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JJ groans quietly as he opens his eyes, the sunlight blasting into his face. He looks down to see Lioana, sound asleep, clinging to his body. He gently runs his fingers on her back, letting a little smile crease his face. JJ carefully places his hands under her arms, pulling her on top of him. Lio takes a deep breath and adjusts her body closer to him. JJ holds her in his arms, taking a breath of the subtle perfume aroma on Lioana before placing a long, soft kiss on her head.
"You are the most precious, amazing, kind, selfless, brave, strong, and gorgeous person I know, Lio," JJ whispers quietly, kissing her head again.
"Good morning, JJ," Lio mumbles into his chest.
"Good morning, babygirl. How's your neck?" JJ asks softly.
"It hurts," Lioana sits up a little, exposing her bruised throat.
"Lio..." Tears start forming in JJ's eyes. "I'm so sorry, baby."
JJ lays his head back onto his pillow, as tears begin rolling down his face, uncontrollably. Lio hushes him, putting her hand on his face, gently rubbing his cheek with her thumb. She looks at him with all of the love she could possibly offer, planting a small kiss on his lips.
"It's not your fault, okay? I shouldn't have intervened," Lioana wipes JJ's tears away with her sleeve. "I'm gonna be okay, JJ. I promise." Lio holds up her pinky finger, JJ doing the same and they lock their pinkys together.
Lioana moves off of JJ as he pulls himself together. She walks over to the closet, grabbing her gray The North Face sweatshirt. Lio pulls off her shirt slowly, trying to cause as little pain as possible. JJ watches her as she turns around to grab a pair of leggings. JJ's heart shatters when he sees the bruises all over her ribs; the bruises around her throat; the bruises, and cuts, and scrapes on her knuckles and face. He stands up, quickly walking over to her, pulling her into a tight hug. He holds her close, swaying back and forth for a few minutes. Lio puts the sweatshirt on over her head and grabs JJ's hand, leading him into the kitchen.
"Do you want waffles?" Lioana asks happily.
"Only if I get to help," JJ replies, pecking her lips.
"Can you get me a Red Bull?" Lio nods.
"Of course, babygirl." Lioana's stomach fills with butterflies, a big smile plastering across her face.
Lioana and JJ start making waffles. In the middle of it, Lio throws some whipped cream at JJ. She screams and runs away as JJ chases her with the can. He picks her up, throwing her onto the couch. JJ hops onto the couch, sitting across her hips and pinning her arms above her head.
"Someone's feisty," Lioana comments.
"Do you have a problem with that?" JJ inquires with a smirk.
"Not really, no." Lio looks up at the ceiling, pondering her next sentence. "Kiss me."
"Yes ma'am," JJ replies with a raspy voice. He leans down, pushing their lips together.
