Hold Me In The Rain

Vulnerable

When you and Bryan walk into the bathroom he helps you sit on the edge of the tub. He starts the water and looks at you like a hurt animal.
"Do you want-"
"You can stay if you want." You say before starting to peel your shirt over your head.

Bryan quickly looks away and gets up to close the door.

"I- I just didn't want the other boys to walk upstairs and-" he says stuttering over his words.
"No, thank you." You say softly.

You start unbuttoning your pants and try to pull them over your legs when you start to get shaky again. You lose your balance and fall into Bryan's arms.

"Woah. Are you alright?" He asks nervously holding your half naked body.
"Yeah, sorry." You say trying to lift yourself back to your feet.
"Here let me help you. Please." He says helping you sit back on the edge of the tub.
"I'm so sorry, this is embarrassing." You say holding your head in your hands.
"Don't be embarrassed. We've all taken a fall or two." He lets a chuckle out while pulling the last bit of your jeans from your legs.
You try to undo the clasp on your bra but have a hard time reaching it.
"Can you-" you ask turning your back to him and moving your hair.
You can feel the shakiness in his hands while his hands make contact with your skin. In the blink of an eye your bra is free from your back and you slide it over your arms.
You pull your panties off and slide into the tub.
"Is the water okay?" He asks still trying not to look at your unclothed body.
"Yes, it's perfect. Thank you." You say looking in his direction.

There's a moment of silence before he says something again.
"I'll go get you a cloth to clean your cuts." He says as he stands up and walks over to the cupboards on the wall.
"Here." He says smiling at you.
"Thanks."

You wet the cloth and rub your neck with it.
"Oh, here's the-"
Bryan quickly stops talking as he looks into your eyes.
"Help me?" You ask him.
"Uhh- ye- yeah. Sure." He says grabbing the cloth with shaking hands.
He puts some soap on the cloth and starts at your elbow. He's quick to pull his hand away when you wince from the touch.
"It's alright Bryan. You can keep going." You laugh.
"I'm sorry." He says softly.
"For what?" You let out a giggle. "You didn't do this to me."
"Maybe if I-"
You quickly cut off is words and lift your hand to his cheek.
"Bryan, look at me. This is not your fault. It was an accident, they happen."
"Okay." He says shaking his head.

Bryan softly wipes all the cuts you acquired in the fall. When he's done he grabs you a towel and helps you out of the tub. You wrap yourself in the towel and he leads you to the room. He closes the door behind himself when he walks in and goes right to his closet. He pulls out a white hoodie and goes to hand it to you.

"I really don't think white is the best option right now." You laugh. "What if I start bleeding again?" You ask.
"Oh- Right." He says hanging the hoodie back up.
"Here." He says pulling out a black one. "Will this work?" He asks holding out the piece of clothing.
"Yes." You smile and look at the ground.
You pull the sweatshirt over your head and pull on your grey sweatpants slowly. You make your way to the bed and lay down.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asks you with a look of sadness in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I just need some rest." You smile.
"Okay I'm going to go let the boys know you're okay and let you relax." He says as he walks towards the door.
"Wait-"
"You'll come back right?" You ask.
A big smile flashes across Bryan's face. "Yeah."

In 5 quick minutes Bryan is walking back through the doorway. He stand at the edge of the bed.
"Lay with me?" You ask softly as sleepiness starts to set it.
"Of course." He says smiling as he crawls onto the bed next to you.
He lays on his back and you adjust yourself onto him. Leg over his hips and your head on his chest he starts to run his fingers over your hair.
"Hey-" he whispers.
"Mm" you moan.
"You can't fall asleep."
You let out a mix between a sigh and a groan.
"I'm sorry baby girl." He says softly.
"It's fine. But can we still lay here?" You whisper as you nuzzle yourself closer to him.
"Of course." He says.

You feel the tension leave his body and he wraps his free arm around you and continues to stroke your hair with the other. You lay in silence for a while trying to stop your head from pounding.

"Can I ask you something?" You say looking up at him from his chest.
"Anything." He smiles as he opens his eyes.
"Why are you being so careful with me?"
"What do you mean?" He questions raising an eyebrow.
"When you were helping me clean up and everything, you seemed- scared?"
"I just- I don't want to overstep. You're hurt, I don't want to hurt you more. And you've only been here a few hours-"
"Bryan, I'm not a piece of glass you have to handle with care at all times. Please don't treat me as such." You laugh.
"You were just in a vulnerable state. I didn't want to come off too strong." He sighs.
"Well thank you- But please don't walk on eggshells with me." You say laying your head back down.
"Only for today." He whispers and lets out a small chuckle.
"Fine, only for today." You giggle.

You feel his body shift and his lips touch your head. Suddenly everything, all the chaos today has brought, seems so small compared to the feeling of comfort you have running through your body laying with Bryan.