Chasing Merina

e room. Adam's eyes, heavy with exhaustion, fluttered open, but his brain snapped into instant

ace turned partly toward him. Her face was serene, almost peaceful

ened and slowly locked with Adam's. How close they were clicked int

smile. "Good morning," he whispered, th

head away, trying to pull herself from his embrace, but Adam held her for

ispered against her

ramped her chest, and she was

ou don't have to say anything," he said, swinging his legs o

oor, when his arms brushed something caug

and down the forearm, along the tiny swelling on the back of his hand. Suddenly, she remembers

she wh

d approached him. Her hands reached for him, gently taking his injured hand i

to say, her voice br

in Adam's expression, t

losed her eyes tightly, trying to hold back tears. "Ada

in his emotions. He pulled his hand from hers gently and cupped

ed, the tone unyielding but laced with frustration

rved guilt, mingled with despair. "Because I

ed a little stronger. "Care abo

had her face tightly enough in

voice softening again, "then stay. Sta

her eyes, but nodded fa

cheek. "Good. Now go take a bath. Let's clean up

ed towards the bathroom, her head bowed. He watched he

to wash off the weariness of the night. Steam did much to his min

she sat with damp curls framing her face, a loos

low, quiet tone, holding a

to him. She sat down on the bed with her back to him; he knelt in front of her

e smoothness of Adam's voice took the edges off. "It's gonna

d at every motion because the bite marks and scratches on hi

eyes, slipping sil

in their motions. He looked up at her, his

e with her hands. "I hurt you," she whi

ly from her face. "Merina," he said ser

aking. "Look at your arms. Look at y

ps. "You know," he said, leaning closer, "I

blink, confusion replaci

winking at her. "You're goi

s twitching despite herself.

andaging her wounds. "There's that fire

y brewed coffee and warm toast filling the air. The dining tabl

t before he sat down across from her. The meal started silently with Mer

narrowing her eyes. "If you don't mind

mid-air. She leaned over further, her ears inflamed

hreatening a grin. He slouched down in his cha

id, playful, "was a little

de in indignation. "Adam!" she hisse

and full. "Wh

darting this way and that, quite clearly

tabbed a piece of toast with rather more force than the

as he watched her. "And yet," he said softly, hi

but the faintest smil

to leave for work, he leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Stay her

ded, watch

seat, staring out toward the city skyline. And the house was so fa

e couldn't shake this feeling like she didn'

ence was everywhere again inside the house. He smiled

y, laying a gentle hand on her shou

me, she felt the fai