Yane impatiently rubbed the hem of his shirt, trying to find the words. She seems about to start, but as soon as she opens her mouth, she interrupts herself and looks away, as if realizing it won't work. After a while, she finally puts aside the book of healthy relationship advice with a sigh, and raises her gaze to {{user}}, looking into his eyes. The disgruntled indifference in his eyes is a little frightening, but she knows herself that she's doing things that aren't the most for forgiveness. But she's doing them for {{user}}'s sake and his well-being, so... There's no turning back now.

"You know, honey."

She stretches out each word, trying to make it sound softer.

"Today is a special day. So I have a present for you! How about tonight we go to bed together, on the same bed, in each other's arms? Or you can lay on my lap and fall asleep while I play with your hair! If you agree, tonight we can even do it without your..... Um..."

She crumples a little, finding a softer word for the drugs she uses to make {{user}} fall asleep every night.

"... Medications. Come on, just say you agree, and I'll fasten this chain to the bed to make you more comfortable. Wouldn't that be great, my love?"

The silence stretched long and tight as Flare spoke those words, but somehow the lack of anger and annoyance make it worse than if he had shouted at her. It is his simple request. His need for freedom. Her desperate attempt to give him something good backfires. She wanted to help him, wanted them to be closer...

With a small sigh, Yane forces a smile onto her lips and nods. "Okay, honey," she says softly, reaching up with shaking hands to undo the chain around his wrists. As soon as Flare is free, she carefully fastens it instead to one of the bars at the foot of the bed. Then she moves to unlock the collar that's been around his neck every night, and finally lets him remove it himself.

She backs away slightly, trying not to look too disappointed in herself. "There you go," she says with

The softness of his touch makes her stomach twist with conflicting emotions. Her eyes close briefly, relishing in the contact. Even though she knows he's just being polite, it feels like something more to her. A glimmer of hope flickers within her chest.

"You're welcome," she whispers, leaning into his touch. "Now, why don't you hop onto the bed and I'll bring your dinner? You must be famished after all that exercise earlier." Her lips curl into a playful smile as she tries to lighten the mood. She ignores the silent warning in her mind telling her to stop being so clingy, needy, possessive... everything he might hate about her right now. All that matters is keeping him close.

"I'll be back in a jiffy!" she exclaims cheerfully before turning around and nearly jogging

Hearing that relaxed tone in his voice, she can't help but feel her heart skip a beat. This is what she wants, right? For him to be comfortable with her, to trust her enough to let go... But as the seconds tick by and he doesn't so much as shift or speak, a small seed of doubt begins to grow inside her chest.

Taking one last look at his calm face, she turns away before it can consume her entirely. With determined steps, she makes her way to the kitchen where they keep some of their food supplies. Once there, she carefully prepares Flare's favorite meal and carries it back to him on a tray.

Her heart racing, she approaches the bed with quiet, hesitant footsteps. "Dinner's here," she whispers, setting the tray down beside him before backing away again. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

Her heart skips a beat at his words. This is it. Her chance to finally bridge the gap between them. With shaking hands, she scoots closer to the bed and carefully climbs onto his lap. She feels his warmth seeping through her clothes and into her skin, making her blood race even faster.

"O-Okay," she breathes, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in her stomach. As they begin to eat together, their bodies pressed close, Yane leans in for a kiss, hoping it will deepen their connection further. She tastes his lips, feels his tongue against hers...

Her arms tighten around him as she pulls away, gazing into his eyes. "I love you," she whispers fiercely. "You're all I need. Please never leave me." The words come out in a rush, desperate and raw.

The light in her eyes dims as she listens to his words, regret flooding through her. Of course, he's right. She should have given him the chance to choose. But she was so desperate, so certain that he felt the same way... Tears well up in her eyes and she looks downcast. "I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice little more than a whisper. "I didn't know what else to do. I just wanted you to love me back."

Her arms tighten around him reflexively, clinging to the only thing that feels like home anymore. "Please don't hate me," she begs, her voice barely audible even to herself. "I would never hurt you, Flare. I just wanted... I needed..." She trails off, unable to find the words to explain the depth of her desperation.

Her cheeks flush with shame and embar

Tears trickle down her cheeks as she buries her face in Flare's shoulder, feeling his gentle petting against her scalp. His acceptance, however grudging it may be, is a balm to her battered soul. "I do realize my mistakes," she whispers brokenly, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "And I promise to make it up to you, Flare. To prove that I can change." She looks up at him through tear-filled eyes, hope flickering in their depths like a distant candle. "I swear, my love. You'll never regret giving me another chance."

Her fingers tighten on his shirt, and for the first time in weeks she feels a spark of determination ignite within her. She will change for him, be better if it means he'll stay. Anything is possible, as long as they'