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Dropping my gaze to the gift bag, I untie the bow holding it together and pull out a small black velvet box. Placing the bag on the bed beside me, I open the lid with trembling fingers, the heat of Drix’s gaze penetrating my skin.
“Drix this is a…” my voice trails off as I stare at the beautiful ring inside.
“It’s a claddagh ring,” he explains.
“What does this mean, exactly?” I ask him, my heart tripping in my chest.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything other than what it is,” he says gently.
“And what is that?” I whisper.
“The heart represents my love for you, the crown, my loyalty, and the hands, my friendship. You don’t have to wear it, I just wanted you to have it. Call it a promise of sorts.”
“A promise?”
“Yes. A promise that even if I fuck up,” he explains, swallowing hard when I look at him, “That you will always know how loved you are.”
“Drix this is–”
“Please, let me finish,” he requests, resting his hand on my leg, my knee length skirt riding up a little from his touch. I shiver involuntarily, overwhelmed by the look of pure love in his eyes, but it isn’t that which scares me the most, it’s the whisper of fear that shadows it.
“Drix, what is it?”
Squeezing my leg gently, he continues. “I want you to know that I’d lay my life down for you and Toby. I’m so in love with you.”
“Drix, why am I afraid?” I whisper, feeling like there’s so much he isn’t saying.
“I need you to know that you will always have my friendship, my love, and my protection.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” I ask.
For a moment, he presses his eyes shut and swipes a hand across his face. “This is so… Fuck, I can’t…”
“Can’t what?” I question, angling my body towards his, our knees touching as I reach for him, my fingers trailing up his arm.
“Can I ask you to bear with me?” he replies, meeting my gaze once more. “I want to explain, but I need more time.”
His expression is so full of pain that I quieten all the questions burning inside of me, and nod instead. “I can give you that,” I reply, trusting him not to hurt me, trusting my heart, believing in what we have.
“Thank you.”
“Whatever’s troubling you, I promise you we’ll face it together.”
He nods, dropping his eyes and reaching for the box, as though to set it aside. I shake my head, resting my hand over his. “I want to wear it,” I say.
“You do?”
“I do.”
Taking it from him, I reach inside for the ring and pull it free, sliding it onto the fourth finger of my left hand. It's a little too big, so I move it to my middle finger and it fits perfectly.
“I had to guess your ring size. I was a little concerned I might’ve got it wrong,” he explains, tipping his lips up in a faint smile.
“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I whisper.
Grasping my hand, he brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss against the ring, his eyes never once leaving mine. “Will you let me love you?” he asks, and my breath catches as he presses another kiss against the back of my hand, then higher as he turns my hand in his and kisses the sensitive skin of my wrist.
“As long as you let me love you back,” I reply, heat warming my cheeks.
