"That was my mom, P Force. She just wanted to know how the workshop went." I murmured as I turned back to him post the call.
He came towards me, with some saline and a cotton bud, standing in front of me. He poured the saline onto the bud and started cleaning my cuts.
"What did you tell her?"
"I told her it went OK. Nothing too bad. I can't tell her the entire truth. She will be very heartbroken."
P Force looked at me but didn't say a word. He just nodded. "I agree. And we can't be worrying her, especially when she lives quite a distance from you. But we can't let this be happening again."
I just nodded, quiet. I knew P Force was angry still, so I didn't want to aggrevate his temper. He was very gentle towards me and finished cleaning all of my cuts.
"I will prepare the food, why don't you shower then come and eat?"
I nodded. He smiled at me and then turned away to keep away the first aid stuff and prepare dinner. I joined him about 20 minutes later, sitting down to a warm bowl of soup, some rolls, and a salad. Dinner was a quiet affair, and we finished it off quickly.
"Will you be going back later, P?'
P Force looked at me. "Yea, I will be, Phuwin. Why?"
"Just.. I'm just asking P. Thank you for dinner. Sorry, it was different from what we planned."
P Force just waved my apology away, stating it was fine and that me being safe was more important. I just clasped my hands tightly as we watched the show in silence. Or at least I tried to but failing. And I think P Force didn't either, judging by how he came closer to sit next to me, putting his arm around me.
I looked up at him.
"I.. I have no work tomorrow. Do you?"
I shook my head; highlighting I had a free day. He nodded, looking down at my hands for a bit, placing his over mine as he looked up at me.
"Should I.. I mean, can I stay over tonight?"
I blinked my eyes at P Force's question, feeling this gush of warmth just seep through me. I smiled, nodding, happy that he was staying over.
"You don't have to ask. You.. you can always stay..stay over.." I muttered as IÂ tried to look up at him. A faint smile tugged at his lips. He nodded, looking away, about to pull his arm off me when I held onto it. He looked at me, surprised.
"Please..hold onto me a while more."
P Force didn't say anything. I honestly thought he was still going to pull his arm away as soon as I let go, but instead, he pulled me closer to him. He rested his forehead on mine for a bit. He eventually just hugged me, letting me nestle in his hold as he held onto me.
"I honestly was so worried when I saw the cuts on your face for a bit. Don't ever scare me like that again, Phuwin."
"OK, P... I promise I won't."
"Just tell me. I'm here for you. I will protect you."
"As a friend, P?"
"Is that what you want?"
I kept quiet, not saying a single word back. To his credit, P Force didn't bug me for a reply either.
"I will be here to protect you, however, and in whatever way you want me to be." I heard him mutter.
I just held on even more tightly when I heard him say that. My heart was feeling this warmth that I had been unable to get around anyone else. Even Pond didn't create this feeling in me. But with P Force, it was just flowing abundantly.
I realized I didn't know what to name these feelings exactly. But then, just then, that little girl's words came to mind again.
"Make him your boyfriend, uncle. Because he cares for you."