Talia's POV

Dawn came faster than I wanted it to. I wasn't at all prepared to say goodbye. I didn't like the fact that I also couldn't hate those I could've blamed for his death as they weren't the cause, and overthinking it might just make me mad.


I hated that he's been cold for barely a day and I've already made friends with the fact, moving on already too. Ken was already out of bed and active. He probably didn't expect me to be up so early which is why he looked a bit surprised when he came in with a tray bearing all sorts of food, none of them looking appetizing, due to no fault of his or their though.

'Hey beautiful." He addressed me, baring all his beautiful teeth. I wondered how a man could look so hot, so effortlessly and early. It couldn't be natural. I'm sure, I, on the other hand, look like something the cat dragged in. My face is definitely going to be puffy from all the crying I did, that was a given. All had to do was avoid mirrors which would have been quite a simple task if Ken's palace wasn't so damn majestic with all the mighty wardrobes and ceiling high mirrors throwing reflections back and forth. There was no escaping.

'Hey." I finally replied when I realized I had been too busy in my head, thinking about how I looked instead of the man in front of me and how today was going to go.


'I felt a nice breakfast would be a jump-start." Ken said, smiling. He looked so hungry for my validation, that I wanted to just let him have it so he could let me be. But that would just be futile because I didn't have the strength to feign a smile and whatever I was going to say would be the exact opposite of how my face was etched. Nothing, absolutely nothing, would give a jump-start on this day. Well, apart from Kael waking up, telling me it was all just a prank, and taking us back to the cottage, safe from everyone. But even then, I would have thoughts of the Greek God I spent a night with, slept in his arms, and comforted while he was crying. My life seemed like a fucking joke.

'That's thoughtful. But I don't have an appetite." I managed to be as nice as possible without forcing too much. Trust good ol' Ken, it flew right over his head and he made the mistake of thinking he could talk me into eating. He did not realize that he had pulled a wrong move until when he sank on the bed beside me and I subconsciously let out a loud defeated sigh. He felt bad, I saw it, but I also wasn't in a good frame of mind either.


'It would be nice if you just tried it. It tastes better than anything I've ever made in a long time, and I did that because I…" Ken kept on selling the juicy looking fruits to me even after I objected. At first, I sat still and just watched him rant on. But his voice changed from just a blurry soundtrack on my thoughts to an actual nag and it was beginning to irritate me.

'I said I'm not interested, Ken." I blurted before I could even paraphrase the words. He looked hurt, sinking back immediately. I already objected, so he really had it coming, thinking he could change my mind.

'I'm sorry. I'll just take it back." He quickly grabbed the tray and went out. I turned my face away from him so I'm not forced to change my mind. But I could not, I felt bad, horrible in fact I didn't wish to start this slate like this with Ken. I can't be fucked up and still fucking others up.

I got up and went after him before he got too far. The house had so many turns, and architectural design that must have come from a really complex children's puzzle. I heard the clatter of the utensils while he walked, but they weren't loud enough for me to trace him. When the sound stopped, I decided to just trace my way back to his bedroom so I don't have to make him start looking for me right after I rejected him breakfast.

The way back didn't look familiar. What's this fucking maze?! I was turning three-sixty degrees, trying to find my way back but everything looked the exact same. If I'm going to have to leave gees, I'd demand a map from Ken.

'Running away?" His voice had me making a sharp turn. I was surprised. He must have heard my feet shuffling.

I just stood there, staring at him like a dummy, without words. But he understood. Standing patiently like he had all the time in the world, like there was no rush.

'I was just kidding." He added, when after an uncomfortably long period of time, I was still not saying anything.

'No! No!" I said finally as he was about to turn back.

As if he was expecting an objection, he stood still, immovable.

'I'm sorry." I said. I went quiet for a while thinking of how best to put it so I'm not doing more harm than good. 'I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I just don't have an appetite for anything, because…because of what is going to happen today." Ken was as silent. The whole house was as quiet as a graveyard, my voice would have echoed if it wasn't occupied and filled with stuff.

'I understand you." Ken said.

'No. You don't." I said. He looked shocked. 'You don't have to, I mean. You don't have to understand me. I don't understand myself most of the time, I wouldn't be hurt if you don't. I'm fucked up, and you'll get to see that." I punctured it with a very sorry smile. I couldn't help feeling sorry for both him and myself.

'Don't sound that way." What surprised me is that Ken did not look like he pitied me, or like he was hurt, so pained, or reconsidering his decision to still have me. He had that annoying cool smile on his face while watching me rant about how useless I felt. 'It's normal. You don't want to know how horrible I felt when you…when I thought I lost you." It was the first time his smile dropped and I could see the raw emotions in his eyes. 'I felt useless, defeated, conquered. More empty than the city was after the attack. But I had to be there, I had to keep showing up, I didn't have a choice."

I was about to say something when he came closer and put his hand on my lips.

'I'm telling you this because I want you to know that you don't have to act strong when you are with me. You don't have to carry it all alone. I'm here for you, and I always will." Ken looked at my forehead for a minute, seriously fighting the urge to plant a kiss on it as I was still a little bit rigid in his arms. He held on, still.