Innocence is just a lie.

My glare softened as realisation hit, "I'm sorry" I sighed, guilt twisting in my stomach as I observed the pained look upon his face.
He was broken, well and truly broken and it was all my fault.

"Don't be" He croaked, the sound seemed to hurt him as he winced slightly, honestly if I were to say he wasn't the picture of pain right now I would be the biggest liar on the planet.
It broke my heart to know that I was in fact the root cause of that pain.
A frown grew on my face as the guilt tied a knot-churning the contents of my stomach until I couldn't bear it anymore.
My hands began to shake; mimicking his. "But I am, Kellin! God I should have noticed it before!" I covered my face with my hands, trying to block my frustration.

A sigh echoed in my ears as my hands were removed, "There's also something else I have to tell you" He muttered, an almost inaudible sound in the silence that enveloped us.
My bottom lip trembled slightly as I bit into it-a nervous habit I had run into over the years- "yes?" my eyes became slightly glossy as I prepared for the worst.

"I-uh never mind" He rushed, his voice maintaining normality until he awkwardly coughed, brushing his hair from his face.
I forced a small smile and nodded, deciding not to push him too far. He'd tell me in his own time, right? It won't be anything too bad.
Well I hope it won't, what if it is? Oh god.

I ran back into the bathroom to retrieve a towel for him before I lead him to my room-where he would stay for tonight.
"I just, uh, wanted to ask you on a date-formally" He stuttered, his eyes glowing slightly brighter as he anticipated for my obvious answer.
"Of course! just as son as you promise me that there will be no more of this" I replied, grasping his hand in a comforting gesture.

Notes