This story is dedicated to you if you have ever been abused by someone bigger, stronger, and seemingly more powerful than you. You are not alone. You are infinitely precious. And the trauma you endured is not your fault. Know that you are so loved. And whatever trauma you have been through – it does NOT define you. You are a beautiful rose, a lovely lily, a most precious gem.
Rated M for Mature. This story deals with some difficult topics and involves some graphic situations.
They had walked to the restaurant, so Yoongi offered to carry her tin for her as they walked home.
“Well, I guess they’re safe with you since you don’t care for them,” she responded grudgingly.
Yoongi took mock exception to her words; though, inwardly he was smiling at the return of her sense of humor. “I’m the one who gave them to you. Why would I eat them?”
“Well, you wouldn’t. But if Tae or Jungkook suddenly appear, you’d better be ready to defend those slices with your life. I feel sure they wouldn’t steal them from a lady. But from a fellow brother…” She shrugged her shoulders.
This time his laughter spilled forth. He grinned at her. Then he reached out with his free hand to grasp hers. As their palms touched, he laced their fingers together. Stasia smiled. She loved it when he did that!
They walked home chatting about some of the things that had been happening in her classroom. Yoongi was so happy to see her smiling tonight. What was different? Had she actually gotten decent sleep last night?
As they approached the house, he debated whether or not to ask her to take a longer walk with him. But a moment later, she invited him into the house and informed him that Julieta and Tia were out with friends for the evening.
Perfect.
Yoongi grinned. He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she put her caramel slices in the fridge. She was beaming when she turned around.
“I’m looking forward to eating those every day this coming week.”
His eyes took in her slender frame, one which he had seen shrinking for the last three weeks, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he would make her a gift for their five-week anniversary too. She was finally eating again. He needed to take every opportunity to fatten her up.
She glanced up at him. “Want to watch a drama?”
He nodded. He envisioned sitting next to her on the couch. Perhaps he could coax her into his lap. He smiled in anticipation of this evening.
As Yoongi seated himself in the corner of the couch, Stasia grabbed the remote control to the television. Then she plopped down next to him on the couch, and their hips bumped. She grinned as she glanced his way. But her smile instantly fled as she saw the look in his eyes. It made her heart race suddenly. She’d seen that look before. Instantly on guard, she looked away from him.
“Stasia, would you…would you come sit on my lap?”
Her head swung around, and her eyes grew as round as saucers. Uneasy, she asked, “Why?”
“Because there’s something I want to say to you, and I’d like you right in front of me when I do it.”
“You mean face to face?”
He nodded.
Why was her heart galloping away with her breath?
“Hey, hey,” came his soft voice. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” He sighed. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this. “Never mind,” he whispered. “It’s okay. It can wait until another time.”
He sounded so disappointed. She stood up.
“No, Yoongi, I don’t think it can. I know you’ve worked hard to make tonight perfect for me, so I’m going to trust you a little further tonight.”
With that said, she sat down on his lap and turned to face him. Her heart was still racing. Her face was just a few inches from his. She felt awkward, so she lifted her arms and laced her fingers together loosely behind his neck. Then she gazed earnestly into his eyes.
He’d meant to say the words first, but the inquiring look of innocence in her gaze overwhelmed him, and, drawn towards her, he leaned down. Her heart leapt into her throat, but she knew the moment was right. And the look in his eyes was stealing her breath. This time in a good way. He was awestruck, and the purity of the moment shook her to her toes. He hadn’t spoken any words, yet she knew what was bubbling over from his heart.
So as his mouth traveled towards hers, she lifted her face to meet him. His lips brushed hers softly. She sighed. It was like being touched by a butterfly. Nothing more. Then Yoongi raised his head and gazed into her eyes. One blue. The other green. And she heard his whispered words. They came out of his mouth roughly as though he was holding back tears.
“I love you, Stasia.”
Her whole face softened as his words penetrated her heart. Tears flooded her eyes.
“You don’t have to say it back. I’m not expecting anything from you. I just want to be here for you. I want you to know I’m here. For the long haul. And I’m here because I love you.”
She blinked, and one of those ever-present tears slid down her cheek.
“Yoongi…” she whispered.
Then she lifted her face to his and found his lips with her own. Only, this wasn’t just the touch of a butterfly’s wings. Instead, she leaned into him and pressed her mouth against his with a passion that took Yoongi by surprise. Forgetting his restraint, his arms came around her, pulling her tightly against him, and his mouth moved more ardently against hers.
But after a moment, he could feel the shift in her.
