𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝, guy germaine

𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 | for you i'd do anything

     THE HOSPITAL WAS A cold place to be, especially separated from the people you loved. With Guy in the waiting room and my brothers in the ER to get checked out, I was by myself.

This room wasn't like a normal hospital room, it was smaller. It had a chair with stirrups and a desk. I sat patiently on the chair in a hospital gown as a nice nurse felt me all over and eventually took the gown off to see any bruises.

I guess this was what getting a rape kit was like.

She took out a camera to photograph the bruises on my neck and thighs.

"W-who's gonna see those?" I asked, uncomfortable in front of the lens.
"Nobody has to, unless you decide to open a case. Then they'll be here as evidence. All this is for is to collect evidence, sweetheart."
"Cause I don't want people to see my-"
"I know, darling. It's okay."
The nurse was sweet and southern, the best kind you could ask for. She took notes on my story already, letting me cry it out, and now that we had done the external things, I was getting nervous.

"Alright honey, now have you ever been to a gynecologist before?"
"No ma'am, should I?"
"No, you're just fine. Can you lay back and get your legs in the stirrups?"
I obeyed her word, hating that I felt so exposed. I didn't even like to think about my body, let alone have a nurse inspect it so deeply and up close. I started to cry.

"Would it help you if your boyfriend was in here with you? Would you be more relaxed?" She asked, standing and taking my hand.
"Y-yeah, I think so."
"Okay, how about we have you go get him. We can talk and finish up the inspection."
I sniffled, smiling softly to show I appreciated her offer as I moved my legs down and got my feet on the floor. I shuffled slow out to the waiting room, cold as ice, and looking for him.

He was in the corner, calling from a payphone.

"Yeah mom, she's safe now, just shaken up. Welp, she's coming, I've got to go... bye, I love you."
He hung up, turning his attention to me.

"Can I hug you now?" He asked.
"Yeah, it's not like we didn't already mess up the DNA transferring before."
I let him pull me into his arms, feeling warm for a moment.

"I have Charlie coming with clothes for you. I hope you don't mind my pajamas, Tibbles said we're taking you all shopping tomorrow."
"No, no that's perfect."
My clothes had been taken to be stored with the evidence, so I needed new clothes in order to leave. I was happy he had taken care of it.

"So, um, I need you..."
"What's up, Opal?"
"Come with me." I took his hand, starting us to walk into the secured hallway. "The nurse, she has to..."

My voice was so shaky because I frankly was scared. I had never had anything go in there before, and I didn't want to. While I didn't think anything was wrong with people having sex, I didn't want to even think about it. This would make me have to think about it.

"S-she has to use a swab..." I still couldn't get it all out.
"It's okay, I'll be there with you." He planted a soft kiss on my temple, his arm around my shoulders. "Anything you need, I'm gonna be here for. I'm not leaving you ever again."
I still couldn't believe what he was saying - it wasn't sounding very possible, but it was comforting.

We went back in the room and he helped me get up into the stirrups, not looking under my gown because he knew that was what bothered me most.

"Okay Opal," the nurse began, "now I will be taking some samples from inside and outside of your..."
Looking at me, it was like she knew not to say what it actually was.

"Your private." I sighed in relief. "So please try to relax - it shouldn't hurt, it just may be a bit uncomfortable."
Guy held my hand, looking at my face rather than my feet as she went in for the first swab. I gripped his hand tight with a slight wince - it was just uncomfortable.