listening to: Surprise - Maria Mena
trigger warning [domestic abuse]
Her sapphire eyes bore into his, shocked at the words that had just left her mouth but showing only anger. She'd always said his were so beautiful; such a brilliant brown they were almost orange. Mix blue and orange, two of the brightest colours. You get grey. Dull, muddy grey. They sat in icy silence, opposite one another and both afraid to make any move. Her heart hammered against her chest as she leaned towards him, brushing her lips against his, begging to be let in. He turned his head away and her heart sank as a scowl knitted his eyebrows together. The room was quickly darkening as the sun sank lower and lower in the sky. Someone should turn on a light, but both of them didn't want to be the one to move first.
Her words still stung her tongue. They echoed through the air, bouncing off of every surface and echoing in her ears. How could she be so cruel? What was wrong with her? Shakily he got to his feet, hesitating for a moment like he expected her to suddenly forbid it.
She did, bursting forth with protest after desperate protest as her walls crumbled and her insecurities poured forth.
"Don't leave me, please! I'm sorry!" He cringed inwards as she spoke, the words picking on a nerve she didn't quite understand and never would. When he kept walking she acted on impulse and grabbed his wrist. Voice suddenly hoarse and choked, barely a whisper she implored him pitifully. "I didn't mean it, okay? Please, just stay." They were both trembling and she could feel herself start to break down.
"We both know you did." He muttered and tried to wrench his hand away, but she just tightened her grip. Her fingernails dug into his skin, not enough to break through but enough to make him wince. "I need time, this isn't working." He protested, and he started trying to pry her fingers away.
She could be cruel. She could be hateful. She could be downright insufferable. He deserved someone kind, someone fragile and sweet like he was. Someone he could trust, and hide behind without being hidden. She was none of those things. Some said there wasn't a sweet bone in her body. They were polar opposites, not right for one another in any way. But the thought of him going, leaving her alone. To die? Why would he do that? She'd die without him! They'd blame him, she'd kill herself and he'd be to blame.
She hadn't realised she'd been speaking until her voice was a scream. She hadn't realised she'd pushed him against the wall until the bruise formed on his cheek. Hadn't realised how much she'd scared him until he was shaking and staring at her with a betrayed, terrified expression. His eyes darted to the door and then back to her. He wouldn't hit her, he wouldn't dare. Not even to get away. Blood was starting to trickle down his wrist where her fingernails had torn the fragile skin.
"You go and you'll be sorry." She threatened, and she didn't know what she was doing. When he nodded she let him go, and he looked like something pitiful about to die in the headlights, hanging back against the wall afraid to move. Her lip quirked in disgust.
On the table, his phone started to buzz and it caught them both off guard. The bright screen illuminated the dark room, the glow casting over their features and turning them ghostly. They shared a glance, her anger boiling beneath her skin.
"Did you tell him where you were going?" She demanded. He shook his head quickly, and she sighed in releif. He moved to answer but she held out her hand, abruptly stopping him in his tracks. They listened to the angry droning. His eyes were desperate now, knowing all it would take was one click and he might be safe but fear kept him in place. After far too long it ceased, leaving an empty space in the air where the sound had been. He scanned her face for any trace of a clue, scared to his core. The world seemed too still.
"What do I do?" Toby asked hoarsley. She smiled.
