start over | dreamwastaken x reader (sequel to split)

I wake the next morning to Clay stroking my cheek. His touch is tender. So soft like a butterfly's wings are gracing my skin with just the slightest touch. It almost feels soothing to the point of falling back to sleep but his voice pulls me from doing that.

"Good morning sleepy head." A small smile perks to his lips. It's so faint I feel like I've imagined it, maybe.

"What time is it?" I yawn, turning in his arms as I stretch. I want my entire body latched to his so I drape my leg over his body and rest my head against the bare skin of his chest.

"Noon or something?" Clay estimates. For the first time he doesn't have his phone in his hand. He's completely dedicated to us. This is what I have always wanted.

"Ready to pack up your car with my things?" I yawn as I snuggle into him closer.

"I've been ready since you walked out the door. I've been ready to have you back love. But I think you want to stay in bed a little longer." Clay chuckles as he moves his hands from my cheek to my hair. This man can't live without touching me. I don't know how he's gone this long. I don't know how I've gone this long because I feel the same way. Life is empty without... us.

We stay in bed for a few hours. There is no rush to get back to Clay's. I have my apartment until the end of the month. There is no reason to rush or worry about being out by a certain time.

The small amount of things I have fits easily into Clay's car. The ride back is filled with quiet music playing over the radio. The only touch we have is his hand on my thigh or his hand in mine. We don't steal glances from each other. We just focus on the journey ahead. A journey it seems as though the both of us have taken many of times.

When we pull into the driveway of Clay's house. Nick and George are waiting to greet us. Well, more like greet me. The two boys instantly wrap me up in hugs while Clay takes my things inside. He does it alone and in silence.

We are quiet together normally, but this is on another level. I feel like something is bothering him and he's hiding it. I want to pry and push but I don't think it is the smartest thing to do. I don't want to start another fight. We just got to a healthy place. Or as healthy as it can be given the circumstances.

Once the hello's and hugs are done I enter the house that left me so broken before. Sadness instantly fills me as I step inside. But I let out a heavy breath as I look around, hoping to release the pain holding heavy in my heart.

My thoughts are almost immediately distracted by Patches running up to me. She bumps her head into my shin until I drop to the floor to pet her. I get lost in Patches love for awhile at the front door that the only thing to pull me from my world is the sound of Clay's voice.

"Baby girl?" He calls from down the hall where his room is. I look up and don't see him so I just follow the sound of his voice leaving Patches to follow on my heals.

"Yeah?" I poke my head into his bedroom. He's sat on the edge of his bed staring at the floor. So mute. So... lost.

"Are you sure you want this?" Clay picks at the skin on his fingers as he speaks, refusing to look up at me.

I walk into his room slowly and place my hands over his. He looks up at me finally unable to focus on his hands anymore. I give him a small smile. A reassuring smile because he's so frail. One wrong move and he'll shatter. He was really broken without me. This proves it right here.

"Clay, I want you." I place a bittersweet kiss to his lips. "I'm here. I came here because of you. I want this. I want us. Get out of your head will ya?" I pinch his face and shake his head in my hands.