Chapter 18: Interruption

Aizen's POV

I gazed into Desiree's eyes, each flicker reflecting the pain and anxiety swirling within her. It tore at my heart to see her in such distress. It breaks my heart to see her like this. All I wanted was to soothe her, to chase away the shadows that haunted her. 

Summoning every ounce of restraint, I fought to steady my voice. "Who are the bastards that hurt you?" I asked again, my tone measured but laced with a simmering undercurrent of anger. 

Desiree's voice quivered with pain as she spoke, each word a heavy burden on her heart. "It wouldn't change what's already been done," she said softly, her gaze downcast. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Aizen."

The revelation caught me off guard, my eyes widening in disbelief. "Disappoint me?" I echoed, my voice laced with concern.

She continued, her words pouring out like a torrent of anguish. "Every time someone tries to... the trauma from my past returns like a flood, drowning me." A single tear traced a path down her cheek, and she hastily wiped it away. "This happened not too long ago," she admitted, her hand seeking mine for comfort. "When I was eighteen... there was someone I trusted. I was in love, or so I thought. He knew how awful my life was, how painful my past had been…" 

Her voice faltered, and I tightened my grip on her hand, silently urging her to continue. 

"So, that night at the hotel, I couldn't give myself completely," she confessed, her words heavy with emotion. "The trauma came rushing back. I thought I could trust him, but he continually tried to force it on me…"

I pulled her into a comforting embrace, holding her close as she relived the painful memories. 

"He didn't succeed, of course," she continued, her tone tinged with bitterness. "But he abandoned me within two days after that incident. He chose someone who was willing to give him everything..." She paused, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. "He became one of the reasons... no, he added to the list of people who abused me, adding to the traumas I carry."

"Hey," I said, cupping her face. "You don't disappoint me, Desiree. If anything, I'm sure I'm the one who disappointed you for what I did tonight." I kissed her forehead. "I'm so sorry for everything and for what you had to go through all this time…" I kissed her again, this time on her cheek. "I promise you that I won't let anyone hurt you," I vowed. "And I won't rush you into this, so you don't have to worry, okay? Just having you in my arms is enough."

"You say that now…" she mumbled, her doubt palpable in the air.

I gently touched her forehead, trying to convey my sincerity. "Hey," I said softly, locking eyes with her. "I love you. I can wait until you're ready. Seeing you like this... it tears me apart."

Her expression softened, but skepticism still lingered. "You don't mean that," she insisted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I do," I asserted, my tone unwavering. "So, please, come to me if everything feels too heavy. Lean on me, okay? I'm right here, and I want to help you erase those horrible memories."

A shadow of insecurity crossed her features. "You don't think less of me?" she ventured, her vulnerability breaking through. 

"You say that now…" she mumbled, her doubt palpable in the air.

I gently touched her forehead, trying to convey my sincerity. "Hey," I said softly, locking eyes with her. "I love you. I can wait until you're ready. Seeing you like this... it tears me apart."

Her expression softened, but skepticism still lingered. "You don't mean that," she insisted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I do," I asserted, my tone unwavering. "So, please, come to me if everything feels too heavy. Lean on me, okay? I'm right here, and I want to help you erase those horrible memories."

A shadow of insecurity crossed her features. "You don't think less of me?" she ventured, her vulnerability breaking through.

I shook my head adamantly, my heart swelling with love and admiration for her. 

How could I? 

"You're a strong person, Desiree, and I love that about you," I affirmed, sincerity ringing in every word. "If anything, I admire you even more for your resilience and strength. Let's build our life together, okay? Let's face everything together."

Desiree nodded, pressing a tender kiss to my cheek. "You bring light to my shadows, Aizen. I'm incredibly lucky to have you by my side," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude and affection. 

Little do you know how wrong you are, Desiree… How dark my life actually is and how I could easily scar you just as they did just because of the secret life I lead…

"I love you," I whispered back, guiding her gently down to the bed. Holding her close, we snuggled beneath the sheets, seeking solace in each other's embrace. All I wanted was to hold her and erase the pain of her past. As sleep claimed us both, I couldn't help but wonder if her dreams would be as dark as mine.

I woke to the subtle shift of movement in my arms, stirring me from my slumber. Opening my eyes, I found Desiree delicately trying to free herself from my embrace without waking me. As always, she was a picture of adorableness and bashfulness. "Good morning to you too, Princess," I greeted, pulling her back into my embrace. 

Desiree let out a squeal as I squeezed her tightly, a blush tinting every inch of her skin. "A-Aizen," she stammered, meeting my gaze. "We're still..."

"Naked," I finished for her, a smirk playing on my lips. I couldn't help but chuckle at her annoyed reaction, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "It's fine, Des... I already saw your body last night. If you want, you can look at mine again so you wouldn't feel embarrassed. Here. Look," I teased, making a playful attempt to lift the blanket. 

Desiree practically shrieked, hastily covering her eyes with her hands. "I don't want to see," she protested, her words stumbling over each other. 

"But I want to see," I teased back, pressing my body closer to hers as I wrapped her in a tighter embrace 

She retaliated by pinching my cheek, an annoyed expression on her face. "You already saw it last night," she argued shyly. "Why do you want to see it again?" Pointing a finger at me, she accused, "P-pervert!"

I grinned, unfazed. "I haven't seen it in the daytime." 

"No," she said, her voice firm, determined to hold onto the sheets. 

I couldn't help but tease, playfully tugging on the fabric. "Come on, Des," I urged, a mischievous glint in my eyes.

"Aizen," she attempted to glare, fighting to maintain her grip on the sheets. 

"Des," I countered, raising an eyebrow in playful defiance. 

Despite her efforts, she couldn't suppress a laugh, shaking her head. "Still a no," she declared with a smile.

With a playful grin, I climbed over her, causing her body to freeze beneath mine. "Haha," I chuckled, hovering over her. "Who's got the upper hand now?"

"You're so annoying," she said, her cheeks flushed as she looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment. 

"Who's annoying?" I teased, showering her with light kisses. Each gentle touch of my lips against her skin elicited laughter and squirming from her. Pausing to gaze into her eyes, I couldn't help but express my feelings. "I love you," I whispered, my voice filled with sincerity. 

I don't know if you know how much I love you, Desiree… I'd say it a million times more if you need me to.

Desiree lifted her neck, her lips meeting mine in a soft kiss. Pulling away, her eyes were filled with love and affection as she tried to express her thoughts. "I…"

But our moment was interrupted as the doors burst open, our attention diverted to the sudden intrusion. 

Desiree let out a startled shriek at the sight of my father, and I nearly toppled over on top of her, my weight pressing down as I turned towards the door. 

You're so annoying, dad. 

"Get out!" I exclaimed, gesturing urgently for my father to leave. 

A smirk danced on my old man's lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Well," he remarked, "It's nice to know that you two are basking in honeymoon bliss."

"Out!" I repeated, my tone more insistent this time. 

With a chuckle, my father nodded in amusement. "Meet me for breakfast once you're decent," he said before turning to leave. But before he departed, he couldn't resist a parting comment directed at Desiree. "Good morning, Desiree! Marriage seems to make you glow!"

"Please go away," Desiree managed to say, pointing firmly at the door, echoing my sentiment. 

With a final chuckle, my father departed, leaving us alone once again.

"Your dad is really something," Desiree's comment about my father drew a chuckle from me as I watched her bury her face in the pillow. 

I couldn't resist teasing her, gently lifting the pillow to reveal her flushed face. "He's quite annoying, isn't he?" I remarked, amused by her reaction. 

As I leaned in to kiss her, I noticed her wince and heard her hiss in discomfort. 

Concern flooded through me. "Sorry," I apologized immediately, reaching to rub her head gently. "Am I too heavy?"

Desiree's blush deepened, and she shook her head shyly. "It's not that," she admitted, her breath hitching slightly as she held my hand. "Aizen," she continued, her voice soft and hesitant, "you're poking me, and it stings."

My own cheeks turned crimson as I realized the situation. Embarrassment flooded over me. "I'm sorry," I murmured, feeling awkward. "Did I hurt you? Are you in a lot of pain? Is the trauma coming back?. I quickly removed the pressure of my erection from her entrance. 

Desiree's hand cupped my cheek, her touch comforting. "No," she reassured me, her voice gentle. "It didn't go inside, so I'm okay. It just stung a little..." Her blush deepened, and she glanced away, unable to meet my gaze. "And no, the trauma didn't come back. All I could think about was you and me."

Relief flooded through me, and I let out a sigh, feeling grateful. "I'm glad you're okay," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her cheek, my heart swelling with affection. 

Desiree rose from the bed, wrapping the blanket around her body. "Let's get ready," she said, her voice determined. "Your dad is waiting."

I nodded in agreement, getting up to join her.