Sawyer

I found Guin at the stream and sat down beside her. "I feel like you've been avoiding me," I said quietly, staring into the water. "If you don't want me around just say so, but don't beat around the bush okay."

I looked over at him "I do want you around, and that's a problem." I looked back down at the water "I can't stay here, it's best if I keep myself from getting attached. I apologize for avoiding you but it's the best thing to do right now."

"You're not thinking of going back there...?" I asked, shaking my head when she didn't say anything. "After what they did to you, to your friend? Guin just... stay here, why can't you just stay here? Actually be able to live your life, be free, be with your friend, be... be with me. I'll take care of you, I want to take care of you."

"They'll be coming after us Sawyer, it's only a matter of time." I said "I wouldn't go back there but there are other siren colonies I could go to and be protected. Believe me when I say I would love to stay here with you and be with you everyday...but...I just can't it's too dangerous."

"And you think it's okay to just... make that decision for me? What makes you think that if you don't leave I won't just follow you? I'd do anything to be with you. I can take care of you Guin, I can protect you. You just have to let me."

I sat there a moment, taking in what he said "Why do you care about me so much?" I asked.

"Because.... well I love you Guin. I love you, can't you see that? From the moment I laid eyes on you, you're all I can think about. The thought of you leaving, never seeing you again... damn it hurts so fucking bad."

"You love me?" I asked him in disbelief, I could tell by his facial expression and the look in his eyes that he meant it "I love you too...that's why I have to go. I can't bear the thought of something happening to you."

"And I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you. I want you to stay with me, stay with me and let me take care of you and I won't let anything happen to you I swear it."

"I'm not worried about myself, I'm worried for you and the others in the village."

"Well I'm worried about you. I want to take care of you Guin, I want to be with you. I can't... we barely know each other and I can't even think of you leaving."

I thought for a moment, I knew he wouldn't let this go "Okay, I'll stay." I smiled and kissed him "I'll stay with you, Sawyer."

I smiled. "Really?" She nodded and I pulled her to me and kissed her back. "You don't know how happy that makes me."