forum “I can’t love you...” Reposting this here (O/O|Romance|Closed|)

Started August 10, 2019 by @Toxic_Persephone group

tune

He shook his head slightly. "It's alright. I'm not offended." He replied gently. He kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry about what happened."

Arabella took his hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. “I like you Asher. You’re so kind to me.” She murmured, pulling him closer to her for warmth and comfort. “It’s alright… you can’t help it… it’s written into your genes isn’t it? That high sex drive?”

He nodded, keeping his arms around her. "Yeah." He replied slowly. "It's left over from when the Fae had a very small population. I think. I don't know." He shrugged slightly, sighing.

Arabella cupped his cheeks and sat up to press a kiss to his lips. “I will never take advantage of you.” She murmured. “You’re a person no matter what you are, Asher. I’m angry and upset with that woman for trying something on you…”

He nodded, returning the kiss lightly. "Alright. Thank you." He said softly, closing his eyes and pulling her close. "And if I…for whatever reason, am trying to…force you into bed with me because of that drive…you are welcome to use whatever force is necessary to get me to stop. I don't want to do that to you, and while it's highly unlikely it would happen…I don't want you to be trapped if it does." He said quietly.

Arabella studied his face, her eyes softening as she watched him. “I trust you, Asher. If you’re ever trying to force me into bed with you, I’ll make sure I stay safe. I don’t want to hurt you.”

He nodded, kissing her forehead lightly. "Alright." He replied quietly, eyes still closed. She's a lot kinder than she gives herself credit for.

She brought their foreheads together, looking a little tired still. But she flashed him a smile and giggled weakly. “Is it weird to say your hair smells good?”

He opened his eyes, chuckling softly. "Uhm. Kind of?" He replied with a laugh. "I mean…"

“Well I am your wife. I can say what I want. Your hair smells good.” She stayed firmly, laughing at herself softly. But she looked tense, as if afraid he’d be upset with her language and actions.

He chuckled. "Fiiiine, you can say what you want." He said with a small smile. He kissed her forehead lightly. He didn't mind. He really didn't. She could have a whatever she wanted and he wasn't going to be angry.

She smiled softly and giggled. “Thank you, Asher.” She kissed his nose and sighed deeply. “Can I sit with you again?”

Asher smiled, and nodded. He got up, picking her up as well, then sat down in his chair with her in his lap. "There." He said with a chuckle and a grin.

She squeaked as she was lifted, her eyes wide. “Oh! Thank you.” She muttered, pushing her head under his chin. She sighed deeply and smiled.

He held her gently. "You're welcome." He replied quietly, rubbing her back gently. "I really am sorry about Laesa." He said again, closing his eyes. "She.." he trailed off, shaking his head.

Arabella suddenly grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him down into a deep kiss, her other hand cupping his face. When she pulled away she sighed. “Get her out of your head. She doesn’t want you. She wants your body…”

He returned the kiss after a moment's hesitation, then looked at her. "More specifically, she wanted to guilt trip me. She wanted me to have…well. You know, with her, then guilt trip me into giving her a promotion because of it." He replied quietly, closing his eyes.

She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know… can you fire her?” She asked softly, kissing his cheek again with a soft smile

He shook his head. "I'm not supposed to be in charge of employees, whether firing or hiring or promoting." He sighed softly. "Which means no, I can't fire her."

Arabella sat back against him, visibly upset over it all. She huffed and narrowed her eyes. “Who can fire her?” She asked gently.

He shrugged slightly. "I don't know. Doesn't really matter." He replied quietly, rubbing her back and closing his eyes.

Arabella’s tense and scared body slowly relaxed at his touch. Her mind whirred as she thought over the events that had just happened. “I-I can come and stay with you as you work…? Just so she doesn’t come back?”

He sighed. "She won't come back anyway. She'll move on to some other male employee that might have the power to give her a promotion." He replied quietly, stil rubbing her back.

She nodded gently, torn as she closed her eyes and snuggled up against him. “I’m afraid… for you and for us.”

"Why?" He asked, looking down at her with a slight frown. "What are you afraid of?" He kept rubbing her back gently.

She shrugged. “I’m just afraid. I’m afraid you’ll leave and I’ll end up with someone I don’t enjoy talking with. Or that you’ll find someone else…” she paused. “Oh god I’m worried about me…”

He shook his head. "You're allowed to be worried about yourself." He replied gently. "And i understand. But i promise you that I'm not going to fall in love with some random woman in the office, no matter what they do." He told her.

She pressed her face into his neck and sighed deeply. “It’s not her I’m worried about… I’m worried about the fact that it will be hard to keep you to myself. Not because of anything you would do but because of myself and how I push people away.”

"Oh." He wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "I…you aren't going to be able to keep me to yourself. I have work, i have my…parents, and believe it or not, I do have friends." He chuckled softly. "But i promise I'll still hang out with you. I'm not going to abandon you or something." He sighed softly.

She nodded gently, unsure of how to act. Of course he did. He was normal. She had never been left completely alone in her life. So of course she was afraid every time he left. “Thank you.” Was all she said, only knowing how to say that.