Operation Phoenix

Chapter Eleven

If she focused, she could count the patterns on her canopy, sections like the panels on a sidewalk. Grey, dull, lackluster. She couldn't help but feel like each stitched square reflected what she was feeling inside, but closing her eyes only brought sickening images of a screaming horse, and hands that held her to the dirt below.

There was a soft knock before her door creaked slowly open, only to reveal a bush of curls. "Hey lass, yeh haven't left theh bed all mornin, et's nearly noon." Her best friend said gently, making her way across the floor. "I brought yeh some breakfast."

And the redhead had, for she was holding a tray with apple slices, scrambled eggs, a cup of orange juice and, off to the side, lots of strawberries.

"I'm not very hungry." Rapunzel croaked, still looking at the underside of her canopy bed. She was lying on her back, unmoving.

Merida frowned and looked down at the food she'd made, not necessarily feeling bad cause she'd went trough all the trouble of making it, but troubled because Zel wasn't eating. She placed the tray atop her friend's dresser and walked over to the bed. Gingerly, she sat next to Rapunzel and grabbed her small hand, a gesture of kindness.

Zel's head finally turned and looked at Mer, who had an expression of worry stressing her eyebrows. Rapunzel offered a smile to try and lighten Merida's mood—she hated seeing the people she cared for sad, but Mer couldn't be fooled so easy.

"Im okay, Mer." Zellie sighed, squeezing her best friend's hand reassuringly.

Merida closed her eyes, knowing that it was a lie but resolving not to pressure her into saying anything. She'd come to it in her own time, after all. "Yer my best friend yeh know, ef yeh ever need teh talk about anythen, I'm here fer yeh."

Rapunzel chuckled lightly and nodded, "You too." She said.

Merida smiled, standing from her spot next to Zel. "Jack wants teh see yeh. He doesn't know anythen. Should I let him en?"

Rapunzel felt herself lighten a bit at the thought of spending time with Jack, and not alone. Slowly, she sat up and nodded, focusing her attention back on the ceiling as she drew her knees to her chin.

Merida left silently, casting one more glance behind her before continuing on.

Rapunzel heard the door close and listened to the exchange of inaudible words behind it, before it opened again. This time, she knew who it was.

"Hi." She offered when she looked over and spotted him still standing in the foyer of her room—though she hadn't smiled.

"Hi." Jack said gently, making his way closer, carefully, as if she were a wild animal. He hovered near her bed, placing a hand on the comforter and sending a look her way; asking permission, testing the waters.

When she smiled at him softly, Jack carefully climbed upon it. As she scooted closer, he opened his arms to her, expecting her to lay down in them. Instead she wrapped him in a hug, trembling. She could smell the same smell he'd always given off, sandalwood, mint, faint cologne. She was glad he was here, having missed him all night. She'd refused him when he'd asked to sleep next to her, mostly because she was worried about how she'd feel touching someone so intimately again, but she regretted it deeply the later it got.

"Hey, hey..." he breathed, gingerly lifting her head to look at him. She had tears in her eyes, and she was shaking almost violently. He brushed his thumb across the bruise on her cheekbone, "It's okay," he reassured. "I'm here. I'm here okay?"

She nodded and he slowly laid back onto the bed while she untangled herself from him. When she detached he drew her into his chest and closed his eyes, smelling her just as she smelled him, feeling her breathe against him as she curled up in his embrace.