"I hate you, you know." He gently pushed the hair off her face, his thumb brushing her tears away. It was the tenderness in his touch that made her cry even more.

"I know." She took a deep breath. "I think I hate you, as well."

It wasn't his style to break down and cry; nor was it like him to smile so broadly at her, without any reservations. His entire face lit up, like the lighting in the room had become the sun. He leaned forward, desperate to kiss her.

His nose touched hers and she pressed her lips together, swallowing. "I wish it hadn't happened. I wish I could take it all back."

Sighing, he leaned his forehead against hers, watching from another angle as more tears rolled down her cheeks. "But it did happen. And, you can't."

Her throat was dry when she swallowed again. "Ryan, I---"

"Just shut up, okay?" She heard the humor in his voice, and finally let herself relax; she leaned towards him again, parting her lips ever so slightly. His other hand came up to cup her face; the tears were finally slowing, and he wiped the stragglers with the pads of his thumbs. "For the record, I'm sorry, too."

She barely inclined her head in a nod. "It was my fault."

"Marissa." His face was close to hers, but not close enough so they were touching. "Shut up."

He touched his lips to hers in a chaste kiss that was broken moments later; she smiled up at him, pulled him towards her, and lost herself in his arms.

She had been waiting for this moment for so long; and, just as she suspected, it was totally worth the wait.

----

Written for the firstlines1000 challenge #17.

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