healing

take me home

TW: Mention of abuse, mention of rape, hospitalization

Cordelia and Mina drove in silence on the way home, Mina's leather gloves tightly gripping the steering wheel.

"You're quiet."

"...You didn't have to rip me away from her like that."

"...she was overwhelmed. And you were too." She takes a slow turn.

"...What do we say to the girls? I mean we can't make a decision and we're the adults."

"They're adults too Delia. For the most part." She rolls her eyes. "And Myrtle will be there. We're consulting her too."

"I just want everyone to... get their feelings out."

"That's a good idea honey," she says calmly, keeping her eyes on the road.

"Don't," Cordelia mumbles. Mina looks at her, confused and angry.

"What?" she snaps.

"You've been belittling me Wilhemina. Just stop it. I don't- look up to you."

"Of course you don't. You're basically a mother of six, teacher, headmistress running the academy... incredibly powerful. In your position, I wouldn't look up to me either darling, just relax, We'll be home soon." Wilhemina places her hand on her thigh, letting Cordelia helplessly melt at her words, soaking in the validation she never had. She sits back in her seat, her head hitting the head rest, closing her eyes as Wilhemina's thumb stroked her black pants. She fell asleep the rest of the ride.

*+.:•*+°*+.*

"Delia darling," she gently shook her awake. Her eyes flutter open and she softly smiles but it quickly fades. "We're home."

Cordelia rubs her eyes, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out. Wilhemina hands her her purse with a warm smile. She takes it, looking down as she enters the school. They're met with Zoe and Misty patting down the stairs.

"So?" Zoe asks.

"Is Fiona home?" Cordelia sighs quietly.

"No, she left a few hours ago."

"We need a meeting with the girls, can you get them down here please?"

"Delia darling, you're back," Myrtle enters, taking her in a hug. Cordelia just looks defeated, limp in her arms.

"Hi. I need all the girls down here. We need a meeting."

"Alright, I'll put on some tea..." Myrtle could sense her tension since she walked in the room. The air felt thick, making her throw a hand over her forehead as she was in the kitchen, gathering a tea tray and putting on a kettle. She groans. "Oh that girl. Oh y/n."

The woman shakes her head, rolling the tea tray into the sitting room, Illuminated by antique lamps and candles. By now, all the girls had gathered, sitting in chairs with worried expressions. Wilhemina and Cordelia sat beside one another.

"Girls- this is hard to... convey, seeing y/n's condition. But, we're just- at a loss here. We went to visit her today. We found her. But she's just...-" Cordelia began.

"-Traumatized," Wilhemina emphasized.

"You think?" Madison quipped bitterly.

"Anything you'd like to share Madison, you can say it. We're here to let our feelings out." Madison rolls her eyes.

"Is it that she doesn't want to stay there? She's been in the hospital a million times."

"There's someone there that-"