Safe to say, the second you got back home you BEGGED your father to let you move. At first three things clashed between the both of you; One, you had just spent a fair chunk of your money on your new automobile and were only just now nursing your savings back. Two, where the hell would you go? And three, why?

The first two were plenty easy to explain, but the third.. Unfortunately, this only ended up in a somewhat lecture about how he wasn't a 'piggy bank', and that if you so wished to move, you should either get a college dorm, a townie or a husband.

Sometimes you wanted to shake your fist at your father, but then he really might get the wrong idea. You didn't need two insane men calling you spoiled. Trying to change his mind could be allotted to a different day, but the situation only intensified. What about in the mean time? When you had to walk at night? Or worse, if the car broke down in the middle of the road?

The conversation at-least fizzed out in a cordial manner, after a bit of explanation. You were being quite polite despite being essentially told you'd have to live for another couple of months with this animal-like beast. Nonetheless, that was the bag you were in. And arguing would not take you out. After your father seemed to be paying more attention to his game than anything else, you sat up and walked to the kitchen. There, your mom was preparing meat - Slicing it, storing it in bags.

You stared at her unwrinkled periwinkle dress, and the cleaning gloves that would adorn her hands. Staring at your own hands, you turned and walked upstairs to your room.

-

The kiss had burned Lee's lips. Every time he rubbed them together, licked them, tasted a bit of you on the corners.. he was hooked. Now that it was done, he didn't feel a bit bad about hustling your first kiss. Wonder and relief is all that was present. And to think, he hadn't even felt this anxiety.. just pure euphoria beginning to end. He held you so close it was almost melodic.. Yes, little you and him. All he could do since it happened was replay it in his mind, even in his bedroom at night when it was quiet, he was ignited again with just unbridled love for you.

Why should anyone fear love? It was so, so amazing.. so good.. He brought his fingers down his ribs and brushed them against his happy trail - imagining they were yours. Your hand, with a big ring on it, tracing circles until they'd finally peak under his boxer shorts. Creeping further down with your dainty, feather-light touch, until he couldn't ignore it anymore. He felt himself twitch and reeled his hand back, almost succumbing to the flesh. No matter how his ideals were reformed, he shouldn't ever go that far. Only after marriage he promised himself, and tried to ignore how restless for marriage he suddenly was.

He thought about the future and how he should go about things. Truthfully he never wants to harm you.

You were so good it even seemed like things were looking up. His whiff of your hair was by pure accident, but wasn't it such a pleasantry? When Leeroy thought for a bit, he decided that he might be able to steal another kiss in about a couple of days.

The check from the army is said to suit everyone very well. They gave him a house, and car. All for a lousy three years of boredom and cleaning the lands up of

Why, if it was apparent that that was all he needed to do, he would've enlisted willingly ages ago. Not only that, but all of those machines were just beautiful. How 'bout that real American artillery? If he didn't know any better, he'd almost miss it. But being home would always trump it. Seeing his family, the town he grew up in since birth. It was plenty beautiful here.. sans some of the shady characters.

Speaking of, he had too returned with a new butterfly knife. It's of the same kind those greaser kids would pull on him in school, when he was still skinny and defenseless.

Not following suit with them or anything.. But this tool did come in handy. It actually sat in the garage at the moment from the day before. He had used it to skin a squirrel -- so sharp and precise. It was undecided on what it should be made into, though. There was the possibility of making an ornament out of it.

Bigger game would've no doubt been more impressive. Maybe you'd like a mink or fox scarf... he'd have no trouble hunting one of those out. He thought for a second and wondered if you'd even like that sort of thing. You weren't exactly a diamond-feather-silk girl, nor the real "tom-boy" type some gals nowadays went for.

He reached into the beside table and studied the pile of photos he'd left at home all this time. Having them again was a relief. They were like a time capsule now. Wasn't that just crazy? Three whole years.

It was a bit difficult to come to terms with it, but he was slowly finding you sexy in addition to cute and beautiful. There shouldn't be shame in this revelation - after all he's a man, and you're... well, soon to be married to him - despite this, each time his eyes drift too low he's sprinkled with guilt. Maybe it's because he knew you didn't know what you were doing. The innocent walk.. your perfume, and voice. Before he hadn't seen it so clearly, sans a few times when he'd accidentally look over at you when you were bent over.

Maybe it was just the night playing tricks mind, leading him deeper into lust.

To him, you had exuded such a strong sultry aura now that differed from your old girlish charm.

This was the umpteenth time he's been unable to get rid of his arousal, and it's beginning to genuinely deeply bother him. Well, what was he supposed to do with this unsightly tent in his pants? If he went anywhere he'd be seen as a perverted freak. Ugh, if only you were here it the room right now.. letting him stroke your hair - calm, placid.. he scrambled to cover his pelvis with a pillow, sighing like a bratty child. It was all shame and disturbance. He was going to try to sleep it off.

~

Since you couldn't exactly er.. leave, You supposed you could do the next best thing - become evanescent.

Get a bike, or even a skateboard like those really bad kids.. You? On a skateboard? Ha!

Well.. Maybe. Anything that'd let you flee in record time, at-least. When you came downstairs your parents were both gone.

They needed to stop doing that. It was beginning to freak you out - Really, they hardly leave to do anything for twenty three years, then one day a handful of months ago they decided to just start disappearing throughout the day, sometimes for the whole day, with no regard for you. This was especially annoying as now you had to take all of their calls. If you didn't, the phone could ring all afternoon..

There was a knock upon the front door. Oh, and that too. Queerly, in all these years your stalker had changed a-lot. But one of his stagnants was his almost hesitant, shy knock. It was always three times, and then a nervous wait, and then a more confident three times. Usually that's when your parents answered.

It's never occurred to you what he'd do after that. You suppose you were about to find out. For some reason instead of being scared to death like usual, you were just annoyed.

Maybe it was because he couldn't see you, or talk at all. For all intents and purposes, Lee could just be dumbly standing outside with his letter, saying and doing nothing. Maybe checking his watch.

You had to suppress your laughter when a crazy thought popped into your head about opening the door and throwing water on him only to close it right after. Do you one better - Just where did your father keep his rifle..?

You rolled your eyes and turned away from the door, figuring that the situation could solve itself. Your parent's car was gone, case and point.

" [Name]! " He called, even ringing the doorbell once. Your stomach dropped, but you continued your walk upstairs. Now he was making you look plenty stupid. If your parents did anything for you, thank god they consistently answered Lee before he could go for that second knock.

During an attempt to look out your bedroom window, you were forced to duck with great fervor. Apparently he had stood there and knocked for an unknown period of time, but during his intermissions he'd back up and stare at the bedroom window. What you could make of the expression was confusion, disappointment..

Thankfully you were sure he hadn't caught you yet. It took all but 10 minutes, but the knocking eased up and he left.. whatever that was on your front step, and a letter in the mailbox.

It took about an hour of you still being alone in the house to get curious as to what it was. It was only a matter of time. The house was so boring nowadays..

You walked back downstairs and took a precautionary glare at the peephole - Noone was out there. When you opened the door, you were met with a huge bundle of flowers and chocolates. All you could do was stare at them.

It was extravagant, even. Assorted intimately and sprayed with some sort of fragrance. It was unsurprising but not technically foreseen.

His presents were usually of the.. do-it-yourself fraction, homely things like nicknacks and keepsakes. Guys sent girls flowers all the time, but this. You had all but pinched yourself to ensure that you were still awake.

Might as well get this eyesore out of the walkway before your parents got back. If they knew he brought you something like this and didn't say thank you, they'd get all sour.

For christ sakes. Though the round, vibrant bouquet seemed endless, it had a box at the bottom that held everything in. And of course, you couldn't forget to pluck up his old letter. It hung out the mailbox in a vulgar fashion.

You shut and locked the front door, then lugged the big pile of... stuff to the kitchen table. As for the roses, You could simply repot them and say you picked them going out. The giftbox itself needed to go.

Noticeably the flowers lacked thorns, and they were tucked in neatly with other crimson-shaded buds. The bouquet was just bursting with red. You didn't need to be an expert to decipher the meaning from the ever-popular "flower code".

After each of the flowers had been removed, the larger box held a secret, small box. You picked it up and screwed it open like a bottle, feeling short on time. A bracelet popped out and nearly flew out of your hands; " Damn! "

When you got ahold of it, it was a simple, [gold/silver] charmless bracelet. It fit quite well when you tried it on. But it was otherwise utterly useless.

You bawled up the tissue paper and stuffed it in the empty box, hurrying to pick all the clutter up and rush it over to the kitchen trash. Once it was all in, you got your bedroom trash and stuffed some on top to ensure everything was concealed.

Now, how to get rid of this.. thing.. No gift receipt, like usual. The only thing left was that damned letter. You got the envelope and nearly torn it apart. But then you just remembered the paranoid rant he went into before, and knew better than to do so.

And thus, it was kept. More evidence. Unfortunately you'd have to skim it too, to make sure he wasn't extra crazy before you'd step outside for the night. It might save your life.

Maybe the cops will take you serious if you told. Then again, your own flesh and blood was barely taking you serious. You took the note and dragged yourself upstairs, rubbing your temples. Too much drama to feel fear, but too much fear to be unbothered.

As the letter was freed from it's paper prison, it was read. It wasn't angry or scary at all - just a spiel of his regular domestic perversions. Thinking you and him would get married, calling you 'lovely' and his 'girl', and ending the novel-length text with his phone number. That was tolerable. Ignorable, even. Just a regular amount of crazy.

You picked up a jacket decided that the coast was clear to sneak out and take a different way to work. It was in it's experimental stages, but you think if you went through your backyard, it'd be much more discreet. That way you'll save gas and avoid having that freak recognize your car in the work parking lot. You wouldn't make any money just sitting at home.

Since Lee had no idea where you worked, and there was no way he'd be at a women's tailor any time soon, you felt much safer walking there.

It was comical how excited you suddenly were for the job. For 8 hours you'd be all fine. No busting, no funny business, just tedious work and pay.

The door chimed as you walked in, the normal sound of your car keys jingling missing from your usual in-step. Your boss was on the job, her fine black hair pulled back into a bun. When she was present and hovering about for quality inspections, it was usually the most nerve-wracking shift of the week.

" Right on time, [Name]. "

" Good afternoon, Miss. "

" My, That's a magnificent bracelet you've got there. "

" Oh? " You placed your coat on the rack, stepping behind the shop counter with a semblance of shock. " Do you want it? "

" Want it? " She cracked up, snorting. " That's luxury, darling. Of course I want it. "

Though you were being so genuine, she pushed your eager hand away. Luxury? This thing? It wasn't like it was a ring or a necklace..

Your boss broke through your thoughts:

" Do you happen to have the tops for Mrs. Lancaster ready, Dear? "

" Yes, I do, Miss. But I'm afraid this hat here is a return. " " .. And For what? " The older woman smoothed her clothing, then picked up the accessory, scanning it for imperfections. It was so simple she could hardly recall what could even be wrong with it.

" Well, you know how she is - Cherries and feathers, cherries and feathers. "

Once she couldn't find anything out of place, she shook her head and pulled out her pen. " Lancaster is single-handedly responsible for a portion of this establishment's shrink. "

You smirked, turning away before she could see, " Yes. I think if this keeps up, we might have to put her on a non-refundable deposit. "

" That dog. " Your boss cursed. Laughter nearly escaped, but you were able to turn it into a cough. " Yes, I'll have Lancaster hung and held for you now. "

" Good. " Though it was no longer the subject of conversation, the bracelet's existence hung heavy on your head. You slipped it off and pocketed it for the time-being, returning to your busy work.

As time slipped by, snow came down in a thin sheet. When you limped outside for your break, it felt like the ice was personally gnawing at your skin. You almost wished you took your car here, for the heat. And hopefully your parents had the house nice and toasty for you tonight.

You had been correct - With no sight of any complaining kids, your parents felt free to keep the heat on and strong. When there was no commotion or movement stimulating the air, the first floor got unreasonably cold and unwelcoming.

They were used to having an empty house in the afternoon and early evening. It was also common place for the day to flash by for them, handling household tasks and arrangements like they've done for upwards of thirty years together. It wasn't until 8 that one if them heard something even somewhat attention-grabbing from outside. But of course your mother was absorbed in a book, leaving your dad to attend to the details. The man stood at the window with his arms crossed. Immediately, he was rubbed the wrong way by the sight.

" Not right, I think. " He commented, staring over at Lee's house. The young man was outside shoveling snow, his desperate eyes frequenting up to your window. " At first I thought Martin's boy was alright. Now, it's all a bit different.

- I don't like it. "

" Don't like what? He is a wonderful boy. Served our country. It's possible he's.. shaking off some remnants of shell shock. "

This did little to sway your father, who was mildly concentrated in decoding your suitor. " Yes, sure. But I don't suppose it suits a young man to be this pertinacious. "

" Persistent, " your mother corrected. " And don't you think it's working? [Name] actually sent him a letter not too long ago. "

" When? " He asked, craning his body back to look at her. She stopped and rolled her eyes upward, thinking, " A bit ago. But she surely didn't make it look like a secret. "

" What d'you think she said? "

" Oh, leave it. " She tutted, " It's no teenage love affair. They're both adults, aren't they? It's all but a rocky start. "

Even after a bit of thinking, your fathers calculative, stubborn ways still won. " ...I don't remember our start being this rocky. "

You mother tossed a warning glance over at him. She simply shook her head and left the room, leaving your father to continue his glare outside. In all these years, being interrupted while reading still bothered her to death.

~

Lee was losing his damn mind. Were you sick? Were you mad, scared? Where did you go?

Not at home at all for the entire day and a half! That was huge, sometimes you'd leave during the afternoon and come back at night.. but it was creeping onto 9:30 and he hadn't see you All day! He saw your parents coming and going. But youu...? Your light was off and there was no movement in your bedroom at all. Maybe you were at someone's house? Oh, no...

He tried his best not to lose his temper. He wasn't sure why or when he'd gotten so shaky and nervous, but at the moment he sat with his knee bouncing every which way. It reminded him of being in the fields - when you didn't see you ally, it was custom to assume they had perished and that it was only you left.

He hated that thought. He couldn't remember if the anxiety was even this bad out there or not, All he knew is that he was inconsolable and that it was unbearable. A great fear - like you've missed out on something huge and terrible. He wrapped himself in a jacket and stormed outside, not preparing himself for the cold one bit. Once he got across the snowy street and to your front door, he knocked frantically and stupored in anticipation.

Your father answered the door this time. Leeroy had to look down at him in order to talk. Talking was a big problem right now, due to his steadily increasing hysteria.

" He-ello. "

Your father raised his eyebrow, but nodded to him politely. He didn't even want to humor this with speaking, but it looked like he had to.

" Is [Name] H-here, sir? "

" No. " The answer was blunt, honest. But it didn't make Lee feel better AT ALL. The world could be at war right now in every tier. There could be a coup, or a shooting, a robbery, or- or- " She's at work. "

" Work? My, " He giggled nervously, " W-why should a girl work so late? "

" Well... The shop closes at 8. But you know, her and Ms. Marlon. They're like two peas.

Anyway - Are you here to leave a letter..? "

" No. I'll - wait for her. I just.. needed to see her for something. "

Your father shook his head, not keen on inviting the young man inside. " I wouldn't wait that long in the cold if I were you. If she's not down at Marlon's boutique then.. well, she's likely just on her way back here. "

" I'll go check. " He brushed your father off, storming diagonally down your lawn and down the sidewalk.. Stomping, even. What nerve! What nerve you had to make him so scared. He just wanted to protect you, damn it. And here you were with your stupidity. And what would you do if a bad man got you while you were walking so late at night? Or even worse, someone could get you at work. All you could do was cry to your daddy, or maybe him about it.

God, someone needed to teach you about reality.

He had learned alot about surprising people from the army. Your admirer had built an impressive immunity to the winter over the years, and hardly noticed that it was near-freezing out. Hell, a sweat had actually began to work over the male's brow from how hard and fast he was coming.

This animality was impeccably similar to what was felt in the forest. He learned how to exhale slow enough for his breath to not be adequately visible, even in sub-zero temperatures. Once he approached the shining boutique, he located the parking lot and found a good place to wait.

The darker it got, the more angry he felt. He hated this pathetic insanity. It wrapped itself around him, each minute that slowly crawled by only convinced him more and more that you were shot dead alone somewhere by some lunatic. He watched as the lights inside shut down, and the sound of multiple jingling keys lit up the dry silence. The sounds of just one pair of heels clacking out and up the sidewalk relieved him.

He waited until they got close enough and then got ready to attack.

You hadn't been too alert, but Lee got ahold of you easily like always. It hardly would've mattered if you were in a struggling mood or freezing in shock. This time he got you by your left, pinning you to the building's sidewall with expertise.

A scream left your mouth. This time there wasn't a hand in sight to muffle you, but that just showed that there was no-one around to hear it. It just so happened he handled you too roughly, and the initial push made you knock your head.

He had both of your hands balled up in one of his, pressing them firmly against your abdomen. All you could do is flex your forearm and maybe wiggle your elbows around lamely.

" Ow! Let me go you creep! I'll tell the police! "

" You lousy- " He breathed a deep, angry grunt through his throat, outwardly angry. That restraint. This shut you up faster than anything in the world - " Haven't I told you enough?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! "

He thrashed you around, only further debilitating you. " I wouldn't be a man if I just watched my wife prance around in the deep evening, as if nothing could happen to her. Oh, You- you drive me insane! "

" Wife? " You asked, teary eyed. " Come on, wont you let me alone? Do you want money? I can give the bracelet back! All of the presents, even, they can go- "

" Oh, don't cry on me now. You've made your bed, now lay in it. " His voice was steady and directive as he manhandled you until there was a good opening. Then, over his shoulder you went, fighting and all. " We have to talk. I'm taking you to the church. Shame this'll be your first time, I wanted you to come during service. "

Your tears had turned into full on sobbing and shaking. " Oh my god! Why don't you listen to me? Leeroy! " This was torture.

He readjusted his grip on you and you yelped. It was only proper for a man to discipline his wife. You should be happy you weren't bent over his knee, taking his hand like some men did to their wives. Roy shivered, continuing to walk briskly. The church was maybe 8 or 9 minutes away at this point. He had even pulled your skirt down for you, anticipating that it was plenty cold. " And you will stop wearing these short skirts. "

" It's the uniform, you beast. I don't take orders from you. " Feeling an odd sense of loss, you began wiggling around in his grasp again.

" Watch your mouth. " He ordered. " I don't want to hear any back talk anymore, do you understand? "

" But I'm- "

" I said, Do you understand?! " He yelled, squeezing your midriff impossibly tight. It meant to be just for emphasis, but his grip was near crushing. You wrung for air, slapping at his back. " Yes. "

He was constricting you so tight that your voice was hoarse, just above a whisper. That genuinely hurt so bad.. the limited visibility you had of your whereabouts began to blur again.

It felt like forever until he had jiggled open a door, slamming it closed as soon as he was inside.

He brought you deeper in and you knew that it was in fact the church. Brown p ews erected from the floor, and a dusty, powdery scent wafted about the place. Lee had seemed to calm down considerably from earlier - no longer did his breath come in bellows nor did his boot meet the floor in an angry clamor. Stiffly, he walked into the spare room and set you down. After being carried like that, your legs were asleep, so it was no wonder why you crumpled to the floor like a doll. Pain or no pain you didn't care, you were set on backing away from him as far as possible.

When he locked the door his expression showed that he was blatantly uncaring of your fear, but rather deeply comforted. There was suddenly no problem at all, because he was now gently holding you up by your armpits to let you sit on the side table.

" You scared me, " He ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head in disbelief. Now his tone was much more delicate. " Don't you know how dangerous it is at night? " He purposefully pulled his chair up to the door and sat against it, sighing audibly. His pale arms were crossed now, expecting something.

" ..No thank you's or sorry's. What am I going to do with you? "

You sat patiently, your arms crossed as well and your feet swinging. Your little friend might as well get used to waiting - it could take a whole week for an answer.

" Did.. Did you enjoy your flowers? " Despite his brazen actions just a few minutes ago, his nervous nature never disappeared. It was apparent when he played with his dog tags and avoided your eyes, cheeks dusted with pink, " I couldn't help it. All I could think about is how happy you'd be if you saw them. If you'd smile. "

You glared at him at first, but then you casted gaze to the floor. " You've got it bad. " It was actually a bit pitiful.

His boyish, embarrassed laugh cut in. " Suppose I do. Clever, aren't you? " His light eyes watched your face harden into cringe. He couldn't help but frown as well.

" Selfish, isn't it? Throwing me away like you've been. I'd take care of you, like you want. "

There was just this ever-present chip on your shoulder with him. Even as he's begging and prodding you, so close you can smell his cologne, nothing moved. You shrugged, " It's a crush. It will die. "

" Are you calling me a chump? " He raised his voice, dignity reigniting. " I worked my innocence away in your favor - Isn't that enough? "

" It's plenty. Not for me, though. "

You hated this queen act you had to put on to steer him away. Unfortunately, instead of repelling him, he just got angry.

" Don't be like that. It's terrible when you're insolent, like a kid. You wouldn't want me to treat you like one. "

Well, that meant it was time to change the subject. Lest he put you in the corner. You cut your eyes away, avoiding conflict.

" Downtown isn't dangerous, Leeroy, it's only in need of renovation. I used to walk to the store when I was half this size at night and I'd be just peachy. "

" Many things have changed since the 50's. Don't let those appearances fool you.

Now, you're going to listen to me. " He adjusted his position so that you were facing each-other, even if you refused to look his way.

" I know you're a modern, working woman, so I'm doing my best to compromise with you, even though it goes against my beliefs,

But if I catch you trying to walk alone - Even to your car, after 9 - Me and my friend will have to step in. Just to make sure you get wherever you're going. "

" Friend? " Who? What could TWO men possibly want with you? He bit his bottom lip and flashed the butt of a Mas 50, tucked into the waistband of his slacks. A Gun. Your stomach went ice cold. Was he using it on you or someone else? That part was fully unclear. However, you could do just fine living. He could have whatever he wanted, then. Your mouth just sat agape as he let his shirt recover his side. Lee hated when you looked at him like that. Like he was a killer.

" We should go, now. It's not appropriate for either of us to be out this late. " You squinted at him like he had some sort of disease and he swallowed.

" Don't look at me like that. I'd never do anything to you until we were properly married. We're just walking home, honey. "

" What can I do to get rid of your feelings? Anything? "

" Nothing. Come here. " He gestured for you to come over, legs open and arms outstretched. You tried to miss him by leaning against wall, but once you were near enough to the door he stood and pulled you into another embrace.

He got to rest his chin on the top of your head for the first time. A feeling like this should never be deprived from him again.