Weekly Challenge- Week 1 ofAugust 2021

Snap, crack!

I flinch harshly at the sound. He clenches his jaw and holds me closer in the tub.

“It’s just the fire, love,” he sighs into my neck.

I hold back the tears and lean back into him. He is careful with me; he gingerly takes my forearms in his hands, rubbing lightly, trying to alleviate the pain and release the tension. I know it’s useless.

I chuckle, “I’m the worst at relaxing, I’m sorry.”

He shushes me and strokes my hair. I know he wishes that he knew how to help me, or fix me. Then again, there’s that nagging voice in the back of my head saying that I’m being greedy, and selfish, and that this is all for attention.

“What’s wrong?”

I don’t know how he knows, I never know. “It’s just… me being stupid. I mean, I know you love me but I like to convince myself that you don’t.”

He turns me around and cradles me in his lap. He is so careful, “Are your hands-”

“I’m fine, I promise.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and snuggle into his chest. He’s always had the most interesting heartbeat. I feel him rubbing my back, occasionally cupping warm water from the tub and letting the water run down my shoulders and spine. He’s too careful; holding me, loving me, kissing the pain away. Sometimes, it’s almost too much to bear.