“Of course I do. You are my whole world, sweetheart. Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.”
“I’m glad you found us that night.” Angel’s hold tightens when my voice cracks.
He grabs the soft blanket draped over the back of the sofa and tucks it around us. His arms hold me hostage as he nuzzles his face into my neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses.
Wrapped safely in his arms with the gentle hum of our Divine settling down, I fall asleep with a smile on my face. Not a single thought spared on what might come next.
???
I wake up hours later, and for the first time, it’s not to the sound of my own screams, my nails digging into my arms, or the sight of bloodstained walls in a cold, abandoned cell. I wake up tohim.
Soft kisses are peppered all over my face, bringing a sleepy smile to my lips. My eyes slowly flutter open, and I find Angel crouched on the floor before me, his fingers gently running through my hair, coaxing me to wake up.
Sleep fades as I take in his soft, chestnut curls, neatly styled and still damp from the shower. Angel looks ready to start the day in a crisp white shirt and black pants. I miss the cozy sweater look, but he looks equally drool-worthy in formal.
“Morning, beautiful,” he whispers, twirling a strand of my hair. I see his other hand resting beside my stomach, and I reach out to grab it.
“Morning, Angel.”
I don’t mind letting the endearment slip anymore. It never fails to bring my favorite dimpled smile to his lips, so that’s a bonus.
“Time to wake up, baby. I’m taking you out for a drivearound the city, so go freshen up. And yes, I promise to buy you all the junk food you want.”
With that, Angel heads off to ask Seiji to keep August busy for the day, but not before kissing both my cheeks and savoring the blush it brings.
I rush to my room, only getting lost three times. By the time I step out of the bathroom, Angel is sprawled across the center of my bed, completely unbothered by the wrinkles forming in his shirt.
“You take awfully long showers, sweetheart. I was—”
Angel cuts off when his eyes land on me… wearing nothing but a small towel. For a second, I don’t understand why he’s suddenly gone pale. It doesn’t dawn on me until I follow his gaze… to the scars on my arms, shoulders, and thighs. A wave of cold dread washes over me.
Fuck. When did I become this careless? How did I forget about the scars covering every part of me?
I fist my hands when they start to shake at my sides. I probably look like I’m about to pass out, and I might. I want to turn around and lock myself in the bathroom, but I can’t do that to myself. I’m not going to hide.
This is me.
Scars, flaws, and dark humor included. This body has kept me standing long after my will to survive was broken. These scars are reminders of what I’ve been through andsurvived.I won’t let anyone, not even myself, shit on that.
When I finally meet his eyes, Angel beckons me closer with his arm. He pulls me between his legs and guides me to sit on his thigh, his hand coming around my waist to keep me steady.
Angel lifts my chin with his finger, silently urging me to acknowledge the raw admiration in his eyes. He doesn’t have to do anything but hold me like this, looking at me like I’m the reason he breathes, and every wall I’ve built around my heart falls brick by brick.
“This is me.” I’m proud of the conviction in my voice. I’m done letting my past dictate my future. Angel deserves morethan that.Wedeserve more than that.
“And you aremagnificent.”
There’s a fierce determination in his voice, like he’s daring me to disagree. Like he would fight me or anyone else who thought otherwise.
Leaning forward, Angel softly kisses the corner of my mouth—dangerously close to my lips, and it only leaves me aching for more.
He tucks a damp strand behind my ear, his eyes looking at me with an intensity that makes me feel stupid for thinking he, of all people, would ridicule me about my scars. All I’ve ever felt in his presence is safe.
“But how is this possible?” I blink in confusion, and Angel rephrases. “We heal phenomenally well, sweetheart. Nothing ever scars.”Oh.
“When I ran out of skin for them to slice open, they found out that cutting open healing wounds hurts more than fresh ones. I never got the chance to heal fully.”
Angel stays silent for a long time, his fingers tracing the scars on my thighs and kissing the ones on my bare shoulders. Every new scar he finds, his jaw clenches tighter.
