Stay Strong (A Script Fanfic) (Slow updates)

Chapter 12

Danny's POV

Lena lay in my arms, one hand splayed on my chest, the other tucked underneath her neck. I couldn't take my eyes off her; every time I feel asleep, I jolted awake what felt like minutes later, terrified of seeing that expression of sheer panic and fear on her face again. Her tears had dried, and even though her dreams seemed to be calm and peaceful now, every so often a grimace or frown would cross her face, or a whimper would escape her lips. At these moments, I would stroke her hair, and hold her close, tell her everything was going to be okay. I don't know if she heard me, but it seemed to work, and moments later Lena would relax, curling up like a child.

I was woken by the sunlight streaming through the curtains, bathing most of the room in light. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, stretched out my arms and yawned wide, freezing as I realised that Lena had shifted away from me at some point during the night, curled up facing the wall. I could hear her breathing, not the slow, even pace of a sleeping figure, but the shallow, slightly panicked breaths of someone who didn't know what to do. The pale glow of the morning light caressed her hair, turning the dark strand almost gold, and her eyelashes cast long shadows that played across her cheekbones. There were faint tear tracks still glistening on her skin, yet she was beautiful.

I opened my mouth to speak, then thought better of it, instead placing my hand over hers, which was resting on her waist. I instantly felt her relax, and she rolled over to face me, an explanation forming on her lips.
"You don't have to say anything." I cut her off before she could even begin her sentence, and she let out the tiniest sigh of relief. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and placed a hand on her neck, feeling her pulse flutter underneath my fingertips. Lena attempted a weak smile and failed, so instead she pressed her lips to mine, conveying all of the apologies and heartache and everything she wanted to say but couldn't in that one kiss. Our noses touched as she drew back, her thumb brushing my cheek.

"I've missed you." The murmur was barely audible, but it warmed my heart nonetheless.

It felt like an age later when one of us finally moved. I didn't want to leave Lena alone, but I could already hear Sam moving about in the next room, and I knew that my phone would be ringing soon, the lads expecting me to be ready for today's auditions.

It was nearly an hour before Lena made her way downstairs to join me, and I was surprised to find that she was fully dressed, her makeup done, and her hair straightened. If I hadn't seen her earlier, I would've thought everything was fine, but there was something different about her. She wouldn't meet my eyes, and her skin was just a shade or two paler than usual.
"Morning!" Sam was cheery, pouring herself a cup of tea and gesturing for me to help myself to coffee. I'd managed to make a round of toast for myself, and was quite proud of it to be perfectly honest. Lena didn't seem to share in my good mood.

"Dan? Have you been using the toaster?" Her voice rang out from the kitchen and I froze, the last slice halfway between my mouth and the plate.

"Um...yeah?" Silence.

"There's crumbs everywhere!" I quickly finished off the last piece of toast and hurried into the kitchen, passing Sam on the way.

"You're done for!" She whispered conspiratorially, heading upstairs to change. I rolled my eyes and placed the empty plate in the sink, before turning to Lena, who was wiping down the kitchen surfaces with a cloth. It was nearly a minute before she finally turned to me, bracing her arms against the counter with a sigh.

"I'm sorry," Her voice was small, and she played with the cloth in her hand absentmindedly, picking at the fraying threads of cotton.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for." Lena let out a huff.