Codependent

Building Blocks

It had been several days of Dominik and Alani's new normal of him staying with her. He worked remotely so he could stay close and keep an eye on her, turning her living room into his make shift office. He had practically moved in, bringing way more clothes than necessary and his work stuff and even his coffee maker from home because unfortunately for him, Alani didn't live a lifestyle that ever required her waking up before she wanted to and needing coffee, plus she hated the taste of it.

Dominik was currently in the kitchen pursuing through the fridge that he had filled with groceries for the both of them. Alani hadn't come downstairs for the day yet which was typical, usually sleeping in into the afternoon.

It was pretty much the only thing she ever did lately; sleep, lounge around, and shuffle around the apartment in oversized clothes with blankets wrapped around her.

Things between them weren't awkward per say, but they were definitely different.

Alani was starting to become closed off again and he could tell and it made his heart ache to watch her essentially become a shell of herself.

Suddenly losing his appetite at the thought, Dominik closed the fridge and glanced at the time.

2:58

And Alani was still in bed. It made him frown, this was late even for her.

Alani lay in bed staring at the wall. This was her fourth day since she had stopped drinking again cold turkey and the yearning for alcohol was starting to kick her ass.

She sniffled to herself trying to ignore the numbness and tremors in her fingers that she couldn't control. Her stomach cramped randomly throughout the day and she couldn't stop sweating despite the fan blowing directly in her face. She was groggy, exhausted, and most importantly irritated.

The temptation to drink was weighing on her heavily and she would have cracked by now if Dominik wasn't there hovering about.

Alani groaned to herself, she shouldn't be feeling like his presence and care for her was a nuisance but god, did she wish he would leave just for an hour or two so she could sneak into the cabinet in the kitchen where she had one last bottle hidden away.

Just one drink would fix this; it would stop her body from going through the obvious withdrawal symptoms she was going through and most importantly it would quiet her thoughts.

She heard the door creek open but didn't bother turning to look.

Dominik approached the bed cautiously.

"Alani?" He said softly. "Are you awake?"

She didn't answer and just let out a sigh.

"I'm about to make lunch, you should come eat."

"Not hungry." Her voice came out hoarse and scratchy.

He took a seat at the edge of the bed beside her, noticing the way some of her hair was sticking to her forehead drenched in sweat.

Alani felt the mattress dip but didn't look at him. Her eyes stayed fixed on the wall, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"Are you okay?"

No answer.

"Alani come on, just come downstairs and stretch your legs for a little bit and eat something."

"I don't want any fucking grilled cheeses Dominik." She said quickly.

Dominik frowned at her snappy response but persisted.

"Then I'll make something else. I'll put one of the frozen pizzas you like in the oven." He offered.

"I don't want that either."