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There was always something pleasing to Apollo about eating a good breakfast after working out.

But today's breakfast kicked all previous breakfasts off the list.

Even though Arabella was initially hesitant to eat, to which he found himself feeling absolute adoration for her shyness, she quickly relaxed and ate to her heart's content.

Beside her plate even sat the caramel chocolate bar Apollo gave her last night.

"Would you like another one?" He asked her, finding it difficult to keep his smile at bay.

Biting her lip, she answered.

"C-Can I?"

He rolled his eyes and put another breakfast wrap on her plate.

"Thank you." She spoke sweetly, taking a bite before continuing to look around the kitchen in awe.

Taking another for himself, he finished eating before going to collect their plates.

"Can I w-wash them p-please?" Came her request.

"It's okay, I'll handle it."

"B-But..." He circled the kitchen island and stood before her.

"Look at me."

She shut her eyes tightly, shaking her head.

"Baby." He spoke, watching with a smirk as her red cheeks puffed out and she shook her head harder.

But the gentle touch of his fingertips on her cheeks had her involuntarily opening her eyes again. He cupped her round face in his huge palms, speaking quietly.

"You're my guest." And more importantly my baby. "So you eat your chocolate bar like you've wanted to since you woke up. Upstairs I've got your clothes from yesterday washed, dried and warm so you're going to change whilst I'm cleaning this up okay?"

Silently, she nodded.

"Words."

"O-Okay."

So fuzzy. Maybe my heart is broken?

"Good girl."

Or my whole body.

His warmth disappeared when he walked off to the sink with the plates in his hand. Resembling a tomato, Arabella took her chocolate bar and walked back up into his room. As mentioned, her clothes were folded neatly on the corner of his bed.

After getting dressed, she took a bite out of her chocolate bar whilst walking down the stairs.
_______________________________________

"Are you being shy with me baby?" His teasing voice sounded.

Even though his words were true, she shook her head and played with her sleeves.

"Then why won't you look at me hmm?" She could see his shoes in front of hers as he stood closer.

His fingers gently lifted her chin upwards, making her eyes meet his.

"You're blushing." He smiled.

"Y-You-" She puffed out her cheeks and pulled away, hiding her cheeks with her sweater paws. "You c-can't s-say stuff like t-that." She mumbled, clearly flustered.

"I can't call you beautiful?" He asked.

"E-Exactly."

"Can I call you pretty then?"

"W-Wha-" Her eyes widened. "N-No, no y-you can't..." She felt as if her heart would beat out of her chest if he went on.

"Alright, come on then pretty girl." His hand took ahold of hers and he locked the front door behind them.

"I-I said n-no..." She muttered shyly.

"And I said you look beautiful. Guess we're both ignoring eachother." Shrugging playfully, he opened the passenger door for her.

Biting on her lip, she tried to calm her racing heart.

The drive was comfortable, and unfortunately too short for both of their likings. It was a little glum outside, but the rain had slowed.

"T-Thank you. For e-everything."

"It's alright." He dismissed. "I'll see you soon then, little rabbit."

"O-Okay. Bye bye." She sent him a sweet smile before getting out of the car and walking into the familiar café.

When she was safely inside, Apollo drove off to attend an early morning meeting.

"Who was that?"

The girl jumped from her position at her locker, fiddling with her apron before putting it on and shrugging lightly.

"You don't know?" Millie's tone was unbelieving.

"Urm, h-he's, he's a-a f-friend." She whispered, confused as to why Millie was talking to her. And mostly afraid.

"A friend huh?"

Hesitantly, the shorter girl nodded.

"He's hot."

"Uhh, s-sure, o-okay." Was all that Arabella could say.

"You don't agree?" Millie investigated.

"I-I, I d-don't k-know."

Arabella thought he was more; beautiful, alluring, charming. And a true gentleman, with his gentle touches and soft words. A man deserving of all that's good in the world because of the endless care he had to offer. She learnt that she wasn't intimidated by his big stature or his dark eyes, but by the affection he sent her way whenever they were together.

She had never felt as treasured as she did when he was with her.

"Well, tell your friend I said hi." She began walking away. "I'm taking the day off. Cover me." Arabella was left in silence, except her mind was racing with endless thoughts.

And even as the clock struck nine, and the first roar of thunder sounded through the night, her mind still wasn't a peaceful place.

A bell chimed, signalling a customer's entrance. It could still be heard from the storage room at the back, so being the only worker present, Arabella quickly put away the bucket and mop she had just been using to clean up before she closed the shop up.

Clumsily, she tripped over a box full of napkins, hissing in pain as her knees hit the tiles ground with such force tears immediately sprung to her eyes.

If she cried now, it wouldn't only be because of the pain in her hands and knees.

Although painfully, she forced herself up and rubbed her eyes before the salty traitors could fall.

You're okay.

Aching step after aching step, she made it to the till without looking up.

"Arabella."

Brown clashed with onyx.

And all she wanted to do was be in his arms. Because it was the only place she found herself away from the painful thoughts that suffocated her heart and mind.

She jumped back when he hopped over the counter easily, immediately cupping her face as his eyes ran across every feature. Every feature that in her eyes were unattractive, but in his made her resemble an angel.

"Are you okay?" She wanted to bathe in his caring tone.

She just wanted to forget and be in his arms.

"I-I'm o-o-okay." At her teary, broken voice he hugged her to his chest. "I-I-I'm o-okay." She whispered again, trying to convince herself just as much as him.

"Shhh baby, it's okay if you're not."

"N-No, I-I'm-" She hiccuped as he gently rocked them.

"I've got you. Just let it out baby."

And despite knowing the shop was meant to be closing, half an hour later he still held her in his arms, surrounding her in warmth whilst he sat with her in his lap.

With his fingers running through her hair that he released from it's messy bun, she sniffled against his chest and relished in every soothing gesture he handled her with. A gentle squeeze with his other hand on her waist had her peering up from his chest.

Before she could apologize for silly reasons he refused to listen to, he spoke up.

"Better?" The worry was so clear in his eyes.

"B-Better." She didn't force a smile though, knowing the both of them wouldn't fall for it.

"Want to go home now?" He murmured softly as he rest his chin against her head lightly.

He felt her shake her head.

"Mine then?" He asked.

She hesitated to nod, afraid of being a burden and invading his personal space by staying the night again.

"Perfect."

They took a few more minutes in the same position before deciding to finally start getting ready at the sound of hail falling outside. Although Apollo immediately stopped moving when his girl whimpered in his arms.

She was sat bridal-style in his lap, and was moving her legs back to their previous position with shaky breaths.

"Are you hurt?" His voice came out stern yet caring. "Tell me where you're hurt." He ordered softly when she nodded nervously.

"M-My knees." Her voice was meek. "I-I f-fell." She explained to him before he assumed someone hurt her.

Noticing the crease in-between his brows when he frowned, she rubbed it away with her thumb gently.

"Let's get you home. I'll tend to your knees when I've got you warm and comfortable."

I'm always warm and comfortable in your presence silly.

Ever so carefully, he helped her close up the café and placed her tired body into his passenger seat.

Pulling her seatbelt across her, he placed his blazer over her to which she nuzzled into the material. It was a quiet and peaceful drive with Arabella sleeping whilst he drove carefully.

When they reached his home, she took his offer of carrying her to lessen the pain still coursing through her knees.

Being as gentle as possible, he helped her sit down on his sofa and helped take her shoes off before placing them at the front.

Then he grabbed a first aid kit he kept in the gym before returning to her fidgeting body.

"How would you like to do this baby?"

Her jeans weren't capable of rolling up all the way to her knees, and he doubted that she'd feel comfortable taking them off without having something to cover most of herself with.

"I-I, I d-don't know." She pulled and picked at her fingers, not once looking at his huge body kneeling in front of her.

She didn't want him seeing her legs, but she also didn't know anything about caring for wounds or bruises, or whatever damage was clearly done to her knees.

Taking off the tie he loosened earlier, he unbuttoned his black dress shirt.

"W-What a-are you..." She blushed and tried not to look at his chest.

It wasn't exactly a sight she thought was capable of forgetting.

"Put this on. It'll cover you up to your knees and I'll get you some sweatpants for you to sleep in later."

"Okay, urm c-can y-you-"

Before she could ask, he turned around.

"You thought I wasn't planning on turning?"

Silly girl.

"M-Maybe." She mumbled shyly.

"I won't do anything that makes you uncomfortable sweetheart. If I do, you tell me understand?"

"O-Okay."

It took her less than a minute to take off her jumper and put on his soft shirt, buttoning it up and making sure it covered her up until her knees.

"U-Urm, I'm d-done."

"You don't sound too sure baby." He teased lightly, pulling a light giggle from her lips.

Fuck, she's so precious.

"I a-am." She confirmed.

Turning around, he knelt back down before her and took a look at her knees. Instantly he felt a rush of emotions he had rarely felt.

"Took quite a fall hmm?" Knowing what he needed, he began taking care of the heavy bruising.

Even though she knew he was being as tender as possible whilst rubbing on some sort of cream, she gasped in pain and pulled her leg away as a reflex.

"Hey, it's okay baby, you're doing so well. I'm almost done, I promise."

Wordlessly, she returned her leg back and let him finish whilst she played with the long sleeves of his shirt.

"Open your eyes for me baby, it's all done now." He smiled and stroked his knuckles faintly against her cheek. "You did so well sweetheart."

Looking down at her knees, she brushed her finger against the top of one of the light purple bruises. She didn't think she fell that hard, but it explained why she felt as much pain as she did.

"Hey," He tilted her chin upwards and away from her injury. "you hungry?" He spoke, taking her mind off her marked skin.

She still looked beautiful. She always would.

She shook her head lightly.

"Would you like any pain medication?"

"C-Can I, can I h-have one for my headache p-please?" Her quite voice sounded almost embarrassed and he couldn't explain how badly he wished she wasn't.

"Of course. I'll be right back."

Before he left her with a blanket warming her up, he grabbed his phone and walked to the kitchen. Despite her answer, he ordered them food. Then he walked back with the same tablet she took the previous day, a bottle of cold water and a raspberry.

Whilst he was gone she immediately covered up her bare legs. She was glad her pudgy, scarred thighs didn't show but she couldn't risk the chances of revealing them until she got a pair of borrowed sweatpants on.

The chances were slim, but fear clouded her mind.

"Here you go baby."

Mirroring their actions yesterday, the medication went down easily.

"I've ordered food. Do you think you can stay awake for a little longer?" It was endearing, how he forced himself to crouch down in front of her after adjusting a sofa pillow below her head as she lay down.

"Mhm." She hummed tiredly. She hadn't eaten all day.

"Alright sweetheart."

After getting up, he felt a small tug on his fingers before he could walk away. And when he turned he could see the evident blush on his girl's cheeks so he didn't say a word, simply sitting down on the floor and holding her hand tenderly.

His big hands played around with her delicate, chubby fingers. Often he would tickle her palm, making her giggle and try pull away but he only tugged it back with a playful smile, growling a small 'mine'.

When the bell rang, he left with a warm kiss to her knuckles and payed for the food as well as offering a generous tip to the delivery woman who had drove so late at night in a storm.

With a final thanks he returned to his sweet, tired girl and they ate together with gentle smiles.


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