Amelia couldn't stop thinking about what Warren said last night, every day I'm making them come true for you. She felt there was a sense of calmness in the air. The expression on her face was delicately placid.433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvRY1LBmem
Does that mean things will be different between them? The notion that he himself wanted to make her dreams come true - why did she get the feeling that maybe it wasn't his purpose? That the happiness wasn't meant to be his doing. She didn't want to live her life co-dependent on someone else. She also didn't like that Warren was putting his life and everything he wanted to do on hold just to make her happy. She understood why he was doing it, but it still didn't sit right with her.
If she was going to continue on living then she needed to learn that depending on someone else to fix everything won't make life entirely better. Not that she didn't trust him, she did. He was the only person left she trusted. They can be in each others lives, but - Amelia felt that being there for each other was only a part of living.
She remembered how her father depended on her to support the payments. To be labeled as disabled, a freak, someone who couldn't function in the world, made her shudder. She was forced to collect income each month because her father lacked the motivation and sheer will to support himself let alone both of them. The burden was put on Amelia for the most part, the housing situation was part of benefits of living under the system.
But she didn't know any other life. She didn't work, she barely had a skill, but she wanted to learn. Even though her abilities more than denied her many opportunities, she still wanted to build a life for herself, and away from her father.
She began thinking seriously about what else life has to offer during getting ready to see Warren's aunt for brunch. What did she want to be? Who did she want to be? What kind of mark did she want to leave on the world? Does a second chance at life mean more than just a strong friendship? Isn't life supposed to be an individual journey?
Maybe...does living exist beyond relationships? She was certain it was scary but still contemplated it as it was relevant with everything else.
Amelia laid down for a minute more in the bed she shared with Warren. At least she believed it was indeed shared. Maybe a part of her felt like it was hers. Last night it felt like she was really living here. A small smile crept up and she didn't shy away from the feeling.
Part of her couldn't concentrate because Warren was in the shower next to her. Her mind piqued with interest and before she knew it perverse as well as curious thoughts got the better of her. He never told her to stay here but he also didn't ask her to join him. She sat up and hesitated before moving off the bed. The enormous balcony windows were slightly open. Warren wouldn't like it if the room was cold when he stepped out of the shower. She moved to close them but was distracted by the scenery in the far distance.
Warren had an amazing view on the highest penthouse of New York City. The ocean was producing calming waves and her eyes traced the patterns they were drawing. She was lost in state of nature for a long moment.
Is she capable of building her own world now that she could control her powers? She could; maybe, she never considered it until she realized it was possible. But Warren, she wasn't sure if she could leave him, knowing he'd done everything in his power to save her. Being independent is a far off dream, how would he react if she mentioned it? If she told him maybe her life needed to be lived and not just survived.
She wouldn't mention it today. She would keep it in until the moment is right and Warren was free to talk.
But some part of her was eager to tell him now. She could feel herself getting stronger, much more in control than she was before they met.
She was completely lost in thought she almost didn't feel warm arms drape around her shoulders and connect softly around her neck. The even breathing made it clear who it was; reminding her this wasn't a dream.
"Good morning," Warren said softly.
"Morning."
"Why didn't you join me?"
Amelia moaned gently along with a sly smile. "I didn't know I could."
"You didn't need to ask." He kissed her shoulder and slightly buried his lips on her neck. "I didn't want to wake you."
"I was already awake, but I didn't want disturb you. I thought you wanted to be private."
"I didn't." He said, slightly laughing. "I understand though. I know we're going to see my Aunt today so, maybe today is different."
Amelia leaned back and noticed he was fully clothed, it seemed like he'd dressed up while she was out here. She didn't realize it was long, maybe he was a fast dresser. Or maybe she was in deep thought a lot longer than she realized.
Warren dipped down and kissed her lips then forehead. After another moment they went back inside as he shut the balcony windows and dead locked the doors.
"I can go get ready, is that OK?" she asked timidly.
Warren smirked as he looked at her while he began making the bed. "You're asking me to take a shower? Don't worry about asking, you can do whatever you want to. You live here too."
Amelia blushed before backing up, slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I wanted to ask first. I still feel like I have to."
When she reached to help him he gently told her it was alright.
"I'll take care of it. You can go shower and get dressed. We're not in any hurry. I'll ring my aunt, she doesn't mind us coming at our own time. She just wanted to see me. Remember when I told you it's been a while since we've seen each other?" Amelia nodded as he sat on the made bed pulling on his socks. "She's not my dad. As long as I let her know I'm ok, she doesn't worry."
"I'm sorry...about your father." She said, speaking from experience, finding it hard to hide the pain in her voice.
Warren looked up as he finished putting on his dress shoes. It was a sore subject, a touchy one at that. If anyone else had brought his father up, he'd be furious. But Amelia's compassion made him feel less riled.
"I know, anybody who's not a Worthington is." He said, his eyes opening as he remembered to change the subject fast. "Go ahead. I'll be right here if you need anything."
She nodded, went to the bathroom and shut the door. She wanted Warren inside with her, but that wasn't going to happen. Warren cared about her but she wasn't going to take advantage of his kindness. He could only do so much. Plus, he had issues with his own father, like her, they have that in common. It was wrong to think of this at this time. Especially the way he looked just a moment ago. He seemed almost distant when his father was brought up; she made sure to give him space when it came to talking about him. It was an overly sensitive subject for her also.
She changed out of her sleep attire and stepped into the shower and began thinking about the possibility of a separate life from this second chance. Leaving Warren wasn't an option. There was no possible way she could pay him pay for everything he's done to help her. She wanted to stay but, with this other opportunity tugging at her from another end, she couldn't for the life of her ignore it as if it was nothing.
She sighed heavily and reached for a bottle of shampoo in the shower caddy.
He would understand, wouldn't he? It wasn't as if she would run away. He needed to know that. Even through the somewhat loud sprinkle of the shower head she could hear rustling in the room.
Warren tidied around the room when his cell phone rang; he snatched up the mobile and cringed when he read the name on the front screen.
Not now, not when he was starting to feel better about himself and his life. Nothing was going to spoil it, not the wretched name and not his father. Amelia didn't deserve that. She needed someone focused and strong. Warren's insecurities needed to be buried.
His phone beeped a few times, he knew they were text messages or a voice mail. Knowing his father, it would be both. The man was relentless when he was being ignored. Warren didn't bother looking; he finished cleaning around the room and laid down on his bed.
Would his father go as far as to come to his place and demand compliance? He's known to show up sometimes without warning. His face had ticked on that possibility.
He made a split decision and called someone he knew would understand his anxiety. It was sooner than he planned but he almost didn't care. It was practically an emergency.
He waited a few seconds for an answer and heard a familiar cough on the other end.
"Hello? Warren?"
"Hi, um, Auntie, sorry to bother you so much..."
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, we are still coming to see you. We were just getting ready to leave."
"Oh, alright. Are you alright? You don't sound calm."
Oh if you knew the half of it Mimi. "Right, yeah...I'm sorry it's just-"
"It is - your father?"
Warren groaned as he felt internal pain. He thought it was silent but she heard it.
"I'm sorry dear. What happened?"
"Pressure. Too much. Almost so much that I feel like running away."
Mimi sighed. "Heavens. Why does your father still treat you this way? I have no words for all this abuse. I can't imagine how you must be feeling my sweet boy."
Warren stayed quiet as his aunt began to calm him down from possible eruption. "I wish I knew. But knowing him, he doesn't need a reason. He knows what he does and he doesn't care if I suffer for it."
"It is hard to imagine at one point he did care, when you were baby practically. I remember he wasn't always like this. Kathryn would tell me he was devoted and compassionate man. I know he didn't take her passing well."
"Mom would always have all the answers when it came to father and his controlling ways. I feel like he was like this before she died. Her dying only made him more vitriolic. He hated me, he still hates me and he doesn't hide it anymore like before."
Warren collapsed on the bed harshly, trying not to let the tension in his shoulder spread over his entire body. Mimi did her best to soothe him but at the end of the day, they both knew Warren Jr. wasn't going to change his behavior. Warren seethed with anger, it wasn't fair. Not when he was trying to have a personal life.
His father will not get involved in his personal matters, no matter what he says. Warren made a promise to his aunt that if for a second his father involved Amelia, he would leave Centerport. Nothing was keeping him here anyway. He would close his bank account before his father froze his assets. It didn't matter what he lived on, just as long as he lived. Survived. Been away from his tormented taunts.
"Does Amelia know all this?"
"It's been getting harder to hide it, but I'm shielding her from all of it."
"Do you think it's wise to keep it from her?"
Warren's face scrunched in confusion. "It's not something that concerns her. She doesn't need this on top of everything. When you meet her today, maybe this will be clearer, I just want some peace for her. She's been through so much and so have I. I don't want to be the cause of more burdens. My father isn't going to take my personal life away from me."
"Warren," she sighed heavily. "Be careful please. Your father is an unpredictable man. I want you both to be safe."
"And I am making things safe by keeping her away from all that. Trust me Auntie; I intend to protect her above myself. He could do whatever he wants with me, he hasn't stopped and he's not going to. But if he tries to hurt her in any way, there will be consequences, mark those words."
"Alright, I will see you later on. So sorry your father is being like this. Be careful as I say."
Part of Warren wasn't entirely finished venting yet but he knew he had to, venting all of his built up frustrations wasn't going to help.
"I will let you know when we have left. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, I'm upset. I'm glad you could listen to me. I apologize for not coming to see you more." Warren lamented.
"I'm glad you are, that's all that matters sweet boy." Mimi said, making Warren feel less intensive, his shoulders relaxed and he took a deep breath.
Warren checked the time and realized he needed to finish cleaning around before Amelia came out of the bathroom.
Mimi understood and said her good-bye as they hung up the line. Warren forced himself to get off this angst-filled internal issue. If he was going to protect her then he was going to do it without his emotions getting the worst of him.
He was so wrapped up in this he didn't notice Amelia walk out of the bathroom, wearing just a towel going to pick up some clothes. He turned around to give her privacy. His body wanted to turn around and look at how beautiful she is but he was going to respect her. He kept his back to her as she began to change into the clothes she chose.
"I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable."
"I'm giving you some privacy. I didn't want to make you feel uneasy."
Amelia finished putting on the rest of her clothes and went to slip on a new pair of boots. Warren's back was solid, like a statue, the surreal thing is he looked like a statue with or without clothes. She wondered what he looked like underneath everything he was wearing. She almost blushed when she touched his shoulder, feeling him swallow as she leaned close to his ear.
She smiled, "Maybe I didn't want privacy."
Warren laughed, unable to control his blush or next words.
"I could tell her we might be a little late," he said, turning his head to look at her with a gentle look.
She blushed slightly pulling away but he turned his body moving close to her. "I can't handle how you look at me."
"Like how?"
"When you stare at me, like that. I've seen that look with other people. I never thought anyone would look at me that way." She said, looking down, slightly smiling. "You look at me like you mean it."
"I do. Remember what I was saying to you? I want you to trust me, I want nothing more than to gain your trust and..." he trailed off, feeling his throat quivering slightly.
She looked at him, her powers triggering again, the pink dripping from her iris as she pulled in her emotions so they were steady again. "Me?"
"Yes." He said simply.
"And you." She said, simply as she took his hand placing it over her heart. "I can't control it. I don't think I want to. I don't want to ignore it. Oh god..." she caught her breath, "sorry I just, I'm scared of what this means."
"Maybe you trust me." Warren said softly. "Maybe I'm just as scared as you are."
She looked at him sharply, she wasn't sure she heard him. "What?"
"Maybe, maybe I'm the one who's more scared. I feel your heart and I know it's beating like crazy but - you haven't felt mine yet."
He took her hand and placed it over his chest her hand warming as the drums behind pounded harder than hers were.
She gasped. He wasn't lying. This wasn't a dream. This was really happening.
"I didn't think..."
"I feel it too. I understand how you feel Amelia." He blinked slowly. "Maybe this doesn't have to be so scary. Maybe this can get better."
He was right, words never sounded so right than those words had in that moment. She almost surrendered, but held back, for him. For herself. For both of them. The way he was looking at her made it even harder to control herself. Now he knew she didn't want to, at least he wasn't scared to hear her say that.
Amelia didn't want to cry but seeing him like this brought back those emotions, "We shouldn't be late," she paused to lick her lips, "I - I don't know why I can't control myself better. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He kissed her hands. "Just know that you don't have to be scared by yourself. We can help each other."
I'm worried that I'm going to need you more than you need me, I'm afraid I will scare you away. She thought but bit her tongue back in admitting it to him.
There was a knock on the door and they looked at it before sharing a look with each other. They nodded silently and stood up walking together to the front door. It was Warren's driver, asking him if he was ready. When Warren gave a nod they made their way into the elevator, taking it down to the parking garage toward his car.
Amelia stayed silent while she held onto Warren's hand and watched as he told his driver a few details before they stepped inside the car. She watched him do this as if it was second nature to him and realistic it was. This was his world. He had a driver. He had money. He had a place to live. But most importantly, he was a mutant living alone in that place.
But he wasn't a mutant living alone anymore. They had each other. It was clear, he wouldn't let go of her hand even as the driver pulled away from the garage. It was almost like he wouldn't let her release her hand. That maybe, despite what she believes deep down, Warren actually did feel exactly the same as she does.
She relaxed against his chest, leaning back on all the possibilities of a new beginning; a future that she could create, perhaps all on her own. A thought so scary and yet so fulfilling just imagining it. She sighed as her eye lids fluttered while the snowy feeling of solitude replaced her personal woes.433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKqy6c7nAb
