"It wasn't the right time," he said, not believing his own words, "and I don't think you're safe around me, right now. I'm sorry, Poppy. I'm sorry."
She shuddered as if he had hit her, and her gaze was stuck to the floor. She was so pale that he could count her freckles. "I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe this is happening."
He turned away from, hoping she wouldn't see his expression. He felt so broken. So stupid. He loved her more than anything in the world. What if he hit her? What if next time it wasn't just a shove? He didn't face her. He couldn't face her. Instead, he went to his door, opening in a crack. "I'm sorry, Poppy. I love you." That was all he said. The last thing he said before he opened the door, and shut it behind him. He didn't even it to the bed. He knelt on the floor, breathing heavily. Did he really just do that? Was he that stupid? He pulled out something cube-shaped item from his pocket. A ring box. He set it on the floor in front of him, unsure what to do. He broke down, thought it was silent, and he covered his face with his hands, like everyone could see him. How stupid was that of him to do?
Poppy, alone in the hallway, choked down a sob. No. No, no, no, no, no. She felt a pang in her chest as she looked towards his door. She wanted to disappear into her room and cry. But she had to do something. She knocked on his door three times and spoke softly, and he would be able to hear the tears that fell down her face through her voice. "Francis," she began. Her voice broke, and she cleared her throat, taking a shuddering breath. "Francis, baby, please. Please. There has to be another way."
He brought himself to the door, only leaning against it. "Poppy," he said, though his voice cracked in the middle, and he covered his mouth to stifle a small sob. "Please. I don't want to hurt you again."
Her chest ached when she heard his tears, and she put her hand on the door. "You won't," she insisted. "I know you won't."
"God dammit!" He slammed his hand on the ground in frustration. "You can't know that, Poppy. There is no way you can know that."
"I know you," she said tearfully, resting her forehead on the door. "I know you. You wouldn't do that."
She exhaled shakily, closing her eyes as the tears ran down her face. "I love you, Francis Craw. Don't forget that." She pulled herself away from the door and went to her room, closing the door silently behind her.
He hugged his knees as he sat against the door, trembling as tears streaked down his face. "I love you..." he whispered, but knew she wouldn't be able to hear. "I'm sorry."
(Zoom.) Poppy stared up from her tear stained pillow at the ceiling, unblinking. She took a deep breath, and rolled over to look at the clock. The time read 1:37. She stood up in the dark room, wrapping her sheet around herself, and went out into the hall, closing the door with a click behind her. She padded down the hallway, her bare feet cold against the metal floor.
Francis had been in the observatory for God knows how long. He just sat, inspecting the cubed item he had early. To him, the stars above couldn't compare to the object inside. He put it back into his pocket. He didn't bring a blanket, so he sat on the floor in the cold, just watching.
She opened the door, and inhaled deeply as she saw his sihouette. Her feet were quiet against the floor, and she stepped forward and hesitated. "Francis?"
She came over and sat next to him, her shoulders tight. After a moment, she offered him some blanket. "You look cold."
He took it, sighing. "I'm sorry for what I did. I was scared I would hurt you again." His voice was low, and he picked words thoughtfully. "It was a terrible choice."
Her bare shoulders brushed his, and she turned to look at him thoughtfully, her eyes matching the color of the clouds below them. "You know that won't happen, right?" she asked. "I know you won't hurt me."
"It did today, though," he said, looking back at her. In the dimness of the area, his eyes looked black, if not for the starlight reflecting on them. "I'm scared, Poppy. I don't want to do it again."
"Oh, my love." She sighed and reached a hand over to hold the side of his face, her touch hesitant. "You don't have to be scared. It won't happen again. I won't let it."
