Blue Sweater//Warrior Nun//Avatrice

Blue Sweater

Author's Note ~

This is a repost of my original story 'Blue Sweater' over at Archive of Our Own. You can find it under the same name, under my username @ ChildoftheFeywilds!!!!!

This is based after the final battle with Adriel but before Beatrice leaves the OCS.

Word Count; 862

~~~

Stepping through the courtyard gate, Ava realizes how much has changed. So many new faces are training before her. It had taken her nearly a week to find where the OCS had moved, but Jillian had helped her when she went to her. Sent her in the right direction.

Ava has to shake the distraction from her mind, moving forward through the small sea of new Sister Warriors. She doesn't falter as she walks past so many, not until Mother Superion spots her.

"Ava." She barely whispers her name, the young Sister Warrior before her stopping mid sentence as Mother Superion steps around her. She doesn't make it three steps before Ava meets her.

"Hi mother." Ava smiles, though her eyes still bounce around the courtyard as she greets the older woman. Superion doesn't say anything at first. Simply wrapping her arms around the Halo Bearer. Ava gladly returns the favor, leaning into the hug heavily.

Finally, the older woman pulls back, resting her hands on Ava's shoulders as she finally speaks. "Beatrice, she's inside."

Ava thanks her, but she does not waste any more time. Picking up her pace as she enters the monastery. It takes little effort on Ava's part to find where Beatrice is, it's never been hard to find the other girl with the presence she has. Like that of a gravitational pull. She knocks on the wooden door as she comes to a stop before it. Her heart hammering like a drum against her rib cage. Ava knocks again when a minute passes without a response.

"Come in."

Beatrice's voice feels so warm after so long, even as it's muffled by the door. Ava twists the handle and slowly pushes the door open. She can feel the nerves shaking her hands as her eyes immediately land on the other woman. Seated at a small desk, Beatrice turns as the door opens.
She stares at Ava, frozen in place. Ava can't be certain herself that time hasn't stopped as she finally lays eyes on Beatrice. Her hair loose around her shoulders, dressed in a loose pair of jeans and a familiar blue sweater.

"Is that my sweater?" It isn't at all what Ava had wanted or planned to say but the words tumble past her lips anyway.

"Ava?" Beatrice's voice cracks as she whispers her name, still unmoving from her seat. Like she is afraid Ava is some figure of her imagination.

Ava takes that as her invitation however, slowly walking into the room. She stops only a foot or so in front of Beatrice, looking down at her with a small smile. "It is, isn't it?"

Finally, Beatrice reacts. Leaping out of her seat and slamming full force into Ava. The pair stumble back several steps, and Ava can't stop the laugh that escapes her. She can feel the taller girls arms lock tightly around her waist, as her own eyes sting. She cradles the back of Beatrice's neck and shoulders.

"You're real." Beatrice whispers into Ava's neck, "Please tell me you're real."

"It's me," Ava nods, pressing her lips to Beatrice's temple. "I promise, it's me."

They stay there for several long moments before Ava finally pulls back, but not out of reach. She scans Beatrice's face slowly, her thumb wiping away a few tears as she does. "Hey, Bea."

Beatrice stares for a few moments, her hands moving to either side of Ava's face before she closes the distance. Their lips meet and Beatrice finally feels like she can breathe again. In this moment, she doesn't think it would matter if the world fell around them. If the ground opened up and swallowed them whole, she would be content to hold Ava as they fell.

Ava slowly pulls back, Beatrice chasing after her lips as she does. "Bea."

Her name makes her freeze, eyes opening and focusing on Ava's. The other girl smiles softly at her. "I really missed you." She whispers.

It's then that Beatrice notices the scars on Ava's face, scars from where she had been struck during the explosion. Ava's hair now past her shoulders in length. "How long?"

Ava laughs a little, looking down. "A year, maybe two?"

"It's only been three weeks," Beatrice whispers.

"Time passes differently there," Ava shrugs, "It took months to heal, hell even longer to just be able to walk again."

Beatrice slowly exhales at Ava's admittance. "How did you get back? The Arc hasn't had any power since the battle."

Ava moves to sit on the edge of Beatrice's bed, pulling her along with her. "I had to get back to you." She says it so easily, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. It scares Beatrice, and it melts her heart at the same time.

"I love you," Beatrice whispers, looking away from the other girl. "I tried to say it that night when you went through the portal but I was so fucking scared Ava, I'm so sorry-"

Ava carefully turns Beatrice's face, cradling her cheek in her palm. "Bea, I heard you. It's the whole reason I knew I had to get back to you. Had to find a way."