subMarceline peered out of the treehouse window, watching the last ebbings of sunlight fade against the earth. Pallid grey eyelids rested low over bloodshot eyes, what was exposed of her scelera contrasting against the sickly purple-black bruise that span across the bridge of her nose to consume the left side of her face.
Behind her, the bedroom door creaked open, followed by the ominous echo of footsteps as Ashe entered the room. For the longest moment she didn't breathe, body tense as he approached. His presence was overbearing as he stilled, inches from her back, and a hollow silence filled the space between them. Then there was a shuddering thud as his palm struct the window next to her head, the glass quivering under the force. His breathing came in raspy gasps as he leaned in, cold lips grazing the lobe of her ear.
"iGet up./i" He hissed, the abrasive stench of alcohol heavy on his breath. When she didn't immediately acquiesce, he seized a fistful of her tangled black hair and forced her to her feet.
"I isaid/i-get up. iGet up/i, you lazy bitch."
She stumbled, her heels scrapping for purchase as he drug her across the cold, wooden floor. With a sharp jerk, he righted her body, then slammed her face-first into the wall, the sound of splintering wood and Marceline's muffled scream converging in a sadistic symphony. She slid to the floor limply, both hands clutching her nose and mouth. Involuntary tears streaked her sallow face as blood pooled in the webs of her fingers and dripped rapidly from between her knuckles.
"You made me do this, Marcy," Ashe sneered, kneeling in front of her. "Now apologize."
There was a pause as Marceline struggled to form words; dissatisfied, he struck her swiftly across the temple with the back of his hand, as one might strike a misbehaving dog. She yelped, blood and spittle dribbling down her chin in stringy tendrils. Trembling, she looked up to him slowly, deeply crimson eyes glazed over and hollow.
"I'm sorry-" She croaked wetly, words sticky and muddled by cruor and her own tightly closed throat. Repulsed, Ashe stood, moving towards the door.
"Clean yourself up." He spat, pausing in the doorway to cast her one last disgusted look. She merely peered back with empty, unfocused eyes, and nodded mechanically in obedience. When the door slammed shut behind him, she sunk against the wall, and closed her eyes, silent tears carving their way through the dried blood plastered to her cheeks./sub
