"i'm gonna fucking kill him," miles had muttered for what felt like the millionth time as i winced, his arms wrapped around me loosely, his chin resting on my head.

and again, i was trying to get him to calm down, eyes burning from the tears i was holding in. i was trying to not let him see how much pain i was in. my arm was throbbing, my hair unruly and my face feeling run-down.

i refused to let tears escape as i bit down on my bottom lip, stopping it from trembling.

but when i excused myself to the bathroom so i could wash up again, i'd eyed my bruises and how utterly fucked up i looked before running the shower, trying to ignore how helpless i felt.

and i got in, moving my arm slightly and crying out in pain. biting my lip, i inspected the bruise on my stomach before sinking to the floor of the shower, my hair falling around me like a curtain.

and i cried.