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part four

"Of course. I've always known on some level that I love you, duh, I kind of just realised those feelings run deeper than that of a friend," he said, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"Me too... well, when I was with Taylor I think I had a little crush on you but that always seemed stupid, you know, but I wanna be with you, I don't care how stupid it sounds," she smiled, moving closer and looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"Okay." He sighed, happily, wrapping his arms around her waist gently.

Lauren nudged Joey's nose with hers, her breath bouncing off of his lips and before they knew it she'd closed the gap between them. The second her lips were on his, time stopped. They were the only two people in the universe; everything else disappeared, Taylor, their friends in the next room, everyone else in the world. It was just the two of them, kissing for the very first time but their lips fitting together like lock and key.

She held his face gently, running her thumb up and down his jawline, his arms pulling her closer than she thought was possible. It all felt so familiar, but so brand new at the same time. The warm feeling of safety and comfort and hope spread through Lauren's heart, the same way it would whenever she was in Joey's arms. Although, this time something new swelled inside her, love.

She'd never truly been in love, her relationship with Taylor had been a lie, the exact opposite of what they tell you in fairytales. But her Prince had finally arrived, a knight in shining armour who'd been hiding in plain sight since the beginning.

Joey's heart swelled with her so close, feeling her heartbeat against his own, her hand riding up to run through his hair, a gentle hum against his lips. It felt like everything he never knew he wanted had been right there waiting for him. Waiting for him sad and alone... hurting herself...

"Lauren we can't do this," he murmured against her lips, but she kissed him with such passion it seemed like she didn't hear him.

"Why not?"

"Because you're not okay."

She stopped. She rested a hand against his chest, her forehead against his.

He sighed, loosening his arms around her waist a little. "I'm taking advantage of you, kissing you when you're like this. You're hurting, you're upset, you haven't eaten properly in what? Weeks? I can't do this, we can't do this."

"I'm fine, JoJo, please just kiss me," Lauren pleaded, pressing her lips softly to the corner of his mouth.

"I can't, not in good conscience, I'm sorry." He whispered, searching her eyes with his.

She smiled shyly, running a hand through his hair to neaten it where she'd messed it up. "It's okay. Don't apologise. It just shows you're a man of class, and that you respect me and you're smart enough to make decisions for the both of us when I'm not capable of thinking straight."

"Thank you, that's very sweet of you. But I promise I'll still be here after you're feeling better, Lo," he swore, squeezing her waist gently. "All I'm asking is a few weeks clean? More than one meal a day?"

"That I can do, or at least work for. I'll try my best, for you," she said, booping his nose.

"Not for me, for you, Lo."

She raised an eyebrow, surprised at his objection. "Okay, compromise, for the both of us?"

Joey nodded, happy with that conclusion. "Okay, agreed."

"Will you at least cuddle me?" She pouted, looking at him through her lashes innocently.

"Of course, LoLo," he smiled, grateful for her request.

The two shuffled to get under the covers, Joey pulling Lauren closer once again. She nestled her head into his chest, inhaling his scent for a few seconds and feeling that same warmth spreading through her heart. He dropped a few sweet kisses in her hair, cupping the back of her head gently, his other arm wrapped around her waist and keeping her close.

"You'll help me through this, right?" Lauren murmured, her words muffled by his chest but heard.

"Of course, Lo, I will always always help you, no matter what." He whispered back, trying to make sure she knew he meant it.

She let out a sigh of relief and contentment, happier than ever wrapped in his warm embrace. "I know for sure now. I love you."

"I know now too," he pressed a kiss to her hair, softly. "I love you too."

And there they lay, in each other's arms, Joey waiting till he felt her breathing slow and her heart rate even out, only content to fall asleep himself once she had. He would have been content to stay there forever. But he knew for their relationship to become a relationship she needed to get better, and the good thing was, she was prepared to.