Caught In Bliss

Things Fall Apart

This chapter was changed a few times before I decided to just post it because this is the story that needs to be told. But don't worry, in the end, we'll all get what we want.

It was almost one in the morning when Melanie had tugged Dom by her elbow into her bedroom. The brunette was exhausted, her gaze hardly focused as her friend studied her. There was nothing but silence echoing through the home as Kat prepped for bed in the spare room. The redhead tossed the comforters back, stripping down to nothing but her t-shirt before crawling into bed. Her face was still red, her eyes puffy and throat sore. Kat couldn't help the state she was in considering she was wrapped in Dom's arms just moments ago, her heart practically on her sleeve.

            The brunette across the hall was staring up into Melanie's eyes as the woman tilted her head, her lips pressed together as the smaller woman sighed. It was late, they all knew that work was going to happen hours from now and yet the older woman wanted to make things clear on her end. Dom slowly shut the bedroom door, her words forming just before Melanie cut her off.

            "You have to talk to her." Her friend reminded, "you know, talk-talk."

            "And I will."

            "No better time like the present, and no better moment then right now."

            Dom had took a breath, her back against the bedroom door as her heart began to thud harder against her chest. Just days ago, Melanie had given her some sound advice about handling the situation with the redhead. Now hearing about Ray and Kat and if their marriage was truly over, Dom was in a tight spot because her judgment about the situation was skewed.

            "It's now or never." Melanie uttered just as she paced over towards her own bed, flipping the sheets back before sitting against the cushioned mattress. "Remember that uncertainty and use it to your advantage. Speak your truth and allow Kat to heal before both of you end up in something that's bound to hurt the other."

            "Mel..."

            "Truth be told, your heart still needs a bit of mending as well."

            "How can I think about myself when Kat is most likely suffering more because...."

            "Hey, stop right there." Melanie stood once more, her arms folded across her chest as she stepped in front of the smaller woman. "Your situation is just as valid as hers. You both have some shit to deal with, hers is just slightly more permanent but, Dommie, your feelings are valid in all of this as well. So please, for your own sake talk to her." Melanie studied her friend, her eyes falling onto her own hands before she sighed. "Talk to her about how you feel and then give her space to get over her separation from Ray. I know you didn't heed my warning before but this isn't negotiable."

            "I'll talk to her."

            "About everything." The older brunette reminded her.

            Melanie had abruptly shook out of her sleep the moment she heard quiet sniffles nearby. Her body ached as she shifted in the bed that wasn't hers. Her fingers pressed against her friend's waist as Dom flinched, her whimpers silencing as the older brunette opened her eyes. Although Mel was only staying over for one night, she could see the toll of her friend's current situation haunting her.

            "Hey-hey, shush." The older brunette pressed her chin against her friend's shoulder, her lips meeting the tear stained face before her. "Dommie, what's up?"

            The brunette silently shook her head, rubbing her palms against the liquid which trailed her cheeks.

            "Come on. I came over here for you." Her friend reminded her, pulling her into a comforting hug as the brunette melted against her. "What's going on?"