Burnout, cuddles, and Price
An: I'm just crazy burnt out and going through a bitch of a depressive episode. I wrote this for myself because I'm trying my best not to cry at any given moment.
Your forehead bumped against his sternum, his hand heavy and secure on the back of your head. He let you stay there, nose pressing into the slope of his muscled chest, breathing in the smell of salt and burnt tobacco that always seemed to cling to him. It was a soothing smell. Warm and rich, rough in the way that soothed out the sharp and broken edges of your thoughts, familiar. It was a balm on your rushing mind and shot nerves, a release for the muscles that had been tensed for far too long. He let you sink into his heat, at peace after what felt like an eternity. He pulls you with him, slowly backing up to the couch in his office, sinking down with you held safely in his arms.
You keep your head stuck tight against his chest, eyes closed against the soft light in his office. Body stiff, limbs heavy, exhaustion so weighing so heavily on your shoulders that even thinking about moving seems impossible. Price knows, he always does. His free hand guides your body for you, warm palms molding you to a comfortable position, pulling you to rest on top of him.
He speaks soft and low, murmuring sweet things into the top of your head, words separated by gentle kisses. He doesn’t expect a response, knows words are too hard for you right now. His hands shift to rub your back, slow and loving sweeps up and down the planes of your back. His fingers drag over the fabric of your shirt, over and over in a rhythm that has your anxious heartbeat calming.He doesn’t know what made today so hard for you, but seeing that look in your eyes — the one that screamed that you were one minor mistake from breaking down — had him whisking you away to the safe quiet of his office.
The hitch in your breath had him pausing, hands slowing to rest on your lower back. He understood that sometimes you needed to cry. Knew that it helped you to let out some of the bottled-up tension in your mind. He hated it when your eyes were all puffy and glossy tears clung to your eyelashes and framed your tired eyes, but he was always there for you when you needed it.
Your fingers caught on the fabric of his shirt, holding on like it was a lifeline in a dark sea as the first sob tore through you. It was muffled and broken, so full of hurt. Price pulled you tighter against him, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. He held you through it. Held you while you trembled and sobbed, salty tears wetting the front of his shirt. Held you when your voice became hoarse and strained. Held you until you calmed, going boneless atop him. Held you even after you had fallen quiet, soaking in the soft quiet, listening to your shaky breaths slowly even out and slow to a gentle rhythm.
He only loosened his hold when you eventually shifted to look at him, chin resting on his chest, and tears still dampening your cheeks. He brushed a thumb under your eye, swiping away the salty wetness clinging to your skin. He presses a kiss to your forehead, knowing better than to ask if you're okay. Instead, he gently brushes his hand over your hair, softly urging you to put your head down and relax again.
A soft flutter of affection blooms in your chest at his actions. He understands you better than anyone has before, doesn’t push or ask what made you feel this way. That can come later. Now? Right now, John’s only focus is calming you down and getting you comfortable.
You let out a sigh, deflating on top of him, turning your head to press your cheek against his chest. The heavy thump thump thump of his heartbeat, slow and heavy against your ear, grounding you. He gives you a soft squeeze, pressing another kiss to the top of your head. He keeps you for a long moment before relaxing his hold, a hand gently snaking up your back. His rough fingertips trail over your shoulders and upper back before settling against the base of your neck, thumb swiping slow arcs along the edge of your hairline.
He hums softly, a low and deep sound. A soft and melodic tune he knows you enjoy.
He smiles down at you. He hates when the world pushes you until you feel like this, but he feels like the happiest man alive that he’s the one you come to. He’s the one that can make you feel better when everything has gone to shit. It warms his heart that the love of his life is able to find safety and comfort in his arms. No matter how bad the day or how hard you crashed, he would be there for you. You are his, and he is yours.