27

                                    

                                          
He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, warding against the chill that was so unusual for this time of year. His wandering footfalls seemed to grow heavier with each block he travelled, aimlessly roaming the city with his gaze fixed on the stars. He realized with a start just how late it was, and he glanced around to see where he had wandered to. His heart seemed to constrict painfully as he was met with the sight of a familiar house. Of course his feet would bring him here. To her.
                          

                          
He tried very hard to stay away from her. They fought too much, he stormed out too many times, she cried because of him too often. He’d tried (and failed) to break up with her multiple times before, but she was determined to work things out and he was too in love with her to refuse. But this time was different, and they both knew it. He had said too many things that couldn’t be taken back, and she had thrown just as many back at him. He had run out screaming and holding back tears. The last thing he saw before he slammed the door was his beautiful, precious (y/n) collapsing on the bed, body wracked with sobs.
                          

                          
That was three weeks ago, and he was miserable. He seemed to end up at her house far too often, never brave enough or stupid enough to knock on the door. No matter where he went he ended up here.
                          

                          
She was home right now. He knew, because he was her car in the driveway and her bedroom light shining through the window. He hoped that she was alone. He wasn’t sure he could stand knowing someone else was with her, comforting her. He wanted to see her, to kiss her, to hold her. One last time.
                          

                          
He had knocked on the door before he knew what he was doing. He heard shuffling, and then the door opened a crack, revealing one beautiful eye set in a thin sliver of her gorgeous face. Her voice was barely more than a whisper when she addressed him. “Hey.”
                          

                          
He cleared his throat. “Hi. I’m back.”
                          

                          
"No," She muttered, glancing down at his feet. Looking into his eyes was too painful. "You can’t come back. Not this time."
                          

                          
"Please, just hear me out." His voice cracked, much to his horror. "This is the last time I’ll ask you. But please, just let me in. I just need you to let me in one last time."
                          

                          
She shook her head. “I can’t. You break my heart.” She took a shaky breath. “You break my heart so often and so fast and all I can do is scream at your back because you always run away.”
                          

                          
His voice is a low, empty sound. “I know.”
                          

                          
"Please go."
                          

                          
"I’m sorry."
                          

                          
He could see the tears gathering in her eyes. “You always are.”
                          

                          
"It’s always been you, (y/n). All along, and I was such an idiot not to see that. Please forgive me."
                          

                          
She had to push voice to be audible, her lungs tight and heart cracking as she looked at the desperate, sincere expression written across his face. “I’m tired of giving you second chances.”
                          

                          
"Then don’t." He moved closer, so that he was practically pressed against the door that separated their bodies. "Give me one last chance. That’s all I’m asking for. If I screw up again you can scream at me and throw me out and never speak to me again."
                          

                          
"Last time. If I let you in, it really is your last chance. This is the last time you stand outside my door begging me to let you come back." A tear escaped, slipping down her cheek despite her valiant efforts to stay strong.
                          

                          
He rested his head on the cool wood of the door. “I know.”
                          

                          
Her hands shook as they gripped the knob. “I’m going to open the door now.”
                          

                          
His voice broke. “Okay.”
                          

                          
She took a deep breath and stepped back, opening the door, letting him in, forgiving him. One last time.