I turn off of the car and hop out. He mimics my actions and we walk into the shed. I open the door and turn on the lights.
"Jesus, it's cold in here." I say as I rub the sides of my arms.
I let out a huff and was able to see my breath. Duke turned on the space heaters and lit up the fireplace.
He collapses onto the couch with a groan and I sit down next to him.
"What's going on with you? Why are you yelling at Jennifer?" I ask.
"Because it's her fault." He says.
"Wha-"
"No, actually.. it's all of your faults." He interrupts.
"Our fault for what? You are being as vague as the definition of vague and I have no idea what you're trying to get at here." I snap.
"I killed by brother, okay! I killed Wade!." He yells, making me jump in fear.
"W-what?"
"He triggered his Crocker curse and got addicted to the high of the a trouble person's blood. He went after Jennifer and.. I stabbed him in the chest." He explains.
I let his words process in my mind and he adds:
"And I blame you all,"
"I'm sorry about Wade, Duke, but how is that out fault?" I ask.
"Because I wasn't like this before. I didn't look out for everyone or care what anybody thought about me o-or put my life on the line for you people. When I cared about myself, life.. was so much easier. Now, it's just complicated; and I hate complicated." He snaps.
"Okay. First of all, we didn't force you to be anything or do anything. Audrey may have and maybe even Nathan. But I respected your decisions and I supported them, just as you did me. We didn't force you to become a better person, you did that all on your own. You did that out of love for us."
"No.." he trails off.
"No I became a better person for you. My love for you warped my mind into being something that I'm not." He adds.
"Don't you dare pin this on me!" I yell as I stand from the couch.
"And why the hell not? It's true! My life was amazing before you, Audrey, and Jennifer walked into my life."
"Oh, so now it's the women's fault? When everything goes wrong, blame the women, is that it? Because if it is, then it's complete bull! It was your choice to change not mine!" I argue.
"Well luckily, I'm leaving. So we don't have to argue anymore." He says under his breath.
"What's that suppose to mean?" I ask.
"It means that I'm packing my things, and I'm leaving this God forsaken town and everyone in it." He says, taking a step closer to me.
"Is that really what you want?" I ask.
He breathes heavily as he combs his fingers through his luscious hair. He sighs deeply and close his eyes. He doesn't answer my question.
"Look if you really want to leave Haven, then that is your choice. But could you at least sit down and give me half an hour to say my part?" I suggest.
He sits on the couch and leans his elbows onto his knees as he stares up at me. I inhale deeply before sitting down next to him. I cross my legs and link my fingers in front of it.
"If you truly want to start fresh, and rid yourself of this town.. then you can leave Haven and never come back. But let me ask you this, will you truly be happy? Will you truly be happy when you rid yourself of the people that care about you?-"
"The people who couldn't accept me for who I am, and tried to change me." He interrupts.
I sigh with annoyance and bit my tongue so I didn't say anything I would regret.
"Who will you be yourself around? Who will accept your history and love you despite what you are known for? Because like it or not, you are a Crocker. You kill the troubles, and that's a part of you. You suppressing it is your choice, and so is you leaving. You can blame me all you want, but I just want what's best for you." I explain.
He rests his face into the palms of his hands.
"I know you're stressed, and I know you're grieving from the loss of your brother. Believe me, I know a thing or two about grief. And I also know that it's the 'normal, manly thing to do' to push the people you care about, away from you. But-with all do respect- that is the most stupidest thing I have ever heard."
He chuckles at my comment and I add:
"I understand that you are feeling mixed emotions right now. You're sad, you're upset, you're lonely and you feel guilty for the death of your brother. And I know that you are too scared to ask for someone to talk to, but I am here. And there are other people in this town that cares about you..."
I trail off as I see his chest starting to shake. It was almost as if he was trying to hold back his sobs. He sniffles and subtly wipes away his tears.
"And we are your family. Family isn't always bonded by blood. It's bonded by the sharing of memories, emotion, and love. And I love you, Duke. We all love you, and we don't want to see you gone... alright?" I add.
He leans his head against my chest and released a series of sobs. Tears started to brim in my eyes as well and I rub comforting circles on his back. Making him cry even harder against my chest.
He slides his arms around my small frame and squeezed me tightly.
"Please don't let me go," He pleads.
"I won't. I promise." I say.
I close my eyes and feel tears trail down my cheeks. We hold each other and cry with one another. We spent the rest of our time snuggles, and stayed in the shed until sundown.
Duke is vulnerable right now, and needs some support. I think I should stay over his house until he's okay.
I tell him to go back to his boat and that I would be back there with my clothes for the week. I open the door to Dwight and I's apartment to see Dwight sitting on a stool in the kitchen as he stares at me.
From the look in his eyes, things will not go well.