Instant Family (SWSH Fanfic)

A Champion's Recovery

Gloria shut the door, sliding down the cold, wooden surface. What was happening? How could this happen? Over what???

She stood up, pacing back and forth, her fingers lacing in her still sex-tousled hair. She forced herself to breathe between ragged sobs, scanning the ground for her clothes.

Step one: get dressed.

Gloria had been through enough in life to know that you can't deal with everything all at once. She knew if she broke everything down into singular steps for the next ten minutes, she'd survive.

After flicking out some wrinkles at the hem of her dress, she walked over to Marnie's nightstand where she left her phone.

I can't stay here, need to head over to Stow-on-Side for tonight.

She quickly booked herself a room at the first place she could find. Okay, I have a bed for tonight. That's good.

She sat down in front of Marnie's vanity, looking at her tear-streaked, red face. She patted her cheeks and picked up Marnie's makeup wipes. She knew where she always kept them....

She shook her grief off, quickly swiping the streamed mascara from beneath her eyes, careful not to remove too much. She wasn't about to redo everything. After re-touching her lashes, she decided to close her eyes and think.

I need to say something before I go... I need to get a hold of this situation before it runs away from me... from the both of us...

The things Marnie said seared in her brain, making her skin crawl. A good fuck she thought, and I let her be my first time... Marnie's actions were uncharacteristically cruel. They have had fights before, but this was the first time she knew Marnie was purposefully trying to hurt her. Why...?

After another moment of mulling over her strategy, she looked at herself in the mirror, feigning fierce confidence. She slapped her legs as she stood up, forcing herself to be strong. She had a big day tomorrow, the job doesn't stop for personal hardship. She looked at Marnie's door, still plastered with posters of Piers. A poorly carved heart with a "G+M" etched into it mocked her.

Things were going to change when she walked through that door, she just knew it.

-•-

Marnie paced back and forth, nervous nausea making her head spin.

I have to go up there. I have to apologize. What the FUCK was I thinking??

She heard Gloria's sobbing subside from upstairs. What was she going to do? What was she even doing up there? Should I check? Marnie collapsed in her couch, holding her head in her hands. She dragged her fingers through her hair, combing back her bangs, feeling her shaved spikes tickle her palm. She sniffed. Finally resolving to get over herself and fix it this.

Light suddenly illuminated the stairwell as Marnie's door swept open. She shot up, wiping here eyes one more time, approaching the base of the stairs. Gloria met Marnie's eyes as she glided down the stairs. She looks so composed...

"Gloria... I..."

Gloria kindly put a finger on Marnie's lips, gazing understandably into her electric eyes.

"I know, we need to figure this out. Can you grab my boots for me?"

Marnie immediately obliged, rushing to pick them up as Gloria picked up her day bag. She moved over to Marnie's couch, patting the cushion next to her as an invitation. Marnie placed the boots by Gloria's feet and took her seat silently.