♡~𝕳𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖞 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖊'𝖘 𝕯𝖆𝖞~♡
The wolf sighs as he leans back on the headboard, painting left aside after minutes of inspecting it and asking questions about it.
The bracelet made for Irene rests on her nightstand, the plushie and flowers left on the living room earlier, and the book, first gift of the day, has already been started and forgotten as the holiday went on and different activities took over.
Now, with the devil in his arm, the wolf caresses her side gently as she pulls out a letter from the box she received during Christmas.
"Open when it's... Valentine's day."
“ 'I still have a lot to figure out, but the one thing I know is, wherever you are, that's where I belong. I'll never belong anywhere like I belong with you. No matter what I'm feeling, I want you next to me. You're home to me.'
I remember the night we met, how I was looking for a distraction as I used to. I don't quite remember what I was running from anymore. I used to run away a lot, I guess. From people, responsibility, feelings, myself.
It was messy. I've always been messy, haven't I? I wasn't right in the head– I don't think I am still. I reckon I'm still broken, afraid. I still hold a lot of regrets, pain, anger. But I also believe that after all these years, I've learned to embrace a lot of the things I ran from. Not by myself, but with you. Even if it terrifies me, knowing I have a place to call my home, a place I'd die to protect, a someone I'd do anything for...
I remember the skepticism when we met that night at the club. The curiosity. The sex. The sex was awesome. Hard to forget a woman who could take it like you did.
But I also remember how you stuck around despite me being... Me. Despite me treating you the way I did. I remember how you still found me when you needed someone. And how you were there when I did. How you never turned your back on me. Even when I refused to admit I needed help, even when I didn't know I needed it. You were always there for me.
I don't remember a lot of my day to day, I guess the mind has a way of blocking out anything and everything that makes more harm than good. I don't remember a lot of my nights, I don't remember a lot of my fights, I don't remember a lot of my outings and get-aways. But I do remember you.
Every time, I remember you.
I remember coming to you when I finally crashed down. I remember finding you when I needed someone to be there for me. I remember you showing up to look after me. I remember you making silly online posts for me before we were even anything at all.
I remember when your laugh started making me smile, and when your smile started making my heart skip a beat. The way your scent started to linger around my place, my towel smelling like your shampoo after you used it on your hair, and how my kitchen slowly started to smell the more you were over.
I remember when your touch became safety, able to take away the nightmares. And when your heartbeat became peace, quitting down the non-stop rumble.
Somewhere along the way between hating myself and having found you, I fell in love in a way I had never known before. And I am not sure if somewhere within myself I knew you'd forever be the one, or if that realization came later, but I do remember the day I decided I'd never let go.
I remember the way we were wet head to toe, your barefoot feet on mine, the way I ruined Chan's suit with the rain, but with you in my arms, looking up at me the way you did...
I might be a man full of regrets. But you? I could never regret you in a million years.
I know I've never been the best of men, far from a partner someone could envy. I've messed up, I've probably made you mad more times than I've realized, and I've failed in areas that shouldn't be failed on. Yet, there's no doubt in my heart you've never been unsure of us. You've never second guessed us, even when I did. You've never second guessed me, even when you should have.
I have a way to go still to be the man you deserve in this life, to be the man you will remember for eternity. But I will try every day to become the one you never regret, either.
I was lost for a long time, and I still am not sure of my way. But I am sure I belong with you.
I want you forever. And I will not risk you anymore. Not with my fear, not my wounds, not my pain and anger.
I love you, and I will love you until there's nothing else for me to do."
“I still have a lot to figure out,
but the one thing I know is,
[Fragment from "People We Meet On Vacation" - Emily Henry.]