Broken Kitten

Daddy's Got Ya

"Come here baby." Josh spoke quietly as I trembled. I wanted so badly to go to him but my mind held me back. "Come on kitten. Its alright... I know what you need." He spoke softly, being gentle and kind with me, patient even.

"I- I- ca-n't"

"Sweetheart its okay, just trust me. I just want to take care of you." He slowly took a couple steps towards me, and once he saw that I wasn't shying away he took a couple more. "Don't think about anything, okay? You can let go." He gently placed his hand on my side as I layed down, curled up in a ball on the couch.

"P-plea-se ma-ake it -st-stop." I begged, feeling comfort from his touch. My mind just wouldn't stop and I was so desperate to escape it.

"I've got you kitten." He hushed me, sitting on the floor beside the couch and rubbing soothing circles on my side. I just needed to escape, it was all too much. "Do you trust me?" He asked, I immediately nodded my head. I had known him for years, how could I not? "Good, then close your eyes and take some deep breaths for me." I grasped his hand tightly in mine, scared, but closed my eyes. As I took some slow and deep breaths he spoke softly to me. "There you go baby,.... Good girl,... Just like that,.... See you're okay. I've got ya." After several minutes I opened my eyes, meeting his concerned blue ones. "Come here." He patted his lap. I didn't waste any time on scooting off of the couch and into his lap, I leaned into his body, finally feeling some kind of sense of comfort, something I absolutely needed. I layed my head on his shoulder as his arms wrapped around my waist. "Its okay, kitten." He whispered. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat against my palm. Despite being a little calmer now, the tears still leaked out of eyes and began soaking his shirt.

"I'm s-so-sorry." I cried, pulling away but he pulled me back, resting his hand on the back of my head and cradling me against his body.

"Shush little one. There's nothing to be sorry for. Do you wanna talk about it?" He asked me. I didn't have a very good answer to his question, because a part of me did want someone to listen and care but also a part of me didn't want to think about anything right now. I shook my head against his shoulder, deciding it would be safer not to. I wasn't sure if I could even handle myself becoming more undone then I already was. I felt like I was inches away from becoming an insane mess. I needed an escape, I didn't need to remember the awful memories. He wrapped an arm tighter around my waist as his other hand tangled in my hair, massaging my head. I leaned into his touch and nuzzled into his neck.

"That's it Kitten." He praised as I calmed my cries. "You're okay little one " he held me for god knows how long, just petting me and soothing me, untill I had become limp in his arms. He moved us both up to the couch, laying me down on it first before moving my head and sitting down, placing my head on his lap. He turned the TV on and picked a show we both liked. It became back ground noise as he played with my hair and I silently watched him.

"I've got you kitten, you can go as far as you're comfortable. You're not gonna scare me off, I actually know what I'm doing." I flinched at his last words, thinking back to what he was referring to. I didn't need the memories. I buried my face in his stomach, as he continued to play in my hair. It had been a while since I had pets and comfort.. I needed them. I nuzzled against the material of his shirt, wanting to be closer even though we were already touching.

"What are you trying to do kitten?" He laughed. I looked up at him with a pout and let out an almost silent mew. "I cant hear you, little one." He teased, making me repeat my self but louder. "I love your cute little noises, my kitten."

In no time he had me wrapped around his finger and wanting to obey every word he said.. A good sign that I was no longer struggling to slip into my happy place.

"I hate to have to say it Kitten, but I should really be getting my butt back home." He sighed, making my smile fall. "I would love for you to come with me but only if you want to."

"Please, I don't want you to go." I sighed, pawing at his leg.

"Come with me then. You can bring some clothes and spend the night or I could bring you back later... Whatever you want." I nodded my head eagerly and moved so I was on my hands and knees on the couch. "Go get your stuff and I'll tell Chris." He patted my back. I got up and ran off to my temporary room, since I had been staying with Chris. I just couldn't bring myself to face my own place and the memories it held. I quickly packed a change of clothes and my necessities into a bag before meeting back up with Josh and heading over to his place.

After taking care of the things he needed to do he took me upstairs and sat me on the bed, resting his hands on my thighs and leaning down so we were face to face.

"Listen baby.. I wanna be your escape, and I want you to be able to be happy and comfortable around me... But you cant just slip everytime you start feeling upset... You're bottling up your feelings and it's really not healthy.

So please, please just talk to me. I promise I'll let you slip afterwards and I'll reward you but you have to let it all out." He bribed me. "Please little one." I took a deep breath, unsure of where to began.

"Well it's just that Andrew broke up with me and I guess I've been taking it hard..." I said, leaving out a ton.

"Honey.. We know that. We all know that but I know there's more to it. I mean you wont even step foot into your house. What happened between you?" I hid my face in my hands and tried my best to ignore my emotions and just get thru the details.

"We uh, we got in a really bad fight and... I mean I deserved it, I got in his face. I know I deserved it." I mumbled.

"Hold on, stop." He growled, taking my hands in his and pulling them away from my face. "Those bruises.. Last week. You lied didn't you?! Those weren't from you falling!" He raised his voice, causing me to flinch. He immediately pulled me to him and rubbed my back soothingly. "Please, kitten.. Tell me he didn't hurt you." When I didn't respond he sighed, my silence only confirming his suspensions. "Alright, we'll talk about the rest later. I'm not gonna push you too far." He told me. "But don't you ever say you deserve something like that. No man should ever lay a finger on you like that ever. You hear me?" I nodded my head in response, even though I didn't necessarily agree. He sat down on the bed beside me and pulled me into him. "What would you like to do? Everything's up to you tonight."

"Can we maybe just watch a movie or something?" I asked quietly. "I don't feel like going out or anything.. I'm kind of tired." We ended up cuddling on the couch and watching a couple episodes of The Witcher.

"Alright, little one. Lets get you to bed." Josh spoke, turning the TV off and getting up, off the couch. I pouted slightly but I was pretty tired anyways so I didn't put up a fight.

"Where can I sleep?" I asked quietly, a little shyly.

"If you want to you can sleep with me, but you don't have to."

"Please..." He took my hand in his gently and led us up to his bedroom.

I cuddled into his chest as we climbed under the covers and ended up falling asleep in no time.

----

"Josh.... Josh..." I repeated, trying to shake him awake.

"What's wrong baby?" He mumbled when he woke up.

"I had a really bad dream." I whispered, hiding my face in his chest. His hand found its way to my head and tangled in my hair, his other arm wrapping around my waist.

"Its okay baby. Daddy's got ya." He soothed me, holding me tight. I tangled my legs in his, getting myself as close to him as physically possible. "Baby, stop." He spoke firmly as I tried to get even closer, both of us knowing it wasn't possible. "Its okay." He kissed my forehead and smoothed my hair. "I'm right here."