His Toxic Addiction
Chapter 212: Both Of Us Against The World.

Chapter 212: Both Of Us Against The World.

Arissa rubbed the ointment on Nicklaus’s burnt skin, occasionally blowing on it. Though Nicklaus hasn’t said a word to her since their discussion at the dining table, she never took it to heart.

She was more concerned about the burn on his skin. Letting her rub the ointment was enough to let her know it might just be him going back to himself.

"Thank you," Nicklaus said staring at his hand.

Arissa simply nodded at him before climbing onto her bed. Nicklaus sat by her side and helped her into the duvet.

He changed his mind after tucking her into the duvets. He would have loved to lie beside her but no more.

Not after their conversation earlier and the fact he was beginning to become too available for her. Sometimes he feels like she only sees him when she needs someone around. Perhaps, Geal was right. This would only come around to hurt him.

After what she did at the office, it left him surprised she brought herself to kiss him.

Arissa was surprised when he stood up. He was supposed to be lying down beside her and not standing afar. "Nicklaus," she muttered his name softly.

Does he want to back down now? Has she offended him?

"You can’t stay?" she asked taking the duvet off her chest.

Nicklaus turned away from her. "I can," he walked towards her couch, "I’d wait here until you go to sleep," he told her and took a seat.

Arissa turned to him. "You won’t have works to do, right?"

"I don’t," he held her eyes, "You should get some rest now."

"You promised to spend the night with me,"

Nicklaus blinked, "I never did," he started at the fur rug under his feet, "I have no plans to spend my night on the floor with some_"

She cut him off, "I also have no plans for that, I want you to join me on the bed. I’m afraid the nightmares would lurk around if you stay that far away from me," she pleaded.

Nicklaus frowned. "I should join you on the bed?" it sounded like a joke coming from her. Maybe something was wrong with his ear.

His ears should be held responsible for hearing the wrong words but if his ears had issues, how about his eyes?

While he doubted her words, she just nodded to him, affirming her words.

"Or would it kill one of us and you were just blabbing back there?" she used his words against him when she saw his conflicted emotions.

"Nick,"

Nicklaus penetrating gaze met her eyes. "I can’t promise to keep my hands to myself on the same bed with you," he worried.

Keeping his hands to himself wasn’t his actual worry. He was no pervert. His actual worry was his nightmare.

Arissa blinked. His words stunned her but it was cute of him to be all honest and at the same time worried. Her ears heated up.

"You can. It’s also alright if you can’t," she assured him.

Nicklaus shut his eyes for a split second. "Arissa," he called her when he opened them.

"Yes," she answered.

Seeing she was clueless, he decided to open up. "I can’t do what you are asking of me. I have my nightmares..." his breathing roughened, "What if they collide with yours and hunt you further?" his calm voice turned worried.

Arissa did not blink and this threatened Nicklaus. Her eyes were all determined and at this rate, saying no to her was out of his book as he wouldn’t be able to.

He looked away from her. "My nightmares..." he trailed off, suddenly confused and short of words to say.

Arissa took the duvets off her body when he paused that way. "Nicklaus."

"They are dangerous," he went on, "You would hate me more if they collides with yours. What made you believe I’d be able to send your nightmares away?" he chuckled at the end as if saying; you’re delusional.

Arissa frowned and came down to the bed. This wasn’t the Nicklaus she knew. What nightmare was he talking about and why does he seem all disorganized and confused talking about it?

"Arissa, no." he halted her in a harsh voice when her feet touched the floor. He should be leaving. In the first place, what was he thinking when he came in here with her? He should have just said no from the start and then, all of these would be happening.

Arissa blinked, lost in the moment. What was happening to him?

"I don’t hate you," she started.

"I only hate the situation that bonds us together. Your nightmares can’t stop me neither would it weigh you down if you believe in yourself,"

She stood up from the bed and began taking slow steps toward him, "We could send your nightmares away while sending mine away."

Nicklaus took a step away before she would come closer. "We?" his voice sounded wary with mistrust.

"Yes, we. You and I. We could even turn it into a daily hobby if it works after today. I might not be comfortable with our situation doesn’t mean I hate you as a person,"

Finally, she got closer to him and took his fist in hers. His body tensed up when she held him.

Unfolding his fist, Arissa looked down at his hand and back to his tense expression with a smile.

"I want to help you and I don’t fake my help. If nothing more, we could spend our time helping ourselves. I don’t know why I’m saying this," she took his other fist in her hand, "I don’t know why I am saying this but I know that right now it’s the both of us against your nightmares."

She pressured him. "If they still refuse to leave, we could share it. That way, it won’t be for you alone anymore." she closed the distance between them, "I believe you can help me. We can help each other to tackle this but if after today it doesn’t work out, I won’t suggest this anymore,"

Nicklaus tensed breathing calmed down a bit. Feeling him calm, Arissa cautiously walked with him to the bed.

"Can I hug you in sleep?" he asked when they stood before the bed.

Arissa nodded, a bit hesitation in her heart which she brushed away quickly.

They both claimed the bed and went under the duvet. Almost immediately, Nicklaus went closer to her and wrapped her in.

Arissa did not complain when he wrapped his arm around her waist and snuggled into her with great intimacy. His scent crashed her nose and left her wondering how just his cologne could give her such peace.

His warmth kept her comforted and alive.

She turned around and faced him. Stretching out her hand, she hugged him back and in a matter of seconds, she drifted to the sleep world while Nicklaus listened to her soft snores

Like a lullaby, they were able to send him to her in the sleep world.

.....

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