Comfort in You
Summary: In the quiet moments in the aftermath of their dad's abuse, they find comfort in each other. drabble
Author's Note: Mentions of abuse and slight consensual incest between Frankie/Hunter.
Frankie Hollingsworth pushed the door open to her twin brother's room and tiptoed over to his bed. She stood and stared down at him for a few moments as she took in the bruise blooming on his face, just under his right eye and down over his cheek. Almost of their own accord, her fingers brushed over his face and she felt her bottom lip wobble as she swallowed hard. Tears stung her eyes as she gazed at the aftermath of their father's abuse, knowing that it was her fault.
It had been happening for awhile now and they'd been trying to keep it quiet. Not wanting Miles to know for fear of what would happen. And not exactly wanting him to blame himself because they chose to trust the man who'd abused him. The cause for their father's ire tonight had been the fact that she'd gotten in an argument with him for not allowing her to see her friends at the mall. He'd been so angry that he'd begun to yell at her until Hunter, usually so quiet began to defend her. And that had been when their father had snapped.
She didn't know where their dad was now. He'd disappeared after he'd gotten all of his anger out, leaving Hunter completely broken on the floor. After she'd helped her brother up, he'd hurried past her, up the stairs and to his room without a word.
"This has gone too far." She whispered as she climbed into the bed and wrapped her arms around him, head burrowed into his back as tears leaked from her eyes. "We should tell mom or Miles. We should get help."
Hunter turned in her arms and his icy blue eyes met her brown ones. He reached out a slender, long fingered hand and swiped at the tears on her cheeks. "No one would believe us." He muttered thickly, swallowing hard as he shook his head. "Everyone trusts him and he can pay people off. He's too powerful."
Frankie bit her lip and let out a whimper. "But we should at least try." She whispered, hands clenched into the fabric of his shirt as she stared up at him with wide, wet eyes.
"I won't ever let him hurt you, Frankie." He whispered quietly.
She heaved a sigh, breathing heavily as she clung to him and shook her head. "I'm not worried about me. I'm not the one that he's been hurting."
Hunter smiled at that and leaned in to press his forehead against her's. "I can take it, Franks. We're only here every other weekend, anyway. Besides, you make it better."
Her small hand moved up to cup his cheek as she pressed herself closer. She didn't know what came over her as she pressed her lips to his gently. It was small and innocent. Just a press of lips before she pulled away. She took in her twin's wide, shock filled, blue eyes and felt a small blush creep up her cheeks. She hadn't ever kissed anyone other than Winston and they'd been broken up for a long time now. She didn't even understand what made her do it. She swallowed silently and watched as Hunter's gaze fell to her lips. She felt goosebumps as Hunter rubbed his hand up and down her arm before he pulled her into him, tucking her into his chest.
They didn't say anything afterward, taking comfort in each other, feeling at peace together. They could talk about the kiss in the morning and deal with what to do about their dad when they got back to their mom and brother. For now, they would rest.
The End