Fight For You

two: storm.

It was common knowledge that Ariana hated being left out of things, so as the entire pack ran out of the hospital, leaving Liam and Ariana to wait for Liam's stepfather to take them home, it was no surprise that Ariana was instantly irritated. As soon as Scott disappeared around the corner with strict instructions for Liam and Ariana to stay put, Ariana slumped into a spare chair, arms folded across her chest. Her left leg started bouncing impatiently almost as soon as she was seated, a bad habit she'd picked up from Violet a long time ago and had never been able to shake off.

Liam didn't sit though, clearly feeling anxious himself. Instead, he paced up and down the hallway as Ariana watched silently, his body weaving swiftly in between the crowds of nurses and patients. After a few minutes he finally marched back up to Ariana, determination in his eyes. "I need to go and find my stepdad," he declared, as if he was making a brave and bold choice when it was more likely he was just sick of pacing already.

Ariana couldn't blame him, especially after spying the red marks in his palms, evidence that the full moon was affecting him more than he wanted to admit. She nodded silently at his declaration but made no effort to move out of her seat. "You go, I'll wait here," she said, tugging a smile onto her lips.

There was a brief pause between the two of them, full of something Ariana couldn't quite put words to. But before she could doubt the look in his eyes, Liam leaned down to press a kiss to her lips, his knuckles brushing against her cheek.

"I'll be so quick. I'll just go get an update. See if we can get out of here soon," Liam said softly, giving her another quick kiss, his lips warm against hers. "You'll be okay?"

"I'm not the one feeling the full moon tonight," Ariana reminded him quietly, raising an eyebrow although there was no malice in her words, just a hint of amusement. "I'll be fine!" she insisted again, reaching out to squeeze his hand before nodding her head to send him off. He left, reluctantly, disappearing around the corner with a quick glance behind to her, ever worried about her.

Ariana wondered if he could sense the odd feeling she'd been carrying around lately, the dark tug against her lungs. Not enough to mention to Scott yet, but heavy enough to feel now as she sat waiting for Liam to return. It was an uncomfortable feeling, like the pre-nausea you might get before you were about to throw up. Like her body was ready to leap over the edge but something in her was still resisting.

"Ariana?"

At the sound of her name, Ariana glanced around, her brow furrowing slightly as she locked eyed with the last person she'd expected to see tonight. "Miss Carmen?" Ariana winced inwardly as she felt her voice shift, immediately making herself smaller in vocal tone as well as physical frame as she curled up slightly at the sight of her first foster parent.

Carmen moved slowly towards Ariana. Her long burgundy skirt covered her shoes, giving the impression that she was gliding down the hallway. She stopped in front of Ariana, thin lips pursed as she stared down, her dark hooded eyes almost boring into Ariana's soul. "What are you doing here, sweetie? Are you in trouble?" she asked, her voice lilting in concern.

Ariana bit her bottom lip as she brought her arms across her chest, hugging them to her body tightly. "No, just here with a friend. I'm fine," she said shortly, pulling a convincing smile onto her lips as she stood up, doing her best to minimise how much she needed to stare up at Carmen. It didn't make a big difference given how short Ariana was, but she knew Carmen thrived on looking down her nose at her foster children so Ariana needed every inch she could get. Carmen would see right through it of course, but it was the effort that counted right now. Maybe if she was convincing enough, Carmen would have the sense to leave her alone.