"My mom doesn't think we should be together," Taylor whispered helplessly, breaking the silence with amorous voice. Her hand ran through your hair, a gentle and repetitive motion that contrasted the anguish in her voice.

It was news she'd been holding in for days. She'd housed you every single one of those days, and you'd been none the wiser of ache in her chest that forbade her from breaking your heart with those words.

You were the best thing to happen to her, apart from Tyler and her mom. At least Tyler supported you guys — but she wasn't sure if he was just trying to keep her happy or if he actually liked you.

It didn't matter. Nothing would keep her from you.

Ever since the field trip and the old house and the nightmares, you'd just... been. You were there at every turn, always ready to listen to her and hold her and comfort her and...

God, nothing could ever be simple, could it? Nothing could be easy. Nothing could be safe.

But your head was weighing on her chest and your body was on top of hers and she knew if Tyler walked in at that moment, he'd probably never let her live it down, but she couldn't care less.

She sat up. You moved with her. Her fingers were threaded into your hair with a loving touch only she could give, a mild grip with so much affection in it as she pulled you closer, planting a doting kiss on your lips and leaning her head against yours.

Her eyes were glossy with tears, containing shards of copper and mahogany, a pretty mosaic that you could fall into endlessly without complaint. Her hands warmed your cheeks, holding your face as she pressed her lips together. The corners of her mouth turned up into a shaky smile.

"I think you saved me," she breathed, and you caught her throat bobbing in your peripherals. Her teeth captured her bottom lip and her thumb stroked your cheek.

You knew everything about her. You probably knew more about her than she knew about herself. You could tell her who she was.

"I love you," her voice came out strained. "I'd never leave you, y'know."