Poppy took the paper with trembling hands and peered at it, her brow furrowed with confusion. "What... is this?"
"Pictures of you and Evan," he said, his voice cold as he spoke those words. "They look pretty real, don't they? But.. They aren't."
She leaned back against the wall, all the blood draining from her face. She pressed her shaking fingers to her eyelids, and for a moment it looked like she was about to faint. "Evan did this?" she asked quietly.
"Evan and Vivienne. Surprise," he said, looking at the floor, his eyes not wanting to meet hers. "It wasn't real."
"Oh my God. Oh my God." Poppy's breaths were quick, and she pinched the bridge of her nose as she struggled to think. "What the hell is wrong with them?"
She leaned her head back against the wall, and regarded him with helpless eyes. "Francis..." She trailed off and searched for the words. "I'm so sorry."
He didn't look up, and held himself tightly, suddenly feeling like he was shrinking. "You didn't believe me. Is it that hard to take my word? Do you think I would cheat on you? Do think-" he stopped himself, not wanting to go any further.
"Do you think I would hurt you like that? Am I that bad?" He was losing hope in himself. He balled his fists in frustration, and turned his back to her, visibly shaking. "I'm sorry, then."
"No! Oh God, please." She stepped towards him and hesitated before putting her hand on his shoulder. "No, that's what was so hard. I didn't expect it from you, but I never thought that Evan and Vivienne would actually fabricate some fake photos to break us up. That's..." She sighed and put her hand to her head, trying to figure out the right words. "It seems way too crazy to be real. A-And I know that you two were together once, and that you really, really loved her, and those photos were just confirming every fear that I had had."
"I hate her," he said, his voice low. "And I love you more than I ever did with her." He looked at his hands. "Do you forgive me?"
She exhaled deeply and took his hands. "You have nothing to apologize for," she whispered, looking up into his eyes. "I'm the one who should be sorry."
His eyes were watery, and he was hesitant to look at her in the beginning, but eventually did. "No. It wasn't you. It was Evan and Vivienne," he said quietly.
She looked at him for a moment before slipping her arms under his and wrapping them around his rib cage in an embrace, her actions slightly hesitant as if she wasn't sure if she had the right. "Still," she replied. "Still. I should have known better. I'm so sorry, Francis. I love you so much."
His heartbeat was quick, and he tensed a bit when she did this, but he relaxed, exhaling sharply. He hugged her back, one hand placed gently on the back of her head, brushing her hair lightly. "I love you. I love you." His voice cracked a little, but that was it.
She shuddered and buried her head in his shoulder and they stood like that for a while, her hands trembling against his back. (hmmm should i have evan walk in here or no? hmmm.)
After a moment he turned her head up to look at him, where he promptly kissed her. He didn't know if he should, but he did anyways. His forehead rested against hers, and he was glad. Glad that it was almost over. Glad that she knew he loved her. (yes)
She kissed him back, her arms coming up to wrap around his neck. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead on his, staring up into his brown eyes lovingly. There was a sound at the end of the hallway as Evan rounded the corner. He froze as they turned to look at him, clearly not expecting them to be embracing.
Francis looked up to see Evan, his expression immediately turning hateful. He let go of Poppy, and was deadly still.
