"Cut it out, stop laughing!" I scream, feeling the rush of adrenaline as I throw a punch that lands just above his chest and connects solidly with his jaw.
Kieran continues to laugh, his boisterous laughter filling the air. He doesn't even bare his teeth or emit a low rumble at me. As I go to strike him once more, he swiftly catches my wrist, preventing me from making contact. Then, he pulls me close, his arm encircling my waist, trapping my punching arms snugly against our bodies.
I huff, burying my face in his chest, feeling the warmth and safety of his embrace as I scream at the top of my lungs. It comes out muffled, the sound barely escaping my lips to avoid disturbing anyone's sleep.
I scream and I scream and I scream.
I scream for my anger for being locked up, I scream for my sadness for finally knowing what happened with Evan only for him to say that he has no idea who I was, screaming for frustration because it sucks that the very place I find comfort and ease was in the arms of some stranger who smells insanely nice, I scream because that's the only thing I can do.
I scream, my throat raw and hoarse, a release for the pain that has rendered me unable to shed any more tears. The well of tears had run dry, leaving me feeling empty.
And finally, when I grow tired of screaming, the silence that follows is deafening. When I feel my throat start to ache, it's like a dull, throbbing pain that spreads with each breath I take.
As I remain in Kieran's embrace, I surrender to the weightlessness, my body melting into his.
As my anger dissipates, I allow my eyes to flutter closed, overwhelmed by a sense of exhaustion and sleepiness. Kieran chuckles, his laughter carrying a soothing melody that sends shivers down my spine.
Nothing seems to make sense since I returned to Westfall - the sights, sounds, and even the familiar smells are all confusing.
"Are you all done?"
Kieran's question pierces through the air, and I can barely contain my urge to scream in frustration.
Kieran's tone is genuine and sincere, lacking any hint of teasing or condescension. When he asks me, his voice is gentle and understanding. If I were to lift my gaze towards him now, I would see only worry and sadness in his eyes, a somber reflection of his concern for me.
That doesn't make any sense.
None of it does.
Why is some stranger acting like this towards me?
Why has my fiancé stopped caring about me?
With Kieran's gentle touch, he pushes me up, his fingers carefully tucking loose strands of hair behind my ear, and I summon the courage to open my eyes. And when I do, I feel like I'm dissolving into a pool of warmth.
As Kieran stared at me, his eyes grew serious, signaling an end to jokes and games.
He frowns, his touch against my cheek tender as he brushes his knuckles.
"You good, Haven?"
I despise how effortlessly the word tumbles from my lips.
"I am now."
"Good."
Kieran mutters quietly, his fingers effortlessly threading through my hair, creating a calming sensation that I loved.
My eyelids feel as though they are weighted down, and I can barely keep them open.
I don't really want to compare, but back then, it took Evan months to find the perfect rhythm as he ran his fingers through my hair.
It's incredibly surprising that Kieran managed to figure it out within a few days.
"Are you sleepy?"
I mumble something under my breath, the sound barely escaping my lips.
Kieran bursts into another round of laughter.
"You gotta get some sleep. Lydia's place is tiny, but it's definitely cozier than the cell."
Kieran's hushed whispers tickle my ear, while his hands glide down from my hair to my waist, stroking my skin in soothing circles. I should tell him to stop; I really should. Then again, I have never felt this relaxed and comfortable in years.
It's as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
"I'm really sorry for everything, Haven. I just wanted what's best for you, you know? In my selfishness, I never once asked if that's what you want's what you wanted. I'll make up for my mistake, don't worry. And... and I'll make it right with you, I promise."
My eyelids flutter once more, his voice lulling me into a drowsy state.
I want to make him understand just how foolish he is acting. On how silly he sounds. I don't expect him to make things right with me.
We're not friends.
We're not complete strangers, but we're not buddies either.
We barely know each other.
At least, that's what I want to express.
However, I don't get the chance as the sound reaches my ears once more.
From Kieran's throat, there came that odd rumbling noise again. This time, I'm certain that the soothing melody is lulling me to sleep. I slumped against him, my arms hanging loosely at his waist. Kieran's laughter was soft and serene, its vibrations on his chest creating a massage-like sensation.
Opening my mouth in a soft yawn, I exhale deeply, the sound escaping as a gentle sigh.
"I'm gonna get you all tucked in now, alright?"
"Okay," I mumbled softly, the heavy embrace of sleep taking over my senses. "Sleep is good."
"Sleep is good,"
Kieran repeats the words for me, his voice echoing in the room.
He shuffles his feet and reluctantly releases his grip, leaving me with a furrowed brow. In an instant, I felt someone's arms behind my knees and back, causing me to squeal in surprise. Kieran effortlessly lifts me off the ground, as if I weigh nothing.
The thought of shame doesn't even register in my mind. Placing my head against his chest, I am embraced by a soothing sensation of comfort and relaxation.
Kieran's satisfaction grows as he witnesses the tenderness of my cheek pressing against the softness of his neck. Without even realizing it, I find myself leaning in, pressing my ear against his throat, captivated by the comforting rumble and subtle vibrations.
"I'm gonna take you to bed, is that okay?"
I mutter, "Okay."
"I really don't enjoy fighting with you."
"Hm."
My response came from a hazy, dream-like state.
I hear a soft, muffled noise that could be the door opening. As Kieran walked, he motioned for someone to keep their voice down, his steps deliberate and purposeful. I close my eyes and surrender to the soothing sound of Kieran's throat rumbling softly.
I feel a gentle, yet electrifying touch as his fingertips make contact with the small of my back.
"This is nice."
"This is nice," Chuckling, Kieran repeats, his body tingling with a soothing warmth. "It'd be better if you gave up on finding someone who's not here. Don't you think it's only fair since I'm the one here for you?"
The statement doesn't sit well with me.
In frustration, my nose involuntarily crinkles.
"It's just me here for you, Haven."
"Hm."
"I'll just fix up the empty room in my house and you can crash there. What do you think?"
My drowsiness has taken hold, causing me to lose track of the question by the time I respond.
"Sure." I mutter. "Sounds nice."