Tina closed the bathroom down behind herself and lent against it. she looked up and caught sight of herself in the mirror. The side of her mouth and her lower lips were swollen and bruised. she pushed her hair out of her face. Tina moved and turned on the shower. She had sent an hour with the police making a statement. She's felt mentally weak. She never thought that falling in love would lead to this. Tina stripped putting her clothes into the basket before getting into the shower. She put her head back letting the hot water down her face.
She started to cry, for the lose of her friendship, her work, her home. she loved Bette. she loved the fact that Bette was there but she needed this moment. a moment alone. Tina cried hard as the water ran over her body. She turned, leaning her forehead against the wall. The hot water running down her back. Her body was shaking.
Bette was starting to get worried, Tina had been in the bathroom for half an hour now She slowly opened the door and she could hear the water hitting the bottom of the tub,
"Ti," She said, she could hear Tina crying,
Bette opened the door to the shower and looked at her woman, she shut the shower off and picked up a large towel and wrapped Tina's body in. Tina was crying with her head against the wall.
"Ti, baby come here." Bette turned her around and held her close. Tina cried openly, something that Bette hadn't really fully experienced yet. She slowly moved them from the bathroom to their bedroom, where she helped Tina dress in baggy yoga pants and t-shirt. She wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible.
Tina sat on the end of the bed. She crossed her legs and looked at Bette,
"Don't leave me," Tina whispered.
Bette could see the broken woman, a woman who had been through too much and not just with Claire. Bette walked back to her hand gently ran her hand along her face.
"I'm not going to leave you, why would you think I am?"
"I'm more trouble than it's worth." Tina responded.
"What are you talking about Ti?" Bette asked, sitting onto the bed beside her.
"I'm more trouble than it's worth, look at me Bette. I'm broke , I've lost all my art work because my so called best friend has burnt my house down. I'm only living with you because she did that. I'm a burden to you. I know that. You could have any woman you wanted. I've seen how women look at you, I've seen how some men look at you. I'm perhaps..."
Bette reached out and took Tina's hand
"You're worth it. you're not broke, your just getting started in your art career. you're talented, you have talent I've not seen in many years. Okay we were thrown together because of Claire's actions but it doesn't stop the way I feel about you. I don't want any other woman I want you. I love you. I wish I could show you how much I love you. I know you're scared, I know but we will get through this. Claire is in jail. She's not going anywhere tonight. I just want you here close to me."
Tina looked at Bette and could see that she was speaking truth.
"I love you so much Bette. I get scared. I'm not good enough."
"You are, trust me. you need rest. You've had a long evening. We can relax together and we can talk more tomorrow okay?"
"Yes," Tina gave, moving to her side of the bed.
Bette changed into her own sleepwear and got into bed, she wrapped her arms around Tina and slowly the both drifted off to sleep
***
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Her Portrait Is Black and White
FanficBook one in the 'Her Portrait' series Tina Kennard is a young up and coming yet struggling artist. Bette Porter is the amazing gallery owner who sees potential in Tina's art. Bette is openly gay and very much a player in her friends and the commu...