Forbidden Connections

The Visitor.

One day, someone stopped by her place unexpectedly, but Eve didn't answer the door. F.R.I.D.A.Y., her AI assistant, checked the cameras and revealed the visitor's identity. As Eve instructed, the doors opened by themselves, and Lily cautiously entered. "Hello? Eve?" she called out, scanning the room. Eve replied from the couch, where she was watching TV. Lily approached her and handed her a gift bag. "It's not much, just some flowers and jewelry," she said with a gentle smile. Eve took the bag and set it on the kitchen counter without much enthusiasm. Lily noticed Eve's lack of makeup and the tired look in her eyes, signs of her ongoing struggle with depression since her father's passing. Despite this, Eve made an effort to keep herself and her home clean and tidy. The two friends sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the TV's hum.

Lily sat beside Eve on the couch, concern etched on her face. "How have you been? I know it's a silly question, but I have to ask." Eve hesitated, her gaze flickering between Lily and the TV. "Let's just say I'm coping." The news flashed on the screen, and Eve quickly turned it off. "Aren't you busy with your fashion line? What brings you here?" Lily leaned in, her voice gentle. "Tim's worried about you, and honestly, so am I. I know you might think we're overreacting, but...we care." She paused, studying Eve's expression. "I won't lie, I was surprised when Tim asked me to check on you. But seeing how you are...I get it." Eve's eyes drifted away, her thoughts tangled in emotions she struggled to unravel. Lily's presence was a reminder that she wasn't alone, yet the darkness she'd been dwelling in seemed to cling to her like a shroud. Lily's sarcasm was palpable as she followed Eve to the kitchen. "Ya, totally fine," she mocked, sitting on the counter. "Come on, Eve. Talk to me or a damn therapist." Eve's facade cracked, and she snapped, "I'm fine, okay? I don't need a therapist. My meds help, and I'm dealing with it." Lily called her bluff, "If you're so fine, come do a job for me. Leave your apartment for something other than Sapphire." Eve rolled her eyes, "Ha! Funny joke, Lily. Okay, joke over." But Lily's expression remained serious, "I'm not joking. Do a small modeling gig for me." The challenge hung in the air like a gauntlet, and Eve's hesitation betrayed her fragile composure.

Eve sighed, "I'd love to, Lily, but I'm not in the right shape or state for a modeling gig." She retreated to the couch, attempting to escape the conversation. Lily followed, her concern evident. "What are you in the state to do, Eve? You need to get out more, talk to people again." Eve's fragility cracked, "Listen, I appreciate your concern, but I'll just push you away. Please, before I say something that'll hurt you, leave..." She turned on the TV, seeking distraction. Lily remained steadfast, "Oh, now I'm definitely staying. I won't say anything. I promise." She sat beside Eve, silent but unyielding in her support. The TV's glow flickered, a contrast to the emotional intensity unfolding between the two friends. Eve retreated into the numbing glow of the TV, attempting to escape the emotional turmoil. Lily remained steadfast, silently supporting her friend. As hours passed, Happy dropped off food, then left, unaware of the emotional depth of Eve's struggles. Eve's gaze drifted to Lily, and she wondered if Tim had shared the truth about their breakup. After her father's passing, Eve had ended things with Tim, unable to bear the weight of her grief and their relationship. She had ignored his attempts to reach out, fearing the pain would consume her. The TV's blue light flickered, a distraction from the emotional storm brewing within Eve.

Tim didn't inform Lily about the situation. He simply asked her to check on Eve, as Eve wouldn't respond to his texts. While eating with Eve, Lily attempted to initiate conversation, saying, "If you don't want to talk about yourself, I can share things about me or we can discuss random topics like chihuahuas and golden retrievers." Eve politely declined, stating, "I prefer eating in silence. Sorry." Unused to social interactions, Eve found solace in quietness, her primary coping mechanism. Lily respected her wishes, and they ate in understanding silence. "Okay, fair" Lily agreed, understanding Eve's needs. As they ate, Lily pondered staying with Eve full-time, wanting her to feel supported and not abandoned like she had been before. Lily knew the pain of isolation and the importance of having someone who wouldn't give up. Eve's father's passing wasn't the only reason she had withdrawn; she had started hearing voices again and her powers had become more dangerous. Since the last fight, she had unlocked new abilities, making her even more powerful. She only went out as Sapphire now. As Eve's alarm went off, she got up to take her meds, which kept the voices at bay. She grabbed her medication from her room and took it with water, grateful for the reprieve it brought.

Lily tidied up the kitchen and waited for Eve to return after taking her medication. However, when Eve didn't come back down, Lily grew concerned and went to check on her. She heard muffled sobs coming from the bathroom and gently knocked on the door. "Eve, babe, it's okay," she tried to reassure her. But Eve was overwhelmed by grief, memories of her father flooding her mind. She collapsed to the floor, holding her chest as the pain consumed her. Lily continued to offer comforting words through the door, hoping to help Eve through this difficult moment. Lily became worried and broke open the door, then sat on the floor and embraced Eve. Eve held Lily's arm tightly as she continued to cry, her eyes closed. "I didn't want him to leave," she sobbed. "None of us wanted him to leave," Lily whispered softly, holding her close. They sat there for a few minutes, letting Eve release all her tears. As Eve calmed down, she looked up at Lily with a small, sad smile. "Thank you," she said gratefully. Lily hugged her again, offering comfort and support as Eve navigated her grief.

Lily gently wiped away Eve's tears and offered a reassuring smile. "I'm here for you, always," she said. "I understand a little of what you're going through. I pushed Tim away, too, and everyone else. But it's not too late to change that. Everyone is waiting for you, just one text or call away." Eve shook her head, "I can't, not yet." Lily softly urged, "At least let me in...please?" Eve gazed at Lily, her eyes welling up again. "There's nothing, Lily. All I feel is pain, suffocating me. I can't be happy anymore. The memories are all I see, and the little girl inside me just wants her dad back." Lily listened intently, offering a silent understanding. Sometimes, words weren't necessary; being present and acknowledging Eve's emotions was enough. Eve had finally opened up to someone, and Lily was there to hold space for her grief. Eve gazed at Lily, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "If you're going to try and pry answers out of me, you can leave. It'll be a waste of your time." Lily responded softly, "I'm not going to force you to talk, Eve. I'm just here to sit with you, in silence, unless you want to chat." As the day went on, Eve stuck to her routine: sitting on the couch, eating, watching TV, and then sleeping. Occasionally, nightmares would keep her awake, disrupting her already fragile sleep patterns. Lily remained present and supportive, respecting Eve's boundaries and giving her space to process her emotions. Sometimes, simply having someone nearby can bring comfort, even if it's just shared silence.

Lily spent the night at Eve's to ensure everything was okay. The next morning, Lily left a note on the kitchen table saying, "Had to go to work, please text me when you wake up, I'll bring lunch and dinner over tonight." Eve finally woke up, got ready, and saw the note. Not wanting to burden Lily, she threw the note away and started cleaning the apartment. Meanwhile, Lily's support and understanding were crucial for Eve during this challenging time. Once eve was done she went out on patrol just to clear her mind. As she stayed on top of a building just to get fresh air, she didn't have to worry about paparazzi or getting followed.