Everyone makes mistakes...twice (Ana tag Nero)

[anaromano]

[Character: Ana Romano]
[Location: Silver steps]

Ana had a hard week and bless his heart Nero had been a god send. He was there. When ever she needed him at 3am or 2pm. No matter the time or the circumstance Nero always showed up. Ana had been so needy that it did not even occur to her Nero might have other places to be. She needed to do something nice. Ana smiled at an idea. Perhaps another try at a home cooked meal or treating him to his favorite sporting event. Ana would think of something big and romantic. Something worth of her knight in tattoo'd armour. Oh yes that dream was fresh on her mind despite it being a week ago.

Ana sighed as she looked up at Silver. It would never be the same. She would never see her brother walk down the hall or make embaressing comments. Ana missed Maxim dearly. So did the others. Lena had been especially clingy to Nero. So bad that sometimes Nero almost could not make it out of the house. It was getting better. Slowly. The pain was lessening after losing her brother. He would forever be remembered. Ana sat down on the school steps and sighed. She was feeling a little depressed and almost could not bring herself to go to school.

Right as she was about to get up she felt her phone vibrate. She pulled her cell out of her back pocket. Ana was wearing a purple tank top and tight blue jeans with black heels. She flipped open her phone and smiled at the text from Nero. She had no idea what happened moments ago or that Nero wanted to skip. Ana smiled as she texted back, "I am at Silver. On the steps. Can you come here and still make it back before your class?" Ana send the text not knowing Nero did not plan to attend class. Ana was lucky to have a boyfriend like him. He was so willing to forgive her for mistakes she made in her past, although he did not know all of them, but he would in time.

Ana knew a lot about forgivness. She also knew she had to be willing to forgive to earn forgiveness. If she only knew what she had to forgive was going to be very tough.

Tag Nero

(OOC I could not wait till tomorrow, lol)

[findingnemo]

Nero had been in his car already. He knew his girlfriend went to Silver - it was like some Gould taboo or something. But he didn't care. He needed to see her and he needed to see her now. He felt like he disappointed her without her even knowing it. He knew what the kiss was for but he wasn't so sure Ana would understand why he did it.

He made it to Silver's parking lot and sat there for a moment just contemplating really dragging Ana into the whole skipping school aspect of the day. He wanted to see her so bad though it kind of didn't matter to him - no matter how selfish that sounded.

*Uh... yeah about that... come to the parking lot* he replied to her.

He couldn't help but need to hold her at this point. Everything that happened in the last week was just mind blowing. From even starting to date her to Maxim's passing it just seemed to take a toll on even him. But he needed the comfort of knowing Ana wouldn't leave him. And that, hopefully, her forgive and forget policy would pertain to him, too, in her eyes.

He ran a hand through hair that he decided to change to hot pink and blue just last night. Maybe one of these days he would have all one color. He doubted it though. He didn't know how to go about telling her all what happened... maybe he would start with the beginning and then just tell her the truth. He couldn't lie to Ana... it would tear him apart.

[anaromano]

Ana read the text and wondered what it mean. She shook her head and stood up. Ana headed to the parking lot. Again Americans and their strange customs. To be honest Ana was still reeling from her brothers death and was not in the mood for bad news, but she also had no idea what was headed her way. She walked to Nero's care and opened the door getting in. "I take it you want to talk." She said in her Russian accent.

Ana placed her book bag on her lap and smiled. She brushed some hair from her face, "We going to talk here? Or?" The look on Nero's face told Ana this was something big and needed privacy. Ana did not care to attend school so skipping was fine, "If you need privacy we can go to my place. No one is home." All the kids were in school. Alek was in daycare. They could have privacy at her place and she meant that innocently.

Ana was not all about skipping and sex. Although it was nice, she could leave it too. Besides her home was a comfort zone and Ana needed that. It was her playing field so to speak. "You okay? You being very quiet?" Ana asked wondering what was going on. And of course being a teen, Ana began to think selfishly. What had she done? Was he dumping her? Had she been too needy this past week? Ana had no clue what Nero was going to say. Instead she just grabbed his hand and squeezed.

[anaromano]

Ana read the text and wondered what it mean. She shook her head and stood up. Ana headed to the parking lot. Again Americans and their strange customs. To be honest Ana was still reeling from her brothers death and was not in the mood for bad news, but she also had no idea what was headed her way. She walked to Nero's care and opened the door getting in. "I take it you want to talk." She said in her Russian accent.

Ana placed her book bag on her lap and smiled. She brushed some hair from her face, "We going to talk here? Or?" The look on Nero's face told Ana this was something big and needed privacy. Ana did not care to attend school so skipping was fine, "If you need privacy we can go to my place. No one is home." All the kids were in school. Alek was in daycare. They could have privacy at her place and she meant that innocently.

Ana was not all about skipping and sex. Although it was nice, she could leave it too. Besides her home was a comfort zone and Ana needed that. It was her playing field so to speak. "You okay? You being very quiet?" Ana asked wondering what was going on. And of course being a teen, Ana began to think selfishly. What had she done? Was he dumping her? Had she been too needy this past week? Ana had no clue what Nero was going to say. Instead she just grabbed his hand and squeezed.

[findingnemo]

Nero looked at her as she got into his car. He gave her a crooked smile as she acknowledged him.

"Hey babe." he smiled as he then pulled out of the parking lot headed toward her place.

Yeah they needed to talk. And so many things were going through his mind. How was she going to take this? The conversation he and Skye had was the final straw... the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. He knew there was nothing left there from that would ever destroy the relationship Ana and he had started. Friends. That was it. And he knew, from that very kiss, that the spark that was there - and would always be there - would be just that. A spark. Nothing more. Nothing less. There would be no flames igniting from that spark. No burning embers of love and lust... just... a spark.

Their relationship was now like a doused campfire after a long night of ghost stories and s'mores. Done. Out. Caput. As much as he hated to admit it... he was sort of happy about that. He just wanted all of the drama to stop... little did he know it had only just begun.

Ana had stuck her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. He smiled a little nervously at her and squeezed hers back a little as he brought it to his lips and kissed it gently.

He pulled up to her house and parked the car, getting out and letting her out, like a gentleman.

Once they got inside he looked at her.

"Look. I'm not even going to try to sugar coat this." he started. "Me and Skye.. we're over. Completely and utterly over. I pretty much figured that out myself, today." he told her.

When he knew she wouldn't really understand that he looked down, walked her over to the couch and sat her on his lap. He held her and looked into her eyes.

"I kissed her today. And it was a very one-sided kiss... and the least heartfelt thing I've ever felt in my entire life." he said. "It was like kissing a dead body." he said lifting a brow. "There was always this spark between me and her... and that spark was there the last time she kissed me." he continued. "But this time... that spark sort of went... nowhere... like... a dud." he said. "There were no passionate flames or... angels singing hallelujah. It was... nothing." he told her. "Truly nothing. I felt like everything I've ever felt for this girl just sort of... disappeared..." he said looking at her. "But I needed her to believe that I was always going to be there for her as a friend... I needed her to believe everything that happened while she was where she was when she left." he told her. "Things she never knew about or even cared to think about." he shrugged. "It may not have worked but I'll tell you that it woke me up... my heart no longer belongs to her... it's mine again." he told her.

He looked at her realizing he hadn't let her speak since they even got inside. Not that he was really anticipating hearing what she had to say about the whole Skye issue.

"I'm... sorry. I'm being completely selfish and one-sided for the second time today... you.. should probably say something before I think you are a mute. Or if you'd rather stab me in the eye... I'm sure there are a few pointy things around. I wouldn't really stop you... I'm a pretty shitty person right now." He said.

And that was the honest truth. He felt like a complete tool at this point.

[anaromano]

The silent car ride did nothing to calm Ana's nerves. She was tapping her foot the whole time, going over a thousand scenarios in her head of what could be going on. None of the scenarios ended well. They all ended with her crying and wanting to move far away from California. Then when she got to her place, she was so nervous she dropped her keys, twice. Ana finally managed to open the door and walk inside. She turned on some lights and took a moment to take in the silence. Although she actually missed the noise.

Ana first put down her book bag. She looked at Nero and blinked, not sure of what to say. Right as Ana was going to speak Nero spoke. The first few words out of his mouth sounded like the beginning of a bad break up. What was to sugar coat. You're dumping me was going through Ana's head until he spoke the next set of words. It was like a wave of relief flowed through her. She gave Nero a small smile as he took a seat and pulled her onto his lap. She ran her fingers through his interestingly colored hair. Ana thought that was it. She once again went to go say something, when Nero spoked again.

The next set of words dropped her heart like it was a hot potato. He kissed Skye.....again. he had kissed her once the day they started dating and Ana forgave that, but he kissed her again. Um....was Ana missing something or did Americans think it was okay to kiss other people when they were dating someone else. Ana felt like a fool who wanted to run away, hide and cry. Ana listened as Nero explained. He was a very good talker. Everything he said made sense in a way. She felt like that about the guy who supposedly fathered Alek, even if Ana had no real clue, but basically Ana's first love was like that. A spark would always exist, but it means nothing. Then again Ana did not have to go to school with this guy.

Ana stayed silent as Nero continued to talk. Her eyes watering slightly. Yeah this was defiantly not news she cared to hear at the moment. Ana could not figure out if she should forgive a second kiss. Sure people make mistakes....kiss someone once....but twice. Was she an idiot, or a fool for actually wanting to forgive him...what he said....damn Nero had this way of wording things and making it okay. When he started talking about her poking his eyes out, she actually was tempted to look around.

Instead Ana slowly removed herself from his grip and stood up off his lap. Before she could even think about it. Her hand came up and slapped him right across the face.it actually felt good, but Ana felt bad at the same time. She backed off a little. Taking a few steps away from Nero. She looked at him wiping tears from her eyes as they slowly fell down her cheeks, "You said this once before....when you kissed her a week ago.....I suppose to believes tis over.....you kiss her twice and I suppose to believe you....what makes you so sure tis time.....I will not be rebound girl...rebound girls never workout." Ana was mad and angry. Who wouldn't be. Could she forgive him? Of course she could, Ana had done worse then kiss a guy behind her boyfriends back, but first she had a right to be angry at least.

[findingnemo]

Nero wasn't shocked that it went that way. He was, in a way, expecting it. He didn't think he could get off easy twice. He couldn't even forgive himself how could he think she would? It was enough that it happened once... but twice? And this time it was even his fault. He put a hand to his cheek, momentarily stunned. He looked at her and then stood up. He pulled her to him gently, hugging her tightly.

"Ana... I understand why you're mad at me. And... in fact... I can't even forgive myself at this point." he said gently. "But you have to believe me when I say you are not a rebound girl. You are much more than that. You're more than just a beautiful girl and more than just my girlfriend... If you would let me, I would love to call you my heart." he told her. "The first kiss... it was Skye that did it. A sort of surprise on my behalf." he told her. "This time... it was me. It was all me, in fact." he said before taking a deep breath. "And it was purely for... educational purposes." he told her. "Explaining." he started. "I wanted to see if there was anything left there at all... before me and you went any further and you got hurt." he told her. "But... when I kissed her... it was... there was nothing there. It was almost like I never knew her... never dated her." he said gently. "I needed to know that the thing between me and her was over before I could let me and you move further." he told her. "I couldn't bring myself to hurt you if there was still something there." he told her truthfully.

He looked into her beautiful eyes and took a breath before continuing.

"You have to believe me that you were never a rebound girl for me." he told her. "You are here to... make me a man again... not the shell of the one that Skye left behind. In my eyes... she lost her chance the moment she left LA." he told her gently. "But you... you will never ever lose your chance." he told her. "Ever."

He reached up and caressed her cheek and, before she could pull away, kissed her gently. He needed to know. And, yes, he felt the spark there... but there was much more than just a spark. There was... fire... passion... lust... everything that he should feel for her was there... and none of those feelings was one of regret.

He pulled back and tasted his own lips and smiled crookedly.

"It's there." he whispered.

[anaromano]

Ana struggled against Nero's grasped. She pushed on his chest to try and get out of his grasp. It was not working. Then again she was not exactly using all her strength, "Please let go...." She said to him. However, Nero kept his hold against her struggles. Yes she was angry.beyond angry. She felt pissed for giving him a chane, "You not helping right now." She said in an angry tone as he talked about how he kissed Skye. A kiss was a kiss. That was like what if she kissed her ex. It would hurt no matter how you sliced it. "I do not understand....you just claim to take your heart from her and now you want to give it to me....you sure I am not rebound. You just took your heart back.....should you be giving it away so soon?"

Maybe all Americans fell this fast. Ana would not call what they had love. They had only been dating a week, but there was a very strong attraction and Ana did not want her and Nero to end, but it hurt. As Nero kept talking tears fell. Sure he was saying all the right things. It sounded like the perfect explanation, but Ana was still hurt. Ana stared into his eyes as she spoke to see if he was lying, but there was no way for her to tell.

Then he touched her cheek. Tears hit his hands. Ana was still struggling against him. Then Nero kissed her. At first she was disgusted that Nero would dare kiss her after kissing another woman moments ago. Ana tried to push on his chest and push him away, but the kiss. It took her breath away and the more she struggled, the more she actually gave in. Finally Ana stopped pushing and kissed Nero back. Ana could not deny that feeling when Nero kissed her. Her skin got goose bumps, her heart raced, butterflies in her stomach, not to mention when it was over she wanted more. Ana must be asking for it. To fogive the same thing twice was stupid, but.....and Ana did not trust easily, but.....she just could not give Nero up. Her mind was saying tell him to get lost, but her heart told her that she too had been asked to be forgiven, perhaps she should try it.

It was a huge risk, doing this again. It very well could make her look like a fool. Ana wiped some tears from her face, but more fell. She looked at Nero. Her eyes locked with is as he said something, "What tis there?" Sure she should know, but her mind was distracted. Ana took a breath and in a shaky voice she spoke, "I have done thing....bad things....I have cheated and asked forgiveness and then done it again. I forgave you once and you kissed her...." Her Russian accent thick, "However, my heart....it breaks....it hurts and....it cares....I do not want to lose you but.....no more...please....if you care about me as you claim then this must be the last time. No more kisses.....be her friend...I would never deny you being her friend." Even if she should but she would never want to be limited either. And it was an idiotic move, but Skye obviously meant a lot to Nero, "But you kiss her again and tis over for good. I forgive you because I believe you.....but do not kiss her again....."

This was a huge risk and a huge leap of faith, but Ana needs Nero right now, "I won't lie I am not happy and it may be while before I forget, but I forgive you. Call it jealous but tis hard to forget." Perhaps Ana was rationalizing. Or maybe Nero was a really good talker, but either way Ana needed him. Ana took a step and pulled Nero into a hug. Against his ear she whisper "Please don't be lying." She still had tears falling down her face.

[findingnemo]

Nero looked at her. What was there?

"What's there is everything that was missing between me and Skye. Everything I need... everything I want." he told her, looking into her eyes. "I want to get to the point where we can call this thing we have love." he smiled crookedly through all of the pain of the conversation. "I want you to take my heart... not to love it... not yet..." he told her. "But... to help me heal it." he said gently. "To help me be a stronger person than I am at this point. What I did was weak." he said as if trying to scold himself now. "It was weak and stupid and shouldn't have happened at all. And I apologize for that. I should never have even attempted to see if anything was left... I should have just left her to her own demise." he said shaking his head. "I'm stupid in all kinds of ways but... smart in this way." he said. "Smart in knowing that what I want is you. Not Skye.... you." he whispered. "You're no rebound girl... and certainly no short term girlfriend." he told her. "I will have you for as long as you will have me... and that's not only a promise... but a vow." he smiled at her gently as he caressed her cheek once more.

When she began to talk he just shut his mouth and listened to her. Everything she said made perfect sense and he nodded in agreement.

"You have absolutely nothing to worry about." he said to her. "You are the only girl I will be kissing... ever." he said to her. "Truly."

When she pulled him into a hug, he wrapped his arms around her. When she whispered in his ear he pulled back looking into her eyes.

"Ana, look at me... my eyes... I want you to know how easy it is to read me." he told her. "I will never... EVER... hurt you again... on any level. Lie... Cheat... nothing." he said to her. "From here on out... I am yours... for as long as you'll have me." he told her. "God's honest truth." he said finally.

He caressed her cheek one more time and pulled her into a passionate kiss. That spark. That flame. And it set him on fire.

[anaromano]

Ana just listened. She let out a few rough breaths from crying. when Nero touched the side of her cheek she closed her eyes breifly. She wanted to believe him so badly. Nero was saying all the right things. Was she an idiot for wanting to give him a thrid chance. She felt it too. "O...okay...." She said softly. She kissed the palm of his hand. "I felt it too. The want to have more with you. To see were we go from here. I want it too." She told him.

Ana hugged him tightly. As tight as she could. "Good, because you be the only boy I be kissing." Ana told Nero. she looked into his eyes. The intense stare made her heart flip. The tears were calming, but she still had streaks down her eyes. She nodded as he spoke, "Good...I am glad you told me truth and did not hide it...means you are being honest." Neor could have kept it a secret, but he didn't. That had to mean something. Ana kissed Nero back. Her body told her this was good and for real. She really did care about him. "I help...i keep your heart safe....help you heal...." She said against his lips and kissed him again.