He sighed, studying her intently. "She's in her room, but she's asleep. I wouldn't disturb her, if I were you."
She went over to him, her expression uncertain as she sat next to him. After a moment, she took his jaw in her hand, kissing him.
His whole body tensed and for a few moments, he seemed on the brink of pulling away. Something in him broke, however, and he kissed her back, hesitantly at first but quickly letting his hand come up to rest on the side of her neck.
After a moment, she pulled away, her eyes wide. "I'm sorry. I just.. I needed you to know that I'm telling you the truth."
He studied her as if she were a traitor, his eyes wide. He opened his mouth to say something, trying to reconcile the words in his head, before he groaned and pulled her forward, kissing her again passionately.
"I missed you," he murmured in her ear. "I'm not supposed to say that because it gives away my hand, but God, I missed you."
His laugh still wasn't relaxed, but he didn't loosen his hold on her. "That's what you said last time."
"Then this time I'll fix it.. I would never leave you or Aubrey just because. I love you too much to do that."
He sighed and pulled away from her finally. "Ten months is a long time, Avice. Things may have changed."
She hesitated after a moment. "Did you mean it when you said things could never be the same as before..?"
He was quiet for a moment, folding his arms as he leaned back against the arm of the couch. "I mean... yeah. I think I did. A part of me is always going to be wary that when I get to bed each night, when I wake up the next morning, you won't be there."
He was quiet for a moment before he eventually sighed, standing up off the couch. "I'm heading to bed. Goodnight, Avice."
She looked up. "Would it be okay if I sleep with you tonight..?" her voice was quiet. "It's okay, if not."
He looked down at her for a moment, his eyes a little sad. "If you want," he said eventually, turning and heading for the bedroom.
