"We've gotta stop this Skye" Grant told her as he grabbed a few fresh ice packs from the freezer.
"I know" she whispered back.
"I really mean it this time"
"I know" she replied more forcefully.
"Do you? Because I've said it at least a dozen times and yet it keeps on happening" he sighed
"You can't put all the blame on me Grant"
Did he seriously think it was all her fault?
"I'm not, it's just - I hate seeing us like this" He placed the icepack against her cheek where a dark bruise was already forming.
"Me too" she told him brokenly
"It's unhealthy. We need to find another way to deal with things - like normal people do"
"You think I don't know that Grant? Trust me, I hate sitting here having to clean a split lip that I gave you because we had another argument" she could feel herself starting to get worked up again.
He moved to between her legs where she was sitting on the kitchen counter.
"We can do this Skye. Together." He placed his forehead against hers, their noses nearly touching.
Grant and Skye had a messed up way of dealing with things. They had a complicated relationship and when things went wrong or they argued they beat the shit out of each other. It wasn't abuse, they both gave as good as they got and they both came out of it all in one piece.
It was never anything too serious, no broken bones or anything but bruises and cuts were the usual. It was their way of coping. It was natural for them and no matter how many times they tried to stop - they just couldn't.
"I don't wanna hurt you anymore" tears started streaming down Skye's face and Ward's heart nearly broke.
"And I don't wanna hurt you Skye" He brought his hand up and placed it on her cheek before placing a gentle kiss against her lips.
The truth was they hated hurting each other. Maybe not in the heat of the moment when inflicting pain on the other seemed like the right thing to do and even the pain they got themselves felt good but when they'd come to their senses and see each other and the bruises and wounds they'd inflicted - it was heartbreaking for the both of them.
"But sometimes I can't help myself, sometimes I don't even realise what I've done until it's too late and by then-"
"We're too far into it to stop" Grant finished for her.
He knew what she was feeling - it was the exact same for him.
It'd start with an argument at first - just shouting, then maybe a push or shove, next came the punching and then there was one person on top screaming at the other and finally the patching up of each other and crying in one anothers arms because they'd done it again.
They knew it was gonna be hard - this was the 'normal' for them. But in the kitchen, cleaning and fixing each other up, looking into one anothers eyes they realised they'd do whatever it takes to break this habit, this addiction - for eachother.
"We'll do this Skye - whatever it takes." Ward spoke gently.
"Promise?" asked Skye, almost childlike.
Grant placed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips and wrapped his arms fully around her as if to protect her - a vast change from what they were doing not even a half hour ago.
"I promise." he told her with confidence because Grant loved Skye and finally after realising how fucked up the situation was - they were gonna beat this and for no one else but each other.