It wasn't a good night (Stephew)

Stephanie's true Nightmare

It was a quiet night. Matt nuzzled close to Stephanie. Stephanie whimpered a bit. She was happy, but still scared. How couldn't she be. Her dreams were terrifying her. As much as she wished it, she didn't have any choice but to fall asleep. Her mind craved it.

_-_

The next morning Stephanie awoke in her husband's arms. She sighed. "Good morning love," she sang. She nuzzled into him, trying to get him to wake up a bit.

Mat grumbled something and pulled her closer to him. Stephanie giggled and booped his nose. "It's time to get up," she said in a sing-song voice.

Mat groaned and pulled away from her. "Well I'm up now," he guilted. "I was hoping we could just lie together, but I guess we can start the day if that's what you want.

Stephanie looked down. She didn't want him to be so upset. She just wanted a bit of acknowledgment. She got up and started the shower. Mat came up behind her and softly kissed her cheek. "How about we just skip the shower this morning," he suggested, reaching over and shutting off the water. "It'll just be us two all day, anyway."

Stephanie sighed. "But I smell bad," she sniffed.

"Steph..."

"We could take one together," she nuzzled into him seductively.

Mat shook his head and led her by the hand away. "We'll take one later. Right now I just want it to be us."

Stephanie sighed and followed him to the couch where they stayed cuddling all morning. Beyond telling Stephanie to make them both a brunch, Mat didn't say much. He just listened to Stephanie list of the problems she was having. He nodded and took in all of her problems. It did feel good to have her problems off her chest.

*

The showers were the first sign. It was extremely subtle, but you can't start, can you? Any time she wanted to take a shower, Mat managed to somehow pull her away from it. Give her some work. Push himself into the shower with her. She found herself relieved when he told her that it'd be alright, and almost becoming giddy somewhat.

She was pacing back and forth in the streaming room when the first sign should've been made clear. She was trying to think up a new theory, but no one wanted to work with her. She hadn't actually showered in four days. Mat didn't argue, so...

Mat poked his head inside the room. "Jason said you wanted to see me?"

"Um, may I take a shower?" she asked, then she stopped. Did she seriously ask that question?

Mat nodded. "Sure honey. Just make it a quick one."

*

It was after a meeting that he slapped Stephanie. They had just finished meeting with a client for a consulting gig. The man had asked to meet in a Starbucks. The duo agreed to meet there. Since they'd been there before a lot, they parked in the alleyway behind it.

As soon as the door was closed Mat grabbed her wrist to get her attention. When she looked she was slapped right across the face. Stephanie kept her face turned away while he yelled at her.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he shouted. "Didn't we discuss not talking about their choice of editing tool on the first meeting? You were the one who brought that one up!"

Steph couldn't answer. She just held her face and stood still, fighting off tears. Mat seemed to realize his mistake. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry," he rushed, leaning down to give a hug. She tried to pull away, but got lodged in his arms anyway.