Does It Hurt

Some days I’m the ocean. Some days I’m the ship. Tonight, I’m the lighthouse: at the edge, alone, and burning.

-Vasiliki

“Marriage is just a piece of paper. That last name is permanent.”

I scoff, baffled at why the hell he’s acting like he gives a shit.

“Whatever. You don’t have much room to talk anyway.”

He turns that glower to me, and I shift. He's seriously scary.

“Come again?” he challenges.

“Well, did you not fuck me while actively drowning me? You’re going to act like there isn’t something wrong with that?”

A dimple begins to appear in his cheek, and I swear to God, if the fucker actually smiles right now, I’m going to kill him.

“You’re right,” he concedes, pausing a beat before saying, “and I’d do it again. I’m the only one allowed to touch you, bella ladra, and I’m the only one who will cause you pain. Capito?”

“Do you honestly think you scare me? A shrimp is more intimidating than you.”

“People don’t actually care about fixing you. They just want to shape your broken pieces until they fit their standards. Smooth ’em out, make ’em less sharp, so they don’t cut so deep when they collect ’em. But you ain’t any less broken.”

To baby shark,

Step aside,

Daddy shark is here now.

“Yes,” he encourages, lifting his head once more. “Fuck me just like that, good girl.”

Jesus, if you want to be a gentleman, just say that. Weirdo.”

The day you stole from me was the best day of my life,” he whispers against my lips. “Because then you became my life, and I don’t want it back. I won’t fucking take it.”

I love you, and you will love me.”