Fatima felt that she was holding her ground pretty good, until the white-hot pain seared through her body, starting at her nose. She couldn't see straight; everything was fuzzy as she tried to get her balance. She could feel something dripping down her face as she tried not to cry from the pain.
"Fatima, Fatima, I'm so sorry, I am so, so sorry," Devin pleaded with her.
"Just, just help me sit," she mumbled. Devin put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the bench.
"Sit here, okay? I'm coming right back, okay? I promise," he whispered. He ran into the locker room and returned with a box of tissues and a hand towel. He gently put the towel to her nose, then gently tilted her head forward. "Keep your head like this, okay? Don't move, okay? I'm so sorry, I swear it was an accident," he pleaded with her.
"Hurts," Fatima whimpered, not even bothering to try to wipe her tears.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean to hit you there, you moved, no it's not your fault, please don't hate me," he begged her as he wiped her tears with a tissue. Fatima moved the towel and looked up at him.
"It's fine. Relax. It's part of the sport. I've been hit worse than this before, you know," she said, slightly amused at how upset he was.
"But I hurt you!" he protested. Fatima grabbed another tissue and held it to her nose.
"It's fine. I'm fine. If you really want to help, go grab me an ice pack," Fatima grumbled as she stood up.
"Hey, no, stay here. I'll get you an ice pack, then we're going to the Minor Emergency Room," he said gently.
"No hospital," Fatima argued.
"Sorry. We need to get you checked out to make sure it's not broken, and make sure you don't have a concussion," he said gently. He grabbed a small ice pack, wrapped it quickly, then put it on her nose. "I'm really sorry again," he said quietly. Fatima sniffled, then immediately grabbed a tissue and started blowing her nose. Devin almost laughed at her reaction, then realized it was his fault her nose was bleeding in the first place. Instead, he gently took her hand and led her out.
Three hours later, they were finally leaving. Fatima had a hairline fracture in her nose, but fortunately no concussion. Devin felt awful about it, knowing damn well it was his own fault.
"Can I take you for ice cream? Something? I feel awful," he whispered once they were in the car. Fatima looked over and smiled.
"Hey. Let's just go home, okay? Don't feel bad. It was an accident, and I knew it was a possibility. Hey. It's okay. Really," she whispered. Devin gave her a gentle kiss and nodded a little, knowing damn well he wouldn't stop blaming himself. Once they were home, Devin took extra care to set her up on the couch with the TV, the remote, an ice pack, and a gentle kiss. He went into the kitchen and prepared a bowl with cake and ice cream, then delivered it to his girl. Fatima looked up at him and smiled. "Hey. Look at me. It's okay, really. Don't feel bad. It was an accident. I still love you. You know that, right?" she said gently. Devin nodded a little.
"I just feel bad. Are you sure you're okay?" he whispered. Fatima nodded.
"I really am okay. This isn't the worst I've ever been hit, you know," she whispered.
"I know, but never by me. I always promised I'd never hurt you, and today I beat the crap out of you!" he protested. Fatima rolled her eyes.
"It really is okay. Hey. I am not mad at you. And I don't want you to be mad at you either," she whispered. They ended the night cuddling, with Devin fussing over his girl every five minutes or so. He hadn't stopped apologizing, either. Fatima truly wasn't upset. She understood it was an accident, and she wanted him to stop beating himself up over it more than anything.