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Alice

I groan when I feel something hurting my side. I'm slowly roused from my sleep and I snuggle into the warmth around me. So warm and soft.

My eyes slowly open when something pulls harshly at my shirt.

I go to sit up but am pushed back down against something. That something was Nick's hard chest.

"Nick..." I mumble moving around in his strong arms trying to get comfortable again.

My eyes widen when I realize what's happening.

I look at our position and I'm on top of Nick and he's on his back on the couch.

Logan! Oh my god, where's Logan!

I gasp and my eyes scan the room quickly. A sigh of relief leaves me when I see him fast asleep on the love seat.

I hear a painful groan leave Nick's mouth. I look at him.

His arms are wrapped tightly around me. One hand is gripping my tank top causing his fist to turn ghostly white. His other arm is wrapped so tightly around me I'm surprised I can still breathe.

My hand moves to his that is clutching my shirt and I slowly rub it trying to soothe his frustration. I wonder what he's dreaming about? I hope nothing scary.

Must be my sleep delusion because out of nowhere I lean down and kiss his knuckles. I pull away quickly with wide eyes. Why the hell did I do that?

But I'm happy to see his fist loosen up.

I go to fall back asleep but his head whips to the side and I can see he's starting to sweat.

"No!" He yells out moving his arm up and his shirt rises up with his movement. I feel myself freeze when I see purple bruises littered all across his abs. Who's done this to him. It clearly wasn't a one time accident!

A sob leaves my lips and my fingers move to the worst ones as if I could fix it.

"Stop!" He screams loudly this time it makes me jump pulling my hands away from his bruises. I hear movement from Logan's side of the room.

This reminds me of the time Nick came into my room and claimed he had nightmares too.

"Nick?!" I say sitting up straighter. I don't know what to do when someone has a night terror!

"Nick please wake up!" I plead and bring my hands to his jaw stroking it lightly. The stubble on his jaw scratches me. His body relaxes for a second.

"Alice, what's happening?" The small voice of Logan calls out from the couch.

I turn and look at him. "I'm not sure but everything is okay Logan." I try to say forcing a confident look in his direction.

I feel Nick's body shift and he sits up fast.

I face him again and see the worry in those once cold eyes of his looking around the room in a panic. But something he's said before sticks with me.

I get those a lot and would've wanted someone to comfort me back then. I thought you would too.

I pull him to me and his arms are quick to wrap themselves around my back and slide me closer to him. His head tucks itself into my neck and he seems to be breathing me in deeply.

"You're okay Nick... A nightmare that's all. You're okay." I rub his back like he rubbed mine that one time.

My hands move from his back to his hair running my fingers through it a few times before going back down to scratch his back like my grandma used to do to get me back to sleep.

His heated body relaxes against mine and this is a completely new side to him I've never seen, and from the looks of it, Logan hasn't seen either.

I look over my shoulder and whisper for him to go back to sleep. He lays down slowly but his eyes are wide open.

He makes a painful noise in the back of his throat so I kiss the top of Nick's head. His arms tighten around me.

"Want to talk about it?" I ask quietly.

"I can't." He says and I hear hidden anger in his voice.

I'm quiet for a second thinking over my choices. "I understand." I finally say.

I lay him down and continue to soothe him until he falls asleep again like you would a child. One thing doesn't leave my mind though.

Who hurt you, Nick?

~~

I wake up in the warm embrace of Nick. But something else is on me. I go to shift my arm but it's stuck.

I groan and turn my heavy body and to my surprise, Logan is on top of us still sound asleep wrapped in his little blanket. And I'm sandwiched in between the two boys.

I want to awe out loud when Logan sneezes cutely in his sleep and Nick wraps a protective arm around him.

I run a hand through Logan's curls and slowly look up at the clock.

11:30...

11:30!!

"11:30!?" I yell and sit up quickly.

Nick jolts awake pulling Logan and I close to him as he seems to look around for danger.

"What's going on?" He yawns and stretches when he realizes there is no threat.

"Kathy is going to be here at noon!" I jump off the boys and wrap a blanket around myself grabbing Logan up in my arms.

"No, come back!" Nick whines and holds his arms out to me.

I can't hide my smile but I turn away regardless.

I bring Logan upstairs and give him the outfit Kathy left out for him so he could change. I comb his hair and make his bed while Logan helpfully cleans up his toys.

I walk with him downstairs and walk into the kitchen. Nick isn't in there and I wonder where he went. It's a small house he couldn't have gone far.

"Nick?" I call aloud and see a bowl of cereal left out with Logan's favorite spoon in it.

I set Logan down in a seat and he begins to eat the colorful doughnut-shaped cereal.

When I know Nick isn't going to shout back I start to look around for him.

"Nick?" I say walking down the hall.

I hear shuffling coming from behind one of the doors and push it open without knocking.

I gasp and cover my mouth at what I see.

Nick was in the motion of putting his shirt on. I didn't gasp at how strong and toned his body was but the deep bruises and scarring that littered his tan skin.

"Nick." I whimper and I close the door behind me.

He knows I'm here.

He knows I see his bruises.

I place my hand in his back and he flinches.

He still doesn't look at me.

I trace the long scar on his spine and tears well in my eyes. He has huge black bruises all over his skin and I feel him turn around under my fingertips. But I don't dare meet his eyes.

"Nick, what happened?" I ask softly.

He doesn't say anything I just feel him step closer. His hands go to my back and he pulls me impossibly closer.

My hands plant themselves on his chest and I feel his thumb brush a tear away.

"Nick," I say and another tear falls.

"Who hurt you," I demand and finally look in his broken eyes.

"Don't worry about it. It's not worth it Alice." He breathes and leans his forehead against mine.

"Don't worry about it?" I ask bewildered and push him away. His arms go out to grab me again but suddenly they are back by his side.

I see hurt in his eyes at my reaction.

I wipe my eyes. "The nightmare you had was awful I could tell from how you were yelling. And that wasn't a first for you I-I know that because you said that to me at my house. And now the b-bruises. I want to help you." I say sniffling.

"Well don't. I don't need help." He says angrily and turns away from me pulling his shirt over his head. The muscles on his back flexing.

"N-" I try again.

"Leave!" He growls turning around suddenly.

"Go home Alice I'll deal with Kathy and Logan. I don't need your help anymore!" He says with a bite to his tone.

I step back with a glare. I see regret in his eyes but I ignore it and slam the door behind me on my way out.

I pass Logan still eating his cereal and he can tell somethings up as I grab my bag.

"Alice!" He says jumping off his stool and chasing after me.

I stop and bend down to his level. "I need to go. But thanks for being such a good kid when I was here." I say forcing a smile.

"Don't leave," Logan says sadly and wraps his arms around my neck tightly.

"I need to go Logan. Nick will play with you until your mom comes home."

The small boy nods releasing me. I know Nick wouldn't hurt Logan no matter how mad he is.

I grab my bag and leave the house.

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