She sat on the grey computer chair and held her bandaged arm out to him, turned her head in shame.1
"I don't understand," he said, carefully taking the bandage off, "You said you were happy, past this. Why?"2
Silent tears traced their way down her cheeks, "Because," she said softly, wincing as the bandage was pulled off, "She came back. Gabriella. She was the leader of the tattered angels, when they first came."3
"You beat them off before." He gently washed the long, deep cut clean.4
"She's stronger now. She devoured all the other angels. She hates me more, because I've been happy." She fell silent, lost in memories and images.5
"What did she do?" He prompted her, rebandaging the wound.6
"She told me I was worthless-"7
"You're not."8
"-that you don't really love me-"9
"Haven't I proven myself?"10
"-that everyone would be better off without me."11
"They wouldn't be. I wouldn't be." He reached for her other bandaged arm.12
"I know, my love." She sighed, "She showed me convincing lies. And ... I let myself be led. I let her take me over, do what she would." She looked at him with pained eyes, "Maybe I am crazy. Maybe they were right."13
"Didn't ever say that!" He said strongly, starting to unwrap the second bandage. "You aren't crazy, you never will be. You are perfect."14
She smiled weakly, "To you I am. But what if this happens again? It can't be normal, my love. It can't be."15
"It doesn't matter. I'll look after you. I won't let this happen again." He finished unwrapping the bandage and began to wash the wound.16
"And when you can't be there?"17
"That won't happen. You can phone me at work. I live for you."18
"Darling.... I'm afraid. I don't want to be like this." Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she watched him concentrate on her arm.19
"Next time she comes, think of me. Tell her that you love me. That all that matters is that." He looked up at her tear-stained face, into her glistening eyes. "Because that is all that matters. She doesn't. Remember that."20
She nodded weakly as he rebandaged her arm and drew her into a comforting hug. "I love you." She whispered.21
Author notes
Mm. Last night, trying to sleep, I saw the first part of this. Up until where she says that Gabriella came back, that she'd devoured the other angels. She is me. He is my fiance.
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