Broken Ch. 16

Dimitri watched Madi sleep from the far corner of the room, shifting uncomfortably in a plastic lawn chair they had bought so Madi could moisturize after her morning showers without waking him. She refused to sleep in for the most part, only napping when she had a valid excuse. An early riser, she made fun of him for wasting his life away dreaming. He watched her now and wondered if maybe she needed to do a bit more of just that. Something had drained anything called hope right out of her. She sat and waited for the worst, spouting nonsense about an inability to be disappointed.

Eventually she had sobbed herself to exhaustion, succumbing to sleep. He couldn't help but marvel at how small and peaceful she looked, aside from the swelling of her eyes. He wondered if they would bruise. Dimitri rose, slowly making his way to the bedside before squatting and pushing a few hairs away from her face. Eyes opened groggily, khaki greens barely visible as she groaned. As the world came into focus she bit her lip, chin fell to her chest as she avoided eye contact with Dimitri. "You're still here." It was strange how small she could be sometimes. Her voice would take on that childish tone, frightened, and ready for punishment. A hand slid beneath her chin to lift her eyes to his own, the corners of her mouth turned downwards with the weight of her own sadness. He could only reply with the smallest of smiles.

"Of course I'm still here." He spoke softly. His voice was as gentle as his touch. She wanted to grab him and hold on tight and never let go.

"You don't have to do this. You can leave right now, and I'll take all responsibility. I know I'm not worth all—" He pressed a hand over her mouth to silence her, her eyes widening a bit.

"No. You are worth everything. I do have to do this. I can't leave right now. I love you. I meant it every time I've said it. I mean it right now." His voice was soft but determined. Tears sprung to her already raw eyes, even after all that he was still here?

"Dimitri, you shouldn't have to worry all the time. I'm just a drain." He shook his head again, rising to press his lips against her forehead.

"I love you. People who care about you worry, we can't help, just like you can't. It's okay to worry people as long as you worry back. If you promise me to worry back I'll never hold it against you. Let me help you, please. Then I won't have to worry as much. Even if I weren't with you I'd still worry if no one was helping you." Teeth sunk into her lip once more. There was no rebuttal to that. There was no sidestepping response. Tears overpowered her as she nodded, reaching out to him. He slid down beside her, encircling her in his arms as she hid her face to shed more tears. Lips pressed to her head before he chuckled softly, lifting her head and brushing away a tear with the pad of his thumb.

"You still have water left in your body?" She couldn't help but half giggle through her tears, lifting her lips to brush against his.

"Will you give me a ride to the clinic tomorrow?" He nodded. Holding her tight. "As long as you let me." She sighed, melting into him. She couldn't help but ponder how perfectly their bodies seemed to fit together. She could stay right here forever if someone let her. He kissed her hair once more. "Do you want some soup or something?"

"Maybe in a little while, can we just lie here for now?" He nodded once more, closing his eyes as he rested his head against hers. Things would be okay. She would be okay.

"Madi?" He wasn't sure what to say next.

"Yeah?" Her voice was breathy and tired, the emotional level of the day was certainly an excuse for exhaustion.

"When you fall asleep, dream something really good." He nuzzled her head as she hid a smile against his neck. The words were simplistic and yet they seemed to mean so much more. Sometimes she swore he understood something she didn't. She let her eyes flutter shut as the smell of him wrapped her up tight. He was irresistible. Thoughts of babies with sandy brown hair, khaki green eyes, and lopsided dimpled smiles floated through her head as she drifted back to sleep.