Page 272 of Eternal
I opened the door, let her walk in first. She exhaled a long breath like she’d been holding it in for years as I set her stuff down on the sad brown couch. “Come on,” I said softly.
She looked at me like she didn’t trust her legs, but still, she followed. I brought her to the bathroom, I tried not to say too much as she looked around, her gaze heavy.
Then she hesitated.
“I…You’re gonna see me naked…” she said, barely above a whisper.
I stepped closer, hand cupping her jaw gently, thumb brushing the skin right under her tired eye. “I’m just here to help you take a shower, partner. Nothing else. You want me to leave? Want to be alone?”
She didn’t answer, so I smiled, turned the faucet on, told her where the soap and shampoo were, kissed her knuckles and started leaving.
Then I felt it, her hand on my arm.
“Stay,” she breathed.
“Okay.”
I took off my shirt, staying in my boxers. I held her as she stepped into the tub, helped her out of her hoodie, her shorts. Her hair fell wild and damp down her back, but I only looked at her face.
She shivered. “Are you…disgusted?”
I kissed her collarbone, then just above her heart. My hands moved slowly, ribs, spine, the ink and bruises she never explained. “All I see is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
She closed her eyes and kissed me, soft, scared, barely there. Our lips didn’t even move, like she needed proof I wouldn’t flinch.
“Partner… Can you help me?”
I nodded.
I turn the water warmer, letting it run over her while I wash her hair, fingers gentle through the tangles. She stood there quiet, still. I didn’t speak either, and didn't rush it.
Soap, water. Soft.Tender…
When we were done, I got out first, towel around my waist, grabbed a shirt for her, the soft one I barely wear.
I then dried her hair slowly, like she’d disappear if I tugged too hard.
She sat in front of the mirror, hollow-eyed. Somewhere else.
I stood behind her, brushing her curls out.
“It’s just me and you here,” I said low, close to her ear. “Look at me.”
She blinked, her eyes found mine in the mirror, and something softened in them.
She put on my shirt, followed me to the kitchen with her fingers hooked in mine.
I didn’t have much food.Idiot move.Thought I’d stocked up.
“Shit,” I muttered and ran my hand through my hair. “There’s nothing here. Can you wait on the couch? I’ll go grab something.”
She nodded, took the blanket, curled up like she didn’t want to be seen, didn’t even ask for TV, or music. Nothing. She just waited there.
I ran, literally, and I found a tiny Japanese spot still open. Grabbed soup, rolls, rice, whatever they had. When I came back, she was still in the same spot, and didn't even look up.
I sat beside her, opened the boxes, pulled her into my lap like she belonged there.
I started feeding her, and she let me.
