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“Time.” I sigh. “And a lot of work.” I pause for a long moment. “You said before that school comes easy for me. Well, being someone’s family comes easy for you, and it’s something I struggle with. But it’s something I want to be good at.”

Connor watches me carefully. “So what do you need from me?” he asks.

Another pesky tear escapes, the warmth of it trickling down my cheek. “Don’t give up on me yet.” I hate having to ask this of him as if he’s not already been the most patient male in therealms. I have already asked so much of him. It is selfish, cruel, and unfair.

Connor’s face softens, and once again, he completely surprises me by opening his arms. At what point will I stop being surprised by this perfect guy? He deserves so much more, but I move into his arms, burying my face against his neck.

“I love you, Connor.”

Connor wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly. “You really hurt me today.” His honesty cuts through me like a knife, his pain a living thing between us. I begin to cry.

Connor releases a breath as if he, too, knows how huge a deal this is. He tunnels his fingers into my hair, holding my face against his neck. “I love you, babe. I hate that you took my confession of a weakness and used it as a weapon against me.”

I shake my head. “It’s not a weakness, Con, and I am sorry. It wasn’t about that. I was lost in my own stupid, hideous insecurities.”

Connor kisses the top of my head. “I know it’s hard for you to open up.”

I pull back to look into his eyes, needing to see him. “I’m so sorry, big guy.”

“Just give me a moment to understand next time,” Connor says, brushing his thumb over my cheek and wiping the tears away.

I nod, and Connor leans in to press his lips over mine.

“I hate fighting with you,” I say, running my fingers through his hair.

“Fuck, me too. And I’m sorry I won’t be able to feed my succubus as much for the next couple of weeks. I don’t like it either,” he says, burying his face into my neck and inhaling deeply.

“It doesn’t matter,” I say, shaking my head.

Connor pulls back, cupping my cheek. “It does.”

“Your happiness is all that matters, big guy.”

“Babe.” Connor tilts my head up a little. “I want to. So badly. That’s why I know I can’t during finals. You’re like… an addiction.”

My cheeks heat, but I also feel a deep loss, already missing him. I wish I weren’t so broken. “I’ll still see you, right?”

Connor blinks, looking horrified. “Of course you will, babe! I’ll just have to spend more time studying.”

I nod. “Maybe I can help!” I offer, but my brows draw. “Though I won’t know a lot of your senior stuff, I can definitely help with your runes!”

Connor’s lips pull into a bright smile, and his despair melts away. He leans in, smothering my face in kisses. I laugh through my drying tears and close my eyes, enjoying every second of this affection.

With one last kiss on my nose, Connor pulls back and says, “Although,” I open my eyes, “probably no sleepovers until finals are over. That okay?”

I feel my face fall. “Right. Of course.” I hate the sadness that cloaks me.

Connor chuckles, satisfaction sparking in his eyes. “There was a time you didn’t want me to sleep over.”

I know he is trying to cheer me up. Instead, guilt encroaches, and I wince. “Right.”

“It’s only for a couple of weeks, and then you won’t be able to get rid of me, okay?”

“Promise?”

Connor leans in, kissing me again. “I promise, babe.”

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