9. things you said when i was crying
     The number of times Malachyâs seen Aspen cry is probably something like, maybe twice? If that. This very well might be time number three, and it very well might be the very thing that breaks him. When Aspenâs in any type of an emotional state (angry, moody, sad), he doesnât want to be touched, but this time is probably the exception. Heâs (for once!) not the reason for Aspenâs tears, for Aspenâs highly emotional and fragile state. âBabeââ he can barely understand the babbling thatâs tumbling from his fianceâs lips. âBabeâŚâ Mal actually canât stand Aspenâs mother; sheâs always breaking her son down, always condemning him for decisions he makes with her in mind! How do you continuously break someone who thinks about you and what youâd say or do before they do anything, even something as trivial as smiling. Mother said, mother said, mother said. Malâs very tired of it all. Heâs tired of coming home to an exhausted Aspen, tired of coming home to a broody Aspen, tired of coming home to a sad Aspen. He just wants the love of his life to be happy for onceâ and while Aspen says heâs happy with him, he canât imagine thatâs true, not as long as his mother continues to wear him out. But he wonât say anything. The one thing that will probably upset Aspen more than his mother does, is actually saying something about it (and letâs face it, thatâs never a good idea, in any universe).
     Even now, as Aspen curls up in a ball and sobs because of something his mother has said or done to him, all Mal can do is bite his tongue and drag his fiancĂŠ into his lap, sighing as Aspen unfolds on him and wraps himself ever so tightly around him. And when Aspen finally pulls away to look at him, he catches him, cradling his wet face in his hands and looking him right in the eye, voice silky smooth as he tries to calm his hysterical fiancĂŠ. âIt probably isnât enough⌠but I love you. More than anything. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and donât you ever forget that. Darling, you are my world, my love, my life. I love you,â a kiss to the wet cheek, âI love you,â a kiss to both puffy eyelids, âI love you,â a kiss to the foreheadâ and then Aspenâs back to burying his face in Malâs neck. âI love you so much, baby,â he mutters over and over until he canât tell where Aspenâs face and his sighs begin, until his voice goes hoarse, and until Aspenâs finally laying on his chest, fast asleep.