if you love me, don't let go

I Could Never Let You Go

A/N: So I struggled a lot with the writing in this chapter and I don't think it's very good. I'm satisfied with the last quarter of it but everything before then is well. . . I hope it's not too disappointing.

I just really want to see these guys cuddling again is that too much to ask?

Also I've mentioned that I barely know anything about the law right? So this is probably littered with mistakes. Sorry!

I've given the guy Magna killed a name here as well (Brian Lawson) cos it was just easier and less confusing.

Also brief warning, there's some slight racism in this chapter because I think we all know the judicial system is racist as hell and I feel like Yumiko would probably have to be aware of that.. . .

"Non nobis solum nati sumus.

(Not for ourselves alone are we born.)"

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

. . .

"I don't snore."

It took a second for the words to break through, to reach Yumiko where she'd gone after they'd both lapsed back into silence. When they did, the frivolity of the content startled her so much, she choked on a laugh.

"Why don't you go to sleep and we'll test that?" She smirked at the immediate scowl that scrunched up Magna's face; they'd had this conversation so many times before and although it always seemed to play out the same way, Yumiko never ceased to enjoy it. "Why do you think I keep stealing your pillows? I need something to block out the motortrain." Grateful for the moment of levity, she resisted the urge to poke Magna in the side - Yumiko had provoked some of the cutest pouts by doing that in the past - as she'd noticed the other woman favoring her ribs, suspected that she might have experienced a nasty fall or two, hoped it hadn't been anything worse than that.

Magna had revealed very little about her time in the cave or the horde, just enough to explain finding Yumiko again - and losing Connie in the process.

That was a wound that would eat at both of them for a long, long while - until their friend was returned to them, safe, alive.

And if she wasn't. . .

"Stop being mean and go to sleep," Magna grunted, shifting her head out of Yumiko's lap and tugging at her hand.

She tried not to notice how weak the gesture was and followed the other woman's urging, lying down beside her. A part of her regretted the action. She felt more at ease sitting upright, Magna's head safely within her hold. It gave her a better vantage point in case anyone came along. She was exhausted, her whole body screamed at her for rest, but she felt far too on edge to actually sleep. They weren't safe out here, far from it. And their friends . . . God only knew what had become of them.

It was another thing she'd been trying not to think about - and so, of course, it was a constant presence at the back of her mind.

She suspected Magna felt the same, was only doing this so that she could draw her closer - for comfort, or perhaps just to reassure herself that Yumiko was okay, even if the rest of the world wasn't. Yumiko couldn't object to that - she had the same need. And the both of them had always slept easier like this - even with the snores and pillow stealing. That was no competition for the safety and relief that came with being in the other's arms, knowing they were there, alive, safe, close; and understanding that if it came to it, they would protect you with their life.