Page 61 of Perfect Chaos

“Happy to be, Darling Chaos. I wouldn't have it any other way, but what was the confused face for?”

“I didn't get to see the medical facility when I was first brought here. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this.” She gestures towards a large factory facade behind us.

“Oh, that's a good point.” My overreaction is even more embarrassing. No, I went into full-blown panic mode, and she was only confused by the fact that she was treated in a building where the inside and outside don't match.

Gavin hasn't moved from a spot quietly leaning against the car until the moment passes. I rise to my feet, pulling myself back together. It's scary how fast fear can take over. I nod to him, motioning for him to be the one to help Maizyn into the passenger seat. Once she is settled, I push the wheelchair back to the designated area, then climb into the back seat behind her.

We make the drive from the facility to the house in twenty minutes, listening to the soft pop station because Maizyn likes singing off-key to all the songs. Every smile and moment spent with her feels like it's worth so much more. We almost lost her; I never want to take time with her for granted ever again.

I had her pain meds and antibiotics delivered to the house earlier today, along with plenty of groceries for the next few days, so there shouldn't be much reason we need to leave the house.

I hop out of the car first, rushing to open Maizyn’s door before she can get to it. I get her out of the car, but she pushes my hands away, wanting to walk on her own to the front door. Deciding it's not worth the argument, Gavin and I follow closely behind her.

“Alright, what are you in the mood to do? Are you tired? Do you want to relax and watch a movie?”

“A movie with you both sounds nice, but I honestly feel disgusting. Do you think I could get a bath or something first? My skin feels sticky, and I know I don't smell great.”

“You can't get your stitches wet, but if you don't mind us helping you, we can get you clean with the rag and wash your hair.”

“Um, yeah, that sounds fine, thanks."

I do a double-take cut off guard by how quickly she agreed.

Gavin

We finally get Maizyn undressed and into the walk-in shower. We situate her on a folded-up towel so she wouldn't slip around. Atlas washes her hair while I wash her body, using the removable shower head to avoid her stitches as best as possible. She steadies herself with her hands on my hips, then slides them forward and begins attempting to work my pants open.

I grip her wrists in my soapy hands, discarding the loofa I was using. “Stop it, Maizyn. You are hurt. I don’t want to risk making your injury worse.”

“Me having a bullet hole in my side has nothing to do with how good my mouth works.”

“I don’t think that's a good idea, Chaos.”

“Will you both just hush and let me do what I want while you wash my hair? Are you really going to deny me what I want when I almost died? If I'm alive, I want to feel it.”

“That's not fair, Little Tornado.”

“Since when do I ever play fair?” She flutters her lashes before sticking her tongue out at me.

“Fine. If we do this, we do it our way, not yours. You remain still and if at any point you are in pain or put too much stress on your stitches, it stops. Do you understand me, Little Demon?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Knowing there is nothing we wouldn't do for our girl, Atlas quickly rinses her hair and I scoop her off the floor. Atlas follows me into the bedroom, looking confused. Ok.. Guess it's up to me this time.

Once we're in the bedroom, I deposit Maizyn carefully at the edge of the bed. I look over to see Atlas already getting undressed and I do the same as I explain what I think will make this work.

“Atlas lay down on the bed. Maizyn is going to straddle you. The best way to do this without causing her discomfort or risking strain on her injury is to have her lie flat on your chest using her knees to keep her propped up. We are going to have to do all the work; she doesn’t move, or moves as little as possible. Same safe word for everyone, is that clear?”

The look on Atlas' face is almost worth stopping to take a picture of.

“Why the hell would I need a safe word?”

“Because Atlas, even you should have a safe word. It's not just you and Maizyn anymore. If something makes you uncomfortable, or if I accidentally take things too far, or even if Maizyn takes things too far, use the safe word. The same rules apply to me. This is a new dynamic and a new position. Safe words are important to have even if you never have to use them. Is that clear to everyone?”

“Understood.” They echo; the tension in my shoulders eases a fraction. I'm nervous about how this will go, but I can't wait to see if my idea works.

Atlas pauses before speaking again. “I understand what you're saying; I just never thought of it that way.”