eudoria holmes x female reader

* the big bang *

TW: internalised homophobia

Walking through the busy streets of the town. There's married women everywhere. Buying food and pricey pieces of fabrics and particles of furniture. Most likely with their husbands' money. That could've been me. In just two weeks I would've been wearing that beautiful cream colored dress with puffy sleeves and corset waist.

God, what if it really was a mistake? I mean, what if I really am ill? It isn't normal to feel this way, is it? What is wrong with me? Gosh, I'm really about to cry in public. Better get a move on before I-

"Oh!" I crash into a woman. Her bag of apples rips open and the fruit falls everywhere on the ground.

"Oh, dear!" I fall to my knees to pick up the fallen groceries. My vision is a bit blurry and it's hard to see. "I'm so sorry," I say in a panicked state. "I'm so- " I clasp my hand to my mouth to keep a sob from escaping but it's no use.

"Just leave them, it's okay," the woman above me says. I hang my head down low. I'm so embarassed. Another sob escapes. "You're not hurt, are you?" she asks, now a bit concerned.

I get up from the ground and brush nonexistent dirt off my dress. "No, no. I'm alright. I'm so sorry ma'am," I look at her for the first time. She's smiling but her brown eyes are still full of concern. She has thick brown eyelashes and brows. Her dark brown hair has been tied into a long braid but thick curls have escaped the braid here and there. She's wearing an expensive looking dark green dress. She's and older woman, probably in her 40s or 50s, but dear God, she's beautiful. No, stop it. This has ruined your life.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look a bit... disorientated?" she asks and looks into my eyes.

"Y- yes, of course. I'm sorry ma'am," I repeat.

"You already said that. And it's Eudoria," she says and offers her hand to shake. "Ma'am makes me sound married," she says and smiles.

Oh? She's not married? I would've put money on it.

I take her hand. "Y/n, nice to meet you Eudoria," I say and shake her hand. I look at the now muddy apples on the ground. "Uh, I can buy you new apples," except you don't have any money. "Or actually..." I'm about to cry again. God, what is wrong with me!

"There's no need, they're from my own tree," she says kindly. "How about this instead: If you're not busy, we can go for a tea and talk about it?"

"About what?" I ask.

She gives a small smile and tilts her head a bit. Then she raises her hand and places it on my shoulder.

"Whatever's bothering you," she smiles.

"Thank you, Eudoria. But I don't actually have any money with me right now," or at all.

"It's alright. I offered, I'll pay," she says. "Huh?" she nudges my hand playfully and smiles.

That smile is gorgeous. Her eyes squint and wrinkles and smile lines appear around them. I can see her teeth peeking out from the corner of her lips.

"Well, if you insist," I chuckle. Eudoria links our arms and start leading me towards a café. It's her friend's place, apparently. She says we might get our teas half free.

"What were you going to do with the apples?" I asked and looked back at them.

"Oh, I was going to take them to my friend across town, but they're no use now," she chuckles.