Blood vs. Water

Funny Feelings

When she came to, it was morning and she was in an unfamiliar bed. She was fighting to open her eyes and when they finally complied, she had to rub the eye boogers from them to see clearly. This wasn't her room. The puppies were gone and so was her memory of what happened when she was awake.

She felt the pain in her thigh and it all comes flooding back. She picked up her phone from her bedside, thankful to whoever put it there and sent Aurelio a text.

*Are you okay?*

Not a minute later Aurelio opened the door. He stood in the doorway. Why did her heart have to feel so at peace with him here?

His face was all swollen and blue and believe it or not, but it made him look even more handsome. He didn't meet her eyes when he said. "This was my fault and I am so incredible sorry Daphne."

She didn't know what to say. It was partially his fault, but he couldn't take the blame for this. She was in trouble because of what he did, yes, but this wasn't his fault. He didn't pull the trigger that shot her in the leg. He didn't let the men into his house. She was fine and he was fine. And that was all that mattered.

"You look like shit." She said instead, gaining his attention. His face was still emotionless. She tried to slowly push herself up to sit straight-up. "Any gashes or wounds I need to stitch up for you?" She added in a joking matter.

He didn't find it humorous and just stared at her leg. "Hey, this wasn't your fault Aurelio." She said instead. She patted the bed next to her and when he shook his head "no", she patted the bed more aggressively. He took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed on the other side. He looked pissed now that he was close up. His eyes told more stories than she had ever read before.

"What's wrong?" She asked him putting her hand on her stomach and feeling for the scar there.

"I couldn't keep the one person who I'd dragged into all this, safe." He looked really angry, frustrated, and got more infuriated.

Daphne fell quiet. She never knew she would see the day that Aurelio would tell her his insecurities. He was a protector, she could tell and to him it felt like he had failed. Ironic thinking of how many he's killed.

She took a deep breath and decided that it was time to show him what he did for her. She lifted up her shirt only a few inches.

His eyes caught the movement. Scars and damaged tissue covered her porcelain white skin. "You did save me Aurelio." She quickly let the shirt fall back down. "This is nothing." She gestured toward her bandaged leg.

She heard him take another deep breath and moved so his body was facing her way and in closer proximity. He lifted his bruised hands and placed it on either side of her face, his soft lips touched her forehead and she closed her eyes, hating how much she enjoying the feel of it. His lips lingered for a few seconds before pulling back. He stared at her as she stared at him. His eye was blue on the ridges and his one cheek swollen and blue as well.

"Now where are my children." She stated breaking the peaceful silence. He finally gave a smile and shook his head, walking to the door of the room and calling out to Chiara. "Far uscire i cuccioli." In less than five seconds the puppies came sprinting down the hallway into the door.

She felt her heart leap of joy seeing them both unharmed. She really did love these little doggies. Daphne picked them both up onto the bed and let them lick her as she scratched each of them on the head, ears and belly.

Once they calmed down and laid down beside her staring at her with much interest, she looked over at Aurelio still standing in the door. He was smiling down at her with the cutest expression she'd ever seen on a muscular man like him.