forum A Promise of Fire (closed)

Started April 06, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

"I know I know." Ariella said through the door. "I know it hurts. I know you're tired. Just let me in. That's all you have to do. Just let me and we can figure the rest out later."

Amyntas whines, still sobbing. Why should he trust her? What if she hurts him? Just like the rest did…

It took what seemed like an hour, but eventually Amyntas opens the door, dead silent. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his eyes red and puffy and his cheeks were also bright red. He avoids her eyes, looking away in attempt to hide his face.

Ariella sighed in relief as the door was slowly unlocked. She got on her knees and turned to face him. One look was all it took for her to circle her arms around him and bring him into a tight hug.

He goes stiff, sucking in a breath. He keeps avoiding her gaze, shaking slightly. let go…let go let go let go- he bites his lip hard, more tears falling down his cheeks. He wasn’t used to this. He hardly even let his own parents hug him. Let alone someone he hardly knew.

Ariella placed her hand on the back of his head, stroking his hair. She didn't say anything. She didn't say it was okay because it wasn't. It wasn't okay but they would get through it. She would make sure of it.

Amyntas stays still and stiff, not hugging back. He whimpers slightly, closing his eyes and completely breaking down. He almost falls as he sobs, leaning into her.

Ariella held his weight up. She would hold him as long as he needed her tol. "I've got you. I got you." She murmured.

Amyntas gasps for breath, finally hugging her. He holds onto her for dear life. “I’m sorry!” He cries, “I- I shouldn’t-“

Ariella only hugged him tighter as he held her now. "Don't be sorry. Don't be. You can hug me as long as you need. Cry as much as you want to. I've got you. I'm not letting go."

It took Amyntas another hour and a half to calm down enough to even see and move around. Eventually, he lets go of Ella and slowly makes his way to his bed. He plops down, silent. He honestly looked dead inside, guilt filling his conscious. He avoids Ellas eyes, tears still in his eyes.

Ariella stood and moved to the bed, sitting next to him but not touching him. She didn't know if he wanted anymore hugs and she wouldn't force him to. "It's okay to feel this way. It's okay to be upset. But I'm not letting you give up. I won't let you."

Amyntas shakes his head. “Don’t waste your time…” He whispers.

"And it's my time. I'll do what I want with it. And if I want to spend it on you I will. It's not a waste." Ariella said firmly. She wasn't giving up just because he had. "Let's get you ready for bed."

He sighs, laying down without even covering up.

Aruella looked down at him. She grabbed his shoes and tugged then off. Then she started pulling at his shirt. "Arms up."

He growls at her, snarling. He pushes her away. “Don’t touch me.” He snaps.

"Oh, so I could touch you earlier but not now?" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "Fine. Whatever. Stay in your sweaty, dirty clothes. But I'm changing. And I know if I leave you're locking me out so I'm going to help myself to your clothes."

He huffs, covering up with his blanket.

Ariella got up and disappeared into the closet. A few minutes later she came out wearing only one of his shirts. It fell just above her knees and was long enough to serve as a nightgown. She pushed the sleeves up before going ti the bathroom to wash her face. She came back to the bed and laid down on her respective side.

Amyntas turns his back to her, silent. He sighs and kicks the cover off and moves it over to her.

Ariella pulled the covers over herself. She laid facing away from him to give him some privacy. She wasn't leaving him alone so this was as much as she could give him.

Amyntas didn’t fall asleep until 3 am. He just laid in bed, staring at the wall. Almost as soon as he falls asleep, he immediately starts having nightmares. He whimpers and shakes, mumbling incoherently.

It took Ariella hours before she was finally able to sleep. Too many things had been running though her head and she couldn't seem to quiet it down. However, her sleep didn't last long as the tossing and turning next to her woke her. She groggily sat up, rubbing at her eyes, before realizing what was happening. She gently placed her hand on his arm. "Amyntas, wake up."

Amyntas gasps, bolting upright. “IAN STOP!” He looks around, hyperventilating.