Huxley

Watching Wren's face fall when I told her about Jim was almost as painful as hearing Brenda's cries when the doctor told her they couldn't revive him. Part of me was grateful to have the excuse of staying in the hospital with Wren so I didn't have to see the agony on the faces of the entire town at the funeral. I will pay my respects another time, but nothing was going to pry me away from Wren when she was so vulnerable. Watching her eyes flicker open sent relief pouring through me. Hearing my name leave her mouth was like balm to my soul, even if she sounded like she hadn't had water in years. We got her fed and Liv left to help out at the bar for me. I was grateful for the help, even if I think she mostly just wants to get cozy with my new bartender.

"You ready for a shower?" The nurse asks. He's a nice guy. He's taken very good care of Wren the last couple of days.

But he will not be seeing her naked.

"I can help her." I say firmly, crossing my arms and daring him to argue. He chuckles and nods, clearly used to this kind of display.

"No problem. Just let me put a waterproof bandage on." He says and pushes the blankets up to Wren's thigh. I nearly growl at him until he puts on gloves. Wren watches me with an amused expression and I flex my hands into fists before forcing myself to relax. When he leaves Wren gives me a firm look.

"Let him help me. It's his job." She says and I scowl at her.

"No. I will help you." I say firmly and she sighs.

"He does this all the time. It would be safer for him. Plus you're hurt." She says, motioning towards my arm.

"You think I would let something bad happen to you?" I challenge and she shakes her head.

"No. Not on purpose." She says and I walk away towards the bathroom, flipping on the water and waiting until it's warm. When I exit the nurse is back with some towels and a new gown.

"Make sure she uses the bench. Wouldn't want her to slip." He says with a warm smile. Wren thanks him quietly and gives me an annoyed glance before he leaves.

"Water is ready." I say, walking up to her and going to help her undress. She bats my hand away and narrows her eyes at me.

"Did you ever stop to think that maybe I wasn't comfortable with you helping me in the shower?" She asks angrily and I stop in my tracks, my hand mid air as I stare at her.

"Honestly? No. I didn't. Are you really not ok with it? I mean... if you're really not the nurse can help you." I say, a sad tint to my voice as much as I try to stop it. She sighs, massaging her temples like she does when she's annoyed.

"I know you've seen me naked before it's just..." She trails off, looking at me with pained eyes. I nod and kiss her cheek, trying to let her know I'm not angry.

"It's ok. I understand." I say and pull away from her, but she grabs my hand to pull me back.

"Actually. I think I'd rather you than some man I don't know." She says quietly, gripping hard onto me. I lean down to look in her eyes and reach out to cup her face in my hand.

"I won't touch you if you don't want me too. I'll just stand outside the shower in case you need help. Is that ok?" I ask and she nods, tears welling in her eyes. "What's wrong, little bird?" I ask, pulling her against my chest.

"I don't like this. Needing help. I don't like to feel out of control." She says and I sigh, kissing her head even though she definitely needs a shower.

"I know, sweet girl. We'll get you better though. I promise." I say and she nods, pulling away from me. I wipe her tears and lift her off the bed. She lets out a squeak of surprise and I chuckle a little as I carry her to the bathroom. I sit her on the shower chair and close the curtain while she strips off her gown.

"Try to keep your leg out of the water, baby." I remind her as I hand her a washcloth with the soap Liv brought from her house.

"Oh my God this feels amazing." She groans making me chuckle. "Can you get my back?" She asks and I pull the curtain back slightly, grabbing the cloth from her hands and running it gently along her back, avoiding the dark bruising along her side.

"Does it hurt?" I ask quietly and she shakes her head.

"No. I got some pain medicine earlier. It only hurts when I take a deep breath." She says and I sigh a little, shutting the curtain again when I'm done. I wait for her to wash her hair, then give her a towel.

She dresses herself and I help her back to bed, tucking her a little tighter to my chest and enjoying the closeness while I can have it. I set her down gently and get her wrapped up in a blanket Liv brought her and she yawns a little. I smile at the sight, sitting next to her on her bed.

"You smell better." I say and she giggles a little, shaking her head at me. "It's nice to see you awake." I add and her smile turns affectionate.

"Will you lay with me?" She asks and I nod as she scooches over to make room.

"These beds are tiny." I grumble as she turns herself into me. She laughs, looking at my feet hanging off the end before she cuddles in closer.

"You don't have to if it's not comfortable." She says, closing her eyes, her voice taking on that dreamy quality it does right before she falls asleep.

"My girl asked me to lay with her. So I'm going to do it no matter how ridiculous this bed is." I say and she gives me a warm smile before yawning again.

"I don't know why I'm so tired." She says, stretching her arm over my abdomen. I reach up to run my fingers through her wet hair.

"It's probably the medicine. Go ahead and sleep, baby. I'll be here." I say and she relaxes against me.

"Thank you, Hux. For being here." She says quietly and her words make my chest feel warm. I tighten my arms around her as her breathing relaxes.

"Nowhere else I'd be." I whisper and her eyes pop open suddenly, her head jolting up. I look at her curiously as she looks at me worriedly.

"My parents! I need to call them." She says and I shake my head, lowering her back down onto my chest.

"I already did. They've been trying to get a flight back but they've been grounded. Bad weather. Hurricane or something." I say and she scoffs.

"Hurricanes and alligators. Fuck Florida." She says and I can't help but laugh.

"You can call them when you wake up. They've been worried about you." I say and she nods.

"I will. But sleep first." She says and I run my hand gently along her back until her breathing evens out.

I try to get comfortable, adjusting in the bed so that I'm mostly on it instead of hanging off. I don't really sleep, more like doze off but everytime Wren moves my body jolts awake. We lay like this for a few hours until she begins to whimper in her sleep. I nudge her a little, trying to pull her out of her dream, but she starts to roll around before crying out and sitting up in the bed, breathing heavy as her eyes look around the room terrified.

"Shhh... It's ok, baby. You're alright. Come here." I say and her eyes dart to me. She lets out a little sob and barrels into my chest, nearly knocking me off the bed. Tears stream down her face and I hold her as she cries.

"What is it? What's wrong?" I ask and she looks up at me with tortured eyes.

"I dreamed about it. It felt so real. I couldn't breathe, the smoke was so heavy." She says and I pull her into me again.

I'm no stranger to nightmares.

"It's ok. It's over and you're safe." I tell her, keeping my voice low as I run my fingers through her hair. She seems to like that.

"Jim died, Hux. He died." She whispers and I sigh.

"I know, baby. But you didn't. And I don't think he'd want you to be guilty about that." I say and she lets out another little cry.

"I don't know how to stop." She says and my heart breaks at how small her voice is.

"I'll help you. I'll be here for you. Every day for as long as you'll let me." I promise.