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eternallylonging · 1 year

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Savior

Warnings: mentions of depression

Beryl, a girl in her twenties, is dating a boy that doesn’t deserve her. Adira, a woman perhaps too old for her manages to save her from what would be a very unfortunate death. This could be a one shot, could be a multi chapter, im unsure < 3

Moments like this were when Beryl regretted ever falling in love, or rather when she regretted thinking she fell in love.

Flushed cheeks stood out amongst pale skin as the brunette stood in front of her long time boyfriend, breathing louder than the rain pelting against the nearby window. She, with her disheveled brown hair, throat sore from screaming, and cheeks streaked from the tears that left a sticky residue in their wake, glowered at him. Betrayal was written so clearly across her face and he didn’t so much as flinch with guilt.

Neighbors had no doubt fled, busying themselves with literally anything else apart from lounging in the comfort of their own homes to listen to Beryl shout at the same boy over, and over, and over. ‘Wise up’ so many of them wanted to tell her, but how could she? Loving someone familiar was much easier than letting that person go. What lay out there in the world? She wasn’t so sure that she would be able to fall in love again. With him, it was familiar. There were no surprises. Maybe that was why there was constant tension, she knew things would always be the same. He would always be a slob, a drunk, a flirt. They contrasted and yet her mind refused to agree with her heart.

Chapped lips choked out a quiet sob, wishing to recover from this pitiful feeling as quickly as possible. Even their arguments were the same, their fights. He wouldn’t pitch into yelling much. He had learned early on that if he let her tire herself out then she would be more inclined to make up sooner rather than later, whereas if they yelled back and forth then she could go on all night. To him, she was to blame. She was too plain, boring, and she was too jealous. Every person had their flaws, but he knew she’d never leave him and so he let her stay.

“I’m going out.” Beryl finally muttered.

“It’s raining.” He said with a tinge of mockery, tone sarcastic and eyes creasing with an incredulous look.

Beryl merely shrugged, thin shoulders raising toward her ears before flimsily falling. This wasn’t necessarily typical. She didn’t always take the easy way out, and storm out. It worried him, but clearly not enough to actually stop her. Her shaky fingertips lifted, momentarily taking their time to smooth down her brown locks. Wavy strands did their best to disobey the digits stroking through the tangles that had formed in her sleep. It wasn’t early, but didn’t loads of people sleep well into the afternoon?

He’d disagree with that. He would claim that she was depressed, that the only way to cure such was to get up and do something with herself. Beryl barely resisted the urge to scoff as she plucked a navy blue raincoat from the broken hook in the corner. The slippery fabric narrowly managed to escape her grip, but she was in a rush to be on her own so she jammed her arms into the slots and hauled it up and onto her shoulders. Angrily departing from the apartment that she paid all of the rent on, she passed a smile toward her neighbor who was standing in the hall with a wary expression. No words were exchanged, just a mere tip of the head and the interaction was over.

The gloomy sky greeted her much warmer than her boyfriend ever did, shapeless clouds spreading wide over the city to douse the girl in their embrace. Beryl hugged the jacket around the front of her body, broken zipper still in need of being repaired. Those sunken eyes of hers craved more sleep, and puffy bags lined the underside from all her crying. She knew that she looked like a wreck, but why should she care? The world was full of oblivious people, though with her luck they would all of a sudden pay attention to the crying girl. Everyone paid attention to things that weren’t their business; car crashes, fights, the misfortunes of others. But nobody batted an eye toward things that should garner attention.

Beryl lifted her emerald eyes from the pavement in front of her. Where was she even going to go? Friends were hard to rely on when all the ones she had were mutual with her boyfriend - and they preferred him to her. Her family was all gone, having moved to neighboring states or laid to rest in the cemetery on the other side of the state. A tremble shook through her form before she steered her gaze to the sky above.

“What the hell am I doing wrong?” She muttered. The question was not for anyone in particular. She had forgotten how to think for herself. Did she even believe in a god?

“Standing still.” An older man harped from over her shoulder. He unsteadily held his cane, motioning with his pinky toward the white, glowing walk sign. “You’re supposed to walk.” A wink was extended to her, amused and finding himself to be incredibly humorous.

His words strummed some part of her heart. Annoyed by his invasion into her internal reflection yet also relieved to have some kind of distraction. Beryl raised her hand and made a half-assed gesture of understanding before moving across the street. Puddles leapt under the hammer of her slippers, a poor choice of shoes to wear out and into a storm. But cold feet didn’t bother her, nor did the feeling of the furry fabric gripping her pale flesh.

She still had no clue where she was going.

The furious blow of the wind was chilly against her skin, darkening her already red-tinged flesh until it stood out like a sunburn. Her disheveled hair grew damp, her freckled skin doused in water droplets, and her clothes were blossoming wet stains in scattered patches though the upper half of her at least managed to remain somewhat guarded by that broken raincoat.

It was the Christmas season. Windows flashed with signs promoting sales, trying their damndest to lure people in to buy their products in time for the holidays. Fairy lights were strung from pole to pole and along the awnings outside of each building. Couples strode hand in hand with mugs of hot cocoa and beanies shielding their eyebrows. Beryl knew she stood out like a sore thumb, dressed as though the temperature were not frigid with the addition of the wind. Rain did not turn to ice, yet it felt cold enough for it to. Her numb fingertips fisted tighter around her raincoat and her feet pressed on harder. Moments like this, moments other families had, she did not. And would not. She tried not to dwell on what she couldn’t change, but it was difficult as sorrow struck her heart and made it pang painfully.

The brunette moved now with a tenacity. She still had no set location in mind, but she figured a coffee shop or library would suffice. The rain fell harder. It pelted her soft features mercilessly, soaking through her wavy tresses until gusts of wind guided the pieces to stick to her face. They clung as though they’d been dipped in syrup, obscuring her vision for a moment. It was then that she stepped off of the curb and into the street, oblivious to the crosswalk sign indicating it wasn’t time to cross.

A car blared its horn as it whizzed around her, tires screeching loudly as the driver audibly slammed on their breaks, swerving into opposing lanes of traffic to try and avoid the woman. A strong hand pressed itself roughly into her bicep, suddenly yanking her back onto the sidewalk and out of harm's way.

Copper eyes rained down on Beryl with a ferocity stronger than the ice cold droplets of water. Her savior, a woman much taller than her, wore a scowl that disciplined and scolded her in more ways that words could. She had full lips pressed into a thin, displeased line and her nose was scrunched to further express the emotions roaring through her body. White hair, slick and wet, framed the woman’s features.

“Do you speak?” The woman, Adira, finally hissed out. The expression on her face was irked. As though Beryl had just been the biggest inconvenience of her entire life.

Beryl nodded. She was still entirely too stunned to do anything apart from that sly head movement.

The notable eye twitch under the woman’s right eye caught Beryl’s attention for a moment. “It’s common courtesy to thank someone for saving your life.” She uttered as her grip loosened on the shorter, younger woman’s arm.

Adira’s breaths were loud, like a bull’s. Her scent was strong, honeyed and sweet, addicting as it floated off of her and straight toward Beryl. Adira stood tall, strong. 6’3 in a pair of heels. A personal tailored suit clung to her, blazer unbuttoned from her collarbones down to her waist. Beneath the dark material she wore a white button down, soaked by the relentless rain. Yet, she did not seem bothered by the weather - only the girl in front of her who’d been seeking a death sentence.

The corner of her lip curled in annoyance, cool fingers entirely falling until her wrist hung limply at her side.

Only upon further scrutinization did Beryl notice the cigarette hanging in her other hand, loosely pinched between two long fingers. Her knuckles twitched, rolling the slender, ignited stick back and forth before she hardened her expression. Why on earth was the pathetic little creature staring at her so, and still had not uttered any kind of thanks.

“Thank you-” The measly girl finally stuttered out. Beryl’s eyes were glossy and her arm was sore. Her day had been rough and Adira could see that written in a clear cut sign across those delicate features.

A sly head tilt was all Beryl received, a lazy acknowledgement of her gratitude before she turned to walk away. Too easy of an escape that would have been though.

“Wait.” Adira did not have to heed Beryl’s call, but blaming curiosity she halted her feet from their departure and peeked over her strong shoulder toward the brunette. “Surely you want something, you know, for helping me?”

The woman cocked a brow at such a statement. “Dear, I didn’t necessarily desire being spattered with your blood. What I did was not for you, it was merely because of your stupidity.”

Harsh. But not a lie. She wouldn’t have needed saving if she hadn't had her head in the clouds, her eyes full of unshed tears, and her hair in her face.

“Please,” Beryl tried again. “I’m serious. I.. Let me make it up to you somehow?” The rich sweetness that was Beryl’s voice was enthralling enough to keep Adira in place. Emerald eyes flickered between mildly impatient golden. What could Beryl offer? Soaking wet, no umbrella, dressed in pajamas with a face full of sorrow. Meanwhile Adira looked like the last thing she needed was any kind of help. Sure, she was wet from the rain, but she was dressed nice, like she was just coming from or heading to some kind of rich cocktail party.

Adira blinked slowly, allowing her eyelids to hang for a moment, sealing aureate irises away for a few seconds. “I am headed home, do you not see the storm you’re currently standing in? Or are you oblivious to rain and cars?” The harsh woman had not intentionally elected Beryl to be the one to deal with her grouchy nature, but she really had tipped the woman’s thin patience overboard with her stupidity.

Beryl’s nostrils flared but she did not give into temptation as it pricked roughly at her insides. Every grating word was cruel and sharp, resembling unforgiving needles as each one prodded at her eardrums. The brunette stepped forward, managing to pull a grimace from the older woman as the puddle she stomped in sent splatters of water soaring in her direction. The additional water wouldn’t make that much of a difference, but it still irritated her.

“I could buy you a cup of coffee?” She was persistent, Adira would give her that. Though she could not tell if it was a positive or negative quality.

“I’m full.” The woman dismissed once more.

“A book from the library then, my treat?” Beryl was scraping at crumbs now. Guilt warped within her insides, churning until she felt sick. The weight of being a nuisance was strong today and since she didn’t have the willpower to go home yet, she would instead beg this woman to let her thank her properly.

A deep sigh rolled free from Adira’s lips, painted with fading red lipstick. Blonde strands rolled with the breeze as she turned her attention on to the library in the distance. A big, brown building coated in darkened brick with a humongous clock bordering the outside towered over all the other shops lining the roads.

Adira curled her lip. She had been meaning to take a trip to the building anyway, return some books and check out some new ones. It didn’t seem like the most opportune moment to go since she didn’t have the books that needed returning.

What the hell.

What did she have to lose?

“Fine.” Adira ground out between gritted teeth as though Beryl were instead asking for some massive favor that she had neither the time nor patience for,

Unexpectedly Adira made her way around the shorter one. Her high heels signaled her departure, kicking Beryl into gear so that she sped along on much shorter legs after the woman. The roads were emptier now, cars having filed in and out under the guidance of flashing street lights, and Berly could have cursed the fates for her awful luck. How was it that nobody was around after her clumsy mishap. Silently, Adira glanced to her left or right in order to check her periphery and ensure the small woman was following. Her steps were hurried to get out of the rain, and Beryl’s were quickened to try and match the set pace.

The handle to the building was lugged open rather roughly under the steer of her hand. Cold metal snugly held under the warmth of her large hand. Beryl piled in, but Adira hovered in the doorway. She raised her cigarette to her lips, taking a few greedy drags. The smoke flooded her lungs like a tidal wave, soothing that delicious ache. She craved a smoke every few hours and with the advantage to finish off the one trapped between her fingers, she felt somewhat relieved.

“Let’s make this quick.” Her deep voice summoned. High heels clicked noisily even against the carpet and Beryl couldn’t control the urge to meet those eyes again. She had never seen such a bright color before.

The light tip of her head was all Adira received before simultaneously the pair moved in the direction of romance. Adira was a hopeless romantic, though her grumpy nature tended to run everyone off. Maybe that was why she loved books so much? Disappointment could be avoided. Pages turned, chapters skipped, hardcovers shut. The woman pulled her finger along the bindings, rapidly reading the titles as she hunted for a particular novel. Beryl watched closely, hands folded together in front of her.

Was this a fair trade? She saved her life so she was awarded a book? Blue eys flitted to the selections, though the specific section was not one familiar to her. Sapphic reads she had never divulged in, but romance in general had always been her favorite. With the life she lead now though, there was no time for reading. The younger, shorter woman slouched back against the bookshelf, heavy breaths leaving her lips as she was once more reeled away from reality and cast into the depths of her thoughts. The bookshelf rocked lightly before stilling, its sway catching Adira’s focus just long enough for her to realize Beryl had been carried faraway again.

Closing in on the small woman with a thick book cradled to her chest, she let a deep frown stretch over her lips. “My god, kid. You really are in another world, aren’t you?”

‘Kid’ managed to shake those faraway thoughts.

“Kid?” Beryl’s shoulders tightened with distate.

“Kid.” Adira confirmed, shoving the book into her chest. “Who else would be in La La Land?”

Bristling, the brunette tongued her cheek with a frown. Her head had to tilt backward so that their eyes could remain locked, unwavering in her dagger-like stare.

Adira nearly smirked. Mockingly, she raised two hands as if surrendering.

Beryl rolled her eyes and shoved past the older woman. She was no child, though this woman looked like she was closing in on forty, so maybe that was just a word she opted to use for anyone younger than ten years. She didn’t know and she was losing the patience to care. Over the intercom, a static voice filled the quiet library. It was too jumbled to be coherent, but distracting enough for both women to pull away from one another.

“My name is Beryl.” She finally grumbled out as they strode a few feet apart. Too far to be friends, but too close to be strangers.

“I like ‘kid' more.” Adira muttered. Already, she was craving another cigarette. “Besides, what kind of name is that?” Beryl, like the barrel of a gun? Beryl, like the color?

The brunette pursed her lips in thought. “Guess it’s because of my eyes.”

Adira cast a glance toward her, noting the depth that resonated within those soft irises.

“It’s a gemstone.” Adira murmured. She knew the meaning, she just enjoyed riling this little creature up.

Their conversation was again brought to an end as they reached the checkout counter. This was the shortest amount of time either of them had spent in the establishment, and they equally wondered if it was because of the company they were eager to escape.

Adira watched with hooded eyes as the book was taken, scanned, and then slid back across the counter. Beryl took it into her hands before exchanging her library card for it. Passing the bulky book to Adira with a bored expression, she then looked back to the clerk. Her eyes were much kinder to the woman perched behind the desk that wasn’t keen on provoking her.

Once the clerk bid them good day, each woman retreated from the counter, though each of their steps had slowed. The rain mirrored their pace, retreating from its downpour to a lazy drizzle. “Well,” Beryl spoke first. “I hope you enjoy the book.”

Adira let out a low hum. She was positive that she would. Every other book that she had rented by the same author was still lying in a crooked pile on her desk at home, too good to be returned. Adira’s flaw, though older and more mature, was that she could not let go. Purchasing was an option, though one she did not deem necessary until she had already rented.

Beryl stared up at Adira, watching the way her polished nails stroked over the cracked, worn cover of her newly acquired book.

“I will.” Adira nodded, one brow quirking before she stepped towards the door. “I don’t intend on returning it.” She warned. “And I don’t plan on paying you back for it.”

Beryl hummed, still unmoving as she folded her arms over her damp raincoat. “I’m not worried about it. I think a few bucks is more than a fair trade.” She had, after all, jerked her out of traffic. Strangely, she could still feel the heated hold from those strong fingers, preventing her from venturing any further.

“Au revoir, Gemstone.” Adira waved with a nonchalance. Her departure did not waver, nor slow. She tossed a backward hand over her shoulder, two fingers curling in a makeshift wave.

And Beryl silently watched her go. Her book and her interest clutched to the woman’s swaying hip. The grouchy woman had not seemed all that bad, but there had not been enough time in those few minutes for the blue-eyed girl to feel much. She stood there, in the slowing sprinkles, debating what she should do before trudging back home.

Crosswalks would be avoided. The park sounded more ideal. For a moment she remained unmoving, eyes still following the shrinking figure in the distance. Smaller and smaller she grew, but Beryl spied the corners of that book being thrust open. Water stained the pages, darkening the beige surrounding the black print. But Adira didn’t care. It was her property now. And she was not a patient woman.

The sun crept out from behind the curtain of clouds, escorting Adira home and Beryl to the park, and though neither woman had expressed interest in the other - Adira tucked that little gemstone away in the corner of her mind, and Beryl memorized the face of her nameless hero.

#wlw #lesbian #fanfic #fanfiction #imagine #trope #womenlovewomen #women love women #sapphic #love #couple #lgbtq characters #not related to Wednesday I’m sorry just trying to get this out there for all my gays < 3 #wednesday addams

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