Good Hurt

Jason's heart skipped a beat. Was it true? Was it just wishful thinking? Or was it really coming back for Katie too?

All of a sudden, he felt a shift. It wasn't big, but it was there. Something had changed. Something was beckoning his emotions as if skimming them from the top of a very full vessel. As Katie's hand touched his face, he closed his eyes. Was that communication he felt? He could almost distinguish what she was saying...

Katie's kiss was accepted and returned, slowly, gently but deeply. He could feel her effort now... the pull... his own emotions desperately searching for release. His hand crept up to cradle the back of her head. His heart rate picked up, and his emotions started to churn. Without warning, he could feel them all rising within him at once.

He pulled away with a gasp, his forehead resting against Katie's. His pulse was still racing, and he cringed, breathing heavily. "It hurts..." She wasn't ready yet to help him as much as he needed. "But I forgot how good it feels..." Even if it was only slight, there was nothing that could compare to feeling his emotions being relieved.

Opening his eyes, he moved back just enough to lock his gaze with hers. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. He was happy he wasn't facing this alone, but so sad she had to endure this again too. Pulling her into a hug, he held her close, burying his face in her neck. And a small thread of emotions surfaced without him hardly realizing it.

I love you... 


"Mm..." Hunter grinned and gave Ryan's hand a squeeze as she left. "No promises." He'd wait though. He didn't know why she was here, but he had a feeling she was making another step, and he wouldn't interfere. 

Carson looked quickly to the door and was just about to mention they weren't open yet, when he stopped. "G'day," he greeted. He smiled, though his eyes were somewhat confused. What did Ryan want? As she neared and revealed the pictures, he was about to question her when he spotted the tears, and he set his broom aside. Without even seeing the pictures yet, he new this had to do with Alec. 

Accepting the small stack, his heart twisted just a little, even though he chuckled. "Yeah, he hid from the camera pretty well, didn't he?" He sifted through the photos and felt his own tears welling up behind his eyes. "Thank you..." He glanced back up at Ryan. "I appreciate this." An awkward silence followed until he put the pictures in his back pocket and cleared his throat. "How are you doing? I... heard things had been rough."