PERVERSE - Apply Fic

15

It has been a few weeks since Fallon came back to life, nearly halfway to the number of days she lay dead. Her whole life is permeated by death, from her existence in a church basement to the scars on her torso. Corrin used to say her freckles were like little suns, stars, burning in the distance. The stab wounds look like they are shooting through her pale skin, and she tries to picture them as burning particles in the faraway night sky. It is helpful to think of it as not close.

Now, she is as silent as she was days ago, faced with a woman she doesn't recognize in the sanctity of their church basement, but a woman who seems to recognize Este.

"We're married now," the stranger says. "Your marriage was annulled after you ran away."

Este grins, it rising from cheek to cheek, "is that what he told you?"

The woman stiffens. Este cannot tell what specifically has unsettled the woman, but she doesn't mind the ambiguity. She stares at Kaylee Wood-Rodwell, the blonde woman who fucked her husband while Este was still alive.

Fallon stands up. She is still holding the guitar, and she looks around at them as she does, "I think I'll just give you both some space."

Guitar still in hand, Fallon heads to the stairs. Each step feels too slow. Her heart starts to race. Once she gets to the stairs, she bolts up. Only as her arms pump does she realize she is holding the guitar, which she slams into her leg haphazardly. She bites on her tongue to contain her groan. At the top of the stairs she drops the guitar. Of course, she isn't wearing shoes, or a coat either. She hurries into a pew where she sits and breathes.

Kaylee Wood-Roswell squares her shoulders, "she's skittish."

"I think she just finds unexpected company rude," Este runs her tongue over her teeth before she smiles. "I made stirfry. Would you like a martini?"

Este turns around, sauntering into the kitchen. She listens for Kaylee's footsteps. They don't approach. So, Este stands in the kitchen, beginning to make a martini.

"Aren't you curious how I found you?" she asks.

Este shrugs, "I'll be honest, Kaylee. I'm not particularly concerned with your experience."

She turns around. Kaylee steps in closer, hanging in the doorway.

"A bunch of stores saw you buying scarves when I asked about the gifts," Kaylee says. "The church basement has been flooded for a strange amount of time, since just about the minute you dropped off your first scarf. I just knew."

"A real Velma, aren't you?" Este begins to curl into a grin.

"I understand you aren't happy with Jayce, but stalking him isn't proving anything," Kaylee's voice is steady, sturdy.

Este smiles, strides over to Kaylee with a martini glass. Kaylee takes the glass, holding it in her hand. Este and her clink the cups together, the sound lower than a proper martini glass would be.

"I know you don't believe whatever he's told you about me," Este says. "After all, you didn't come here with him. I don't think he even knows you've found me."

Kaylee's face is hard, steely. She takes her martini glass, "I think I'd just like to hear your version of events."

~~~

Barry and Lydia have sat on the ground opposite each other in the church closet. Barry has yet to button up their shirt completely, but Lydia is put together again. Barry's cheeks are flushed, their eyes wet, and they can't stop the stupid grin that barely hangs on their face. They've stopped panting at least. Lydia looks untouched.