ᴛᴀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʜᴇʀ

ꜱɪxᴛᴇᴇɴ

"Babe, Kira, wake up," Ciel's voice was gentle as he shook me softly. I groaned, barely waking, my body aching, but I instinctively reached out for him, pulling him closer as if his presence was the only thing that could anchor me.

"You have to get up to eat dinner and take your medication," Ciel said softly, his tone more insistent now. He shifted me gently onto my back, his lips brushing over my tummy in a series of light kisses. It made me smile, just a little—enough to push me to sit up, my movements slow, like I was still fighting to wake up fully.

I went to the bathroom to wash my face and rinse out my mouth, the cold water helping me feel slightly more grounded. When I returned, Ciel was already waiting for me in the kitchen, where Trey and Leah were sitting. The tension in the room was thick, even if no one said it aloud.

"Akira," Trey's voice broke the silence, but there was hesitation there. "I'm so s-"

I cut him off before he could finish. Holding up a hand, I said softly, "Shh, it's not your fault." I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want him to blame himself.

Ciel came up behind me then, and I flinched at his touch, just the slightest, but enough for him to notice. My body tensed, and I quickly looked up at him, trying to mask my reaction, but he saw it anyway. He kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his warmth. It was comforting, but there was a part of me still trembling from the simple contact.

"What are you doing here?" Ciel asked, his voice low, protective.

Trey hesitated, glancing at Leah before responding, "He came over to check on you, Kira."

Leah leaned over the counter, speaking before I could react. "Anyways, breakfast is ready. I invited him to stay for breakfast."

"Oh..." I muttered, the words barely escaping my lips as I unwound Ciel's arms from my waist and sat down at the table. I could feel his eyes on me as I moved, his gaze heavy with concern. Trey sat to my left, and Ciel positioned himself to my right.

Leah placed a plate in front of me, the smell of French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon filling the air. I stared at the food for a moment, but the taste of it felt distant, like I was disconnected from everything around me.

After we ate, we all ended up in the living room. The silence felt thick, the weight of the unspoken things hanging in the air.

"How about a movie?" Leah asked, her voice breaking the quiet.

I shrugged, barely processing the question.

"Okay, movie it is," she said, getting up to retrieve the remote from another room.

As she left, Ciel's phone rang. He stood up, kissing the top of my head before murmuring, "I'll be right back."

When he left the room, Trey sat down next to me, his body still enough to make me feel like I couldn't escape. His voice was hesitant, unsure of how to approach me.

"Akira, can we talk?" he asked softly.

I nodded, my teeth sinking into the inside of my cheek as I tried to steady myself. The air between us felt too thick, too heavy, and I wasn't sure I was ready to hear whatever he had to say.

"I-I don't even know where to begin," Trey stammered, looking at his hands. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you. No woman deserved that. You didn't deserve that. I wish I had stayed with you... Maybe I could have done something—"

I swallowed, trying to keep my emotions under control. "I don't blame you, Trey. I don't blame anyone... but myself." My voice cracked on the last part, and I forced myself to keep my gaze on my hands, not daring to look him in the eye.