To fight the fight
Sian lay on the huge hotel bed with her head resting gently on Michael's chest and her arms curled around his neck. Michael had his left arm around her back pulling her to him in an almost vice like grip whilst he gently stroked her hair with his other hand.
They had driven separately to the hotel but once they arrived Michael hadn't wanted to let her go. He had pulled her close in the car park and had even held her hand whilst they were checking in. It felt like he thought she was going to disappear if he let go of her. He drew her into a tight embrace in the elevator not caring about the looks they got from the other people in it.
She had never seen him this scared even when she had sat in the hospital holding his hand as he came round from his operation. Michael was a fighter. Michael had been a fighter his whole life and he didn't do scared. But now his armour was cracked and she could so clearly see his pain and it broke her heart.
They had stumbled into the hotel room, still intertwined around each other. Michael wouldn't even let her go as they kicked off their shoes and sank onto the bed. It was this way they had laid silently for the last half an hour.
Sian felt the vibrations in his chest as Michael softly chuckled. She looked up quizzically into his tired grey eyes. He kissed the top of her nose gently and muttered deeply, "I get you alone in a bedroom for the first time in a long time and this is all I'm capable of? I'm sorry Sian. I'm sorry."
Sian sat up suddenly and stuttered, "Michael…Jez…Nothing can happen until I tell him. I can't. Not like that. It wouldn't be right. It was just…I needed to be with to be with you tonight."
Michael nodded wearily and pulled Sian back down to him. He kissed the top of her head and softly caressed her cheek, "I know. I know. You wouldn't be you if you had said anything else. It was a rubbish joke. But…" he paused.
Sian looked up at him with her doe like brown eyes and encouraged him to continue, "But?"
Michael's eyes blazed with desire as he growled lightly, "But maybe you do need to tell him soon because I'm going to want much more of you than this." He pulled her chin up with his hand and crushed his mouth to her with an intensity that took Sian's breath away.
After a moment, Sian pulled away, feeling the need to breath as she became light headed. She looked at Michael with concerned eyes, "Does this mean you're okay?"
"I have a lot I need to tell you but not tonight. Small steps right?" Michael's eyes softened, "But I will be okay. With you by my side I can fight this." He tightened his hold around her and softly kissed her forehead. Sian smiled softly as Michael's breathing became soft and steady as he had obviously drifted off to sleep. She was more convinced that Michael would be fine. He just needed to be reminded that he didn't have to fight everything alone. He needed to know that she could be the strong one because she could and she wanted to. She wanted to be the strong one for him just as he had been so many times for her. But for now, she needed to go home. Jez needed to be told.
But the comfort and warmth of Michael and her surroundings proved too much as the blanket of sleepy darkness surrounded her as she listened to the soothing thud of Michael's heart.