Beneath the Ink (COMPLETE)

Soothe

Cecelia May

I held his hand as I drove us to my house, he held his shirt to his face, hiding himself.

I parked.

"What do you need from me? Do you want a bath or shower? Sleep? Food?" I asked.

He shook his head.

I needed him here, present.

I wasn't exactly sure how to get him here.

"Let's go take it one step at a time." I wiped my own tears, trying to be okay.

He worried me. I wanted to help take this from him.

I got out, going to his side, holding his hand, squatting on the concrete, waiting for him to be ready.

I massaged his palm, the hurt one, looking at the injury.

I kissed his knuckles, each one.

"Do you need help getting out?" I asked.

I stood, unbuckling him.

I waited.

He slowly wiped his face, holding his shirt in a tightly clenched fist as he got out.

I shut the door, locking the car as I unlocked my door, opening it.

He stepped inside, looking around, taking a deep breath.

I shut the door, turning on some lights.

"Can I get you water?" I asked.

I did it, not waiting for an answer. I stuck a straw in it, knowing it might help.

I handed the cup to him, his hands were trembling, his jaw began chattering, his body coated in goosebumps.

I cupped his face. I put the straw to his lips.

"Please?" I whispered.

He put his hand on my hip, it shook violently as he began drinking the water.

I nodded.

"Good, finish it."

He did and I set the cup aside.

His eyes were red and swollen, his jaw chattering.

"I'll run a shower." I said and he didn't let me go.

"You can come." I grabbed his hand, walking us to my bathroom.

I began the warm shower, pulling a first aid kit from under my sink.

"Can I clean it after the shower?" I asked.

He just looked at me as his lips trembled, at the same time he looked so angry and hostile.

I immediately stood in front of him, hugging him.

"It's okay. You're allowed to cry." I whispered.

I looked up and he grabbed my jaw, staring at me as tears fell down his face.

I shut my eyes, his lips touching my forehead.

"Would you like me to shower with you?" I asked.

He gave a nod.

"I will. But I have to undress, so do you. I'll be here." I backed up and he grabbed my belt loops, undoing my jeans himself.

He pulled them off me, my underwear following.

I lifted my arms as he pulled my shirt over my head.

He undid my bra only using one hand, he grabbed my hands, putting them on his bare chest as he unbuttoned his jeans, pulling them off him.

He pulled me to him, hugging me, our bare bodies together, touching as his skin was blistered in goosebumps.

His jaw still hadn't stopped chattering.

I pulled him into my shower, with me.

He placed me under the water first, his hands on my waist.

"You can go first, I know showers make you feel better." I said but he just took the ponytail from my hair, putting it around his wrist as he pushed his fingers through my curls, getting them wet.

Immediately I wished I had detangled my hair before getting in but I knew it'd be fine.

I shut my eyes, relaxing as he massaged my scalp.

He grabbed my hair mask and pulled me from the water, putting it through my hair, gently removing knots as he raked through my hair.

He put it in a bun to sit.

He grabbed my body wash and my loofa.

He washed my entire body, down to the places between my toes.

He completely bathed me, then I did the same for him.

He seemed calmer when I was constantly touching him, looking at him, giving him my attention.

But he was still stressed.

He still looked angry.

He still had body language that signaled toward the upmost discomfort.

There was nothing I could do to fix it.

He had dried me off, his lip began trembling again.

I cupped his cheek.

He went to my room, grabbing my lotion.

He put it everywhere on me, some places even twice.

I grabbed his hand, walking to my room.

I put on a T-shirt and shorts.

He grabbed the sweats he had brought and pulled them on.

"Can you eat? I can order something or make something." I said and he pulled me to him, his face in my neck, he inhaled, smelling me.

He didn't respond as he kissed my throat.

I tried not to overthink the feeling.

I held my breath as his tongue began dragging over my jugular.

"I'm n-not hungry." He said.

"Th-that's fine." I whispered, feeling my eyes roll back as he began sucking on my throat. I tried not making a sound, not exactly understanding how he was feeling.

He groaned, frustrated.

"What?" I asked.

He picked me up and I squealed, he laid me down on my bed, lying on top of me.

He put his head under my shirt and held onto me so tightly, his body settling between my legs, his head on my chest.

He moved up, his nose against the crook of my neck.

I just rubbed his back, hoping something would help.

I shut my eyes, feeling him get heavier on top of me.

I sighed, relieved when he was asleep.