#shinywrites

Today has been shit.

Your coworkers had forgotten to invite you to the company party. No apology either. Just a 'my bad' with a sliver of cake to go along with it. And to add salt to the wound, you tripped on your way to the bus stop after work, leaving a stinging scrape on your face. Ow. But at least there was a cookie.

A cookie from the corner store bakery. The one with sea salt flakes on the top and gooey chocolate. The one you have been leaning on to get you through the day. At least there was that.

Until there wasn't.

You entered the house, the sound of the tv blaring from the living room. Some reality show, maybe the Housewives, or the Kardashians. Whatever it was, it told you Jeff was home. He says it's just for background noise, but even you know that it's not the truth. It'll suck you in, even if you don't mean for it to.

"I'm home!" You hollered, slipping the uncomfortable shoes you'd worn all day off. No reply. Hm. You threw your bag onto the side table near the door, making a thud that definitely could have been heard over the television. No big dealio, he might actually have it as background noise and be on his phone.

You shrugged and walked to the kitchen. Opened the fridge door. And nothing. That little box with the small little ribbon wasn't there. Your stomach tightened, and you could practically see the steam coming out your ears. Pissed was the only was to describe the emotions you were feeling. It wasn't anger and it wasn't sadness... okay, maybe it was. You slammed the fridge door close, and heard a stray condiment fall. Not your problem. Your problem was in the living room, sitting comfortably. Not knowing the sort of trouble that was stomping towards him.

You walked into the door way, tears already threating to fall. Jeffery was sprawled sideways on the couch, head resting on one arm rest and his gangly legs dangling off the other. He leaned his head back to look at you and sighed. "What's wrong with you?" His voice a mix of confusion and unease. He knows you just got home, and this was not a sad or happy sort of crying.

"You ate it." You strained to speak, your fingernails digging into the palm of your hand. Your knuckles turning light from the pressure of your fist. "What the hell are you talking about?" His stupid eyebrow raised slightly, confusion fully taking over. He began to sit up, "You're being real vague right now, make some sense before getting onto me."

You broke down right there. You barely said anything, and your already crying. Over a cookie. It was stupid, it was small, but it was enough to make everything crash down right there. Your knees gave out while you sobbed on the hardwood floor. You gave up trying to care about how the water would affect it.

Jeff jumped up from the couch and was at your side. "Woah woah, really what is going on?" A small laugh escaped his lungs. He tried to get closer, maybe hold you, but you broke into a louder sob when he did. So he stopped.

"You ate it! I can't fucking believe you ate it!" You choked out, sobs breaking up your words. Inconsolable. Jeff was so confused, what did he eat? What the hell could have been so important that it controlled your emotions this much?? "What did I eat? What are you talking about!?" He slightly raised his voice, not yelling but just trying to get his agitation across.

"The cookie! The cookie I specifically told you not to eat and that I can't get again till next week!" You smacked his shoulder, not hard, but to get your anger through to him. "I told you not to eat it!" You sob harder, but allowing him to finally hold you. It was tight, it felt good; that sort of grounding feeling it gave you.

"Shit shit shit, I'm sorry doll." He fumbled out, his words coming out before he even registered why you were upset. All he knew was that it was about him, and that was not good. Would you leave him? He would, he's terrible. "I promise I really am. I'm so dumb, I know you told me not to eat it." He reiterated, falling behind your words with apologies.

"Its more than the stupid cookie!" You cried, detailing the terrible day you had. Social fumble after real stumble. It made you feel better, getting it all out. The tears falling slower and slower, small sniffles replacing the broken sobs.

He kissed the small goosebump-like wounds the scrape left on your forehead, and sighed. "I'm sorry I made your terrible day so much worse." He mumbled into your hair. "Your shampoo smells nice." His voice barely audible now, the domestic-ness filling the air new, and uncomfortable. But not the worst.

You huffed out a laugh, the awkwardness of the moment easing. His arms becoming safer, stronger and less of the arms of a traitor. A sniffle, and a hiccup coming after it. "So stupid. I shouldn't be crying over a cookie."

"Nah, I understand why. Don't be too sorry." He reassures you not to feel bad. "Just try not to get more snot on my hoodie please." He smiles down at you, a bit more soft than you're used to seeing. How beautiful, you think.

How beautiful it is to take a brick out of a wall that has been been up for centuries.

"What are you looking at?" Jeff questions as you continue to stare at him, mesmerized. "Nothin' you just look nice."

"I think you need ta' sleep after all that, cause I most definitely do not."