Survivor, emily prentiss

𝟎𝟎𝟖, 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐞

emily's pov

my heart skipped a beat when claire asked to come over. I knew after our little moment, she had been avoiding me, and I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so I kept my distance as well. but I missed her more than I imagined. I didn't realize how much I cared for her until she stopped speaking to me. I got a glimpse of how lonesome my life would be without her, and I didn't like it. working for the FBI could be like living in a shadow, but with claire, little sparks of hope lead us back into the sunlight. Of course I loved my job, but I didn't want to do it without Claire. I anxiously paced around my kitchen island, waiting for her arrival. as guilty as I felt, I was relieved she wanted to talk to me, that is a step forward, right? I was pulled from my thoughts with a gentle knock at the door. I smile to myself at how soft she was and quickly open the door to greet her.

she was still in work clothes, her eyes were dark. I didn't realize it was raining outside until she showed up at my door, drenched. I pull her into my apartment and close the door. "Oh my God, did you walk here?" I grab a towel, wrapping it around her. She shivered and all I could hear was the chattering of her teeth. "Come with me, I'm gonna grab a change of clothes." I take her hand in mine and lead her upstairs to my bedroom, pulling out a pair of sweatpants and a BAU hoodie from my closet. i tossed claire's wet clothes into the dryer and we walked back to the kitchen. It didn't take a profiler to see that she was clearly freezing. I reached for two mugs and boiled a pot of tea.

"Thank you." she spoke softly. something about her seemed small, I was under the impression her wanting to come over meant things were going to go back to normal, but watching her sitting on the barstool, with her knees to her chest gave me a different idea.

while i waited for the water to boil, I walk over with her to the couch and sit down beside her with my hands out. she looks down at them and back at my face, slightly confused. I can't help but laugh, so I take her hands in mine, attempting to warm them. "I can't believe you walked. You should've called me when it started raining!" I say, a little too loud.

She flinched a bit and shrugs. "It wasn't a far walk."

claire's pov

Emily gave me the look. the look of disapproval, but also concern and worry. I hated that look. But I couldn't let it bother me. I was just happy to see her face again. "I'm sorry," was all I managed to say. i was apologizing for everything; not calling sooner, avoiding her the last couple days, and for trying to kiss her. Oh how I wanted to kiss her.

I never felt as much like a child as I do now... small... frail. I chew on my cheek and look at the raven-haired woman sitting in front of me. It's a good thing I'm not a profiler, because I can't decode her thoughts at all.

She let go of my hands and pulled me into her, wrapping her arms around me. I sighed into the hug, feeling my safest in her arms. i never wanted her to let go. I'd rather love her from afar than risk losing her. this thought just made me hold onto her tighter and she noticed. "Hey," She said, pulling away and looking at me. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm sorry I tried to kiss you." I finally pluck up the courage to say. My eyes dampened a bit, but I quickly whipped them. Emily held my face in her hands and within seconds her lips are on mine. my heart drops and I ease into the kiss. it was just how I envisioned it. soft, but strong. Her right hand pushed my hair back and moved to my waist, pulling me into her. We break for air and I catch a glimpse of hope in her eye before our lips met again.

If in sync, we pull away at the same time and my eyes move from her lips to her eyes, searching for any signs of regret. But Emily just smiled the softest smile I had ever seen. She let out a chuckle causing me to lean my head back and smile.

"Claire... you are something else." She wraps her arms around me and I lean into her, cuddling into her arms. She traces patterns on my hand as I lay my head on her chest.

~

I stayed in emily's arms for a couple hours. she kissed me.  emily kissed me. I do badly wanted to know what the kiss meant, but right now I just wanted to be in emily's arms. I look up at the raven-haired woman, she looked so content, so controlled after the spontaneous kiss... it made me question whether she planned it. I smile softly, just admiring her as she ran her fingers through my hair.

"I should get going." I said reluctantly, looking at the time.

"Stay. You can sleepover." I chew on my cheek and shake my head. "Em, I don't think that's a good idea." The truth is, I didn't know for sure what was going on between us, but I knew for one thing I wasn't going to confuse myself more. she gave me an understanding nod, walking me to the door. "Let me at least give you a ride home? I'm not letting you walk." She said, grabbing her keys and walking me out to her car.

the drive home was mostly quiet. the light hum of the radio playing in the background, and my laughter at emily's road rage. I watched as she gripped the stirring wheel tightly, she was stressing. I place my hand on hers, hoping it would bring her some comfort and calm her down. She pulled up to the front of my apartment and parked the car, turning to face me. I toyed with the hem of my sleeve. "So I'll see you tomorrow?"

I nod, a tight lipped smile. "Y-Yeah. Tomorrow." I turn to leave when I feel a tug at my wrist. Turning back around, Emily kisses me, before I can contemplate what was happening. I smile against her lips and we both lean back. my cheeks burned red and my glances switched from the dashboard to emily. we said goodbye and parted our ways.

walking into my apartment felt subdued. I tossed my things on the floor and hurried to my bedroom. I didn't want to change out of emily's clothes, so I just brushed my teeth and removed my makeup. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror as I wiped my smeared mascara. my lips formed into a smile. I kissed Emily Prentiss. And she kissed me.

Claire Evans.
Little Claire.
I swallow my pride for the time being and head off to bed.