Jack woke up sometime later, and noticed that it was significantly darker than before. He blinked blearily, and kissed Avice's temple, shifting slightly.
His face was slightly hurt, and he cocked his head, trying to understand. "Okay. We don't have to if you don't want to."
"You don't need to apologize," she said quietly, sitting up and pulling her legs closer to her before hugging them. "It's not your fault."
He sat up too and was quiet for a moment. "I love you," he said eventually, his eyes flickering to meet her gaze.
She returned the look, her eyes weary despite the sleep, though the words seemed to brighten them a bit. "I love you too."
He watched her, his eyes thoughtful. "I want to understand," he said quietly. "But I can't if you don't tell me. If it makes you uncomfortable, then that's okay. You don't have to tell me. As long as that's the reason."
"I just-" she started, then stopped, sighing as she looked away. "I don't want it to change anything."
"Avice," he murmured, taking her hands. "I am deeply, irrevocably in love with you. Nothing will change that."
She tilted her head at him, before sighing. "Okay," she said quietly. "Okay. A long time ago something happened and I did a few things that I'm not proud of," she told him, taking a shuddery breath. "They did things, Jack. They really hurt me. I don't like to think about any of the things that went on then, but it still comes back in my dreams and I don't know what to do."
