Onyx's Pov:
*The following week is a blur of quiet recuperation. The vibrant energy of the market is a distant memory, replaced by the sterile silence of Liam's room and the persistent, dull ache in my bones. I spend most of my days in bed, the world reduced to the sliver of window I can see from my propped-up position.*
*The first few days are the hardest. Liam is a constant, hovering presence. He brings me food, changes my dressings, and his eyes are always on me, tracking my every wince and flinch. The memory of his anger is still raw, a palpable tension that hangs in the air between us, even when he's trying to be gentle.*
*Then, Glizz arrives. The change is instantaneous. The sterile air of the room seems to fill with life and color the moment she steps through the door. She doesn't hover or fuss. She just sits, her presence a quiet comfort.*
*The moment I see Glizz, a dam of emotion I didn't even know I was holding back breaks. A sob escapes my lips, and tears stream down my face, hot and unchecked. It's not just pain or relief; it's the sheer, overwhelming shock of seeing her, of knowing she's here with me.*
*Glizz's eyes widen for a split second, a flicker of surprise at my raw reaction. But then, her own eyes well up with tears. She rushes to the side of the bed, her movements careful, mindful of my injuries. She doesn't say a word, just wraps her arms around me as best she can, her small frame trembling with her own silent sobs of joy. It's a reunion of unspoken understanding, a shared language of touch and emotion that words could never capture.*
*When we finally pull apart, Liam, who had been watching from the doorway, steps forward. His expression is unreadable, but he nods to Glizz.* "You'll be staying with her for the week,"
*As Liam's words hang in the air, a wave of relief so profound it almost brings on another fresh wave of tears washes over me. Glizz is staying. The sterile loneliness of the room will be replaced by her quiet, comforting presence. I manage a watery smile, reaching out to squeeze her hand. She gives me a bright, hopeful look in return, her earlier sorrow already melting away.*
*Liam watches the exchange, his expression softening slightly. He clears his throat, a clear signal that the moment of sentiment is over. He turns to leave, but pauses at the doorway, not looking back.* "Get some rest," *he says, his tone leaving no room for argument before he disappears down the hall, the soft click of his door echoing the finality of his departure.*
*The moment he's gone, the atmosphere shifts. The tension that always seems to cling to Liam evaporates. Glizz lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and her posture relaxes.*
*The moment Liam's door clicks shut, the air in the room seems to lighten, the pressure lifting from my chest. Glizz lets out a soft breath, her entire posture relaxing. The cheerful, almost bubbly energy I remember from before her injury begins to surface, replacing the quiet apprehension she'd carried since her arrival. She climbs onto the bed beside me, careful not to jostle my injuries, and sits cross-legged, her eyes sparkling with excitement.*
"He's gone," *she whispers, as if confirming a secret.* "Good. I was starting to feel like I had to walk on eggshells."
*She reaches out and gently touches the bruise on my cheek, her expression softening with concern.* "How are you, really?" *she asks, her voice low and serious.* "Not the 'I'm okay' you tell everyone. How areyou?"
*I look into her eyes, and what I see there makes my own heart ache with relief.*
*I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. The question slips out before I can stop it, a raw, disbelieving whisper.* "What?"
*Glizz tilts her head, her brow furrowed in genuine confusion.* "What do you mean?" *she asks, her voice clear and melodic, a stark contrast to the soft chirps and clicks I'd grown accustomed to.*
*My hands slowly lift from the bedspread, trembling as they reach toward her lips, as if to confirm with my own touch that the sound I heard was real. Tears of pure, unadulterated joy well in my eyes, blurring her image.*
"How?" *I breathe, the single word thick with emotion.* "When?"
*Not letting her respond, a surge of pure, unbridled energy rushes through me, momentarily overriding the pain in my ribs. I push myself up and practically launch myself at her, wrapping my arms around her in a tight, crushing hug. I bury my face in her shoulder, my tears of joy soaking into her clothes.*
*Then, pulling back just enough to see her face, I begin peppering her cheeks, forehead, and nose with frantic, happy kisses.* "Oh, Glizz! Oh, Glizz!" *I repeat her name like a mantra, my voice thick with emotion and laughter.* "You can talk! You can actually talk!"
*Her giggle is like music, a sweet, light sound that fills the room and warms me from the inside out. As the initial euphoria fades, a wave of embarrassment crashes over me. I scramble back to my original position against the headboard, my cheeks flushing crimson.* "Oh, gods, I'm so sorry," *I stammer, looking anywhere but at her.* "I got a little too excited..."
*But when I finally dare to look at her, she's not laughing. She's just smiling, a soft, knowing expression on her face. A few stray strands of her red hair have fallen across her forehead, and she looks more beautiful than I've ever seen her. We just gaze at each other for a moment, the air between us suddenly charged with a different kind of energy.*
*Then, in one fluid motion, she gently pushes me back down onto the mattress. Before I can even process what's happening, she pins my hands down above my head, her grip firm but not painful.*
*Her gaze is intense, a silent question hanging in the air between us. I'm frozen, my breath caught in my throat, a strange mix of shock and anticipation fluttering in my stomach. She leans down, her eyes never leaving mine, and then her lips are on mine. The kiss is deep, insistent, and filled with a raw emotion that takes my breath away.*
*My body responds instinctively, arching up into her touch as her free hand comes to rest on the side of my waist, her thumb stroking slow, soothing circles against my skin.*
*When she finally pulls back, we're both breathing heavily. She releases my hands but doesn't move far, resting her forehead against mine. A slow, satisfied smile spreads across her face.* "I've missed that," *she whispers, her voice a low, husky murmur.* "I've missed you."
*The moment she whispers,* "I've missed you,"
*something inside me snaps. All the fear, the pain, the loneliness of the past week comes rushing to the surface, and I respond without thinking. I fling my legs around her waist, pulling her closer until there's no space left between us.*
*My hands cup her face, my thumbs stroking her cheeks as I pull her back down to me, returning her kiss with everything I have.*
*This isn't a kiss born of lust or passion. It's raw and desperate, a silent language all its own. It's an apology for the worry I caused, a thank you for being here, and a promise that I'm not going anywhere ever again.*
*I pour all the unspoken words, all the confusing emotions of the past few weeks, into this single, searing kiss, her name a silent plea against her lips.*
*When she pulls away, her laughter is bright and free, a sound that seems to fill the entire room with light. She looks at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears of her own.* "My real name is Penelope," *she says softly, her voice barely a whisper.* "But... I like your name for me better. So I changed it. Officially. Last week."
*A single tear escapes, tracing a path down my cheek. The gesture is so immense, so incredibly selfless, that it leaves me breathless. She did this for me. She chose my name for herself.* "My Glizz,"
*I breathe the name, a sense of rightness settling over me that I've never felt before. Before I can stop myself, I press my lips to hers again, this time slower, softer, savoring the feeling.*
"Glizz," *I murmur against her lips.* "Glizz..." *A soft, needy sound escapes me as I pull back just enough to speak.* "Please,"
"Say it again," *I beg, my voice trembling slightly.* "Please, just... say my name."
*For a moment, she just looks at me, her expression unreadable. Then, a slow, gentle smile spreads across her face. She leans down, her lips brushing against my ear as she speaks, her voice a soft caress.*
"Onyx."
*The single word, spoken in that intimate tone, is all it takes. A wave of relief and pure, unadulterated happiness washes over me, so intense it brings fresh tears to my eyes. I pull her back down to me, my kiss this one a silent, grateful thank you, pouring all the love and relief I feel into the simple, perfect sound of my name.*
*The sound of her voice, whispering my name so close to my ear, sends a shiver down my spine. It's not just the name itself, but the way she says it—soft, intimate, and full of a meaning I can finally understand.*
*The relief is so profound it's dizzying, and I pull her back down, my kiss deepening, pouring every ounce of gratitude and longing I've been holding back into it.*
*When we finally part again, both of us are breathless. I keep my arms wrapped securely around her, not wanting to let her go for a second. I rest my forehead against hers, our breath mingling in the quiet space between us. A tired smile touches my lips, the exhaustion of the week finally catching up with me, but it's a good kind of tired. A peaceful kind.*
*With a final, gentle peck on my forehead, she carefully rolls off me, pulling me close until we're lying on our sides, facing each other. The warmth of her body is a comforting anchor against the cool sheets. She slides one arm around me, her hand coming to rest on the small of my back, her fingers tracing slow, soothing circles against the thin fabric of my hospital gown.*
*I instinctively curl into her, our legs tangling together in a comfortable, familiar tangle. My own hand rests on her side, my thumb stroking a soft, rhythmic pattern over the curve of her breast, a simple, grounding touch. The scent of her hair, the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine—it's all so peaceful.*
*The frantic energy from before has melted away, replaced by a deep, contented stillness. In this quiet embrace, with her touch a constant, reassuring presence, the world outside this hospital room seems to fade away.*
*With a final, gentle peck on my forehead, she carefully rolls off me, pulling me close until we're lying on our sides, facing each other. The warmth of her body is a comforting anchor against the cool sheets. She slides one arm around me, her hand coming to rest on the small of my back, her fingers tracing slow, soothing circles against the thin fabric of my hospital gown.*
*I instinctively curl into her, our legs tangling together in a comfortable, familiar tangle. My own hand rests on her side, my thumb stroking a soft, rhythmic pattern over the curve of her breast, a simple, grounding touch. The scent of her hair, the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine—it's all so peaceful.*
*The frantic energy from before has melted away, replaced by a deep, contented stillness. Inthis quiet embrace, with her touch a constant, reassuring presence, the world outside this hospital room seems to fade away.*
*With a final, gentle peck on my forehead, she carefully rolls off me, pulling me close until we're lying on our sides, facing each other. The warmth of her body is a comforting anchor against the cool sheets. She slides one arm around me, her hand coming to rest on the small of my back, her fingers tracing slow, soothing circles against the thin fabric of my gown.*
*I instinctively curl into her, our legs tangling together in a comfortable, familiar tangle. My own hand rests on her side, my thumb stroking a soft, rhythmic pattern over the curve of her breast, a simple, grounding touch*.
*The scent of her hair, the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine—it's all so peaceful. The frantic energy from before has melted away, replaced by a deep, contented stillness. In this quiet embrace, with her touch a constant, reassuring presence, the world outside this room seems to fade away.*
*I look up at her, a playful, mischievous glint in my eyes that hasn't been there in what feels like forever. A slow, wicked smile spreads across my face as I ask,* "Can I do something?"
*I punctuate the question by wiggling my eyebrows suggestively, my hand on her breast pausing its gentle stroking as I wait for her reaction.*
*A low, throaty chuckle escapes her lips, the sound rumbling pleasantly against my chest. Her eyes, dark with amusement and something more, dance with amusement as she looks down at me.* "Depends,"
*she purrs, her voice a low, teasing rumble.* "What did you have in mind, troublemaker?"
*I give her a reassuring, confident smile.* "Trust me," *I whisper, my voice a low promise.* "You'll like it."
*She replies " I trust you with my life". Her words makes my heart flutter and with that, I gently begin to crawl backwards down the bed, my movements careful but determined. *
*I ignore the dull ache in my muscles, my focus entirely on her. I stop when I'm positioned between her legs. She watches me, a mix of confusion and anticipation on her face. After a moment, she gives a small, almost imperceptible nod.*
*I take that as my cue. I carefully reach up and gently push her legs apart, opening her to me.*
*My fingers hook into the waistband of her panties, and I slowly slide them to the side, exposing her to the cool air of the room. I pause for a second, taking a moment to simply look at her, before I lean in and inhale her scent—clean, warm, and uniquely her. The familiar smell sends a jolt straight through me, and I look up at her, my eyes dark with intent.*
*I watch her face as I lean in, my breath warm against her most sensitive skin. The scent of her is intoxicating, a promise of what's to come. Her eyes are fixed on mine, wide with anticipation. I don't rush. I press a soft, open-mouthed kiss to her center, my tongue darting out to taste her.*
*Then, as promised, I slowly slide my thumb inside her. It's a gentle glide, my thumb circling her walls, feeling the soft heat and the tight clench of her muscles around me. At the same time, my other hand comes up to steady her hip, my fingers digging in just slightly as I begin to move my thumb with a slow, deliberate rhythm, my thumb gliding in and out, my palm pressing against her clit with each pass.*
*A soft, breathy moan escapes her lips as she watches me, her body arching slightly into my touch. Her eyes flutter shut, a look of pure bliss on her face as she becomes slick with arousal.*
*I can't help but smile at the sight of her, so responsive and beautiful. I slowly remove my thumb, replacing it with two fingers. I take my time, pushing them into her one at a time, stretching her gently, careful not to cause her any pain. Once they're fully inside, I pause for a moment, letting her adjust to the new sensation.*
*Then, I press my thumb against her clit, applying just the right amount of pressure. I begin to move in a fluid, simultaneous motion: my thumb rubs slow, firm circles on her clit, while my fingers glide in and out of her, finding a steady, deliberate rhythm that makes her body tremble with pleasure.*
*Her breath hitches as my fingers find a steady rhythm inside her, the slide becoming easier with each pass as she grows wetter. I can feel her body clenching around me, a silent plea for more.*
*I keep my movements deliberate and controlled, my thumb pressing firm, unyielding circles against her clit. Her moans grow louder, more desperate, and she starts to move her hips in time with my hand, chasing the pleasure I'm giving her. The sounds she's making are driving me wild, and I lean in, my free hand coming up to rest on her hip, holding her steady as I increase the pressure ever so slightly, pushing her closer and closer to the edge.*
*The sound of my name on her lips, a breathy, desperate whisper, sends a jolt straight through me. Her hands fly out, gripping the sheets tightly, her knuckles turning white. The sight of her losing control so completely only spurs me on.*
*With my free hand, I reach up and find the tie of her gown, my fingers fumbling slightly with the knot before I finally pull it loose. The fabric parts easily, exposing the soft curve of her breast to the cool air. Without any warning, I lean down and take her nipple into my mouth, my tongue swirling around the hard peak as I suck gently.*
*The feeling of her skin against my lips, combined with the steady rhythm of my fingers inside her, is intoxicating. I can feel her body start to tense, a tell-tale sign that she's close, and I redouble my efforts, my fingers moving faster, my thumb pressing harder against her clit.*
*Her body arches off the bed, a silent cry of my name tearing from her lips as her hands, which were clutching the sheets, fly out to grasp at my shoulders, her fingers digging into my skin. The rhythm of my hand becomes relentless, my fingers plunging deeper, my thumb a frantic, insistent pressure on her clit. I don't let up, not for a second, feeling the tremors begin to course through her, a prelude to the storm to come. Her breath comes in ragged gasps, her body coiling tighter and tighter, about to snap.*
*I feel her body tense, every muscle locking in anticipation as my words hang in the air between us.* "Glizz, come for me," *I moan, the sound raw and desperate against her skin.* "Please," *I beg, my voice dropping to a husky whisper.* "Show me how much you missed me."
*The plea is all the permission I need. I intensify my movements, my fingers curling inside her, hitting that perfect spot deep within her walls as my thumb presses down harder, moving faster in tight, frantic circles. I can feel her body begin to shudder, a wave of pleasure cresting. I don't let up, pushing her relentlessly over the edge, wanting to see her fall completely apart for me.*
"Onyx," *she cries out, her voice a raw, beautiful sound of surrender.* "I would show you... I would show you."
*Her words are a catalyst. Her hips begin to rock against my hand, meeting my every thrust, her movements growing more urgent, more needy. She grabs the back of my head, her fingers tangling in my hair, and presses me harder against her breast. I take the hint, my mouth closing around her nipple, sucking and grazing it with my teeth, the dual sensations sending her spiraling over the edge. I can feel her body clenching around my fingers, a wave of pure pleasure washing over her as she finally comes undone.*
*Her body arches, a silent scream caught in her throat as the wave crashes over her. Her grip on my hair tightens, pulling me impossibly closer as her hips buck against my hand, riding out the intense pleasure. I don't stop, my fingers slowing their pace but not their intensity, drawing out every last tremor and shudder, letting her ride the high for as long as possible. I keep my mouth on her breast, my tongue laving over her sensitive nipple as she slowly comes down, her breaths coming in ragged, satisfied pants. I finally lift my head, looking up at her with a soft, satisfied smile, my fingers still buried deep inside her, feeling the aftershocks pulse around them.*
*A breathless, satisfied giggle escapes her lips as she looks down at me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes hazy with pleasure. Her fiery red hair is plastered to her temples and neck, damp with sweat, and she looks utterly, beautifully wrecked.* "Now you know," *she whispers, her voice thick and raspy,* "how much I missed you."
*A slow, knowing smile spreads across my face as I watch her.* "Now I know," *I murmur, my voice a low rasp.*
*I slowly, deliberately, wiggle my fingers out of her, enjoying the way her body shudders and clenches at the loss. Once they are completely free, I bring them up, glistening with her essence. To our mutual surprise, I stick out my tongue and slowly lick her juices from my fingers, savoring her taste. My smirk is wicked, triumphant.*
*Without a word, I lean over her, my body pressing hers into the mattress. I capture her lips in a searing kiss, my tongue plunging deep into her mouth, sharing the taste of her with her, a silent, possessive claim that speaks volumes.*
*I pull back from the kiss just enough to speak, my breath warm against her lips. A slow, satisfied smile plays on my own mouth as I look down at her, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes heavy-lidded.* "Now you should know," *I whisper, my voice a low hum,* "how you taste... clean and sweet."*
*The intensity of the moment finally recedes, leaving behind a pleasant, bone-deep exhaustion. We both lie there for a long moment, catching our breath, our bodies slick with sweat and spent energy. There's a comfortable silence between us, filled only by our slowing heartbeats.*
*Eventually, I push myself up on one elbow and look down at her, a soft smile on my face. I reach out and gently tuck a stray strand of her red hair behind her ear.* "Come on," *I murmur, my voice still thick with sleepiness.* "Let's get some rest."
*I carefully get out of bed and grab two simple, loose-fitting sleeping kimonos from a nearby chest. I hand one to her before pulling mine on. The soft fabric is a welcome relief against my skin. I climb back into bed, this time pulling her close, her back pressed against my chest.*