt the concern fill him as he moved in to inspect, but Justin quickly took ahold of her hand, concern evident in his eyes as he examined it. Aaron just watched as she winced in pain when Justin touched the red area, near her knuckles.

"Can you try being a bit more careful?" He asked and Aaron felt the bittersweet feeling fill him at the sight. On one hand, he was happy that Justin and Lexi had gotten on so well; happy they had gotten closer. On the other hand, there was a part of him that felt sad at the fact that he- someone who loved her- had hurt her so much and Justin- her friend- had been by her side through thick and thin. He only wished he had the maturity that Justin had.

"I'm sorry, Justin. But, it's fine. It's just a bruise." She murmured to which Justin's dead grey eyes settled on her.

"No, it's not just a bruise, Alexis. It kills me when you're in pain." He said, blowing softly on her hand.

And, Aaron felt the guilt hit him like a truck at these words.

_________________________________________

Justin cleared his throat, hiding the hand that held my arm.

"Can we come in?" He asked, gesturing to the inside of Aaron's house and, although the question in itself was polite, it seemed so blunt and cold coming off Justin's tongue.

Aaron nodded numbly before moving aside and allowing us entry. Justin took no time in dragging me inside and into the living room. Aaron followed closely behind, confusion apparent on his features. I could tell he knew this was no regular meet up. There were words that needed to be spoken.