We Are Better Together!

Chapter 11 - The Longingness

⚠️Trigger Warnings - Reader Discretion is Advised⚠️

Karasuma's Pov:

Irina slept through the whole drive and I figured that she would surely be exhausted as the effects of the medicines were still there. We reached home and the two housekeepers that were there opened the door of the house for us. I picked Irina up, careful not to wake her as she snuggled up to me. A small smile appeared on my face as I started walking inside the house, everything was silent until one of the housekeepers started informing me about the stuff going on in the house. I gave him a nod and signaled him to talk about it later, he understood and left to do the other work in the house.
The other housekeeper went and bought my stuff from the car and locked the car, locking the door behind her as well.

I walked with Irina in my arms upstairs to the bedroom, I figured she would still like to sleep. I laid her down tucking her up and caressing her cheek as she leaned into the touch, still fast asleep.
I remembered how earlier I did the same, bringing her to the bedroom and tucking her up before the day she was going for her mission and how cheerful and confident she was. I frowned thinking how different both the situations were, but decided to put all my attention on Irina for now.

My hand travelled from her cheek to her wrist as I took her hand in mine, observing the bruises that littered her skin, painful looking and I couldn't help the feeling that crept up in me from the pits of my stomach, making it churn. I caressed the bruises lightly and kissed them, rubbing the palm of her hand and petting her head. I tucked her up to the neck and kissed her on the forehead before letting her sleep and leaving the room, taking one last look at her.

Irina's Pov:

They were hitting me again and again. They were not even listening to me when I told them to stop, abusing me all day. I don't know what I did wrong, but today they were in a bad mood, being too rough today and slicing me with knives. I was too exhausted to resist and enduring it was the only option or this would get worse. They stopped for a while and I started to nod off, when they called out to me expecting for a response, but I was too tired to even look at them. They took it other wise and a man holding a whip came in as I looked from the corner of my eyes, tears sliding down my cheeks as my vision became blurry, I knew the punishment was coming, but I was already bleeding too much to take another punishment. I tried to move a bit, the sound of the chains clinking had everyone's attention and got a harsh slap across my face. I panicked as the man with the whip came closer raising his hand to land the whip on me and it came--

I woke up suddenly panting heavily and sweating, I bolted up and winced from the pain, looking around to find myself in a dark room with curtains drawn and the AC was on, I was on a bed with soft and fluffy blankets wrapped around me, It was warm. I moved the blanket only for me to see some bandages on my arms, even in the dark I could see the bruises on my arms. I looked around the room and realized the I was in our house and in our bedroom, meaning Tadaomi must be around. I quickly tried to get up wincing a little as some of wounds still hurt a lot, but then I heard the sound of footsteps coming closer to the door, someone was talking on the phone, I couldn't make out whose voice it was. I started backing away, not able to recognize who it was on the door and the door opened.

"Irina?..."

It was Tadaomi. He came running to me and hugged me tightly asking me if I was okay and apologizing for not being there when I woke up. I hesitantly hugged him back before leaning in his soothing embrace as he caressed my head. He slowly broke the hug and caressed my cheek, holding my shoulder, looking directly at me as if observing me.

"Do you want to take a bath? Are you hungry? Do you wanna eat first? Does it hurt anywhere?"

I just kept looking at him, thinking that he's changed too much for me to handle and finding it reassuring that he was being more attentive than he usually was. I timidly looked away before speaking,

"I-I want to take a-a bath first..."
My voice came out sore because of not speaking for a long time and I stuttered a bit.

"Here! drink some water, it's warm... I'll get your bath ready, okay?"

I nodded and took the glass of water with my still trembling hands from the nightmare and started drinking the water and he seemed to notice it,

"Are you okay?"

I timidly nodded not wanting him to see right through me.

Karasuma's Pov:

I know she's not ok, something's wrong, I wanted her to talk about it, but decided not to push her. I started to get up to get her bath ready, but before I could leave I felt a tug at my sleeve and looked behind to see an almost panicked Irina looking at me with fear in her eyes....

"D-don't g-go..."

Her voice trembled and she held onto my sleeve tightly as her body started shaking lightly. I quickly sat down beside her, keeping the glass of water on the side table and promptly taking her in my arms as she clutched my shirt tightly. Her body was still lightly trembling and I told her to come with me while her bath got ready.

We went to the bathroom and I sat her on the counter, treating her like a child, but she did not opposed. I kissed her forehead to reassure her that I was not going anywhere. I got the warm water ready for her bath and told her where her clothes are, though she already knows, it's her house after all. I told her where all the lotions are and everything she needed and she nodded already knowing all the stuff.

"I....I can take a bath m-myself....but....y-you-"

"I'll be there if you need anything, okay? just call out to me, I'll be outside..."

I walked closer to her and held her shoulders, searching for her eyes which were glued to the ground.

"I'm not going anywhere, hmm? I'll be here whenever and wherever you need me, right?"

She finally looked up into my eyes, before timidly nodding. The look in her eyes was longing, but also desperate as if she did not want to be left alone, but went ahead to take a bath as I left the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I sighed, a bit tired as I watched the dark room, standing at the door for some instant and then sitting on the bed rubbing my temples. I sighed a bit before looking at the bathroom door and whispering,

"I'm here....always..."

Ohisashiburi mina-san [Long time no see],

How are you guys?

I am hungry, but I ate just now, but then again I can never stop being hungry.... for love😉

See y'll😛