Clarisse's curled, linked fingers have no business feeling so good pressed in at the small of her back like that, feeling like she's anchoring her there. It's more than she asked for; but Clarisse seems like she's always giving Ellie the things she wanted but didn't think she had any right to.

Hell, maybe she needs them too. Fuck, maybe she needed to held just as much as she needed to be kissed.

Ellie reaches up to wind her arms around Clarisse's shoulders and ease in close, splaying her fingers along the nape of her neck, rubbing there with the side of her thumb.

Feeling her relax is so gratifying.

The kiss is soft, and Ellie makes it softer, because the rest of the world is harsh. She opens up to let Clarisse taste her, eases in close until they're sharing their air with every breath, and the tension ebbs away bit by bit.

It's okay. They're okay.