Sarah Paulson Mental Health One-Shots

Healing -T.B. Karen

TW: Self harm, mention of drugs

prompt: You've always known Karen as being misunderstood. You never thought you would relate to her until now. Now you could really understand her.

Word count: 2008

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"Wow y/n this is like the third set of paints this month." The cashier laughs as you buy another box of oil paints and canvases along with some food for Karen. "You uhh got an art gallery going on of something?"

"Oh they're not for me. They're for Karen."

"Karen?" He asks with a confused face. You sigh and slightly roll your eyes, knowing this was the only way you could refer to her in order for people to understand who you're talking about.

"TB Karen."

"Ohhh that crazy bitch?"

"She's not crazy she's just- Okay never mind just can I please have my stuff?" You say, pissed off at the fact that people feel the need to always make fun of her and treat her like a piece of shit. He simply nods and hands you the bag of supplies. "Thank you."

***

And with that, you leave the store and start walking to where you meet Karen every Monday. Coincidentally, the song "Monday, Monday" by The Mama's and the Papa's started playing in your earbuds as you strolled down the slightly foggy street of Provincetown, admiring the flashy red, oranges and yellow leaves. Early October was your favorite time of year in this town. Especially on the chillier days, still being able to enjoy the sight of the trees before the leaves fall.

You finally reached the shore and walked along it. Soon enough, you spotted Karen in her large coat, sitting in a ball and watching the waves crash against the sand. She suddenly catches sight of you and gives you a huge smile as she  waves to you. You jog up to her and her big brown eyes just gleaming at the sight of you.

"Hey y/n!"

"Hey Karen." You giggle, handing her the bag of supplies and food. "This is for you." She bites her lip in a huge goofy smile as she rummages through it. She picks out a bag of gold fish and shakes then in her hand.

"I fucking love these!!" She beams, making you laugh as you sit beside her in the sand. She looks through the rest of the stuff and pulls you into a hug. "You're real sweet." She says, sniffling as you hug her back. "No one does stuff like this for me." She mumbles, looking down as she pulls away.

"It's really no problem Karen. I wish there was more I could do for you like let you stay at my place but my parents..."

"...Don't want some crazy homeless junky under their roof. Yeahhh I get it." She sighs.

"You're not crazy. I'm sorry Karen."

"It's alright. You've already helped me a lot. Do you uhh...want to paint with me? I've got plenty of supplies thanks to you."

"Oh I'm really not great at painting." You laugh nervously.

"That's fine I'll teach you! ...Unless you need to be somewhere...or something." She mumbled, looking down at her lap.