Beneath The Concrete Heart

Chapter 3: Heart to heart(Edited)

Andreas POV

I strode into the BnB room, pushing the door shut with a definitive click. The lock snicked into place, a metallic sound that echoed the finality of the situation. "We're going to have to stay here for the night. You can take the bed, and I'll take the couch." My voice was clipped, devoid of any warmth. Fatigue gnawed at me, a dull ache behind my eyes. The past few days had been a relentless blur of stress and simmering anger, leaving me drained and desperate for sleep. I hadn't slept properly in what felt like an eternity.

As I reached up to shrug off my leather jacket, a sharp intake of breath – a squeal – startled me. My brows furrowed. What now?

Ava POV

My breath caught in my throat, a strangled gasp escaping my lips. My eyes widened in horror, fixated on the dark stain blooming on the back of Andreas's crisp white shirt. The crimson was spreading, a silent testament to unseen damage. "Oh my god, you're hurt!" I exclaimed, the words tumbling out in a rush of genuine concern. Despite everything, despite his coldness and the danger he represented, I was actually worried about him. Really worried!

Andreas

A grimace twisted Andreas's features, his face paling beneath his usual tan. "It's just a scratch," he muttered, his voice tight with suppressed pain. But I could see the truth in his eyes – the sharp, fleeting glint of agony that he couldn't quite mask. He was trying to play it off, but I wasn't buying it.

Ava POV

Instinct took over. I quickly took charge, my worry overriding any fear I might have had. I moved him towards the worn, floral-patterned couch, gently guiding him to sit. Kneeling in front of him, I carefully began to assess the damage, my fingers hovering near the blood-soaked fabric. "This needs to be cleaned and bandaged right away." I bit my lip, trying to remain calm. "Stay here," I instructed, before hurrying towards the small, brightly lit bathroom. "I'm gonna get the medical kit." Thank God this BnB was decent enough to have one.

Ava POV

As I gently dabbed at the wound with antiseptic wipes, Andreas would twitch at every moment I touched him. His muscles were tense, coiled tight beneath his skin. I snuck glances up at him, studying his reflection in the small, slightly fogged-up mirror hanging above the sink. His eyes, usually so guarded and cold, were now intense, dark blue pools boring into me. He seemed to be studying me, as if trying to decipher a hidden code. A mix of curiosity and wariness swirled within their depths. This was the first, ever, time I had seen any glimpse of any emotion coming from him. It was unnerving, but also strangely...intriguing.

Once the wound was cleaned and dressed with a sterile bandage, I sat back on my heels, still facing him via the reflection in the mirror. The air in the room felt thick and heavy, charged with unspoken emotions. "You know, you're not as invincible as you think you are," I said quietly, trying to inject a little levity into the tense atmosphere. I tried smiling a little just to ease the atmosphere in the room.

Andreas POV

Andreas's expression softened, just a fraction, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of vulnerability flicker across his face. The rigid mask he usually wore seemed to crack, revealing a glimpse of the man beneath. "I know," he said quietly, his voice barely audible. "I just...can't show weakness, not even for a moment."

Ava POV

My heart felt like it was being twisted, by an invisible hand. His eyes looked like he hadn't slept for days, dark circles smudging the skin beneath his eyes. He looks, I don't know...broken. "Why not?" I asked softly, my voice laced with concern.