aeipathy | one shot collection

home from the hospital.

*Willow's POV*

"Kiss me," I murmur, pulling her face to mine desperately. "Please kiss me."

Aubree's hands creep up my throat and settle on my jaws, her eyes staring into mine intensely. The skin under her eyes is stretched thin and purple, a bruise battering her from lack of sleep. I can only imagine she is staring at the same thing on my face.

She pulls my face to hers, my hands closing over hers on my face. My eyes slip closed and her chapped lips brush over mine, a loud swallow sliding down her throat as she pulls away the slightest bit, her eyes slipping open. She drags her thumb across my tingling lips, putting a hand on the back of my head and pulling me forward. She pushes her lips on mine and moves her mouth against my lips, licking my bottom lip gingerly.

I open my mouth willingly, loving the feeling of her tongue searching the inside of my mouth. I stop her with my own tongue, swirling it around hers to feel tingles ride down my spine.

"Aubree, please fuck me," I mumble, holding her body tight against me.

"Baby, you're hurt. You have broken bones. I don't want to hurt you more," she mutters hotly against my neck, planting a chaste kiss there.

"I don't care. I want you to make me feel good."

She sighs, moving down my body and trailing gentle kisses all over me. "I am going to leave your shirt on, baby. You're hurt."

She pulls off my pants and underwear, kissing my hips and thighs. She takes her time on me, asking if I'm okay every so often. She's taking care of me in every way possible, humming at me while I moan and genuinely making sure I'm okay. It all feels so damn good even though my heavy breathing is making my ribs hurt and I can't keep my neck still but it just feels so fucking good.

When I climax, Aubree pulls a blanket over my waist and crawls up next to me, wrapping her arms around me gently as I curl into her side, breathing heavily.

"What about you?" I ask tiredly. I feel her shake her head.

"I'm okay, honey, this was for you."

Before I can answer I'm already asleep, snoring and breathing at the same time as Aubree.

---

I wake up in our bedroom alone, the smell of pizza wafting into my nose. I glance at the clock to my side, feeling an ache in my neck. 5:47 p.m.

I sigh, trying to turn on my side in our bed and curl up in the blankets but I wince in pain when I put pressure on my ribs wrong. I roll back over on my back and groan, deciding to try to get up since I'm already awake.

Slowly, I sit up, but not without groaning in pain. I drag my feet into the bathroom, my eyes widening when I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair is a rat's nest on top of my head, frizzy strands of hair sticking out everywhere. Dark, angry circles accentuate my tired eyes and my skin is a sickly pale shade, the veins under my eyes highlighted like a spotlight. I have a brace on my collarbones and bandages wrapped around my ribs, a really loose shirt my dad used to have hanging off my shoulders.

That wreck really fucked me up, didn't it?

I use the bathroom and try to wash my face and brush my hair as best I can. Then I head down the steps slowly, following the beautiful scent of pizza.

When I finally get downstairs, I see Aubree bent over, pulling a pizza out of the oven. Marie is sitting at the table, coloring happily. The cut on her face is already looking much better. Aubree's gash is slightly a different story.

"Hi," I croak, clearing my throat after hearing my disgusting voice. Their heads whip their heads at me, smiling when they see me.

"Mama!" Marie yells, running towards me. I brace for impact. "You're awake!"

"Honey, be gentle with your mother. She is hurting, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy," Marie murmurs, walking towards me and wrapping her arms around me ever so gently. I squeeze her tightly against me, wincing and ignoring the pressure on my ribs.

"How are you, Marie?"

"I'm good, Mama. My booboo doesn't hurt anymore. Do your booboos hurt, Mama?" She frowns at me, staring at the brace on my neck.

"I'm alright, sweetheart. Mama just hurts a little bit." I pat Marie on the arm, kissing her hair. "What about Mommy? Does she still hurt?"

Aubree turns to me, my eyes immediately finding the gash stretching across her face. She smiles halfheartedly at me.

"I'm totally fine, guys. I don't hurt anymore either."

I don't believe her because when she thinks we're not looking she'll self consciously touch it and eye the Advils on the counter.

She puts plates of pizza in front of us and I smile at her, pecking her on the cheek and thanking her. We all eat together, enjoying the closeness between us.

---

Later that night, after Marie is tucked into bed and everything is cleaned up, Aubree and I are curled up together in our bed in the dark.

"I love you," I say randomly, breaking the veil of silence surrounding us.

"I love you, too, Willow."

I turn my head to look at her and she does the same. I can barely see her in the dark but I know she's there, searching for my eyes. I feel my way to her hand, wrapping my fingers around hers.

"We were so close to losing each other and it made me realize I've been taking you and Marie for granted so much these past couple years. I love you both so much and I don't know what I'd do without you two."

Aubree's fingers find my face, gently touching my cheek.

"I love you both, too. This is so important to me; knowing Marie is fast asleep and safe and having you right here beside me. You haven't left me or Marie. We're all still together."

She kisses my lips softly and lovingly, running her fingers through my hair.

"Goodnight, baby. Try to sleep for me and don't stare at the ceiling all night," she mutters, making me chuckle.

"I won't. Goodnight, babe."

Silence takes over again, and the quiet thumping of Aubree's heart fills my ears, lulling me to sleep.