Their failures were staring back at them - a huge scar across Asher's chest.
Babe almost fainted when they saw Asher being carried out, limping, by an equally exhausted David. His chest was covered with blood, now mostly dried, and the wound was like nothing they had ever seen before. Maybe in the movies, but Babe knew those were fake - just realistic makeup. But this was real.
And Babe didn't even know. They couldn't do anything about it.
They felt useless; their lack of power as an unempowered human hit them square in the chest. Even if they were in the ward, there was nothing they could have done.
What do they even bring to the pack? To this relationship?
Milo's mate was an incredible, strong stealth. David's mate was also unempowered, but they were always so strong and adapted to everything easily. Somewhere deep inside, Babe felt envious of how Angel was able to stand confidently next to the alpha. They deserved it. Babe had never met anyone as kind and dependable as them.
Babe wasn't any of those things. They thought they had come to terms with it back when they first started dating - Asher had reassured them that they were a part of the pack, and that he never wanted them to change. They believed it.
After the inversion, though, the voices in their head grew louder, filling their mind with self-deprecating insults and regret.
They wouldn't tell Asher. He had already been through so much - the last thing they wanted to do was to burden him with their own feelings of inadequacy, not when he was also struggling with his (which was much more justified). He had permanent scars, injuries, and psychological trauma. Babe just had regret and their own incompetence.
Every night they'd cry in the shower. They didn't want their mate to know. He was always good at noticing when they were sad, and they loved him for it.
The last thing they'd want was for him to feel sad for them.
The water helped cover up their tears and sobs. They'd turn it up hot so that the rest of their body would be red too, masking the redness of their face. When they ended up taking a little longer than usual, they'd tell him they had a long day and wanted to relax, or they had an everything shower.
When they stepped out, Asher was ready with a towel and his signature smile. On the days he doesn't join them, he still likes to help them dry their body and hair. Babe let him wrap them up and use another towel to dry their hair.
His chest was level with their face when he did. The skin that would never heal. The trauma that will stay with him forever.
And once more, their failure stared right back at them.
The familiar sting hit them again. Don't cry don't cry don't cry don't cry.
They hadn't even noticed him looking at them. They opened their eyes to his concerned expression, and they felt their heart torn open.
He shouldn't have to be worried about them. They were the one who should be worried. It hurt them to see the frown on his face.
Babe tried to put on a smile, pretending they just disassociated for a second.
But that wasn't going to fool him.
His warm hands cupped their cheeks, guiding their gaze to his. He looked like he was in pain - hurt by seeing his mate hurt. Babe wanted to wipe that frown away, but they couldn't stop their own.
"Nothing." They smiled, trying to keep their voice light. "Nothing's wrong."
"..." Asher let the silence hang. He didn't need words for Babe to know what he was thinking. A different kind of guilt hit them. They hated keeping things from him. And they equally hated and loved how he never forced it out of them.
They broke down, crumbling to the floor.
They couldn't even stay strong for him. Pathetic. Yet another burden they're putting on his shoulders.
Asher didn't hesitate to wrap them in his arms, letting them cry into his shoulder. He shifted them so that they sat in his lap, both legs on either side of his, so he could hold them properly. He hugged them tight - so tight - and wished his embrace was enough comfort for now.
Asher doesn't force them to talk about it. He could already guess what they were sad about. They think he doesn't know, but he knows that they cry in the shower every night. He knows that they lie in bed with him, tears streaming down their face silently, and make sure that their sobs don't carry through to their body because they're afraid that any movement would make him notice.
For now, he simply holds them. It's a relief just to see them finally let loose, to give up hiding from him.
Words can come later. For now, he just wants them to know that he's here for them, that they're not a burden, that he loves them and wants to be by their side for as long as they want him.
He closed his eyes and let his core sync with their heart.
Babe feels deep, and Asher is willing to join them in the depths, especially when it gets dark.
@officialmatchatea hope you and your gf enjoy :D
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