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A beach stretched wide throughout his peripheral, wind tickling his face. He was practically naked, exposed, lying on the sand and catching his breath.
It didn't settle in at first what exactly happened to him. He remembered fighting with Anissa, being pinned down and then- fuck. He was still, covering himself in defeat. He needed to get out of here.
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For a while afterwards, he would have panic attacks from his nightmares. The touching, the begging to stop, the fighting, the feeling. Mark couldn't look at himself in the mirror without feeling her hands. Her disgusting hands on him. He claws into his skin, raking his nails against his skin. Red marks appeared on his tan, rough skin. He wished he could scratch off her touch. He wished someone would beat him until the skin she touched wasn't apart of him anymore.
He felt ill for what she did. Why didn't he fight more? Why didn't he kill her? Why didn't he-
Eve knocks on their bathroom door, "Mark? Are you alright? You've been in there a while.." She didn't know what he was dealing with silently. He didn't know how she'd take it.
"I'm sorry. I don't feel well- I'll be back in bed soon."
They had attempted to have sex and he couldn't bring himself to stay in the right mind, not even getting aroused. It bothered Eve. She wondered what was happening in his head. She knew he'd been through a lot recently, seen far too much.
There was some shuffling in their bathroom, water running, then an exhale. He splashed cold water onto his face, wiped his hands off and then opened the door to meet her eyes. Her gaze was worrisome. His was full of sorrow. Eve reached for him and he flinched- "Talk to me, Mark. We're in this together... you can tell me anything."
He leaned into her touch-only after her words. "Eve.. can we go sit down?" Immediately she moved back to their bed, sitting down with him. He seemed like he was trying not to cry so she grazed his bare back with her nails, attempting to comfort him.
"Anissa.. she.." he swallows, exhaling a shaky breath as tears fell from his eyes.
"She.. she forced herself onto me- and-" he was trembling. He had never felt this way.
Eve's tears began to fall from her eyes, holding him gently as he began to cry. "Mark... it's not your fault.. Okay? I love you- I'm so so sorry I wasn't there for you.. I'm sorry.. you went through that." She spoke between cries and gasps.
Mark felt terrible, like he was going to throw up. He didn't deserve Eve. He didn't deserve the comfort that came with her, but she was all he ever wanted.
That comfort. That control in uncontrollable situations.
He held onto her tightly, lying with her. The panic attacks and nightmares became prominent and it affected his abilities to function. Eve promised to do whatever she could to help him. To make him feel more like himself. More safe. More confident.
Mark only nuzzled into her, enjoying the comfort. Enjoying her. Her touch, everything that came with her. He would be safe - He would feel okay again. Mark just needed time and Eve understood this.
Eve pledged that as long as they were together, she would do anything in her power for him and he would do the same.
She caressed his hair until he fell asleep. She was sure he had a lot in his head.. He just needed some rest. Before he fell asleep, she whispered, "If you ever need me, if I'm asleep or across the world.. or anything. I will be here for you. I will be here for you always, okay?" All he could do was nod as she kisses his head. She recognized the dark red marks on his skin.. It pained her to see him like this but she knew with time, it would be okay. He would pull through because he's strong.
A final kiss was planted into his hair as he slept. She would stay up, her fingers grazing him carefully, hopefully to provide some sort of comfort for him to rest.
To remind him that she was there and that he was safe.