It took Holly longer than she’d liked to calm the storm inside her. She pressed her back to the wall, eyes closed, inhaling and exhaling until the white-hot ache in her chest ebbed and her fingers could move again. When she finally opened her eyes, her gaze flicked straight to the bedroom door.

  The apartment was quiet -

  - Except for the sound of Ariel crying behind the bedroom door. Holly’s heart twisted.

  She crossed the room in silent steps and opened the door.

  Ariel lay curled under the thick comforter, head pressed deep into the pillow, her body shuddering with sobs. The sight nearly undid Holly all over again. Without a word, Holly climbed onto the bed, laying beside Ariel. Ariel, sensing her presence, lifted the edge of the comforter. Holly slipped underneath, wrapping her arms gently around Ariel’s head and shoulders, pulling her so close that Ariel’s tears spilled onto her sweatshirt.

  Holly just held her, warm and steady, stroking her hair, saying nothing. Ariel’s sobs gradually quieted to hiccups, then to a trembling, soft sniffle. Finally, she peeked up at Holly through tear-soaked lashes. Her face was red, eyes swollen, but there was searching in her gaze. Hurt, yes, but also desperate hope.

  Holly smiled, watery but gentle. “Hey there, Red.”

  Ariel wiped at her face. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, voice raw and tiny.

  “Hey,” Holly said softly, thumb brushing Ariel’s cheek, “don’t you dare apologize. Not ever.”

  Ariel’s eyes flicked away, shame mingling with relief. “I just…I hate that she can still make me feel like that. I’m… I’m a grown woman. I have this whole life, I have you, I have a job people respect, I…” her lip trembles slightly, “... she walks in and I’m ten years old again. I feel so small.”

  Holly pressed a kiss to Ariel’s forehead, her fingers gentle at the nape of Ariel’s neck. “You are not small, baby. You hear me?” She nuzzled closer, voice thick with emotion. “She doesn’t get to shrink you anymore. I won’t let her. You are the bravest, brightest person I know.”

  Ariel swallowed. “It just hurts. Every time. She always makes me feel like I’m never going to be good enough. No matter what I do, how hard I try…”

  Holly’s brow furrowed. “She’s wrong, Ariel. She’s so wrong. All I see is someone who survived hell; who fought her way back. Someone who loves so hard, even when it’s scary. Someone who makes my whole world feel safe.”

  Ariel let out a shaky breath, trying to smile. “Safe? I thought I was supposed to be the shy, anxious one.”

  “You’re my shelter,” Holly whispered. “Even when you’re scared. Especially then. You let me in. That’s the bravest thing of all.”

  Ariel closed her eyes, letting herself feel the warmth of Holly’s arms. “I hate that she saw me like this. That she… saw how much I’ve changed. How much weight I’ve put on. I was doing so well, Hol. I really was. And now I just…” She shuddered, fresh tears threatening. “She looked at me like I was disgusting.”

  Holly tightened her hold, one hand moving to gently stroke Ariel’s hair, the other rubbing soothing circles on her back. “She can go straight to hell,” Holly said quietly, voice fierce but loving. “I love every inch of you. I love your softness, your strength, the way you laugh when you’re full, the way you dance in the kitchen when you think I’m not looking. You are so beautiful to me, Ariel. I wish you could feel it.”

  Ariel snuggled in closer, burying her face in Holly’s chest. “I… I want to believe you. I do. Most days I do. I just…sometimes it’s like she’s still living in my head, you know? And all I can hear is her voice telling me I’ll never be enough.”

  Holly pressed her lips to Ariel’s hair, voice trembling. “Then let’s fill your head with my voice instead. I’ll tell you every day, as many times as you need. I’ll keep loving you until that voice is just a memory. And if she ever comes back, I promise you, I’ll always protect you. Always.”

  Ariel lifted her head a little, searching Holly’s eyes, desperate for belief. “I don’t want to be afraid of her anymore. Or ashamed. I want… I want to keep living this life we’re building. With you.”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Holly smiled, her eyes shining. “She can’t stop that. She doesn’t get to have any more of you.” She kissed Ariel’s forehead, then her temple, then the tip of her nose. “You are mine, and I am yours.”

  Ariel let out a little, teary laugh. “Yours, huh?”

  Holly gave a playful sniff, putting on a mock-serious face. “That’s right. So you better get used to being spoiled and adored and protected. Sorry, them’s the rules.”

  Ariel managed a smile, snuggling in closer. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Only for you,” Holly whispered, finally letting herself relax a little. “And you know what else?”

  Ariel’s voice was small but more steady. “What?”

  “You’re the bravest person I know, Red. Not just for surviving that fire, or for getting through today. But for letting yourself be loved. For choosing it, even when it’s scary. I’m so, so proud of you.”

  Ariel blinked back new tears, but this time they were softer, different. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Holly brushed her hair back, smiling down at her. “You’ll never have to find out. You have me, always.”

  They lay there in silence for a few moments, breaths slowly syncing, the worst of the pain passing like a storm. Ariel finally let herself sink into Holly’s arms, safe again.

  After a long pause, Ariel’s voice was a whisper, so soft Holly barely heard it. “Thank you.”

  Holly nuzzled her, voice low and warm. “No need to thank me, baby. Just let yourself rest. I’ve got you.”

  Ariel, eyes finally closing, managed a sleepy little smile. “I love you, Holly.”

  Holly pressed one last kiss to her forehead. “I love you, too. So much.”

  Ariel sniffled, but there was a faint, mischievous curl to her lips. She tucked herself closer under Holly’s arm, her face still pressed against Holly’s chest.

  After a moment, she murmured, “You know… I heard all of it. Every single thing you yelled at my mom.”

  Holly tensed slightly, then looked sheepish. “Oh God. Was it too much? I kind of blacked out. I remember threatening to destroy her and, um, maybe mentioning the money part? It’s a little fuzzy.”

  Ariel actually giggled. An exhausted sound, but genuine. “Oh, you definitely mentioned the money. I think you might’ve also implied you’re my bodyguard now?”

  Holly grinned. “Well, it’s true. I am. Not all heroes wear capes, Red.”

  Ariel pulled back just enough to see Holly’s face, her eyes shining now with a growing amusement. “I can’t believe you threw up the Director card. You sounded so official. Like you were about to send her a cease-and-desist.”

  “Oh, please,” Holly teased, “if she tries to show up again, she’s getting an actual cease-and-desist. I’ll put it in a festive envelope with ‘Fuck you’ written in giant letters.”

  Ariel laughed harder, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “I kinda wish I’d seen her face. I heard her huffing from here.”

  Holly snorted, unable to hide her pride. “She really did look like she’d bitten into a lemon. I half expected her to start short-circuiting.”

  Ariel shook her head, the last of her tears drying up. “You told her you’d destroy her. That’s very anime villain, Hol.”

  Holly widened her eyes and struck a mock pose. “If she ever hurts you again, I’ll unleash my ultimate move—‘Get Rekt Rainbow Attack!’”

  Ariel laughed until she had to gasp for air. “Oh no, not that! She’s not ready for the power of sapphic magical girl justice!”

  Holly gave her a gentle squeeze, leaning in to nuzzle Ariel’s cheek. “Let her try. She’ll regret the day she crossed the Sinclair-McIntyre household.”

  Ariel wriggled her shoulders, clearly enjoying this. “You know, you were kind of terrifying. And extremely hot.”

  Holly waggled her eyebrows. “I’ll take it. But don’t get too used to it. I reserve my scary powers for evil moms and slow baristas.”

  Ariel’s face finally broke into a big, real smile. “Well, you scared her off for good, I think. Maybe you should do all my awkward phone calls from now on.”

  Holly pretended to consider this. “As your bodyguard, and full-time girlfriend, my rates are very reasonable. Payment accepted in snuggles and pancakes.”

  Ariel snorted, letting her head fall back onto the pillow. “Deal. I’ll keep you on retainer. You can start by protecting me from my inbox.”

  “Already done,” Holly said, then added, in a mock-formal tone, “Director McIntyre, your emotional support girlfriend is on the case.”

  Ariel giggled, warmth flooding her features. “I love you, you dork.”

  Holly grinned back. “I love you too, Red. And I’d destroy anyone who tries to make you feel small. Especially if they show up unannounced right before Christmas.”

  Ariel sighed, but this time it was contented, a trace of laughter still in her voice. “You know what? I think I’ll be okay.”

  Holly pulled her closer, smiling so hard her cheeks ached. “You already are.”

  The afternoon sunlight spilled gently across the bed as the laughter lingered, filling the room with new, brighter memories.