Jenna Ortega Imagines

! Nightlight !

Summary: You're going through some absolute shit, after finding out that your mother passed away. No matter what happened, though, Jenna was there with you every step of the way.

TW: Accident, loss, SH.

Play the song 'Nightlight' By Illenium and Annika Wells while reading this chapter <3
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I could run.

The monitor flatlined.

I could cry, I could plead...

The sounds of nurses and doctors rushing around was dull to you. 

I could say it's never gonna get any better, then leave.

You could only struggle against Jenna's hold as a scream ripped through your throat.

I could throw my hands up,
I could fall to my knees...

You sank to the floor, sobbing on the disinfected tiles of the hospital room.

I could tell myself I'm strong enough to give all the love that I need. 

As and when Jenna cried upon hearing your heart-wrenching sobs, you turned around and held her close, trying to comfort her best as you could, while your own heart physically ached. 

But I still need you
To ease my load,

Two months had already passed since the accident. 

Hold me when the lightning strikes
Lead me home,
When I don't know which way is right

You'd wake up in a cold sweat, remembering that dreadful sound, watching as the remaining colour from your mother's bruised face drained away, after having fought for three days of extra living. 

Love me when it's hard, I promise that I'm not
Leaving from your side.

"I've got you," Jenna always said, holding you tightly as you cried. "Just like you've always got me."

And when I fall apart, promise in the dark
You'll be my nightlight.

Things took a turn for the worse when you hurt yourself.

You'll be my nightlight.

You sat on the bathroom floor, sobbing your eyes out again, razor in hand while your arms bled on the clean tiles. 

You'll be my nightlight.

Jenna nearly broke down the door, and the second you looked up at her horrified face, you hung your head and gazed ashamedly at your bleeding arms. 

She sat in front of you, damp towel in hand already, as she tenderly wiped the blood off and kissed each cut. "Clean it up," she'd dab away the crimson fluid, "And kiss it better." A quick peck on the exposed skin. 

You'll be my nightlight.

You whispered out, "I'm so sorry," your eyes still glued to the bloodstained floor beneath you. She placed a finger under your chin, and tilted it up so that your eyes met hers. They glistened with tears as well, but she smiled gently.

You'll be my nightlight.

"We'll get through this," she said, pulling you close to her. "Together." 

You leaned your forehead against hers and whispered, "Together." 

Pressing a soft kiss to your lips, she replied, "Always."

I could count,
Every time that I've fallen.

You thought you were getting better, but you weren't. 

Even when I'm in so deep
It gets hard to see you're still all in.

"I'd do it a hundred times over, as long as it means you get better in the end." Every time it happened, she'd say just that, and then kiss the pain away. 

I've been lost by myself in the darkness

"We both know I can handle myself alone," you said one night, laying in her embrace as she traced the scars from past instances over your arms. 

Know that I can find my way
Even on the days when it's hardest

"Doesn't necessarily mean that you have to," she replied, kissing your head. 

But I still need you
To ease my load

When you saw the scars a few days later, you broke down yet again. 

Hold me when the lightning strikes
Lead me home

"I can't do this alone," you wailed, as she reassured you again. 

When I don't know which way is right.

"You never will have to, my love," she said. "Like I said. We'll get through this together. Always." 

Love me when it's hard, I promise that I'm not
Leaving from your side

Jenna, too, faced problems. When she was stressed, or if she had a bad day, you were there with a mug of hot chocolate and a night full of cuddles and kisses. 

And when I fall apart, promise in the dark
You'll be my nightlight.

When you packed away your mother's things, you sat down in the middle of all the boxes in her house, picture frames still scattered around you. 

You'll be my nightlight. 

"Hold me one last time, mom," you whispered, pulling out your mother's favourite peach knit sweater and wrapping yourself in it. "Please." 

You'll be my nightlight.

Jenna came in from the guest room to see your eyes squeezed shut, your mother's sweater in your hands as tears escaped the small crevices between your eyelids. 

You'll be my nightlight. 

She sat down in front of you as you buried your nose into the soft, faded yarn, smelling your mother's lost scent of vanilla and gardenia in the fabric. "Please," you whispered. "Please hold me again." 

You'll be my nightlight.

As she watched you cry into the cloth, all Jenna could do was wrap her arms around you securely and rest her chin on the top of your head, occasionally kissing it and whispering sweet nothings to you. 

You'll be my nightlight.

You finally packed everything. After a few months of holding the sweater and sleeping with it in your embrace whilst Jenna cuddled you, you decided to keep it in your closet carefully. 

Folding it and placing the half-used perfume bottle your mom wore atop the soft fabric, you made sure to put it in the lockable drawer of the cupboard.  

You felt Jenna's arms wrap around you in a comforting embrace as she kissed your cheek, asking, "Ready?" 

Taking a deep breath, you nodded, "Yeah."

Looking at the sweater one last time, you whispered, "Bye, mom," before closing and locking the drawer hopefully forever. Smiling with tears in your eyes you said, "Thanks for holding me, even when you weren't here." 

Jenna wrapped her arms around you and pressed a kiss to your lips. You smiled at her and said, "Thank you for being there for me."  

She hugged you tightly, running her hand through your hair as she smiled, "Always." 

You pulled away and asked, "Pizza and movies?" 

She laced her fingers through yours and replied, "I'll never say no to that." 

You'll be my nightlight.

And as you closed the door to your room, you could've sworn you heard your mother laugh. 

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...I'm not crying, you're crying. *proceeds to sob uncontrollably*