Once Upon An Us

All Costs

All Costs

WARNING: mentions abuse. 

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It was a rainy day, but it was temperature was cool. I opened the window, letting the rain beat against the screens. It made a different sound when it wasn't traveling through the glass pane. Soft music played in the background as I went about my morning routine.

Being the early bird I was, it was a while before Hayden, my boyfriend, sauntered down the stairs. It was well past nine, but I was happy he was up before noon.

"Good morning!" I beamed, bouncing up to him.

"Morning," he grumbled, still half asleep.

He wasn't like Trevor, my ex, and I kept telling myself this as I forced my body to relax. He wasn't mad, just tired. He wasn't going to hurt me. Hayden would never do such a thing; it wasn't in his nature. 

When I was as relaxed as I could get, I asked, "Coffee?"

"Yes, please," he groaned. "Eggs, too, if you don't mind."

"Of course not," I responded, opening the fridge and pulling out four eggs. "Scrambled?" I asked, knowing it was his favorite way to eat eggs. He nodded, rubbing more sleep out of his eyes. "Got it." Skillfully, I neatly cracked all four eggs, switching on the stove and popping two pieces of bread in the toaster. As the eggs started cooking, I started the coffee maker. Turning my attention back to the eggs, I added a bit of milk while bouncing to the beat of the music. 

I focused on making breakfast, not realizing the pair of eyes watching me with interest. My dirty blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, out of my way. I pulled down a coffee mug as the coffee finished. Setting it next to the plate with buttered toast, I finished the eggs and poured them on the remainder of the plate. I pulled out a fork, laying it sloppily beside the eggs.

The plate in one hand and mug in the other, I made my way to the table.

Just to trip on the rug.

A panicked yelp escaped my lips as I met the tiled ground. Glass shattering and searing pain flamed up my wrist, but I was more worried of the beating I was sure to get. Trevor hated my clumsiness and had the idea he could beat it out of me.

"Ren!" Hayden cried, rushing to my side.

Ignoring the shattered glass, I curled up. "I'm sorry! Please, I'm sorry! Don't hit me! Don't hit me! I'm sorry! I- I'll m- make you- you m- more--" I was shaking so badly, I could barely talk. My mind flooded with paralyzing fear and debilitating memories.

"Shh," he cut off, pulling me into his arms. Blindly, I struggled for a few seconds, fearing his anger, but he continued to try and calm me. "I'm not gonna hurt you. You're safe. You're alright. You're safe. He's not here. He can't touch you. Not ever again. I'll protect you at all costs, I promise, Ren. I promise."

My sobs faded to little hiccups and my shakes ceased as my heartbeat slowed and breathing returned to normal.

"You're safe, love. No one will ever hurt you again. I'll protect you at all costs. At all costs," he soothed, running his hand gently over my hair. He had guided my head so it rested under his chin, my body on his lap as he rocked us slowly to and fro. When he noticed my relaxed posture, he let us up. He wiped lingering tear stains away with a soft smile. I glanced at the mess, wondering how I would decently clean it up with my throbbing wrist. Tenderly, I cradled my hurt wrist to my chest. "Don't worry about the mess. I'll clean it up later, but you're more important right now. Now, let's get that wrist checked out." 

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