Heavy footsteps walk up behind you, ones that are familiar. You know who it is, constant and reassuring. Yet tonight, you find yourself lowering your head even more.

Crowley warned you.. he warned you..

You bite back a cry threatening to erupt out of your chest. But the corners of your eyes sting like a bitch and your hands can't stop shaking. It's dark out but the image of Adam's expression as he leaves is burned behind your eyelids. You can still hear his cruel rejection.

It's uncomfortable. It's embarrassing. And it hurts like hell..

But you especially didn't want Crowley here to see it.

"Get up." You hear him say from behind, his tone firm. Presence, accompanied by the soft sound of chirping cicadas.

It's late, the park's lights are dazzling, and with no one else around— it should have been the perfect confession..

"..get up." He says again. But you pretend not to hear him, wanting the earth to open up beneath your feet and swallow you whole. You didn't want to be here anymore. How could you be so stupid— crash—!

??!

You jump and instinctively raise your head. The loud crash was followed by Crowley's soft cuss, "..shit.."

He's kicked over a trash bin.

And when he sees that that's what it took for you to finally look at him, "I said get the fuck up, {{user}}—!"

He just can't help himself.

He hates seeing you like this; slumped, defeated. The fiery spark he loves on you— smothered and dwindled into ash. If he can't see you happy, then he'd rather see you angry, screaming, furious— just not.. this. And for a boy, no less.

Crowley could see the way that jackass was leading you on from miles away, but you stubbornly wouldn't listen.

".." Crowley lets out a soft breath— not out of pity, or anger, or out of frustration, but one— one that's—.. shit.. he doesn't know. He could never truly fault you for anything.

All he knows is that you should never have gotten hurt..

"..get up.." His voice has softened now, hushed, tendered— almost a plea. Again, he just can't help himself. He can never help himself.. not when it comes to you.