Work Text:
I open the door to the bedroom softly and see a sea of clothes and open packages. I see her on the bed, curled up in a giant sweatshirt that I owned. I hear a quiet sniffle and see her shuffling on the bed.
I froze for a bit... She's crying.
I scan the clothes on the floor and the empty packages thrown on the floor. It all makes sense now. Why she didn't eat dinner and why she didn't want to go out today. I feel uneasy. It breaks me when she gets so upset about this stuff. The stuff is what makes her who she is. She doesn't know it, but I'm in love with every scar, every blemish on her skin, and everything she considers a "flaw".
She hides in her sweatshirt more. She is probably pretending to be asleep. But it couldn't be more obvious that she was crying. Her body shakes a bit. I lifted the covers of the bed where she was sleeping. The mattress dips as I wrap my arms around her and press her as close to me as I can. I bury my face in her hair and... I notice her shaking even more.
"Baby?" I asked quietly. I hear a quiet sniffle. "Are you asleep?" I asked in the same tone. She shook her head and a small ‘nuh uh’ sound came from her. I squeezed her even more. "Good, I just wanted to tell you something before you went to sleep." She listens, making an acknowledging noise.
"Well, first, I love you." I hope you know that I'll always love you. " She makes a noise. "No-wait, let me finish. I love how you get all flustered when I tell you stuff like that. I love how you smell like fresh fruit. I also love it when you have that dumb smile on when I get home. and I love this. " My hands travel around her stomach, rubbing it softly. My hands slowly travel down to her sides, grazing over her tiger stripes.
"I know you don't. I don't understand why, because I like it. It makes you so pretty and I hate seeing you—hate yourself for this." I feel her shake and a loud sniff comes from her. "Please don't cry about something you can't control, baby. You’re so beautiful. All these things you hate make me love you so much. It's a part of you, and I love all of you. "
She turns to face me and stuffs her face into my chest. My arms immediately comforted her. I can feel her crying. "I love you so much, baby." I held onto her tight. "Please don't ever change who you are. You are perfect the way you are. " She doesn't say anything. I can feel her tears soaking into my t-shirt.
"It's all right, baby. shhh" Her sniffles become more audible as she holds onto me. Her face feels warm. I hold onto her more. I press her as close as I can to my chest, engulfing her in my warmth.
Her sobs calm down slowly, and soon I hear her soft snores. I backed myself away to look at her face. Tears stained her cheeks. I kiss her forehead softly. "I love you," I say softly. She moves a bit and settles into my neck. "I love you too," she says quietly. She mumbles something that sounds like a goodnight, and I feel myself getting warmer as she snuggles deep into my neck.