Devotion to Danger

I’m Tired

{Clara’s POV}

“A bird in a cage..” I said softly. “That’s all I was.. pretty to look at.. but you couldn’t speak to it.. or touch it..” I cried. “Our mother is so controlling, she pulled me out of school because they kept putting me in group projects with people. She didn’t want me to have any contact with anyone besides her. When I got my job, she would randomly show up to make sure I wasn’t being too friendly with customers. Anytime she would catch someone looking at me, she would scream at them, and chase them away.. do you have any idea how lonely I was?” I whimpered.

“Bean..” Adrien said, waking towards me, with his arms wide open.

I moved away, walking around him. “While you were able to live a normal life, I was stuck having to be the perfect, silent daughter! I wasn’t able to speak unless spoken to, I couldn’t do anything without facing that woman’s wrath. My entire life I have waited to get away from her, and now you’re telling me, I should have stayed?” I asked, looking over his expression.

“Bean.. I just meant..” he began, but I cut him off.

“I know what you meant, but my life there was a nightmare.. and while yes, this hasn’t been any better so far, I’m still hopeful that it will be! What do you want me to do? Give up? Go home?” I shook my head. “I’m never going back to that life.. to that woman.. to that cage!”

“Okay Bean, you never have to go back.” He said, pulling me into a hug.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, I think the alcohol heightened my emotions, and now this is the downswing. I slipped, falling into his arms. “I’m tired Ducky..” I said softly. “I’m so tired..”

He picked me up bridal style. “Daniella, can you help me get her into her pjs and into bed?” Adrien asked, as he began carrying me upstairs.

“Yeah, I’m right behind you.” She said, following us up.

Daniella grabbed some pajamas from my bag, while Adrien walked me to my bed. He sat me down on the side and smiled at me. “Daniella is going to help you get ready for bed, I’ll be right outside.” He said, walking from the room, closing the door behind me.

Daniella walked to the bedside and laid out my sweatpants and tank top. “Do you need any help?” She asked.

I shook my head, causing the dizziness to get worse. “N-No, I got it, thanks..” I said, grabbing the clothes, and standing up. I stumbled a bit, but caught myself on the side of the bed.

“Are you sure? I can just stand here so you could lean on me, that way you don’t have to worry about falling over. I’ll even turn around so you know I won’t see anything.” She said, helping me stand up straight.

I nodded my head. “O-Okay.. just, stay facing that way!” I said, as she turned away from me, allowing me to lean on her. I pulled my dress off, discarding it on the floor, along with my bra. I pulled on the nightgown over my head. As I finished getting dressed she turned and helped me climb into bed.

“If you need anything, I’m right across the hall, Dimitri’s room is right next door, and Viktor’s room is at the end of the hall on this side.” She smiled, pulling the blankets up and tucking me into bed.

“Thank you Daniella.. for everything.” I smiled back, before turning over to my side.

“No problem Clara.” She said, turning and walking out of the room, turning the light off as she left.

I closed my eyes, and tried to sleep, but I felt like every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that room. I tried to shake the feeling, I tried so hard to just sleep, but no matter how hard I tried, sleep evaded me. I laid for hours, just tossing and turning, before I flung my legs off the side of the bed, and sighed, standing up and walking to the door, I opened it up just in time to see Viktor walking down the hall. He had on a pair of round framed glasses, and was holding a book in his hand. His hair was wet, and he had a towel around his neck. He wore a plain black t-shirt, and a pair of black sweatpants. He was drying his hair with one hand, and holding the book with another, as he walked past my room.

I cleared my throat, and watched with amusement as he turned towards me, a soft blush spreading across his face. “W-What are you doing still awake?” He asked, closing the book and walking to my door. He leaned against the doorframe, looking down at me.

I crossed my arms over my chest, and leaned against the opposite side of the frame. “I can’t sleep..” I said, staring up at him. “Nice glasses, by the way.”

“Oh..” he blushed, a goofy smile spreading across his face, as though he were embarrassed. “I took my contacts out when I showered, and didn’t feel like putting new ones in tonight..”

“They’re cute, round frame glasses are cool.” I smiled up at him.

I heard him gulp, before he turned away. “Well, if you can’t sleep, the food arrived a while ago, you could eat something.”

“I hate to ask.. but.. could you go with me.. or at least help me find Adrien?” I asked, walking up next to him.

He smiled, nodding his head. “I’ll go with you, come on.” He said, as he lead me down the stairs and into the kitchen. He set his book down before walking to the fridge. He got out the takeout boxes and set them on the counter. “Let’s make you a plate, and I’ll heat it up for you.” He said, opening the boxes.