43. “I am not losing you again.” requested by Anonymous 😊 I really hope you enjoy it, especially considering it took so long… 💕
(This is set a while after the Halloween special, and after Gina inevitably got murdered by the non-exsistant season 3 😒 killer.)
You, and Audrey… Audrey, and you… that hadn’t been a thing for a while, now. Now things were a little awkward, a little painful. You both tried your best to carry on as normal, but… in Lakewood, is anything normal? After all, it was Lakewood that drove Audrey to break your heart, and her own in the process.
With you, Audrey had never felt more in love; never felt more loved, more at home. You just worked in a way she never thought was possible—not after everything that had happened; but she had to let you go, because it still wasn’t over, and Rachel? Gina? She couldn’t let that happen again. Not to you.
The two of you had been forced together to chase down a lead. It wasn’t quite how you imagined your reunion—a little less dark, dingy, and ominous, and a little more candlelight, and soft music. Oh, and there was a life at stake. Romantic.
The whole venture had been painfully quiet—a far departure from the comfortable silences you used to share—with the pair of you only really speaking when necessary, and engaging in awkward small-talk. So far, you had nothing. The place you were searching was too big, and your pace too slow, and you just didn’t have time. You let out a deep sigh—you’d need to be in two places at once…
“I know it’s a bad idea, but I think we need to split up,” you grimaced.
“No, absolutely not,” Audrey immediately objected. Upon seeing your face tell her that it was your only option, she was even firmer as she added, “I am not losing you again.”
Okay, so you were doing this now. Audreys words hung in the air before you replied, your voice quiet as you spoke to the floor.
“You didn’t have to lose me.”
“I did, I had to keep you safe,” Audrey explained, more emotion pouring into her voice. Safe. You scoffed, and opened your mouth to speak, but Audrey interjected. “I know. I know, okay? But I had to try, I love you.”
God, you missed hearing that. Especially since…
“I knew you had to be lying when you said you didn’t.”
It was bittersweet, really, knowing the truth. You didn’t understand. The way she still looked at you only the day before, the way she compromised, and sacrificed; but you can’t really argue when someone tells you that they don’t love you anymore—there’s nothing you can do about that.
You could see the regret, and heartbreak etch its way across Audreys face as she forced herself to face you, to look you in the eyes while she said the only thing she really could—
“I’m sorry,” Audreys voice wavered, as she reached out to cup your face. Thinking better of it, she pulled her hand back, only for you own to take it, and hold it against your cheek.
You were upset with her, yes, but if your time in Lakewood had taught you anything, it was that the time you had with her was precious. You missed her so much, and you didn’t have to miss her anymore.
“I can’t… I can’t leave you on your own here, I can’t. I can’t,” she rapidly spoke, her voice thick, and tears forming in her eyes, as she got herself more, and more worked up.
“Baby, it’s gonna be okay,” you softly assured, prompting Audreys tears to spill over, and moving your hands to her face to wipe them away. “They don’t know we’re here.”
“No,” Audrey shook her head. “I know I’m being selfish, but I need you to stay with me. We don’t know what we might be walking into, we don’t know that they don’t—”
“Okay,” you settled. Audrey would do anything for you; she trusted you, and that’s how you knew how strongly she felt about this.
“Okay?” Audrey asked, surprised that you were going along with her after she had hurt you.
“We do this together,” you stated, taking hold of her hand, Audrey squeezing yours as she agreed—