Stockholm Syndrome // sm

Chapter Twenty One

"Come here." I whispered to Shawn as I drew him a bath. He walked up to me and I sat him down on the toilet as I picked up the first aid kit he had.

"I can do this myself-"

"Quiet." I shushed him as I cleaned his cuts a bit. "Let me take care of you." I said gently, rubbing a cotton swab under his lip and nose to clean the blood.

He looked up at me, his wide, light brown eyes catching the bathroom light inside of his irises. They created flecks of gold and sparkles, and it was beautiful. He looked so small and innocent, almost like a child, only with his injuries, I'd say a child who had gotten in a fight.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" I asked him and he shrugged his shoulders as I ran a hand through his soft, curly hair.

"Like what?"

"Like it's the last time you'll ever see me." I told him and he smiled smally, his teeth tugging on his bottom lip gently.

"You're just so beautiful that it hurts." He told me and I rolled my eyes, aching to just kiss the life out of him. I don't understand why, but he just looked extra adorable right now. Maybe it's the way he's looking up through his lashes and his plump lips were slightly bigger and more red.

"Your bath is almost ready." I murmured and he shrugged as I set what I was holding down, turning the faucet off after throwing some bubbles in there. He requested for enough bubbles to drown in, and I complied.

"Are you getting in the tub with me?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. I shook my head and he sighed, sticking his bottom lip out in a pout. "Please?"

"No. I'll just shower later on." I told him and he pouted even more. I kissed his cheek and he smiled a bit, his large hand holding my wrist. "You cheeky, cheeky boy."

"It was worth a shot." He muttered to himself and I nodded as I put the bandages and disinfectants away with one hand. Took some time, but I did.

"I'll be in the living room if you need anything-"

"Stay with me. Please." He pleaded me and I rose an eyebrow at him. "I need the company. Especially after tonight. I know you do too."

"You're bathing Shawn-"

"It's not like you're gonna see anything. Bubbles." He pointed out and I sighed as I shook my head. "Please Jenny?" He begged me and I sighed.

"Fine." I gave in and he smiled. "I'm turning around... just get in the tub you giant dork." I told him and then turned my back on him as I crossed my arms.

I heard his clothes drop to the floor and then moments later a splash in the tub. I turned around cautiously and Shawn was running his wet hands through his hair. I sat on the closed toilet seat and then picked a makeup wipe off of his counter, getting to work on ridding my face of every ounce of product on it.

"I... I just want to say Jenny... despite the way we met, which wasn't the best story in the world, you are by far the best thing that has ever happened to me." He confessed and I tossed a wipe into his small garbage bin.

"Am I?" I asked and looked at him. He nodded and I smiled softly. "That's sweet Shawn, it really is."

"I don't think I've ever really understood what it meant to care for someone until you came along. Like... yeah I tried to help so many people, but I never... I never felt this way about anyone, anyone ever." He continued as I wiped the last of my makeup off.

"I'd hug you but you're all wet." I joked and then tossed the wipe in the bin. "Come here you sap. You need to wash your head."

He sat closer to me and I reached for the shampoo bottle, squeezing some into my palm. "Tonight was horrible." I sighed as I washed his hair for him, working my fingers through his curly locks.

"I would have preferred it if tonight never happened." He told me and I agreed as he played with his fingers. He sighed happily as I scrubbed his head, shampoo turning his hair a foamy white colour, and I kissed his cheek. "What was that for?"

"I just felt like it." I told him and he pulled me into the tub with him. "Shawn!" I gasped as water spilled over the edge, my dress getting soaked as my legs hung over the edge of the tub.

"I didn't mean for that to happen." He seemed to giggle and I rolled my eyes, unable to be mad at him right now. Not when he had bubbles covering his skin and in his hair, or even with the bruise on his face. "Now that you're wet, you can bathe with me. I'll clean up the floor later."

"I hate you." I groaned and then stood up, my clothes dripping water as I unzipped the dress quickly. Shawn turned around and I took my clothes off, crossing my arms over my stomach. "Should I really get in?" I asked and he nodded.

"The answer is yes." He hinted and I rolled my eyes before I got into the tub with him. I sat down beside him in the large space and he looked at me. "Yay."

"You're a pest Mendes." I smiled and he shrugged as he cupped his hands, into the water. I closed my eyes and he wet down my hair. "No naughty business alright?"

"Wasn't in my intentions love." He snorted and I wiped my eyes as I looked up at him. "Don't worry. Just a bath."

"After this, we should make some hot chocolate and cuddle." I told him and he nodded as I crossed my arms over my chest, the fallen water level exposing a little more than it needed to.

He seemed to notice and then reached for the faucet, turning it on to fill the tub up some more. I smiled thankfully and he ran a hand through his soapy hair.

"I like the sound of that." He agreed and I leaned my head on the wall as the warm water soothed my cold skin.

-

"I'm cold." I whined to Shawn, cuddling closer to him and pulling the sweater I had on lower. He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me, holding me tighter against his chest.

"Want me to turn the heater on?" He asked and I shook my head. "Why not?"

"That means you need to get up, and I'm comfortable." I told him and he laughed, his thumb rubbing circles on my back. "Don't move."

"I can move and turn the heater on, or stay here and you can stay cold." He told me and I shrugged as I let my hand rest in his soft curls.

"Stay. I'd rather freeze." I mumbled and he chuckled lightly, his chest vibrating as he held me. "I have your clothes on and they're comfortable and warm. It's all good."

"If you say so." He hummed and I yawned quietly, my eyes shutting as he turned the television down. "Are you tired princess?"

"Yeah, very tired." I replied sleepily and hey hummed the melody of an unfamiliar song. "Sing me to sleep?"

"Alright." He agreed hesitantly and I held on to him tightly as he hummed. "I'm... I'm not trying to start a fire with this flame," he sang gently, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmatic beat.

I was comfortable, far too comfortable, inside of his arms and under his blankets, but I didn't care. He made me feel safe, and important, and like I had control over a situation that forced me to cower down. I didn't want this moment to end.

And with that final thought, and the line, "I got you this rose and I need to know," I fell asleep. A wonderful ending to a horrible day.