Chapter Twenty-Five: Mr Cheesy

The water was cold now, so I leisurely stepped out of the bath and wrapped my now warm body with a warm fluffy towel. I cringed at the sight of my face, shrugged my shoulders and washed my face with a face wash. I loved that Kevin buys my toiletries to keep in his bathroom for whenever I came over. My hazel eyes were red and swollen, my face puffy and my hair a cute protective style mess but at least I was alive. I refused myself time for self-pity as I stepped out of the bathroom. Kevin had laid out a matching pair of plain black cotton undergarments with a cow onesie that he had gotten me for my birthday, along with a pair of black fuzzy socks. I didn't recall ever leaving underwear at his place. But the tags told me the underwear was new. When did he get this? I smiled at how sweet my boyfriend was as I slipped my clothes on. Once I was dressed, I stepped out of his room and headed to the kitchen, where Kev was whistling happily to an unknown tune. He was dressed in a pair of grey sweatpants and my favourite hoodie, that needs to belong to me. His hair was deliciously dishevelled, and his feet were clad with a pair of pink socks that vaguely looked familiar.

"Nice socks Barbie." I muttered as I made my way to the fridge to get myself some grapes.

"Thank you, thank you very much." He said in a terrible Elvis Presley impression, making me roll my eyes.

"Whatcha doin'?" I asked as I popped a grape into my mouth.

"Making dinner, mac and cheese alright?"

"Perfect."

"Come here." He said softly and held out his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me towards him, immediately enveloping me with his strong muscular arms.

"You look terrible." He said after a few beats of silence and I actually laughed.

"Gee, thanks babe." I mumbled and untangled myself from him. He had a huge grin plastered on his face, making me eye him warily.

"What?" I asked suspiciously. "You called me 'babe' for the first time in 3 weeks. I see progress." He sang and I laughed again, smacking his arm.

"Did I plait your hair okay?" He asked in a tone of wonder as he tugged one of my twist plaits.

"Yes, you did, I taught you well." My smile was cheesy as I looked up to him, just in time to see relief wash over his features.

"I wanna show you something." He said softly, before he picked me up so that my head was dangling against his butt and my ass was in the air and walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.

"I can walk you know." I shrieked through a giggle.

"I know. I just wanted to get a better view of your ass."

"You say the nicest things to me." I muttered dryly, to which he laughed at.

"I know, Shakespeare aint got nothing on me." he said dramatically, and then it was my turn to laugh. He set me down on the piano bench and ordered me to stay still.

"What about the mac?" I whined.

"We'll eat later." He mumbled as he rummaged around the kitchen cabinets. Their house was an open plan so I could see him perfectly.

"But I'm hungry now." I truly sounded like a 5-year-old.

"Too bad." He stated and walked over to me with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"You're such a meanie." I complained and crossed my arms.

"I love you too. Sit down." He ordered when I stood up. I huffed and plopped back down onto the piano bench. He sat down next to me, reached for my hand and placed a plain silver ring on it.

"Just listen." He said to me when I gave him a quizzical look.

Skies are crying, you are watching

Catching tear drops in your hands

Only silence as it's ending

Like they never had a chance

Do they have to make you feel like

There's nothing left of you?

I tend to forget how beautiful Kevin's voice is. My heart hammered against my chest as I heard the message between the lyrics.

They can take everything you have

They can break everything you are

Like you're made of glass

Like you're made of paper

Go on and try to tear you down

You will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper

I watched as his fingers moved effortlessly across the keys of the piano, his voice soothing me. Tears gushed uninvited down my cheeks, and my fingers clenched around the plain silver ring that Kevin had placed in my palm. I pressed my cheek against his shoulder, feeling his muscles move.

As the smoke clears, you awaken

And untangle them from you

Would it make them feel better

To watch you while you bleed?

All your windows still are broken

But you're standing on your feet

This time, he looked me straight in the eye as he sang.

You should stay right here

Watch them disappear

Yeah, oh

Yeah it's a long way down

But you are closer to the clouds up here

He paused, so much emotions dancing in his eyes. I held my breath as he continued, eyes still glued to mine;

They can take everything you have

They can break everything you are

Like you're made of glass

Like you're made of paper

Oh oh

Go on and try to tear her down

She will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper

"You're a skyscraper Azania. A phoenix that rises from the ashes. Nothing anybody does to you will destroy you. You will always rise from the ground. And I will be here to help you, even though you don't need my help. This ring," he gestured to the ring in my palm and took it, only to slide it down my right ring finger, "is a promise that I will ALWAYS be here. No matter what happens. I love you, and only you." he declared and smashed his lips against mine. I grabbed his face as I put my love for him into the kiss.

He's so fucking cheesy, but I love it.