Aine stirred, her eyes opening to meet Eira's. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them palpable. Eira's eyes were soft and gentle, filled with a warmth that Aine couldn't resist.
Eira was sitting on the edge of her bed, her eyes locked on Aine's. She reached out a hand, brushing a strand of hair out of Aine's face. "Aine, love," she whispered. "I'm sorry I had to do that. I know you're better than this."
Aine felt a lump in her throat, and she looked away, trying to hide her emotions. But Eira's words were like a balm to her soul, soothing the pain and the anger.
Eira leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Think about it, love. A slap across the face is just a hand cradling a cheek with too much force. It's not about the pain, it's about the love."
Aine felt her heart twist, and she looked up at Eira, her eyes searching for something. Eira's eyes met hers, and for a moment, Aine saw something there, something that made her heart skip a beat.
Eira's lips curved into a gentle smile. "I do care about you, Aine. I care about what happens to you. And I know you can be so much more than this."
Aine felt a surge of emotion, and she reached out, wrapping her arms around Eira. Eira's arms wrapped around her, holding her close.
For a moment, Aine forgot about the pain, about the anger. She forgot about everything, except for the warmth of Eira's arms, the comfort of her touch.
Eira's voice was like a whisper in her ear. "It's okay, Aine. I'll take care of you. I'll always be here for you."
Aine felt her eyes drooping, her body relaxing into Eira's touch. She was safe, she was loved. She knew she would do anything for Eira
Aine gently pulled eira into the bed, Eira sliding in beside her. She wrapped her arms around Aine, holding her close as Aine's head pressed against her chest. Aine felt Eira's warmth enveloping her, and she let out a contented sigh as she drifted off to sleep.
Eira lay there, holding Aine close, her eyes open and alert. She listened to Aine's steady breathing, feeling her body relax as she fell deeper into sleep. Eira's gaze was soft, but her mind was sharp, thinking about the plans she had for Aine, the things she needed to do.
As Aine slept, Eira's grip on her tightened slightly, her eyes narrowing as she thought about the tasks ahead. She would need to be careful, to keep Aine close and under control. But for now, she just held her, enjoying the feeling of having her so close.
Aine's breathing slowed, her body becoming heavier as she fell into a deep sleep. Eira waited, her eyes fixed on Aine's face, until she was sure she was fully asleep. And even then, she didn't move, content to hold Aine close for a little while longer.