"You don't know that!" he yelled.
"Akihiro, I won't leave your side. You can't assume you’re cursed. Life will take its course and when it’s time for us to leave, there’s nothing we can do. Your parents and sister didn't deserve to die. They were taken before their time and no words can convey my anger and sadness. But I won't let them die in vain. I'll find the culprit and you will be there with me when I do," I vowed.
He stared at my confident expression and I could see the internal debate going on behind those eyes. I took a step forward and leaned up to kiss him. He needed to know he would never be able to push me away. I would always love him and help him find justice, just as I loved the others and would always be there for them.
He returned my kiss, wrapping his arms around me. When he broke the kiss, he pulled me into a hug and cried. Long and hard he sobbed in my arms as the rain continued to beat down on us.
I rubbed his back soothingly and hoped in this moment, he'd be able to rise from his heartache. This world was nothing but cruel, but I wouldn't let the harsh realities of life take my men away from me.
No matter what, I'd protect them and give them as much love as I could. Just as they had done for me.
"Crimson? Wake up," Akihiro’s soft voice urged.
"Woof?" Uru barked quietly before she began whimpering.
I opened my eyes to a blurry image as tears rolled down my cheeks.
When my vision cleared, I saw Aki staring down at me with a worried expression. I felt Uru’s nose nudge my cheek before she began licking my face.
I blinked a few times and let the tears fall. The dream was so sad and my heart ached for Aki. Even if to me, it was only a dream, I knew it was one of Storm's memories and the events had already come to pass.
"Crim? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Aki looked at me with a worried expression.
I closed my eyes and shook my head. I didn't want to talk about it now. It felt like the wound of his sadness was fresh in my heart and the only words that would come out of my mouth were how sorry I was that I hadn't been there.
It wasn't my fault I'd missed out on the hardest moments in the guys’ lives. We didn't know one another then. Yet, each night when I slept, I shared a moment with each of the guys. Whether it was a steamy dream with Quil or a running session with Malachi. Magic practice with Haru or creating weapons with Itsuki. I'd dream of night walks through the towns with Yoshi and thrilling adventures with Aki.
Last week, my dreams had been filled with Storm's memories of when she was alive with her men who loved her unconditionally. Their happiness made me wake up overjoyed and ready to tackle the day. But this week had been filled with sad memories and I just couldn't handle it anymore. I heard Aki sigh and felt as my body was lifted into his arms.
I'd recently got caught up working on commissions. They’d only tripled since I'd took the guys’ advice and changed my pen name to Crimson Storm and added the logo Aki had created for me. I had been so busy working, I’d fallen asleep working on the latest piece.
He carried me to my room and laid me on my bed. I heard Uru jump up and cuddle next to me. Even with Uru next to me, I felt alone, and it was times like these where I wished James was here.
But he wasn't. He hadn't been here for a week, only coming in to pick up clothes for training or to say he left this or that. I knew our relationship was falling apart because of the whole Storm situation, but this wasn't how I thought he'd act.
Why couldn't he be here for me? Why was he acting like this was all my fault? I'd done so much for him and done everything I could to try and make him happy.
If he wanted to go out with his friends and didn't want me coming along, I obeyed. Any time he had a family get-together and didn't want me coming along, I stayed at home alone. For years, I'd let him have his way for the sake of his reputation, keeping our ‘relationship’ in the dark.
He was my first kiss and I let him take my virginity so he would be happy. I always tried to please him. Now the one time I wanted to do something right, and help the guys who'd shown nothing but compassion and care when I was in need, he was punishing me by not being here.
"Aki," I whispered through sobs.
'Yes, Crim?" I opened my tear-filled eyes to see him kneeling down next to the bed. He didn't abandon me or leave like James would have done if I was really depressed. He wouldn't budge unless I asked him to and my gut told me that was how he always was. He would never abandon someone when they were in need.
"Can you stay? Please?" I whispered.
He gave me a soft smile and nodded. Uru got up and moved to lay up against the wall until Aki and I were settled. He pulled me into his arms and let me cry into his chest while Uru stretched across our legs.
"Crim. What have you been dreaming about as of late?" Aki looked down at me.
I was silent, pressing my head against his chest. His hand soothingly went through my hair.
"Please, Crim? I can't keep waking up to you whimpering. The others have noticed and we're all worried. I get you don't want to depend on us, but just this once, let me know what’s going on, please."
"Why do you guys care? My boyfriend doesn't give two shits about me, yet you all show so much compassion for me. I don't deserve to have you all. Storm deserved it. Not me!" I cried.
"If we have to tell you over and over again, Crimson, we will. We aren't in your life just because you carry a piece of Storm inside you. Sure, it's what connected us to you initially. And maybe to some, they would think it’s rude or offensive that we're attempting to move on so quickly from loving Storm. I can't say that we all love you, but we’re interested in trying with you in the near future. You're so humble, despite the world treating you so poorly, to the point you think we're concerned about you for our personal gain or pity. We're here because we want to be, Crimson. We are here for you. You don't need to suffer alone. Please let me in," Aki whispered.
I let his words sink in and I knew he was right. All of them had comforted me in different ways this week, whether it was something simple like making sure I drank and ate when I got so caught up in my art, or bigger things like carrying me from the couch and putting me into bed. They always made sure Uru was fed, and she too did her part to keep me company.
I knew it was rude to continue pushing them away, but I didn't want to open myself up again. I was trying to act blind to everything that was going on, but everything felt like it was crashing down around me. I'd be twenty-three soon and I felt so alone. I didn't have friends, my family hated me, and my boyfriend was ashamed of me.
I tried to act like I was strong and tough. I worked hard to prove to the outside world that despite all the rumors and neglect I received throughout the years, I was still trying to achieve something. But I was tired of having my hopes shattered over and over again. I was only human; there was only so much I could take.