The morning light painted the room in a pale, unforgiving glow, highlighting the crumpled remains of the previous night's battle. Roy, his body a map of aches from holding back for so long, dreaded the conversation he knew was coming. He tried to gather his thoughts, to formulate a plan, but all he felt was a dull ache of humiliation and a simmering anger towards Avril's harsh treatment.
As he shuffled into the kitchen, Avril was already at the table, a steaming pot of tea and a steely glint in her eye. "Morning, sleepyhead," she greeted, her voice devoid of warmth. Roy mumbled a response, avoiding eye contact.
"So," Avril continued, pushing a plate of toast towards him, "about last night."
Roy braced himself. "Avril, I think we need to—"
"There's nothing to discuss," she cut him off, her voice hard. "We had a deal. You wear these" – she gestured dismissively towards the pack of adult diapers on the counter – "every night, no more bathroom breaks. Simple, effective."
Roy's frustration bubbled to the surface. "But it's degrading! Surely, there are other options. Medication, perhaps?"
Avril's lips thinned into a disapproving line. "Maybe," she conceded grudgingly. "But this works. And frankly," she continued, her voice dropping to a low growl, "you haven't exactly been Mr. Independent lately, have you, Roy? Your bladder's a traitor. Time to face reality."
She tossed a diaper at him, the plastic crinkling with a sound that echoed in the tense silence of the room. Roy flinched, the childish fear of being scolded mixing with a newfound anger – an anger he couldn't quite understand.
"And no more getting up," she added, a cruel amusement dancing in her eyes. "Use it like a little baby, alright? I'll even be the judge of how good a boy you were in the morning."
The last sentence hung heavy in the air, dripping with condescension. A childish defiance welled up within Roy. "A little boy?" he scoffed, his voice laced with a tremor of hurt and anger. "I'm a grown man, Avril!"
Avril met his gaze, her eyes devoid of the warmth he knew and cherished. "Looks like that man couldn't hold his water," she retorted. "Maybe a little discipline is what you need."
Roy slumped back in his chair, the fight draining out of him. This wasn't the Avril he knew, the woman who, despite her gruff exterior, had always been his partner, his confidante. This felt like a power play, a dominance game he didn't understand, and it terrified him.
The day stretched before him, filled with a tense silence that spoke volumes. Roy retreated into himself, his mind churning with a confusing mix of emotions. As dusk approached, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Avril reappeared with a determined glint in her eye.
"Time for your new bedtime routine, little man," she announced, holding up the diaper pack.
Roy stared at her, a wave of despair washing over him. Was this their new normal? A battle of wills fought with adult diapers as ammunition? Or was there a way to bridge the gap, to find a solution that respected both their needs? He looked at Avril, a silent plea in his eyes. Would she listen, or was this just the beginning of a strange, humiliating new chapter in their lives?