Work Text:
A knock at the door startled Amber out of her thoughts, and she nearly dropped the plate she had been washing. Thank God her mom wasn't home right now or she'd be getting a screeching session about almost destroying the expensive fine china.
She put the plate down and walked over to the door.
On the other side of the door, fist raised to knock again, was her boyfriend Markus Grayson.
"Mark!" She said surprised to see him.
Although they had talked the last two months over the phone, this was the first time she had physically seen him since the incident. Since his father had almost killed Debbie and Mark had killed him. The fight had cause devastation to the city of Chicago and Mark had been seriously hurt even with killing Omni Man.
He called roughly three times once he had healed up but had been keeping his distance, needing some space and she had done her best to respect that.
Though each call had been heartbreaking. Debbie wasn't doing well at tall, the GDA had saved her from the assualt from her husband that left her for dead but she was drinking heavily now and wouldn't speak any more.
Mark wasn't handling it well judging by the increasing deaths of supervillains in the last three weeks.
She tried to ignore the panic she felt at him actively killing. Even if it was supervillains.
He was grieving. His father had lied to him, had almost killed his mother and in turn he had killed him.
She was sure it was just phase. A dark and terrifying phase but a phase regardless.
Still even with those thoughts, it didn't stop her from rushing forward and wrapping her hands around tightly before kissing him on the lips. He reciprocated which she was thankful for that he at least didn't pull away. She pulled back and looked at him. His hair had grown a few inches over the last two months and there was even a little stubble on his chin. He looked healthy enough but Amber could tell he hadn't been sleeping well.
"Hey Amber!" He murmured with a half smile.
"I'm so glad you're here, come in. If I knew you were arriving... The place is a mess, I'm sorry," She said, the words tumbling out of her mouth.
"The place is fine. It's really good to see you." He muttered, staring at the ground as he passed by her and into her house.
"It's good to see you too! Are you hungry? I just finished having dinner but theres leftovers." She said a little nervously, playing with her thumbs.
"Yeah I could eat something." He uttered.
Amber took his hand and led him to the dining room and made him sit down at the table. she then went into the kitchen and plated up some food for him.
She put the plate in front of him and watched him anxiously as he began eating.
She kept quiet as he ate, just taking him in, trying to keep from grimacing at the memories resurfacing in her mind.
He ate almost concerningly quick and Amber wondered when the last time he ate a full meal?
When he finished he looked up at her smiled and heart sank at how dim it was.
"That tasted amazing Amber. Thank you." He said quietly.
She smiled back at him.
"I'm glad you liked it Mark." She replied and then there was a silent pause. One that was too heavy. Too stifling.
He felt it too cause Amber saw the grimace on his face.
She sighed.
"Mark..."
"I don't want to talk about it Amber. I'm not ready. I know you've been worried and I didn't want you to be worried any more, its why I came to see you. You deserve to know if your boyfriend is okay and I missed you." He muttered looking down.
She felt her heart grow heavy. She wanted to take away all the pain she was feeling and didn't know how.
"I missed you too," She whispered grabbing his hand and squeezing it. He squeezed it back.
"Can I..." He started and paused.
"Can you what?" She asked quietly.
"Can I spend the night?"
She leaned and over and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
"You can spend as many nights as you like and you never have to ask." She said her hand cupping his face for reassurance.
She'd always be there for him.