SANCTUARY ➸ marvel au

xvi.

★彡 [ ʟᴇᴛʜᴀʟ ᴡᴇᴀᴘᴏɴ: ᴀ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ]彡★

University had been exhausting that day, and it was a relief for Isabelle, when she was finally able to get home. She wasted no time in getting washed up and changed into more comfortable clothes, before heating up some leftover soup for dinner. 

A gameshow was playing on the television and she got a bit into it once she was seated on the couch with her food. Another hour passed peacefully when she heard some odd noise from somewhere in her apartment.

It wasn't a loud sound, or anything threatening, really. It was just a small click that would have gone unnoticed if the TV hadn't suddenly switched to a commercial. The short transition between the show and the commercial was quiet enough that Isabelle caught the faint sound. 

But then, the dark-haired female recalled one of her neighbours commenting on the break-ins that had been happening near the area. That was really all it took for Isabelle's overworked mind to imagine all sorts of scenarios. 

It wasn't long before she cautiously got up from the couch and slowly made her way to her bedroom. She moved as quietly as possible, picking up the first thing she could reach on her way there, failing to notice that her so-called weapon was a book.

Trying not to be seen, she peered around the doorframe and into her room, squinting as she tried to make out things through the darkness. She internally cursed herself for not leaving a light on, even if it was a good way to save on electricity. 

It was with much panic that she managed to make out the shape of someone standing in front on her window, apparently shutting it as they stepped in. Her blood ran cold and her heart beat rapidly as she watched. 

Finally, Isabelle managed to get her body to react to the danger she was possibly in. The figure turned to shut the window, and that was when she burst through the doorway. One moment she was beating the supposed burglar over the head with a book and the next, she was being tossed onto her bed.

Isabelle scrambled up, attempting to get out of the bed quickly and warily. The lights were suddenly turned on, making her blink furiously as her eyes adjusted to the brightness.

Kate rubbed her head. "Ow! Do you attack everyone that hard that comes in here?"

"Kate?" She blinked at the purple archer before glaring at her. "What the hell? You scared the living out of me!"

"So you hit me with a book?" The archer asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought you were a burglar or a kidnapper! I was defending myself!" Isabelle retorted. 

"With a book." Kate pointed out with a deadpan look.

"Shut up," Isabelle grumbled, knowing her ears were probably red.

It was only a moment later that Isabelle realised Kate's dishevelled state. The purple archer's suit was tattered in places, and she was covered in cuts. Exhaustion was plastered across her face, but what surprised Isabelle the most was the blood seeping from the side of her head.

Isabelle's eyes widened. "Oh my god. What happened?! Please tell me I didn't hit you that hard."

Kate chuckled tiredly. "No, no. I got a bit distracted, but it's okay."

"It is not okay, Kate! You're bleeding from the side of your forehead and you're covered in cuts! It's a miracle you haven't fainted from exhaustion," Isabelle snapped worriedly.

Kate smiled weakly, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Sorry. I shouldn't have come here and worried you like this. I'll head back to the tower now."

"Absolutely not." Isabelle shook her head. "You're in no condition to be standing right now, and you need medical attention. I'll go and grab the first aid supplies, and patch you up."

Isabelle made way towards the storeroom, scanning through her cabinets, grabbing all the needed supplies and then headed towards the bathroom, but not before messaging Yelena and Peter, and notifying them about Kate's state. 

Kate sat at the edge of the bathtub seat, watching quietly as Isabelle treated her injuries. Her eyebrows were scrunched up in concentration, and it made her look adorable in the purple's archer's eyes.

"You're lucky I'm training to be a nurse." Isabelle said. 

Kate grinned. "You're my hero."

Isabelle found herself smiling at the archer's comment. "You, Peter and Yelena really need to be more careful. I can't have you three coming to my house all beaten up in the middle of the night and give me a heart attack."

"I'll try my best. You know, you should really close your windows, even if you are on the third floor," Kate commented.

"It's not my fault. The lock just doesn't work on that window," Isabelle replied. "Besides you're the only one that actually bothered to use the window instead of the door like a normal person."

Kate shrugged, wincing slightly as Isabelle cleaned the wound on her forehead. "I doubt it'd be a good idea to use the door when I look like this."

"Fair enough," Isabelle admitted as she finished patching the wound up.

"Thank you," Kate whispered softly.

"Your welcome."

Isabelle's breath hitched, suddenly realising the closeness between them, their faces mere inches away from one another's. Warm hazel eyes met sky blue ones. Kate stared at her warmly with friendliness while Isabelle's lips curled up into a soft smile.

"You can stay here tonight," Isabelle said as she began packing away the supplies. "I informed Yelena. She said to tell you and I quote 'to stop being a reckless idiot'."

Kate grinned fondly. "That sounds like her. And thank you."

"Anytime."

Isabelle handed Kate a spare comfortable pair of clothes to change into before giving her privacy to change, heading towards the storeroom to place back the supplies, a warm smile on her face.