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Dot flinched as she heard Liko's steps behind her, but she also couldn't help but smile a little. It was always the same with her. As if her girlfriend had a sixth sense for when Dot was feeling down, even in the middle of the night. And of course Liko had instantly abandoned her usually so beloved sleep to be there for her.
"Just what in the world did I do to deserve you...?"
Dot was standing at the window with her arms folded and a frown on her face. her eyes remained focused on the rain that was falling from the sky outside. Liko patiently waited behind her, not wanting to push Dot to talk about anything she wasn't ready for, but still silently offering her girlfriend her support if she was willing to accept it.
Neither of them spoke for a while. When Dot opened her mouth after a few minutes, she hesitated for a moment and then just closed it again. Liko could tell how hard it was for Dot to put her feelings into words but she knew that Dot was already aware of her presence and her silent offer of support. The only right thing to do now was to give her time to sort out her thoughts, no matter how much it pained Liko to see her girlfriend in such a shaken state.
"What do you think about when you see the rain like this, Liko?"
Liko hesitated. It was clear to her that the rain outside the window was nothing compared to the hurricane of emotions swirling inside of Dot. She very well had an answer to that question, but she knew that telling her girlfriend might only make things worse for her. However, when they got together, Liko promised herself two things in regards to Dot. To always tell her the truth and be honest with her, and to be there for her, no matter what she was going through. Dot had asked her a question, she had accepted being hurt even more and she wanted and deserved an answer, whether it would actually end up hurting her more or not.
"I... I remember playing in the rain as a kid. I always got my clothes wet and dirty and i often ended up catching a little cold when i did, but I kept doing it anyways. Most grown ups used to scold me for getting myself so dirty, but my mom and dad never cared much. I think they were just happy that i was having fun."
Dot's sad smile prevented Liko from engulfing herself too much in her happy childhood memories.
"Yeah, that sounds like something you'd do.
...
You know how I preferred to be alone all my life? It's a decision that I made for myself. I know now that I was wrong but that's what I believed was better for me for most of my life. To just stay away from everyone. But that also meant that I never had anyone I could talk to about my feelings. I never felt like anyone in the world would understand me or not judge me for my thoughts and feelings, so I just kept them to myself all my life. On some days when I was really depressed I just wanted to yell it all out into the world, but I couldn't get myself to do it. Back then, when I had a bad day, sometimes I just watched the rain and pondered about my life, about how things could have been if I had done some things differently. Back then the rain would always calm my thoughts, maybe even numb them. But now when I watch the rain I just get reminded of that time. I get reminded of how much I owe you and I get reminded of what could await me if I ever lost you. When you woke up and joined me here the first thing I asked myself was... just what on earth did I do to deserve you? "
Dot was shaking now, not daring to turn around and reveal her teary eyes to Liko.
"I just... thank you so much for everything Liko... please never leave me... I don't know if I could bear living like this ever again..."
"I could never leave you, Dot.", Liko replied without hesitation. To support her words, Liko finally hugged her and put her head on Dot's shoulder from behind.
"And do you know why? Because I love you.", Liko whispered into her girlfriends ear, and enjoyed the shudder that ran down Dot's spine upon hearing her words.