Choni : Now and Every Day to Come

ONESHOT

AFTER TONI RESCUES CHERYL (INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED AFTER 2x17)

Her body trembling from the cold, fear and adrenaline, Cheryl laid across the back seats of Kevin's car, her head resting upon Toni's thighs. Topaz's fingers traced over her leather jacket that was wrapped over the redhead's chest as another layer of warmth. She used her other hand to gently stroke Cheryl's cheek, trying to be as comforting as she could be.

"So, uh," Kevin began. "Am I stopping here or —" He continued hesitantly. Toni snapped out of her trance, and peered out of the window.

"Yeah, here's fine. Thank you, Kevin, for everything." The Serpent mumbled sincerely in response, gaining a half-hearted smile and nod from the male in return as the car came to a gradual halt. "Cheryl," She whispered, as she slowly started to move her legs, signalling for the Blossom to sit up. "Cheryl, we're here."

Cheryl gradually pushed herself upright and Toni opened the car door, only to see Sweet Pea jogging over to them. "What's happened? Are you okay?" He mumbled in concern as his eyes scanned his female friend's face for bruises, which was habit for when she arrived back so late, whilst she climbed out of the truck.

"I'm fine. It's Cheryl." Toni reassured the tall male. "I'll explain later. Help me get her to my Grandpa's trailer." At the same time, as if by instinct, the two Serpent's held a hand out towards the redhead, who looked utterly traumatised and dazed. Cheryl cautiously clambered out of the truck, her hand tightly grasping on to Toni's as it had been ever since she had been rescued. With a Serpent either side of her, the Blossom slowly made her way along the stoned path towards a rusting trailer in the corner of the community.

"You all good from here? Need me to keep watch for a while?" The male offered once they reached the trailer door.

"No, it's fine, Sweets. You can go. Thanks for the help." Toni responded with a half-smile as she used her free hand to unlock the door and flick on the lights. Sweet Pea agreed and insisted that Topaz texted if she needed anything before marching back towards his own trailer.

With one arm around Cheryl's waist, Toni used her foot to close the door behind them, and guided the Blossom towards the couch. Cheryl's grip upon Toni's body loosened so she could sit down where she was being encouraged to whilst Topaz crouched down at Cheryl's feet to place a blanket over the redhead's legs. As she did so, their gazes met. The dark orbs of the Blossom glinted with moisture as tears rimmed her eyes, yet refused to fall.

"Cheryl..." Toni mumbled softly, raising her hand to the other girl's cheek, her eyes innocently wandering across the redhead's features. At the gentle touch of the one person she cared for, tears avalanched down Cheryl's face, finally giving in to the trauma she had experienced. Before she knew it, her body was shuddering with sobs in the arms of the pink-haired girl in front of her. "It's okay," Topaz whispered into the red locks of hair beneath her chin, slowly rocking with the girl in her arms like her mother used to do with her when she was a child, "You're safe here."

After several minutes of very much overdue, inconsolable crying, Cheryl eventually pulled out of the embrace and looked down at the female beneath her. She still hadn't spoken a word since they had left the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. She didn't know what to say.

Toni stood upright and threw her jacket over the back of a chair. "My grandpa's out of town this weekend so he won't be back tonight. You can have his bed, if you want. I can change the sheets," She suggested, peering down at Cheryl who was watching her every move. "I'll even spray the room so it doesn't smell like old men." She attempted to lighten the mood, which did lift the corner's of the redhead's lips, sparking a warmth of achievement inside her.

Getting a nod in response, Toni did as she said she would; changing the sheets and spraying some of her old fragrance into the air to make the room feel more cosy. She would have given up her bed, except she slept on the sofa so that would've been tricky. When she returned, Cheryl was upstanding and looking at the frames on the walls. In particular, she was looking at a photo of Toni, and a man that she presumed to be her grandfather, standing either side of a motorcycle. Toni smiled at the sight. "Grandpa saved up for years to afford that bike, only to give it to me." The Serpent mumbled in a tone of gratitude, gazing at Cheryl, who turned around to face Toni with a look of adoration.