Downpour

                                    

                                          
Isadora POV
The rain was light. Soft droplets gently brushed against my skin as I walked back towards the school. I clutched my coat tighter. I could still hear Émeric's words replying in my brain. 'You can't keep fighting how you feel."
My chest tightened, I was torn between the longing I had buried and the wall I had built to protect myself. Fred had hurt me, could I really open myself up to him again?"
I could see the front gate just ahead of me. The iron bars were slick with rain. But as soon as I reached it, I stopped in my tracks.
Fred was there.
He stood just inside the gate with his hands buried in his pockets. He's red hair damp from the slight downpour. His eyes met mine and for a brief moment the world seemed to hold its breath.
"Fred." I said my voice barely audible over the soft patter of rain.
He hesitated before he took a step closer. "Isadora."
I braced myself unsure if I was ready for what he was about to say.
"I wasn't going to come." He began his voice low. "I thought maybe I should let you go. Let you be happy with Émeric." He took a shaky breath. "But...I can't. Not without trying one last time."
My heart hammered in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Fred I-."
"No, let me finish." He interrupted, stepping even closer. We were now a few feet away. "I know I hurt you. I know I don't deserve another chance. But I can't stand the thought of losing you without making it clear how much I love you. Isadora, if you want me to leave you alone. If you've truly moved on, just say the word and I'll walk away forever."
The rain picked up it was falling harder now. Droplets streaking down his face. But he didn't move. His gaze stayed locked on mine.
"But if even a part of you... just one, still loves me. I'll fight for you. I'll spend the rest of my life proving I'm worth your trust."
My breath hitched, and I felt the tears mix with the rain on my cheeks. "Fred..." I shook my head, my voice trembling. "I've never stopped loving you. I-I don't want to get hurt again."
He closed the distance between us in an instant. His hand gently cupped my cheek as the rain poured harder. "I'll never hurt you again." He promised. "I swear to you Isadora. I'll spend everyday proving it."
I let out a shaky laugh. "You're impossible."
"And you're everything thing." He whispered before pulling me into a deep passionate kiss.
When his lips met mine it wasn't gentle. It was full of pent up emotion...regret, longing, and love. All spilling out in a way words never could. The kiss was deep and desperate. Like he was trying to convince me of every promise.
I found myself crumbling as I leaned into him. My hands found his soaked shirt as I clutched it like it was the only thing keeping me steady. The world around us blurred. The rain, the cold, and everything else seemed to fade. Nothing but the feeling of the thunderous beat of my heart.
Fred's fingers tangled in my wet hair, his movements became slower more deliberate. He kissed me like he needed me. Like I was air and he had been drowning. His lips left mine for a moment brushing softly against my cheek then my jaw and back to my lips. 
I gasped softly as he pulled me even closer eliminating any space between us. The rain was relentless soaking our clothes and dripping down our faces, but neither of us cared. This moment was raw it felt like the world had finally aligned just for us. 
When we finally broke apart we were breathless. Fred's forehead rested against mine, our noses grazed.  His voice was barely audible over the downpour but I heard every word. "I love you Isadora. I'm never letting you go again."
I didn't respond, I couldn't. My heart was too full and my lips were still tingling. Instead I let my actions speak for me, as I pulled him back into another kiss. Softer this time.