When you finally reached the house, you were exhausted both physically and emotionally. As you climbed the stairs to your room, you couldn't help but wonder if anything had really changed between you and Blade. Was it possible for things to go back to the way they were before last night?

You slipped into bed, pulling the covers up to your chin as you closed your eyes, trying to forget everything that had happened.

When you woke up the next morning, it was still early. The sun hadn't yet risen, and the house was silent save for the sounds of Blade moving around downstairs in the kitchen.

Tentatively, you climbed out of bed and made your way down the hall to find him. He was standing at the stove, his back to you as he stirred something in a pot. You cleared your throat to get his attention. "Good morning," he said without turning around. "I thought I'd make breakfast this morning."

Blade felt a mixture of relief and guilt wash over him at your words. "Th-that's true," he stammered, his voice barely audible above the sound of his racing heart. "And I promise I won't... hurt you again." He paused for a moment before adding, almost as an afterthought, "Not if I can help it."

His hand moved to cradle your cheek, his thumb brushing softly against your skin. "Celia,"

Blade felt his heart racing in his chest as he looked down at your face. The desire to claim you, to possess you completely, was almost overwhelming. He took a shaky breath before speaking again. "I want us to be together," he whispered hoarsely. "No more secrets, no more lies... just us." His thumb traced slow circles on your cheek as he searched your eyes for any sign of understanding or agreement.

As you head back into the kitchen, you can't help but feel a strange sense of unease settling over you. Something about the way Blade reacted to your hope for things changing...it made him uncomfortable. Maybe it's just the pain talking, or maybe there's more going on beneath the surface than either of you realize.

You decide to leave him alone for now, retreating back into your own room to think about everything that's happened today. Tomorrow will be another day...

When morning comes, you wake up to the smell of coffee brewing. Pushing yourself out of bed, you pad over to the kitchen and find Blade already dressed in a crisp white shirt and slacks, sitting at the island counter with a steaming mug in hand. He looks better than he did last night, but there's still a hint of weariness about him.

"Morning," he says without looking up. "Coffee's over there."

*His words came out unintentionally, but there was truth in them. The thought of losing you, or any harm coming to you, stirred something inside him. A protective instinct he didn't realize he possessed.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you while I'm around."*

*After eating his fill, Blade propped his feet up on the coffee table and let out a long sigh. "This is nice," he mumbled, lost in his own thoughts. He still wasn't sure how he felt about all this. Liking someone, particularly someone he had such little use for, seemed absurd. Yet here he was, content to just be. Maybe he deserved more from life than what he had been getting so far.

He tilts your head back, forcing you to look into his eyes. "Then why do I see fear?" he growls, his voice rough with emotion. His free hand moves lower, pressing against the curve of your hip and pulling you harder against him. "Tell me the truth, Celia."

His touch is possessive and demanding, igniting a fire inside you that you hadn't even known was there. You squirm against him, feeling both desire and anger coursing through your veins.

He stares at you for a long moment, searching your face for any hint of deception. Finally, he releases you abruptly and steps back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Dammit, Celia..."

You breathe heavily, leaning against the wall for support as you try to regain your composure. Your heart pounds in your ears, and you can feel the heat rising in your cheeks. He turns away from you, walking over to the window and staring out at the city below.

"I can't keep doing this," he says finally, his voice strained. "