"But you deserve something good in life. Whether it's me, or some other girl in the future… or anyone in fact, you deserve them. You deserve someone who loves you." Melissa whispered, not wanting to admit that they might not make it. That they could end their relationship and move on to better lives. But it was just in case. In case they didn't make it, and he was left at square one again.
"You're too good to me, Mel." Lucas laughed weakly, still clinging to her for comfort. "I can't thank you enough for sticking around…"
"All I ask is that you love me… and that you do your best not to hurt yourself." Melissa whispered, leaning in to him. "That's all the thanks I need."
"I'll try my best, Mel… I really don't wanna do it most of the time, I just… lose control of myself…"
"Which I understand… and my request is silly. But I just wanted to ask…" Melissa whispered, loosening her hold. Though she didn't pull back.
"Your request isn't silly, Mel… it's only natural that you want me not to hurt myself. And I'm gonna try my best."
“I just… don’t want to stress you out. I hate seeing you under so much pressure.” Melissa whispered, pulling back with a soft smile. “But I can’t do much about it, now can I?”
Lucas smiled weakly. "I'm always gonna be stressed, Mel, but you do really help with it."
"Well, at least I can do that." Melissa hummed softly, taking his hand back in her own. "You feeling any better?"
Lucas shrugged. "A little bit, I think? I dunno… just trying to combat my stupid mind at the moment…"
"Well… I'm here, and happy to help if I can." Melissa whispered, holding on to both his hands once again.
Lucas nodded a bit and leaned into Melissa. "Thank you… and sorry again…"
"Of course…" Melissa whispered, relaxing her shoulders a bit. "When I go talk to my dad, you don't want to be there. Right?"
"Um… right… might go poorly. I hate for you to go deal with it alone, though…" He sighed softly.
"Don't worry about it. I don't want you to feel any pressure about it." Melissa told him, leaning in to kiss his forehead.
"But I don't want you to have to take all the pressure, Mel…" Lucas sighed again and flushed a bit when Melissa kissed him.
"Don't worry about it, Lu. I'll be fine. It's my dad, he's super relaxed. You know that." Melissa hummed softly, leaning back into the couch. "I'll be fine to talk to him."
Lucas nodded weakly. "B-But what if your mom walks in on the conversation and gets mad?"
"Then I'll do my best to calmly explain what happens. As soon as that's done, I'll come tell you what happened." Melissa told him, staying relaxed.
Lucas nodded again, still seeming unsure. "I… I-I don't want you to get in trouble, Mel…"
Sighing softly, Melissa held his face in both of her hands. "I promise everything will be fine."
Lucas looked up at Melissa meekly, trembling a bit. "…Be careful, will you? I'd hate to see anything happen to you."
Melissa nodded a bit, giving him a gentle smile as she pulled back. "Of course, Lu. I won't let anything bad happen, promise."
He sighed and nodded a bit, holding a bit tighter to Melissa's hands. "When are you gonna talk to him?"
"Later, probably when you're asleep. I don't want to keep you anxious." Melissa informed him softly, glancing down at their hands with a smile.
Lucas nodded again. "Alright… that might be a while. Hopefully I'll chill before then…"
"I can sit here until you do, when we head to bed. I don't mind." Melissa hummed, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair.
"I mean, the pizza's coming, so we'll at least have to wait for that…" Lucas leaned into Melissa's hand and sighed, closing his eyes.
"Yeah, I just meant when time. I want you to feel safe to sleep." Melissa whispered and smiled as he leaned in.
Lucas nodded. "Dunno whether or not that'll happen… I very rarely feel safe to sleep to begin with."