"I'll take that hug now"

Facebook spoilers ahead

TW: Miscarriage

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It didn't take long to locate Autumn sitting at the bar, hand clenched around a glass sweating onto the table. She's dressed in what Marjorie recognizes as one of winter's jumpers- his favorite one at that, her figure was slumped slightly, shoulders drooped, curling in on herself.

Marjorie approached quietly behind her, and although Autumn never turned around, she was sure she heard her.

"Autumn," Marjorie spoke softly as she slid into a chair next to her.

"Marjorie if you're here to give me some kind of pep talk- "she trailed off.

"No, no. No pep talk," Marjorie assured her "I promise I'm just here to have a drink and sit... in silence,"

Autumn didn't respond, picking at the edge of the napkin under her drink.

"But if you did want me to leave, just say the word and I'll go,"

Autumn only hummed in response, several beats of silence passing before she spoke again, "Marjorie,"

Majorie pushed back her chair, ready to get up and leave, "Would you like me to go?"

Autumn took a steadying breath, her voice coming out quiet a weak, "I'll take that hug now,"

Any other time Marjorie would have been shocked at those words, especially from Autumn, but with the pale tone of Autumns skin, the occasional winces of pain, and the slight tremor in her voice- all Marjorie could manage was a whispered "Okay,"

Marjorie stood from her chair, grabbing one of Autumn's hands, urging her to do the same. "Come here,"

Autumn's eyes remained trained on the floor, and she made zero move to initiate contact, but didn't move away either as Marjorie leaned forward.

Majorie looped one arm around Autumns back, the other going up to softly cradle the back of Autumn's neck, pulling her closer to her.

Autumn didn't reciprocate, unmoving and tense in Marjorie's arms.

"It's alright my darling," Marjorie whispered though nothing in the situation was alright.

But Autumn knew what she meant. She finally allowed her body to relax, wrapping her arms around Marjorie, head falling into the crook of Marjorie's neck- something she hadn't done in a very, very long time. Tears welled in her eyes, and she didn't bother trying to stop them from running down her cheeks.

Majorie heard no cries but felt moisture collecting on her neck, tears welling up in her own eyes as Autumn began to shake in her arms. Autumn's body threatened to give out beneath her, and Marjorie adjusted her stance to take on the additional weight. "I've got you, I'm right here," there was nothing Majorie could say that would make the awful situation seem any better, she could only focus on what was there and now, and she would be there with Autumn for as long as she needed her.

Autumn didn't speak, didn't move- she had no energy left to.

..................

"Why don't we get you home?" Marjorie suggested quietly, breaking the silence between the two of them.

Autumn tensed in her arms once more and Marjorie held her a little tighter, rocking them back and forth slightly.

"I don't want to go home," Autumn's voice was quiet and shaking, threatening to break.

"Why don't you want to go home, love?" Marjorie knew why Autumn was at the bar, but based on the untouched drink still sitting on the ledge- Marjorie wasn't sure this was where she really wanted to be.