HIATUS// Ride 'Em Cowboy || Striker X Reader 18+

Secrets

The dim lighting in the house sets a quiet mood, Striker stares awkwardly at you not knowing how to help at first. It seemed as if he were afraid to hurt you by touching you, that you are a fragile piece of glass that would shatter with a slight graze. You huff and begin to slowly tread towards your room, wanting to change into pajamas. "Here let me help you." Striker carefully wraps his arm around you allowing you to put all your weight onto him, which he of course did not mind at all. You felt a tinge of pain throughout your shoulder while walking but you were just sore for the most part. You began to feel terrible, making Striker take care of you. You both reach the bedroom, Striker sits you down and walks to your closet, you tell him where the pajamas are and he begins holding up pairs to you asking which one you may want to wear. You finally decide on your most comfy pair and start getting up, Striker takes notice and sits you back down. "Take it easy darlin', you've been in bed the last week." Huffing you answer. "I know but I have to change my bandages." Striker rolls his eyes and quickly grabs the bandages and other supplies from the kitchen, crouches down to your level, and gently removes the bandages from your shoulder. You wince slightly as Striker examines the wound. "It looks pretty good, healin' up nicely." Your wound was almost healed and Striker did not feel the need to cover it much just on the sensitive area, you grit your teeth feeling any pressure on that area of your shoulder. There was silence, "So, who did you have to kill that night at Ozzie's? I mean- you were gone for a decent amount of time." Striker chuckles, and stands up handing you your clothes, "Just some club owner on the rise, others were gettin' you could say intimidated by him." Striker grins, his gold tooth flashing at you. "Oh.." Is all you had to say, the thoughts began to race back to you, your heart thumping and the anxiety kicking in. "Did you get any visitors?" You stare up at him, "What?" you answer barely above a whisper, and your voice is shaky. "At the hospital." 

Thump..

Thump..

Thump..

I gulp, feeling as if a lump was in my throat, there was silence at first which told Striker something was up, quickly I answered, "Yeah just my coworkers." Striker raises an eyebrow, I was afraid of knowing what must be going on through his head. "Alright, well I'm just gonna be waitin' for you unless you're wantin' me to help you change." He smirks at me, I feel myself blush. "Shoo." I make the hand motion for him to leave the room. He leaves and closes the door behind him, I slowly get up and walk to my bathroom, grunting here and there from the uncomfortable pain. I regret it almost immediately, looking at my reflection in the mirror, gasping at the sight of all my newly white splotches, as well as my horn which was once a straight point now half the size of my other one with rugged edges from the break. 

I graze my hand against my horn, and a wave of sensitivity flows through my body, the tears begin to fall as I get changed, lifting my tail and noticing more white patches on that as well. 'Why me' is all I could think, feeling so much pity for myself it's pathetic. I brush my hair using my other hand to not hurt my shoulder. I slide dirty clothes off and my clean clothes on slowly, and exit the bathroom tears still falling from my eyes. Striker should not have to do this, we've only known each other so long yet he cares so much for me, why? 

I tread towards the door but hear talking on the other side, I remove my hand from the knob and put my ear to the door, mumbling can be heard. "Yes ma'am, I know." Pacing can he heard as well, "I just have somethin' goin' on at the moment but it won't happen again, ma'am." Chuckling can be heard, "I'll get him don'tcha worry, send me the details." 'who is he talking to and why is he pacing so much' A low rattle can be heard through the door before silence. I decided to wait an extra minute before going out there. 'I wonder if Stolas has anything to do with this 

I slowly turn the knob opening the door and almost immediately Striker who was on his burner phone runs to me helping me again, "I got it, Striker." I roll my eyes lightly pushing against him, he just ignores me and continues to help. "I said I got it, I'm not a helpless child." I pull away this time, almost falling I brace for impact but Striker catches me with his tail. I open my eyes and sigh, "You sure you don't want my help darlin'?" Striker raises an eyebrow smirking, I just huff in response as he sits me down on the couch.