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The relief that he can see in Darrenâs eyes is a gratifying thing, making something soft twist in his gut. Because Darren had worried about him, even a little bit. It felt good, to know that Darren genuinely wanted to know that he was okay. He lets out a soft sigh, when Darren reaches out, so damn grateful for the contact that it almost hurts. He wants to be closer to Darren, wants to crawl under his skin and stay there forever, he wants to feel so connected that Darren can never get rid of him. But any touch that heâs allowed to have is enough, for now.
Heâs thinking that, even as Darren is tugging him closer. A slight pull on his hand. And Arya follows it, because itâs impossible not to, itâs impossible to refuse. He sits as close as he can, achingly careful, not wanting to accidentally hurt Darren by getting too close or disturbing him. If he hurt Darren, it would kill him. Not just physically, either. He would do anything, he thought, to make sure that Darren was happy, that he was safe and protected from the intense, scary world that they had found themselves in. And it was a comfort, distant in his mind, that Darren wanted him to be happy as well.
âApology not accepted,â He says, but itâs gentle, it sounds like heâs aching inside. He pulls Darrenâs hand up, presses a kiss to the knuckles, holds it there. âNo, I mean. Iâm sorry too. I feel like ââÂ
He shakes his head, eyes vulnerable, shining a little bit. âI feel like I should have protected you somehow. Should have⊠known more, gotten everyone out of the Tower before they could get hurt.â The idea that Darren was in pain broke his heart, the idea that Darren would be in pain for weeks. Needing to be taken care of. But Arya would be there to do it, to make sure that he was okay from now on. âI just wish nothing could ever hurt you again.â
He settles comfortably against Arya, even though itâd only been a little over twenty-four hours since the last time they shared a bed together, it somehow felt like weeks. Resting his head on his shoulder, he lets his eyelids drift close for a moment, the urge to sleep again suddenly tugging at him, but the soft kiss Arya brushes against his knuckles draws him back into the land of the living.Â
And a pang of guilt hits him at Aryaâs own admission, because he was the last one here that needed to apologize about not protecting the other. That had been his job, after all, not Aryaâs, and he failed it twice already between Clintâs and then Vicâs unwanted entrance into his apartment. But that felt like ancient history now, after everything that had happened that night and that morning even.Â
âYou know Iâm a big tough Guardian, right?â He huffs a laugh, before turning his head to plant a kiss against his shoulder. âAnd I walked into that Tower yesterday knowing that there were still numerous unknowns about all of this. Itâs not your fault what happened, itâs not even Hydeâs fault- even though I wish his aim sucked a little more. I made the choice to go in, and Iâm sure Iâll have to make another choice sometime down the road that puts me in danger again. But thatâll be my choice.âÂ
âBelieve it or not, I didnât just choose this gig for the pension and the chance of getting my own action figure,â he adds with a weak smile, before glancing back up to him, taking his hand in his as he does. âI do this despite the risks involved, because I want to help people. And even though I donât see myself staying a Guardian for much longer, thereâll still be risks in whatever I do- but none of that will be your fault, or your burden to take on.âÂ










