"You're not the problem," she said tiredly. "This... this is something we can figure out. Don't give up on me."
"I have nightmares about everyone, Francis," she said hotly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little *squee!*ed up. I had a dream the other day that James turned into a rat man and killed us all. Does that mean he's not good at being my son?"
She seemed resigned, exhaled. "Well, it changes, Francis, as dreams do. People close to me either are brutally murdered, or they kill everyone else I care about."
Her hands were tight on the steering wheel, but her face softened and her eyes flickered towards him. "I've always been afraid of you, Francis," she said quietly. "I've always known that if someone were to be my undoing, it would be you." She exhaled after a moment, shaking her head. "Nobody has ever made me feel the way you make me feel. You're the only person who I know without a doubt I would do anything for." She shrugged slightly, looking back towards the road. "It scares me when you do things that make me feel unsafe because I know that if things were to go south, there would truly be nothing I could do. I can't live without you, Francis. I... I don't make sense without you around. It just doesn't work."
She pulled into a spot by a park and turned the key in the ignition. "I know," she said, her brow furrowed. "I know you're scared of all this. I..." She exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I am too. But I can't do this without you." She cleared her throat, but it didn't stop her voice from cracking as she looked towards the ground, almost ashamed. "I need you."
She leaned into his touch almost hungrily, turning her head to look at him. "Don't leave," she said quietly, her brows furrowed. "Don't leave even though it's easier."
She was quiet, her grey eyes searching his face for a moment before she sighed, resting her forehead on the top of the steering wheel. "I don't know. Just don't go."
Something like relief shifted in her eyes, and she watching him like she was worried he would vanish. "Really?"
She watched him for a moment, her brow furrowed before she leaned over and kissed his cheek, warmth spreading from the spot where her lips touched his skin.
