closed.

[tender]

WHO: Derrica + Ellie
WHAT: Patch job.
WHEN: August-ish.
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Discussion of violence, will update as needed.

The Gallows is not a small place, but it manages to be insular. Things don't go unnoticed for long.

And so that is why they're here now, in Derrica's room, with her satchel open across the bed. She'd corralled Ellie, pressed her into sitting upon while Derrica drew a chair up in front of her. The shutters have been pushed open to let in the sea air, cooling the space.

Derrica hasn't asked what happened, not in so many words. There's a way to draw that out of Ellie, but she doesn't know how to say it. Not yet. So she's examining her with very gentle hands, careful as she takes in every bruise and scrape.

"I can ease most of this," she tells Ellie. "If you like."

Because that's important too: what Ellie wants, what she'd like Derrica to do. It's always important that someone makes the choice to ask for her magic, rather than the bandages and ointments in her satchel.

Comments

[notathreat]

Turning onto her side to face Derrica, Ellie props her head up with her hand, settles the other down between them, fingers relaxed as she picks idly at the blanket, playing with the fabric.

She no longer startles or hangs back from her, but she's not to the point of reaching for her on her own.

"... music," she answers, with a wistful half-smile, looking at Derrica's eyes. "Or reading, sometimes. Looking at the stars, on good nights."

[tender]

Music is impossible, unless they want to wake Bastien at this hour and persuade him to sit in the hall with one of his instruments. Derrica has no books, but Holden is likely away, and would have one to spare.

But the easiest option—

"Here, let me see if this helps."

The Gallows windows are narrow by design, not really meant for stargazing. But Derrica pushes the shutters open, then tips her head towards the pillows.

"If you lay with your head at the foot of the bed, you'll be able to see out. It's a mostly clear night, I think."

[notathreat]

Ellie can't help but smile, warmed by the thought, and looks from the window back to Derrica; it's been a serious and exhausting sort of day, but she's still got just enough juice left in her to give a little snort of laughter.

"You come too. Unless you want feet in your face."

[tender]

"I will."

With one last fussy adjustment to the shutters, Derrica does return. And resettle. And tip her head towards the window, considering the view.

"Better?" she questions, soft as she rearranges the blankets, the pillows. It's not the same as sleeping under an open sky, but it's something.

[notathreat]

"Yeah," Ellie whispers back, settling with her on the blankets, close to her side, watching the slip of stars she can see on the velvety black of the night sky. With the shutters open they can better hear the echoes of the sea below, steady as a heartbeat.

It's relaxing.

Without thought, she pulls up the blanket, reaches across Derrica to tuck it in around her back, the movement mindless, tender, like it's something she's done hundreds of times, making sure they both have enough to stay warm. She catches herself, her hand briefly pausing before she slowly pulls her arm back, letting herself settle.

"Thanks."

slap a bow onto this pls

[tender]

It's unexpected, and all the sweeter for it. Derrica is so aware of Ellie's boundaries, of what she'd asked that first day they'd met. The brief arrangement of the blanket, and the shift in proximity with which she accomplishes it, feels remarkable. Having closed her eyes, Derrica opens them to look at Ellie, watching her. Assessing, making certain of Ellie before smiling at her.

"You're welcome," Derrica tells her, to the tune of anytime.

An easy promise to extend. It comes without hesitation, as Derrica exhales, closes her eyes again.