Deception

I don't think, I just do. I don't know, I just am.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *holds his face close so he can't move away* Never, never think that I'm unhappy because of you. I've never been happier than I am with you, just please don't take any of this personally, it's not. I love you so much, you've become the most important person in my life, it's just... in my grief I had a hard time believing you could possibly be there for me... I do owe you an apology, please accept it.

Vince: -eyes meeting hers, touching his forehead against hers, smiling wildly like a total idiot, but he can't help it- Of course I accept it. That was a damn good one. I don't think you understand how happy hearing all of that made me. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. Or saying I love you.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *closes her eyes feeling Vince massage her scalp* Vince... I really am sorry, i'm so sorry. I just didn't know... I'm not used to having you to run to, not like this...

Vince: Don't say sorry. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. -pauses his hands for a moment, using this opportunity to lean over and kiss her- I just don't want you to be unhappy anymore.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *runs her fingers over his face as she sees him rest his cheek against the tub, and sighs* I love you too, Vince... *lets him lather her back and her shoulders* I am... I'm happy with you, I haven't been happy in a while... but this... it just reminded me things I wanted to forget. I got scared, I acted irrationally... *draws her knees up to her chest, and wraps her arms around her legs*

Vince: Everyone has their moments, love. No one's perfect, though you're damn near it. I understand your rational, though it was irrational, if that makes sense. -reaches over to grab his shampoo, squirting a bit into his hand and lacing his soaped fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp- I just... I want you to feel as if you can come to me next time you're feeling like this.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *settles into the tub, closing her eyes as she feels Vince pouring water onto her before settling back against the tub, eyes still closed, reaching for Vince's hand* I don't ever want you to leave... *she didn't care that he'd said it a little while back, she still felt the need to comment on it, opening her eyes and looking over at him* I really am sorry that I put you through all of this...

Vince: -smiles at her, resting his cheek against the side of the tub- What matters is that you're here now, with me, safe. I love you, Aubrie. -straightens back up, taking the soap in his free hand and lathering her back and shoulders- You're my life. I just want you to be happy.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *pulls herself up so that she's leaning against the sink and looks over at Vince* Don't leave me, please... just... stay with me. I don't wanna be alone. *holds his gaze a little longer before turning her attention to her toothbrush, making quick work of brushing her teeth, feeling a little less queasy afterward before turning to the bathtub, not taking her hand off the sink which kept her from falling over*

Vince: I'll be here as long as you want me. -turns to the tub, closing the drain and running the warm water- Here, hold on to my shoulder. -waits until she's steadily holding onto him before helping her get undressed, kissing patches of bare skin as he goes. setting her into the tub, he kneels beside it, using his hand as a cup to dampen her back and her hair-

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *feels Vince rubbing her back as she gets sick, actually crying a little, finally stopping* Don't... ever let me drink again... not for anything... I don't want it. Just... can I brush my teeth and take a bath?

Vince: -reaches over to flush the toilet before kissing her on the top of her head- Of course you can. Do you want to be alone, or do you want me here with you?

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *leans forward toward him when he kneels down in front of her and rests her forehead against his head* It's my fault, though, I don't know how not to make stupid mistakes when I'm hurting. I don't know how to... I'm so sorry I worried you... I love you too. *touches his face with a hand* I feel awful... and not just because I've hurt you, but because I genuinely... do not feel good right now... Vince...

Vince: Next time you're sad, or hurting, come to me first, okay? I don't need you turning into a frat boy. -he takes her hand on his face, bringing it to his lips and kissing her fingers- Come on, let's get you to the bathroom. -helping her up, leading her to the bathroom. he holds her hair back with one hand, rubbing her back with the other-

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *bites her lip, her eyes filling with tears* I... didn't think... I was just hurt, and Kit was hurt, and... I figured it wouldn't matter if I was there. *shrinks back into the couch unable to get up without falling over* I'm sorry.....

Vince: -looks down at her, his face changing from angry to sad in a second. he drops to his knees in front of her, taking her hands in his- No, don't, please don't cry. I should be sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you, I was just... I was so worried. -tilts his head down, touching her hands to his forehead- I love you so much.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *sets the cup down, finished with the water, her eyes on Vince and shakes her head at his question* No...

Vince: -he lifts up his head, looking towards her, giving her a sad smile- At first I was a little hurt. I thought maybe I'd done something wrong, something that upset you. But then I started calling, and you weren't picking up. Not only that, but your phone went straight to voicemail. -he gets up and begins to pace, unable to just stay still- I was worried. I didn't know where you were, or who you were with, or if you were still breathing. That's what scared me most. -pausing for a moment, putting his hands over his face, trying to compose himself. he lowers his hands, even less calm than before. he turns towards her- If something had happened to you, I don't know how'd even go on living! You need to realize that you can hurt people. You can't disappear like that again. Ever! I was going out of my fucking mind, Aubrie!

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *drinks some of the water and then pulls the cup away and looks up at Vince, but doesn't say anything, goes back to drinking more water*

Vince: -sits back on the couch, folding his fingers together and placing them against his chest, closing his eyes- Do you know how I felt this morning when I woke up and you were gone?

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *unaware of how Vince is feeling, takes the glass, and tries to drink it, feeling her body melt back into the cushions*

Vince: -leans over to her, putting a hand on her back to straighten her out, and putting another on her elbow to help steady her glass- You know I love you, don't you?

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *stumbles around, running into a couple of things and falling on the floor in front of the couch, doesn't even bother moving, and just stays where she is, frustrated that she didn't make it to where she was supposed to*

Vince: -pressing his palms to his eyes, vaguely aware of the tears he's wiped away. he grabs a glass from the drying rack beside the sink and fills it up, heading out to the living room where he sees Aubrie on the floor. putting the glass on the coffee table, he bends down, helping her onto the couch before handing her the glass- Bottoms up.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *lets Vince lead her to the apartment because she can't remember off hand what number it is, and because she can't walk alone without falling over, but the moment the door's open she pushes away from Vince* Frustrated. Okay. You don't need to help me, Vince. I can do this alone.

Vince: -closes the door behind them, tossing his keys onto his mail table and crossing his hands over his chest- Just let me do this, okay? Go sit on the couch, I'll get you a glass of water. -heads off towards the kitchen, going over to the sink. he places he hands on either side of it, hanging his head down and taking deep breaths-

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *frustrated* Some caring, all mad at me... *looks at his hand as he holds it out to her and opts to grab the car to haul herself up instead*

Vince: -lets out a big breath of air, shutting Aubrie's door as she gets out and putting a hand on the small of her back to lead her up the apartment- I'm not mad, I'm just... a little frustrated. -fumbling for his keys in his pocket, opening the door to let them in-

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *flinches a little at the harshness in his voice and scoots away from him* You didn't have to get me, you know. You could've just stayed home...

Vince: -turns towards her, raising an eyebrow- Oh really? And let you drink yourself away? I don't know if you get it, Aubrie, but I care about you. If something happened to you.... -looks out the window, sighing as the driver pulls up in front of his apartment. climbing out, he walks to the other side and opens the door for Aubs, holding out a hand-

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: Wha- *starts squirming when she's lifted* Put me down, I can walk. Dammit... ugh... not good, I don't like the moving... feel sick. *closes eyes and waits until she feels herself set on a seat* I just... I was fine, Vince.

Vince -Looks over at her, voice much harsher than he intended- Fine? That's debatable. -Makes a gesture for the driver to go. resting his elbow against the window sill, pinching the bridge of his nose- I should've watched you better. I knew... I knew this would happen.

[vincegriffiths-blog]

Where Is My Mind? || Vaubs

Aubrie: *closes eyes getting dizzy by Vince's movements* Ugh... I can walk! I'm not a kid. *pushes her way away from Vince and stumbles out of Kit's door, running into a wall* Whyyyy... did this wall get in my way? Can't it see I'm trying to WALK here...

Vince: -pressing his fingertips to the space above his eye, as if he's getting a headache- Carrying it is. Hold on, this might mess up your equilibrium. -Stooping down, tucking his shoulder against Aubrie's stomach and throwing her over it, holding onto her legs to keep her from slipping - We'll get you home and showered, okay, Aubs? Then we'll get you a tall glass of water. -Starts heading out towards the car, ignoring the stares, opening the door, and setting her gently inside, walking around the other side to get in himself-