Deer in the Headlights

Part 78 - I'm Not Afraid Anymore

[Brielle's POV - The first day back at Adam's house]

“Jeez, it’s been a long day...” Adam sighed, curling up against me as we sat together on the plush couch in his front room, both of us relieved beyond words to be home and together again. It was a few weeks of my life that I wouldn’t want to repeat in a hurry.

Seeming to read my thoughts, Adam leant over and kissed my cheek delicately, his right arm at the same time wrapping smoothly around my waist while his right leg entwined protectively over mine so that he was cuddled up as close as possible to my side. He seemed to be seeking my comfort, finally glad to be alone with me and not having to subject himself to the necessities that socialising posed. I realised he had a lot of emotion pent up inside, he was only ever this quiet when he was in deep thought or something was wrong.

“You ok Adam?” I puzzled softly, drawing little circles on his shoulders with the tips of my fingers. I felt Adam smile at the touch as his head came to rest just beside mine, our chests soon beginning to rise and fall in near perfect harmony as we settled into a relaxed state.

“Yeah...thanks.” He murmured, seeming to pause for a second as if he wanted to say something more, the silence stretching out before us till eventually he gave a rumbling cough a moment later and found his voice again. “I’m so relieved to be back home with you Bri.” He said softly as he began to make intricate little patterns in the fabric of my hoodie with his right hand that sat placidly on my stomach. I could tell right now he was feeling a deep sense of gratitude just as I was too.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips and I placed my hand on his, feeling the smooth skin of his large hand perfectly beneath mine. It was a feeling I’d missed more than I could quite imagine and it came with an emotion so distinct that I knew without even thinking it was my love for him rekindling to soon become the deep burning flame it had once been.

“Me too.” I agreed with a gentle squeeze to the upper half of his back that was free from scarring.

“Kinda weird that you’re- living with me now.” Adam mumbled in a warm tone, giddy smile etched onto his rugged features in a way that hinted at so much without him even having to say anything more.

“Weird?” I teased with a prod to his ribs.

Adam giggled at my touch, taking a sly moment to kiss up my jaw before settling back down as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just made my insides melt with a high fever under the feel of his warm lips.

“But in a good way of course.”

“I’d hope so since I’m probably going to be stuck with you for a few weeks.”

We both chuckled and lapsed into silence, no doubt thinking through the conversation that had transpired and what that fully meant for us both.

Obviously we’d be living in close quarters for a fair amount of time until at least I could get back walking fully, currently all I could manage were the few short, wobbly walks to and from the various rooms in Adam’s house, but even they tired me out alarmingly quickly. The doctors had said that could be the case that I would be easily exhausted and having to rely upon a carer for the most part of the day, which frustrated me a lot more than I could quite let anyone know. Being a free, independent young female was something you don’t really get to acknowledge until somehow those things are taken away from you.

I sighed softly and feebly pushed the thought away, instead choosing to glance my eyes over Adams body that was cuddled up against mine in a gorgeously comfortable position. Guiltily I was rather glad the feeling was back in my legs. I smirked immediately as a hot blush snaked its way to my cheeks; over the past few days especially we’d had a number of ‘moments’ all of them unexpected on both of our parts and most unplanned and often down to our injuries.  Which was heartening to think, the fact we were both working around our inabilities and pain to love the other was something quite special.