It's easier for two

16. I'm here

Without wasting a second, Eva slipped into the room, surveying her surroundings until she spotted a blanket draped over the back of a chair, made of a light and soft fabric. After verifying that Elektra was merely sitting on the couch, staring off into the distance, Eva approached her with cautious calmness, but also with the firmness of a coach. She sat down next to her, gently throwing the blanket over the girl's shoulders in one smooth motion, and touched her through the fabric, coaxing her to lean in closer. Elektra yielded and laid her head on Eva's chest, instantly bursting into tears as if a hidden button had been pressed.
Eva swayed back and forth, holding Elektra firmly, and remained silent for a while. Then, in a soft and calming voice, she repeated, "It will pass, everything will pass, I'm here with you." She fell silent again, letting Elektra cry like a small child while occasionally saying something in an unfamiliar language. "What happened to you?" Eva thought. "How can I help you? What can I do for you?"
The sobbing continued for what felt like an eternity, but eventually subsided into quiet weeping and heavy breathing. Elektra had descended by that point, and was lying on Eva's lap, tears were dripping onto Eva's knees. "It will pass, really," Eva repeated softly, stroking Elektra's shoulder and attempting to adjust the blanket to warm her.
"I'm sorry," Elektra finally spoke up.
"There's nothing to apologize for, it's all right," Eva reassured her.
Silence fell again, punctuated by occasional sobs.
"El, can I ask you one question?" Eva asked. "I won't ask anything more."
Elektra listened quietly.
"Has something happened that I don't know about?"
"No," Elektra replied. "It's just me... it happens to me. I'm sorry... You don't have to stay here with me."
"I want to stay here with you, can I?" Eva asked.
Elektra nodded, embracing Eva's knees, and lay there for so long that she eventually drifted into a deep, endless sleep of exhaustion.