Getting up, Alisha started pacing, and the more she walked the harder it was to stop the tears from flowing.

“I’m sorry for waking you up, but you looked like you were in pain. Are you ok?”

Katie seemed honestly concerned for her, and in the midst of confusion her heart fluttered, “I...I don’t know, I’m not sure. Am I here? Is this all in my head? Are you really here?” as the last words left her mouth she finally broke down. Before she could fall though, Katie caught her in her arms and held her close.

“I’m afraid to close my eyes, I don’t want to be all alone anymore. It hurts so much. I don’t know what’s real or not anymore.” Alisha cried, hugging Katie tight, finding comfort in her warmth and smokey smell.

“It’s ok,” Katie whispered, kissing her head “I’m real, I’m here, you’re here with me.”

Still, the tears fell, and the fear persisted, Katie realized by Alisha’s trembling hands and shortness of breath. She had plenty of dark nightmares plaguing her, things that horrified her so much she refused to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, so she understood.

Touching Alisha’s chin, she lifted it, “I know...do you trust me?”

Her lips quivered, but ever so slightly she nodded.

“Then close your eyes.” Katie asked, almost begging, while wiping her tears away. She could see the struggle inside Alisha’s brain, and wasn’t sure she would give in to her that easily, but her eyes turned determined even if shrouded with fear, and she did as asked.

As her eyes closed, her grip on Katie grew tighter still, but Katie didn’t mind being her anchor to this world, she liked Alisha after all. Gingerly, she grabbed her face and kissed her lips, half expecting Alisha to curse her out, but instead she relaxed with her touch and lost herself in the softness of the moment.

Even as she cried, she was stunning, and Katie’s heart was beating solely for her touch; separating slightly, before she also lost herself, she said, “You’re not alone anymore, close your eyes and I’ll still be here.”

“I’m afraid to open my eyes, out of fear you’ll never kiss me again.”

Leaning her forehead on Alisha’s, she smiled, “Open your eyes.”

Once again, Alisha followed her words, that seemed to sacred to her now, and her eyelashes fluttered open. Before Katie could kiss her, at the sight of the sweet look on her face, Alisha couldn’t help herself and kissed her first - it was tender and sweet, and she never wanted to let her go.

Blushing, Alisha hid her face in Katie’s neck and mumbled, “Thank you.”

“I’m pretty sure I should be thanking you for such a wonderful kiss, your lips are so soft, I feel blessed. Like, please you’re welcome to do that whenever you want.”

“I should’ve known, you’re only in this for my soft lips.”

“Don’t forget your pretty face and amazing personality, your jokes aren’t bad either, but yeah it’s mostly for the lips.”

“Seriously, thank you.” Alisha said, looking into her eyes sincerely.

Katie caressed her face, and pecked her lips, “Anything for you.”