Unity

It is my fault.

I didn't know how long I'd slept for, all I knew was that Ace hadn't left me alone. I was still lay against his chest, eyes blinking against the harsh light from the blinds that were open in front of us. I prayed that last night was nothing but a dream, nothing but a continuation of my nightmare yet one look into Aces eyes told me everything was real.

I buried myself into my pillows, turning away from Ace as tears began to fill my eyes. A comforting hand was rubbing soothing circles on my back, a gentle reminder that he wasn't going to leave me. I was grateful, even though I didn't think I could voice my gratitude. I didn't trust myself to speak, I didn't trust myself to move.

I didn't know how long I stayed like that, crying into my pillow while Ace comforted me but it was interrupted by a loud knock at my door. I flinched, the reminder of Mac banging against my door and it made me terrified. I knew that Axel wouldn't of let Mac go, I wasn't too sure if he'd let him live but I didn't want to answer the door. I felt the weight in the bed shift meaning that Ace had decided he would answer it.

"Ace?" My brothers voice was heard from the other side of the door. "What are you doing here?"

Ace sighed, the door creaking as he held it open wider. "I came a few minutes ago to check on your sister." He lied. I didn't know what was going on between the both of us and I knew whatever it was Axel didn't need to know about it. Quiet footsteps were heard, it was as if they were being cautious because they were approaching a dangerous animal.

"Ava?" Axel whispered gently, a hand gently nudging at my shoulder. I swatted away my tears from my cheeks, sighing before rolling over to face him. His hopeful eyes disappeared, a heart broken look appearing. "Oh Ava."

He was dragging me into his arms, my own finding their way around his back as I sobbed into his chest. His chin rested on top of my head, arms clutching me so tight as if he thought I were going to disappear. "I'm so sorry." He mumbled, his voice slightly breaking. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here."

I pulled back, hiccuping against my sobs as I frowned at him. "It wasn't your fault." I assured him, shaking my head as I fought a new wave of tears. I was shocked to see that tears had formed in his own eyes, they kept farting to the inevitable bruises around my neck and I could tell he was trying to avoid focusing on them.

He sank against the bed defeatedly, slumping down beside me. I was silently hoping that he hadn't noticed the bed was probably still warm from where Ace had been lying, I looked up feeling slightly disappointed as I realised that he'd gone. I hadn't even heard the door shut behind him.

"It is my fault." Axel sighed beside me. "The rebel attacking you, then Mac. It's all because I left you alone." I scoffed, leaning against the headboard beside my brother and resting my head against the top of his shoulder.

"You can't be glued to my hip for the rest of my life."

He shuffled beneath my cheek, an arm wrapping around the top of my shoulder. "I can try." I shook my head, lowering myself onto the pillows.

"Axel, I don't mean to be rude." I spoke, glancing up at him shyly. "But I'd like to go back to sleep." He nodded, getting up before leaning back down a pressing a kiss to the top of my forehead.

"Ace and I are going to take care of some business today." He informed me. "But Gunner, Diesel and John are gonna be in the clubhouse if you need anything." I nodded although I had no intention of leaving my room today, not tomorrow or any day after that.

"I love you Ava." He called from the door. I peeked out atop of my blanket, avoiding the mess that had been left over from last night.

"I love you too." He smiled at me, sad tinge that stopped it from meeting his eyes before he closed the door. I scrambled from beneath the covers, making sure to slide the lock into place. I shuffled back to my bed, burying myself in the blankets and hiding from the world.