Pain Unlimited

Himalchuli

Suggesting that Pierson was waking up, I heard the familiar rubbing of clothes on leather. I hurried back to my room and hopped into small bed as gently as I could but my aching bones protested. It felt as though my heart was pushing against my chest and the pain felt like a million dull knives stabbing me. Groaning I covered myself up with the crinkling sheets and acted like I was just waking up.

I heard Pierson's footsteps grow louder until he was in my doorway. I forgot to shut my door behind myself so that he did not see that I was up earlier. Usually the wooden door is left closed until I wake up. Holding my breath that he would not notice this irregularity I studied his sleepy figure. His blonde hair was a mess on top of his head and the fact that he was running his hand through it did not help. His blue eyes conveyed the tiredness that I too felt. It must have taken a lot of energy out of him to hurt me so much last night I thought angrily.

"Good morning." I said quietly controlling my silent fury.

He nodded and continued to run his hand through his hair nervously. I knew what was coming next, he always used the same routine when apologizing to me.

"Listen hun. I did not mean to hurt you." His wavering voice revealed his sincerity. "I just got so mad and - well you forgive me right?"

I got up and carefully walked over towards his outstretched arms trying to stifle my pain and embraced him. His touch did not repulse me as much as it relieved me to see that I was not in trouble or would not get hurt at the moment. Taking my action as forgiveness he picked me up bridal style and carefully walked me to the bathroom. 

Resting me on the cream coloured sink, he took a washcloth and ran cool water over it and rubbed it onto my swollen cheek. Seeing the dark red and purple of my bruise in the mirror, I cringed. Pierson patted my hand reassuringly so that I might feel better but it only hurt me more. I still had a small shard glass in my hand. Seeing the glass cut, Pierson got tweezers and fished it out and rinsed the cut with a washcloth. Then he ran it around my bruised eye, and slipped his sweatshirt up to inspect my body.

My stomach and ribs were littered with purple bruises. My legs were no better with the green bruises from the past night that were healing. Seeing these wounds I remembered how violent and terrifying he was. Throwing things at me and forcing me into submission. The man caring for me right now was a completely different person that I did not recognize. 

Upon seeing the results of his violence, Pierson's eyes softened, "I am so sorry Lena," he all but whispered, "please, please forgive me." 

"Pierson of course I forgive you." I felt my heart weaken at the sight of the tears that were running down his face.  "There is nothing to forgive, it was an accident." I was more reassuring myself than him at this point. I needed to get over this fear of him because he had clearly changed. Never had he been so tender after a mistake than in this moment, the convincing was working  because as soon as the words left my mouth I leaned down to kiss his lips. The kiss was not a passionate one but a gentle kiss that conveyed the forgiveness and sorrow on both sides. 

We continued to sit there for a while with our arms wrapped around each other until I got too stiff and had to move. I could hear my joints moving each time I so much moved a centimeter.

"Um Pierson, I need to move please." I said timidly, I was still wary of him because of all that he had done to me. He was still a scary person that was muscular and impressive in height as well.

We let go of each other and I slipped my body off of the count top. He picked me up again and moved me to the couch carefully avoiding the lamps that was seated on either side of it. I groaned as Pierson flopped me down. He plopped down beside of me and rubbed my arm reassuringly as he leaned forward to kiss me again.