Lover (Betrothed 3)

Ash turned serious. “Is there anything I can get you? Anything I can do?”

“No, man,” Hades said. “You’ve done enough.”

“Alright. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ash reached down and shook his brother’s hand. “Only a real badass could’ve survived something like that. Hades, you’re definitely a badass.”

After being discharged by the doctor, Hades was free to go.

We gathered his medications, and instead of taking a wheelchair, he insisted on walking out on his own two feet. He disregarded the pain because he was so damn stubborn. He’d rather prove that nothing had changed even though he’d survived a traumatic experience.

Instead of nagging at him, I let him do whatever he wanted.

We returned to the house, and the stairs really slowed him down. He gripped the rail as he ascended to the second floor. Taking his time, he moved like a snail, and when he reached the top, he looked winded.

I wanted to help him, but he was too large for me to assist. “Stay here for a second.”

He was clearly in pain because all he did was give a slight nod.

I went up to the third floor and knocked on Ash’s door.

He opened it, wearing jeans and a t-shirt like he was about to go out. “Is the asshole home yet?”

“He’s on the second floor… He’s having a hard time.”

Ash narrowed his eyes slightly, understanding my unspoken words immediately. He shut the door behind him and headed down the stairs to the second floor.

Hades stood there, still tall and proud. No injury would make him weak. Maybe he was stubborn…or maybe he just had too much pride.

When Ash reached the bottom of the stairs, he didn’t make a smartass comment or put down his brother in any way. He grabbed his arm and threw it over his shoulder. “Let me give you a lift.”

When Hades didn’t reject the offer, it was clear he really needed help.

Together, the men made it to the third floor, and Ash escorted his brother into our bedroom.

When Hades was inside, he kicked off his shoes and took a seat in the armchair. He breathed slightly heavily, swallowing the exertion. He rubbed his hands together and bowed his head, as if to hide his visage.

I turned to Ash. “Thanks for the help.”

“I’m always here.” He didn’t make any jokes like he normally would have. He turned away to give his brother privacy.

I shut the door and turned back to Hades. I watched him continue to sit there, his head bent toward the floor. He rubbed one knuckle absentmindedly, as if he was thinking about something else. The bedroom was clean, with fresh sheets and new flowers, something to make him feel at home. “Must be nice to be back, huh?”

He nodded slightly before he rose to his feet. He moved much slower than before, as if all of his muscles resisted the command. Once he was standing straight, he inhaled a deep breath. He struggled to pull off his shirt. When it was over his head, he tossed it aside. Thick gauze was wrapped around his torso to protect his ribs, and he still had swelling and discoloration all over his skin. He looked so much better now than he had before, but he still looked beaten.

I came to him and helped him with his jeans. I got his boxers off too, assuming he would want to take a shower now that he was home from the hospital.

I was surprised he allowed me to help.

Wordlessly, he slowly made his way into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He left the door cracked behind him.

I listened to the water fall for a few moments, wondering if he wanted to be alone. But I knew he’d been alone for weeks now, suffering in silence because he refused to let his guard down. Even if he wanted to be strong for me, he shouldn’t have to be. I was his wife. I should be at his side…wherever he went.

I shed my clothes and then joined him in the shower. I came up from behind and noticed the way he stood idly under the warm water. With his eyes closed and droplets of water dripping down the bridge of his nose and his hard chest, his mind seemed to be far away.

When I shut the shower door, he tensed at the audible click.

I moved toward him and gently rested my forehead between his shoulder blades. My arms circled around his hips so I could avoid his sensitive ribs. He blocked all the water, so I was cold, but I was happy just to be there. Happy we were both there.

Hades stood still for a long time and didn’t reciprocate my affection. We’d had a tender moment together in the hospital, but now, he was cold, like he wanted to be alone. He was probably just in a lot of pain, but sometimes I feared he felt differently toward me altogether.