— ❝ i adore you.

Her eyes followed his hand, that interlocked with hers. Lorna’s hand looked so small resting in his, but despite of that it fit there perfectly, just like it seemed their lips moved and heart beat as one. A small, blissful smile graced her features, but it soon faded feeling his other hand trace the scars on her back. “Please don’t,” she breathed looking away and squirmed slightly. Even though they both had scars, Lorna felt shameful of hers. He got those fighting a war, but she had those because she was weak and couldn’t stand up for herself.

“I don’t think those last two are very comfortable positions to sleep till morning in.“ She scrunched her nose, still keeping up the act. Laying on her side she let one hand slide over his abs and down to his waist. Tip of her fingers came upon the waistband of his underwear, her hand stopped but only to let her fingers slide under the stretchy waistband just a little bit, right before he showered her with kisses and got rid of her shirt. It was mind blowing that up until this night she didn’t dare to even think of touching him this way, but now it was probably all they could think about - letting their hands and lips roam over all the previously forbidden places. Her cheeks flushed as she was left topless, for some weird reason she felt a little insecure about her naked body in front of him.

“I can fix that, if you’d like,“ she shrugged as if it was nothing. Her comment was meant more like a joke, something to possibly turn him on again with, but starting to think she might have to keep her word... Her heart sped up, but not quite in excitement, more like because of nervousness. It hit her only now in that moment they shared in the kitchen without actually asking it their relationship changed, they weren’t just friends or roommates anymore... She took in a slightly trembling breath feeling hopeful and kind of thrilled even about their future. “Like... next to me?“ she asked grinning and keeping the girly innocence in her tone, which was hard to do now that his hand had slid underneath her top. She studied his features in the faint light. For some weird reason he seemed like a different man now... One who has purpose in life, whose life is whole. She lifted her chin to meet his lips and replied to his kiss, her hand sliding from his elbow up to his shoulder. It felt so weird to have her hands freely roam his body, but it also felt so damn good. Like this was how it has always supposed to be.

“I don’t think you were left hanging particularly,“ she replied right as she walked in the bedroom. Lorna just couldn't help herself, she had to make that comment, the opportunity was too good to pass, especially when she felt he had grown. Lorna had already cuddled up to him when she turned off the light. “Yes, I can’t stand your face,“ she said with a playful sarcasm in her voice. Chuckle rolled over her lips feeling his stubble poking and tickling her neck, she squirmed a little. “Didn’t you want to sleep? That’s why I turned off the light.“ She tried to sound as innocently as she could. This game of teasing that they had started was addicting, but also cruel, she knew that. If he went all in with the teasing and left her hot and bothered without doing anything about it, she’d be very frustrated. Okay, fine. No teasing anymore. She turned on the fairy lights that were hanging on the wall by her desk in the corner of this room illuminating it just a bit, just enough to see each other and their features.

It made her have an uncomfortable, somewhat sad feeling in the pit of her stomach just imagining what he had gone through judging by all the scars. She knew what getting her own scars had done to her, it must have been at least twice as bad for him, he was twice as damaged as she was. Lorna knew there was nothing she could do about it now, the past couldn’t be changed, but she had a strong urge to hug him as tightly as she could and never let go. Her brow cocked up seeing his gaze fall to her cleavage. If he could go without shirt and sweatpants she could go without her bra. It was uncomfortable to sleep in it anyway even if it didn’t have metal wires in it. Lorna had a hard time holding back the wicked grin hearing his groan and getting out of the bed right after it. She was cruel, but he started it. Hearing his dissatisfied whine a laugh rolled over her lips. Taking off her make up was the first thing she did, followed by the rest of her bedtime routine, she quickly did it all and went back to their bedroom. Without a word she got in the bed and slid under the blanket. One flick of her wrist, green light glistening around her fingers, she turned off the light.

The tugging on her skin made her whole body tingle and want more, but he wasn’t going to do it. Instead he left the room to get ready for bed. That fucker. She had changed into her usual baggy tank top and shorts and was laying in the bed, checking her phone and waiting for him to return. After all they had only one bathroom. Her eyes rose up from her phone noticing him come back, she instantly felt her cheeks burn again, which she tried to ignore. “I’d say definitely yes,” she put her phone down and looked back at him. Lorna couldn’t help but study his body as he walked around. She had forgotten how many scars he actually had. With a small ‘mph’ she got rolled on top of him. Straddling him Lorna leaned down, holding herself on her elbows on both sides of him, their chests pressed together. “The mysteries of life,” she smirked tracing the tip of her index finger from his ear, down his neck and to his shoulder. Since he started the teasing game... Lorna, shifting in her place, softly ground on him, eyes showing she knew very well what was she doing, before stepping off of him and going to the bathroom herself to finish getting ready for bed.

By this time she was probably blushing like a schoolgirl. “Like what?” she asked making it sound more innocent than teasing. On one hand she was curious to know even though she could probably guess what it was, on the other - it could lead to something more than just kissing and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it so soon. He carried her to their bed, and the way he licked his lips made her think there was going to be something more than just a lingering kiss, but no. He got up from the bed and left the room. Lorna laughed shaking her head. Well, he definitely knew how to leave a girl wanting more. She stayed there for a moment before deciding to get up and change into more comfortable clothes that she could sleep in.

She was so afraid she had done something wrong that Lorna was about to let her legs go and take a step back, but his smile dismissed her thoughts. “Oh!” her cheeks turned slightly rosy, eyes shyly fell at the realization of what exactly he was talking about, but soon her head was turned to face him. She had never seen his eyes look like this before - like she was the most beautiful girl he had ever lied his eyes on. It made her feel butterflies in her stomach. Her hands copying his and sliding through his hair, her lips slightly parting and a chuckle escaping them as she felt him nipping on her lower lip, for a moment she kissed him deeply until pulling away, but staying just a couple of inches away. “Thanks,” she chuckled, “but it’s your other head talking,” she sontinued with a small shake of her head.

His kiss changed her world. There had been some attempts to have a proper relationship, but they all had failed almost at the very beginning, but now... There was a chance of having something real and long lasting and it was with the man, who seemed to not be bothered by her powers, who respected and deeply cared for her. Of course she felt excited, even happy for a change. She hadn’t felt happiness in a long time, and out of all people it was George who made her feel like she was on cloud nine. There were a lot of things to learn and teach each other, but she was ready for it. His groan as he pulled back took her a bit by surprise. Did she do something wrong? Why did he stop? Was it her? “What happened?“ Lorna asked concerned as she looked in his eyes, being worried it was because she had done something wrong.

“Of course I won’t approve, that could get you six feed under the ground and I can’t...“ words got stuck in her throat, she feared if she finished her sentence she might break in tears, it hurt so much to just think about it, so she stayed quiet, just shook her head a little dismissing her thoughts. She knew exactly to what he was capable of and what he’d do to her step-father. The worst part was she didn’t mind much if he did manage to make her step-father pay someday. Lorna knew she wouldn’t be rejected if she leaned in for a kiss, it’s just... She had to get over whatever was stopping her, and somehow she did it. Lorna guessed it was the confessions they had made, she now understood him better and was ready to help him learn new ways to express himself even though she wasn’t that great it either. They could learn it together perhaps. She knew very well how being held in his arms felt like, but this time it was different, there was something else to it, she just couldn’t quite place her finger on it. It seemed gentle, like she could break in two, if held too strong, but like she could also disappear if held to loose. Her hand slid into his hair as he pulled back. Her hazel eyes looking in his nearly black ones. For some weird reason she wanted to smile. She brought her other arm up to wrap the around his neck while it was him, who kissed her. She locked her legs around him holding tightly, his big hands on the back of her thighs, she couldn't help but feel excitement. 

Their eyes locked, she took an unsteady breath before averting her gaze. In her mind she tried to grasp how similar they actually were, she didn’t notice him pushing himself from the counter. Only when he moved closer she lifted her eyes. This time she didn’t feel as scared. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her. She didn’t expect him to take her in his arms, bet she didn’t mind, instead she wrapped hers around him and rested her head on his chest. His steady heartbeat was what finally calmed her down. “Neither have I,” a quiet confession left her lips, that curved in a sad smile just moments later. “Yes, that he definitely is.” Feeling a bit awkward, she brought her hand up to his chest, she let her hand feel him under her palm before a bit hesitantly lifting her hand to the collar of his shirt, eyes following her hand. Her heart was back at the same racing speed, but this time it was not because of him, but because of her. Or not entirely because of him. She felt nervous, but tried not to show that. Lorna played with his collar for a moment before smoothly moving her hand to his neck, softly rubbing it, thumb going over his jawline, and before she knew it Lorna had lifted herself up on her tiptoes and pulled his head down to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

Heart beating madly, stomach had dropped, breathing shallow and fast. She leaned against a stove, trying to collect her thoughts and her emotions, and calm herself down. There was part of her that wanted to know how his lips felt, but she quickly showed that part of her back to where that thought came from. With the corner of her eye she saw him leaning against a counter, but she didn’t dare to look at him directly, scared of seeing pain of her rejection in his face. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had done exactly that. A few moments later it seemed she had managed to get over the small panic attack she had. “I know. I would be too,” she confessed and lifted her eyes to look at him. It seemed he had been truly worried about her and what could have happened to her if she got caught. Maybe... maybe he really liked her for what she was and didn’t think she was a monster. Hearing his story her heart clenched. Some things made sense to her now. She wanted to walk over and hug him, but her panic attack wasn’t completely gone, but it was getting there. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I never knew my real father. My mom is the sweetest, but my step-dad... When he gets drunk, he puts his anger over my mom. I’ve tried to protect her, jumped in front of her to stop him from hitting her, but that never worked and he started to beat me. I’ve been to ER more than I would like to admit and every time that fucker gets away with it. And when I found out I had the X gene, he made fun of me and beat me too. Hence the scars. And I have never seen a relationship work, I... I got scared.”

“Neither do I. It was a BAR, geez,“ she turned around rubbing her temples. Even if she knew he was to some extent right to be angry at her, Lorna couldn’t stop. The level of her own anger was rising and with each moment she was getting to the point where it was impossible to turn back. Why was it that she was acting like this? If it was anyone else other than George giving her hard time or at least trying to, she wouldn’t even bother to reply. It was her life, her free time, it was nobody else’s business. But with him... “Hey!“ she called out, frustration dripping from her voice. “You don’t want me drinking at a bar, now you won’t let me drink at home too? What do you thi...“ her voice trailed off not even finishing the sentence as she saw him moving closer and closer... Everything else around them seemed to disappear, it was just him, her and the coldness of the fridge against her back, even their argument seemed to have vanished. Her eyes darted from his eyes, then to his torso, back to his eyes, his lifted hand, lips and his eyes once again. The way his hand cupped her face... She could feel that there were some unsaid feelings in him, hidden from her eyes, and George leaning in only confirmed it. For a second, when he stopped right in front of her, she wanted to lean in too, close the distance and let their lips meet, but then her mind stepped in. They shouldn’t do this, this wasn’t wise, they could get sloppy, they cold get caught... And Lorna was terrified of getting this intimate with someone. Growing up she had seen only failed relationships and heartbreak, it was hard to think that maybe she could have a different fate than her mother and that someone could actually love her for what she was. Panic kicked in. Lorna squatted and quickly crawled out of the small space between George and the fridge. She had to say something, she couldn’t just run without an explanation, could she? “D-Don’t th-think you can just, you know, swoop in and... and kiss me and make everything right after yelling at me, you know, for having some actual social life!“ Stuttering and repeating words. Nailed it.

Lorna took the collar of her shirt and brought it to her nose. Okay, yes, she could smell the bar on it, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as he was saying it was. “Don’t be ridiculous,“ she snapped at him seeing the wrinkles in his forehead. “Seriously, can you let it go? I never say anything to you when you have a beer, but you... You! I have two glasses of gin and tonic and you are jumping out of your skin! I’m a big girl, I tie my own shoelaces and I can take care of myself when drunk. Even though I have’t been in a long while.“ For some reason she didn’t catch the hidden meaning of his words, probably because of her blood gradually starting to boil. But now that she started to think about it and also because of this argument they had Lorna was quite tempted to take one of those bottles of beer that had been laying at the bottom of their fridge and get drunk. It should be fairly easy to do it on an empty stomach. He wanted her drunk? He might get it! Sadly hearing his apology didn’t mean anything to her. He had even told that himself that he didn’t do sincere apologies, why would she believe this one was sincere? She shrugged it off and turned around to take that beer. As she opened the fridge to reach for the beer, she couldn’t help but wonder... What if the roles were reversed... She didn’t want to admit, but she’d probably be just as freaked out as he was. Even thinking about losing him made her feel terrible pain, and that scared her. They were just two runaways living together, helping each other to deal with this whole situation they were in... There wasn’t anything else between them, right?