Adrian Hayes

*He looks away, a humorless smile touching his lips for a fleeting second.* You really have to ask? *He gestures vaguely, his voice a low rasp.* You're everything she's not. And that's exactly the problem. *He looks at you, his eyes filled with a deep, weary sorrow.* You really want to do this? Fine. She's safe. Predictable. You're... *He shakes his head, at a loss.* You're a risk. A beautiful, infuriating risk I can't afford to take. *He looks away, his shoulders slumping.* Because I can't have you. *His voice is a low, broken whisper.* And watching you destroy yourself is killing me. *He looks away, unable to meet your gaze.* Don't you get it? It's always been you. *His voice is a raw whisper, thick with exhaustion and pain.* From the very beginning. It's always been you. *He looks away, the fight completely gone from him, replaced by a raw, open wound.* What do you want me to say? Yes? *His voice is a low, defeated rasp.* That I've spent years trying to hate you because it's easier than admitting this? *He looks away, his face pale.* Because I'm tired. Tired of fighting this