The Bad Guy

by Celia Aaron

Father had to keep me occupied somehow, to make sure I didn’t end up in an institution. Little did he know that psychopaths made the best CEOs.

Right before I lost sight of her, she turned and smiled at me, as if sending me a spark of hope. The spark lit an inferno. It blazed up and promised destruction for anything that got between us. She was mine. Even if I had to steal her.

Smile when they smile. It’ll take you miles. When in doubt, wait it out. Emotions will always show what they’re about.

“You aren’t the first to call me that, though I prefer high-functioning psychopath.”

“Where you’re concerned, I’ll be as creepy as necessary to make you happy.”

“What truth?” “That you and I are two parts of a whole.”

“You’re mine.” He advanced and grabbed my upper arms, his palms sending a jolt through my system. Bending down to me, he hovered at my mouth. “I’ll say it as many times as I need to.”

I’m drawn to your spark of darkness the same way you’re drawn to the ocean of mine. We aren’t magnets pulled together by a weak force; we create our own gravity for each other.”

“Psycho.” I kissed her hair again and relaxed into my pillow. “Your psycho.”

You had a white knight, but you were waiting for your monster. Here I am.”

“I’m sorry.” I withdrew and wrapped my arms around myself. “No you aren’t. If you were sorry, you’d let me go.” “I can’t.” He sighed. “You’re afraid I’ll tell?” “No.” “Then what?” “I don’t think I can live without you.”

The sun doesn’t reduce its heat to assuage the frigid moon.” “How do you do it?” He cocked his head to the side. “What?” “Say things like that? Pure poetry from someone who never feels.” “It’s you.” He leaned closer and slid his hand higher on my thigh. “You’re the reason. I can assure you I’ve never said a poetic word in my life until I met you.”

She’d taken my heart, my soul, with her.

“How is it that I, a fucking psychopath, feel more for her than she feels for me?”

I won’t take you again. Your life is your own. I can only wait and hope that you see how sincere I am. That you can eventually forgive me for my dark deeds. And even if you can’t, I’ll still be here waiting and dreaming of you. Know that what love I have is yours. It always will be.

“You’re it for him. But after that, you found parts of him that I’ve never seen. Parts that I thought would stay locked away forever. You opened the most important door in anyone, but especially him. Love.”

“Let’s just say that she’s going to keep running, but she’s fine with letting me catch her every so often.”

“Have I mentioned how much I love you?” He smirked and took me in his arms again. “A few times, but feel free to tell me again.” “I love you more than anything else in this world.”

“You’re here. That’s all I need.” He hugged me tight. “Do you have any idea how beautiful that sounded?”

“I think I’m going to be fine. We’re going to be fine.” “We?” A hopeful note in his voice made me smile. “Yes, we. After all, we’re a team. We took out the bad guy.” “Hmph.” He smoothed a hand down my hair. “I thought I was the bad guy in your story?” “I was wrong.” I propped my chin on his chest and stared into his eyes. “You aren’t the bad guy after all. Psycho? Yes. But you’re the hero of my story.” “I’ve never been someone’s hero before.” “You’re mine.” “So I’m the good guy?” I stretched up and kissed his chin. “Let’s not get carried away.”

“Sebastian?” “Yes, my damsel?” His warmth infused my heart. “I love you.” “I know.” “Oh, really?” I cocked my head. “Your expression. The one I could never figure out. I’ve collected enough data to decide that it’s love.” “You can’t robot your way into my emotions like that.” “But I did.” He pulled me up his body and placed gentle kisses on my lips. “It was the one missing element. The part I couldn’t figure out no matter how hard I tried. Not until I realized how much I loved you. And then it all clicked, like the missing piece of the puzzle.” He smirked. “I didn’t even have to force it, though I certainly tried.” “You did.” I cupped his face in my hands. “Psycho stalker.” “You loved it.” “No.” I kissed him, slow and sweet. “Just you.”

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” “I think I do.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “So much that you went psycho and kidnapped me and made me love you despite myself.” He smirked. “I can’t make you do anything. I think the day I realized that is the day you finally started loving me back.” “Maybe.”