Hug- Day 1
@comfortthecutiesbirthdaybalm
Author's note: all these pieces are to be the events of a Christmas after rescue+their reunion, as best chronological order as I can get them, hopefully
Bound to Her- Placed during Part Four: Mending Ties
Eloise
As Rusty, no, Dustin gently pushes her into the room, all of Eloise's confusion slips away. She doesn't even mind that he closes the door behind her in this strange place. Because there, on the bed, facing away from her, is…
Her red hair is much shorter now, the ends choppy and uneven. No more revealing clothing. If anything, she wears the opposite, dressed in a big hoodie and sweatpants. But, oh… Eloise just needs to be sure. She needs to know this is really her bonded before she reacts. If the redhead could just face her, she-
"Dustin, you know I hate it when you hov-" the redhead stops speaking as she rolls over. And stares. Those big green eyes… even one marred by a big ragged red scar, they're still the most beautiful sight Eloise has ever seen.
Her vision blurs as tears well up in her own eyes. Eloise can't help but sob as her hands come up to cover her mouth, her knees finally giving way as the pain of her legs bring her crumbling to the floor.
She can hear her bonded, her bonded, scrambling as she gets off the bed, coming to kneel on the floor beside Eloise. A soft hand on her arm, another holding the side of her head.
"You're here." she hears from that voice, right beside her. Right here. Her bonded, her-
Through her hands, she croaks, "W-what do I call you now?"
Gentle fingers wipe her tears away, lift her head enough to see those eyes again, only one swimming with tears as well, the other glassy. That sparkling soft smile. The one always there just for her.
"Layla. I'm Layla now."
Layla.
"Layla." she breathes. "Oh, it's beautiful, ma belle. Just like you. My Layla."
It occurs to her that her bonded may not like those claiming words. Words that own and take.
But Layla just smiles bigger, wider, happier. And…
She hugs her.
Eloise has never felt so warm and content as she does now, back in her bonded's arms, no eyes to watch them anymore.
Just them.
Together.
Bound to Her taglist:
@iamheretohurt, @sunnystella15, @whump-ohmy