there comes a time, early in your relationship with dex where he is forced to learn just how sensitive you are. he couldn’t help it, he had never really been in the same circles as anyone as soft as you. not that he was as mean and snappy with you as he was with his colleagues — he wasn’t an idiot. he knew what having a girlfriend entailed. but he was stressed, in his own head, he forgot himself.
you rifle through your purse, mood unperturbed by his grumbling and ranting since he’d arrived home from work. you even have the audacity to smile, in your own world as you find the lipgloss you were searching for — ensuring to zip it in the inside pocket for easy access.
dex displayed the opposite of your demeanour as he observed you from the kitchen island. he’s still in his shirt and blazer, a little messy and untucked since arriving home. his whole appearance is a little scruffy, come to think of it — somewhat resembling a lost tomcat, eyes hollow and tired and jaw slightly agape.
“you’re… you’re really goin’ out? you went out yesterday.” he breaks the peaceful quiet, gaze fixed on you. his tone is calm, eerily so, but there’s an edge to it that you detect almost immediately. you smile, keeping the mood light.
“i know, m’gonna miss you, but you know my friends going through that breakup right now, she really needs her girls around her.” you sigh like it pained you to go out and have fun and socialise, when really he knew you loved it. you probably were thrilled to get away from him right now, seeing as he was such a mood killer.
he allows himself to spiral a little, rubbing over his jaw as he starts to pace, stomach twisting with all sorts of assumptions.
“w—well what about me? i told you work has been rough lately, you know? i just thought tonight we could eat together, maybe watch something, i dunno i thought you’d be into that. ‘thought about you all day.” he complains and you turn to him, visibly deflating in sympathy.
“dex, i thought about you all day today too. i won’t be home too late! we’ll still have time. i wish i didn’t make the plans but it’ll look so shitty if i flake—”
he can’t help himself, he snaps, stepping toward you but keeping enough distance for you not to be caught off guard.
“why do you care? who gives a fuck what they think — s’like you care more about them than you care about me! y’know what, yeah — go have fun with your friends, that’s what you want right? few hours away from your shitty boyfriend?”
he didn’t mean to raise his voice, so he goes to storm off to another room, remove himself from the situation completely, but half way down the hall he’s stopped in his tracks by the sound of you sniffling, sniffling that turns into sobs.
breathless, he paces back into the room, spotting you where you stand in the same place still, frozen like a fawn. you’ve shrunk a little, face buried in shaking hands, body wracked with cries that you seem to be attempting to keep at a low volume. he approaches, slow and guilty as he places a warm hand on your back. great work, dex — keep this up and she’s out of here.
“hey,” he speaks softly, a complete 180. his eyes are wide and focused, afraid even. he’s waiting for you to flip out on him, call him names that he calls himself in the mirror, but it doesn’t come. you just… cry. “i… i’m sorry, sweetheart. i didn’t mean any of that i’m just stressed. i’m fucked up, baby. come here.”
he gently pulls you into his chest and engulfs you in his strong arms. again, he waits for you to shove him off, to yell, you curl into him, clutching his shirt.
“i’m sorry!” you mewl into him. that — he was not expecting.
“what?” he squints, as if he didn’t hear correctly.
“don’t want you to go. don’t want you to leave ‘cos m’such a bad girlfriend.” you lift your head, tearful, gloopy eyes searching between his desperately like you were looking for an answer. dex gapes, shaking his head in disbelief as he cups your head with a large hand. it covers almost the entirety, from the side of your jaw to above your temple.
“i wouldn’t i… i’m not going anywhere. fuck, you’re precious.” he sighs, pulling you back into his chest and cradling your head as you sniffle, calming down. finally, someone just like him, someone who was just as afraid of being abandoned.
you eventually pull back with a bashful, teary giggle.
“guess i can’t go anymore, ruined my makeup.” you shrug a shoulder, still looking a little sad about the fact. dex can’t help but smile selfishly, wiping beneath your eyes with two thumbs.
“cant pretend i’m not happy about that.” he kisses your forehead, cherishing the moment.
