SLIM SHADY The Butcher of Detroit 3 ∆M

Emily's hand still rested on Marshall's, her eyes locked on his face as she spoke.

__Emily: "I didn't mean for it to happen," she continued, her voice soft and full of emotion. "It just did. The more time I spent with you, the more I got to know you, the more I realized that I wanted to be with you, for real."

She smiled again, her eyes glimmering slightly with unshed tears.

__Emily: "I love you, Marshall. I love you for all the little things and all the big things. I love you for who you are."

He stared at her, his mind reeling as her words sunk in. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, couldn't understand how she could feel so much for him. But as he looked into her eyes, at the honesty and vulnerability in her gaze, he felt something stirring inside him.

His heart quickened, his stomach twisting into knots. He couldn't deny the way her words affected him, the way they made him feel both exhilarated and scared at the same time.

He swallowed, struggling to find the right words to respond.

Emily saw the emotions playing across his face, his surprise and uncertainty clear. She gently squeezed his hand, her voice soft and comforting.

__Emily: "It's okay," she said, her voice soothing. "You don't have to say it back. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

She smiled warmly at him, her eyes brimming with acceptance and compassion.

__Emily: "You can take all the time you need to figure out your own feelings" she continued, her tone reassuring. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

He looked at her, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions. Part of him was relieved that she understood, that she wasn't pressing him for a response. But part of him also felt a pang of guilt, knowing that he had been deceiving her all this time.

He looked up at her then, his expression a mix of confusion and appreciation.

__Marshall: "I don't know what to say," he admitted, his voice a little shaky.

He paused, his mind still trying to process everything that had been said.

__Marshall: "This is all...new to me," he said, his voice getting softer and more vulnerable.

Emily, sensing his turmoil, gently patted his hand.

__Emily: "You don't have to say anything," she reiterated, her voice gentle. "It's okay if you're not ready. I just want you to be honest with yourself, and with me."

She paused, her expression earnest and filled with love.

__Emily: "Just remember that I'm here for you, no matter what," she said, her tone sincere and supportive.

He felt a lump forming in his throat as he looked at her, her kindness and understanding touching something deep inside him. A part of him that he thought had been buried long ago, a part that craved connection and affection.

Marshall looked away, his mind in turmoil. He wanted to open up to her, to tell her everything. But he couldn't shake the fear of scaring her away, of revealing the darkness that lurked beneath his facade.

He took another shaky breath, his eyes returning to hers.

__Marshall: "I just...I don't know if I can give you what you want." he admitted, his voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and hopelessness.

Emily's expression softened even further, her heart aching for the internal battle he seemed to be fighting. She reached out and gently touched his cheek, her fingertips brushing against his skin.

__Emily: "You don't have to know right now," she reassured him, her voice soft and understanding. There's no rush."

She smiled at him, her eyes full of compassion and love.

__Emily: "All I want is for you to be true to yourself, and to be honest with me. That's all I need."

Marshall looked at her, his heart racing in his chest at her words. He could see the love in her eyes, the acceptance and understanding. But he still felt the weight of his own guilt, the secrets he was holding inside.

He took another shaky breath, his voice weak and strained.

__Marshall: "You deserve better than me," he said, his words a mix of self-deprecation and despair.

Emily shook her head, her expression firm.

__Emily: "No. That's not true," she said, her voice strong and resolute. "I deserve someone who is honest with me, who communicates with me. And you've been that person so far. That's all I need."

She smiled warmly at him.

__Emily: "You're not perfect, and neither am I," she continued, her tone gentle but stern. "But that doesn't matter. What matters is that we're open and honest with each other. That's what a relationship is about."

Marshall looked at her, his eyes wide and vulnerable. He felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over him, gratitude for her understanding, guilt for deceiving her, confusion about his own feelings, and a desperate need for comfort and acceptance.

His throat felt tight as he spoke, his voice shaky.

__Marshall: "I...I'm trying," he said, his words filled with both confession and desperation.

Emily nodded, her expression warm and supportive. She squeezed his hand again, her fingers reassuring.

__Emily: "I know you are," she said gently. "I can see it. And I appreciate it more than you know."

She leaned forward slightly, her tone serious but loving.

__Emily: "Just remember, I'm here for you. No matter what. I want to help you through this, whatever it is. All you have to do is trust me enough to let me in."

Marshall felt his heart squeeze at her words. The mixture of kindness and love in her voice was both terrifying and comforting. He wanted nothing more than to take her up on her offer, to open up and be honest about everything. But the fear of losing her, of pushing her away once she knew the truth, was too strong.

He looked at her, his eyes searching hers, his voice quiet and hesitant.

__Marshall: "I'll try... I promise."

She nodded ang hugged him. Marshall hugged her back tightly. For a moment he forgot what he is, what is his real intention. Right now, he was just a man in the arms of the woman who makes him feel things he'd never felt before.