PERVERSE - Apply Fic

24

CW: Body Horror. Details at the bottom.

It has been fourteen days and only during one of those days was there no dry lightening storm. No more snow has come. If anything, the plains have been a bit warmer. The air crackles from both the electric air and the teens holding bushers much like the one they threw weeks ago. No one is in the mood for a party, not even with Halloween nearly upon them.

They've already done a marvellous trick, coming back to life, and Eva is in the mood for a treat. So, just after dark, when Este wraps a hand around Eva's shoulder and leans over to whisper, Eva's eyes light up.

"One more heist?" they ask.

What is one more trick for many more treats?

Most people are still around as they are leaving, though Este knows nearly all of them have plans in the evening. It is easier to slip out with everyone gone. Of course, the only people who don't seem to have plans are the points of Este's concern. The law enforcement officers.

Leo has been weird and distant, although trying more. Sometimes, Este catches him holding ice packs to his face and arms, as if the burns still feel fresh. Clare has not spoken. Este has noticed now that Clare has not eaten either. Not once.

Ajay is a different concern.

Of course, Eva wants a snack and a cigarette for the road. Of course they are in Ajay's motel room, and of course it is him that opens the door and looks at Este.

If it were any one else, Este would just be able to turn their nose and it would be so simple. Anyone else would fear them. Este feels their cheeks heat, and then it is burning. It's coming for her, just like Kaylee said it would.

Ajay stands in the doorway looking at Este for a second too long. Then, he shuts it. When the door opens, Este looks at him, shoes on, coat zipped up to the bottom of his chin.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are even more beautiful when you are angry?" Ajay asks, stepping out into the doorway.

They glower at him, "you're not coming."

Ajay chuckles, "I'm coming."

"You're delusional," they roll their eyes.

"And you're going to murder your husband," Ajay counters. "And I'm coming. Unless you'd rather someone else come. I can get Leo, if you-"

"Fine," Este turns their head, mostly to hide the smile on their cheek.

When they smell the smoke as Eva steps out, already a lit cigarette in between her fingers, Este bites the inside of their cheek. The flesh gives way to blood, which Este swallows. It's better than smiling.

~~~

With electricity in the air and fire on their skin, Clare has been quiet. There is no suffering in the aftermath. Only acceptance. Hours later, when most of everyone is gone, it is on the quietest of nights, the first without a dry lighting storm, that Clare stand on the balcony, arms pressed into the cold metal, that thinking of that night.

Only Leo is at the motel, and he takes the opportunity to shower. He has tried not to think about it for days, but when Nico was braiding Fallon's hair that morning, the red strands looked like firelight.