Secrets and Sins

3. Well this sucks

~Ava~

Ava regained awareness slowly. The slow beeps of something she'd only heard on TV and movies, a heart rate monitor, sounded in the otherwise heavy silence, while under her fingertips she could feel a rough, chalky bed sheet. A sterile, bleach-like smell filled her nostrils, and with all her senses combined, Ava could only think one thing. Hospital. But why was she in a hospital? She couldn't remember, her head felt like it was full of cotton wool, her thoughts slow and meandering.

Forcing her eyes open, Ava's vision was blurred from sleep. Letting out a frustrated huff, she tried to lift her hand to rub her eyes.

Her hand wouldn't move.

Sharp panic clawed at her insides, cutting through the fog. Horrible memories of being paralyzed, trapped in that tiny orphanage bed, flashed into her head.

The beeping of the machines sped up to match the pounding of her heart.

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy now." A slightly calloused, yet achingly familiar hand cupped Ava's cheek, thumb stroking soothingly. "You're safe, I'm here. You are not alone" Bea's blurry face appeared in front of her, her features becoming more focused as Ava's panic subsided.

You are not alone.

"Water?" Ava rasped; her throat felt like sandpaper.

"Oh, of course." Bea replied, leaving Ava's field of vision for a moment before returning with a white plastic cup, a straw poking from the top.

She raised the straw to Ava's lips; Ava gratefully drank almost the whole thing before pulling away. She didn't notice how Bea's gaze lingered on her mouth for maybe a moment too long.

"Thanks Bea." Her voice much clearer already, Ava turned her head from side to side, taking in her surroundings, "Hospital?"

They were in a small, sparse room, and everything about it was white and clinical. Several machines were to Ava's right, various wires and tubes connecting her to them. On her left was the only chair in the room, and a rather uncomfortable looking one at that, occupied by Bea.

"You were in pretty bad shape." Bea's voice trembled and Ava's stomach dropped. "I didn't know what else to do."

Ava wished she could touch her, comfort her, but her traitorous appendages were still not cooperating. Thankfully Bea reached out instead, taking Ava's left hand with both of hers, smoothing the pads of her fingers across her knuckles.

They sat quietly for a long few minutes, Ava studying Bea's face. It was obvious she was exhausted; her skin was pale and drawn, dark blue smudges bruising the top of her cheekbones and highlighting her exhausted honey brown eyes. Yet, despite it all, Bea was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

"I missed you." It seemed too simple to describe what Ava felt, but at the moment, it was all she could think of. Being here with Bea again was indescribable, like finally gasping in a breath after diving deep underwater.

"God, Ava, I missed you so very much." Bea's reply was quick and sharp, desperation leaking into her voice, like she was afraid the Halo Bearer might disappear at any moment.

"Language." Ava chided gently with a smirk, leaning her head back. She shut her eyes briefly as she breathed in deep only for a rugged throb of pain to steal that breath away. She finally remembered why she was in the hospital in the first place.

"You okay?" Bea asked, noticing Ava's discomfort.

"Yeah, I just forgot about the holes in my stomach for a second," she replied with a sardonic grin.

Bea nodded, a grim expression adorning her face, before she schooled it back to neutral. "You should rest. You've been through a lot".

Ava pouted. She didn't want to miss a moment of having Bea with her, especially after so long apart. But sleep beckoned her, making it hard to keep her eyes open. "Okay, but you have to stay with me. Promise?"

Bea nodded, and just as Ava was almost asleep, she heard her murmur something back.

~Beatrice~

"Always," and though Beatrice was certain Ava was already asleep, she said the next part anyway, "I love you."

She leaned back in the insanely uncomfortable chair and tried to relax. Exhaustion warring with Beatrice's need to be awake to protect Ava. Eventually she shut her eyes and was fast asleep within seconds.

It wasn't long before Beatrice woke again, back aching in the rigid chair. She stretched her arms above her head trying to relieve some of the stiffness. When that didn't work, she stood, hoping movement would help loosen her up.

Ava stirred beside her; the noise of her standing must've roused her.

"Bea? Whads happenin?" Ava's voice was thick with sleep, her words running together in a way that made Beatrice's heart melt.

"Nothing, Ava. Go back to sleep."

Dark brown eyes squinted in her direction. "Mmmm, sore back? Come ere," Ava husked, managing to roll over slightly.

Beatrice was thrilled to see the Halo bearer had regained some movement but didn't think sharing a bed would be a great idea right now. "I don't think I should Ava, I don't want to hurt you."

Ava pouted over her shoulder, eyebrows furrowed above her still squinting eyes. "Pleeeeeeease?"

She hesitated for a moment, still unsure. Ava whined soft and needy, and the noise sent a rather inappropriate jolt through Beatrice. Her face flushed and hot, she tried to rein in the feeling. Now was certainly not the time.

She took a deep, steadying breath.

"Fine."

"Yaaaaaaay." Ava sounded half asleep already.

Beatrice removed her running shoes and her socks as the left one had dried blood from the earlier graze to her knee. She then carefully, as to not disturb Ava, lay on top of the blanket beside her. She needn't have worried about waking Ava because as soon as Beatrice was on the bed, she immediately rolled towards her, pressing her face into the crook of Beatrice's neck and humming happily.

She didn't realize she had been holding her breath while Ava got comfortable until her lungs were screaming. Beatrice exhaled shakily before ever so slowly and softly lifting her arm up and draping it over Ava's hip, mindful of the injuries.

Despite the numerous questions cycling through her mind as to just how and why Ava was back, Beatrice felt herself relax at the feeling of Ava's living, breathing body pressed so tightly against her. She gave into it, letting herself enjoy the safety and warmth it offered, everything else could wait.

It would be the most restful sleep she's had in days.