A crossover between The Magnus Archives and Mabel in which Agnes Montague has a familiar twin.
on AO3
When Eileen Montague died in fiery childbirth, her last wish being for her newborn daughter to be named Agnes, she had yet to discover that within her was not one baby ready to be birthed, but two.
The first to emerge from the pyre, bloody and wailing, was named Agnes according to her mother’s dying wish. The second, gurgling discontentedly with tiny hands curled into impotent fists, was named Mabel. The name had no special meaning, no significance to any of the parties involved, chosen merely on a whim out of a sudden necessity.
Agnes was the golden child from the start. She was stubborn and temperamental, true, but none of that was entirely unexpected. She was a child, true, but she was clearly a child of the Lightless Flame, a child whose entire being was devoted to destruction. And she was older than the other, a leader from the moment of her flame-touched birth, and as she grew her hair mellowed from brown to a bright auburn, reminiscent of the flames that fueled her very being.
Mabel’s hair never mellowed in the same way, if anything darkening over time into a deep brown. Mouse-brown. She was the spare twin, the extra, and as members of the cult argued over how to raise Agnes so as to best prepare her for her destiny, Mabel was more or less ignored. They kept her alive, true, even when that life required some of the same arcane tools that fueled Agnes, but they left her alone, in every sense of the word.
Mabel did not pity the boys at the halfway house which eventually became the home base for herself and her twice-beloved twin, did not deign to save any of them with tokens of her favor. It was as good of an end as any of them were likely to get, she figured, if somewhat hastened. At least they were giving back to someone, even if that someone was a scheming spider of a man. At least they weren’t draining resources and living in stasis, being kept for an eventuality that would likely never come to pass, acting as nothing but a burden and a thorn in their creators’ side.
Agnes, precious pure sweet Agnes, went on to have her little romance with that coffee shop boy, and once again Mabel was left behind. (Not that she wanted a romance with any coffee shop boy in the first place. Boys never interested her. But it would be nice to be included in something just the same.) The plot thickened, Agnes got tied up in other stories, with other people, and Mabel was left to her own devices, to find her own story, her own purpose in a world that had forgotten her.
Perhaps the cultists regretted overlooking Agnes’ twin so much when all those threads that were strung around Agnes gathered around her neck and left her hanging, cold and dead.
The Cult of the Lightless Flame began to fracture, and one of the topics that split them apart was what to do about Mabel. Some thought they should seek her out, try to mold her into the perfect messiah Agnes would not be for them; others wanted to destroy her before she could taint their organization further; still others cared nothing for her, were glad to stay rid of her and let her fade into oblivion.
As it turned out, the point was moot. Once some of the cult’s members finally decided to seek out Mabel Montague, the forgotten sister, she was nowhere to be found.
Not in person, anyway, but she left behind messages for the cult that had birthed her just the same, messages left in the language she knew best, messages that came through loud and clear. Sticks and stones and matches and lighters could not hurt them, perhaps, but tripwires and gunshots and homemade bombs, on the other hand...
The mouse had escaped, was gnawing at the hand that had fed it for so long, and it--and she had no intention of putting her tail between her legs and slinking back into place, just because it was convenient for them.
Mabel changed her name along the way--not her first name, which had never had any meaning besides what she gave to it, but her surname. She had no interest in keeping the name of the mother she had never met, the woman who had consigned her to this life. She settled on the name of Martin--a wild bird like herself, not meant for life in a cage, no matter how pretty. Besides, Mabel Martin had a nice ring to it.
Eventually, the cultists gave up their search. Perhaps they decided it wasn’t worth the cost. Perhaps nobody who wanted to carry it out remained intact enough to continue on.
Mabel didn’t care about the details. All she cared about was that she was free, she had escaped her cage, and she was going to make that the rest of the world’s problem.
I will untangle myself, everything will be loving and free
Isobel and Maria get married.
Thank you, as always, to my friend and beta, @insidious-intent, who reminds me to stop being such an angst monster in my fluffy fics.
Also available on AO3
Isobel’s first wedding had been a production for the country club crowd, her mom’s friends, truthfully, for everyone in Roswell. To show them all how normal and human she was. It had been a show and she had planned it all perfectly.
Her second wedding is a different matter entirely. Sure, she planned everything to perfection as always, but there’s no show. Or, if there is, it’s intended for one person and one person only.
Isobel stands at the end of the carefully constructed aisle in Max’s backyard. It’s almost empty. Her parents are seated in the front row on one side of the aisle, Michael and Alex in front on the other, thankfully, mostly keeping their hands to themselves, Kyle, and Jenna seated behind them. And Max is at her side, her moral support, as always.
Only the people who truly matter are there. Speaking of…
She gives Michael a nod and the music starts almost instantly. She knows her parents think it’s set on a timer or something, but why not take advantage of what they all can do?
She can feel Max still at her side as Liz leads the way down the aisle, lilac dress stretched over her rounded belly, and Isobel rolls her eyes affectionately. They’ve been married for years and he’s still looking at her like it’s all brand new.
Rosa is close behind her sister, looking far more self-assured than she had before all of it. She had taken a while to adjust, but she had handled it well, cursing Noah when she learned what happened and learning to accept Isobel as someone she had never really known and as a fellow victim of the man who had taken her life.
The first time she had gotten married, Isobel had been nervous about everyone else around her. What they were thinking, what they were seeing. And about Noah. Worried that he’d figure out her secret. Not aware that he already knew it all better than she did. Not aware that he was an act far more perfect than her own, a lie created just to seduce her.
This time, Isobel’s completely sure. Maria knows everything and chose her anyway. And Maria is transparent about who she is. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks and her confidence has nurtured the same in Isobel. She doesn’t care what the world thinks about her life and her choices this time. None of them matter as long as she has the people she loves.
The rest of the world seems to fall away when Maria steps through the doors, Mimi at her side. Isobel watches her talking softly to her mother, reassuring her, before turning towards Isobel, a smile stretching across her face, shaking her head, eyes fond when she sees Isobel’s white suit.
Maria is so beautifully her in a light yellow sundress, flowers decorating her hair.
Isobel barely notices Alex stepping up to take Mimi to her seat, having promised well ahead of time that he’d keep an eye on Maria’s mother, much to Michael’s faux irritation. Max may still look at Liz with those ridiculous moon-eyes, but Michael is the same way with Alex, always acting like Alex is his whole world. And she finally gets it, though she likes to think she’s a little more composed than the pair of them.
All she can see is Maria. And once her soft hands are in Isobel’s, the rest of the world fades away.
Isobel takes a deep breath before starting her vows. She had expected she would need weeks to write them, to come up with something perfect. But, as was always the case with Maria, all she needed to do was write down how she felt.
“I used to be so scared of being seen. I thought people would be scared of the real me, that no one could ever want me for who I am. And you always saw through my facade. You always saw me as more than I knew I could be, even if you didn’t know everything. I never thought someone could love me for all that I am and you do. And I love you the same. The way you call other people out without worry, the way you dance like you don’t care what other people think, how free you are… I take you as you are, Maria. With all your faults and your strengths. As you’ve accepted mine. And I promise to love you and care for you as my wife as long as you’ll have me.”
Maria just smiles at her fondly and squeezes her hands before speaking, “You know, I always knew you were hiding something behind that Ice Queen act, Isobel,” she smirks. But, moments later, it turns into a genuine smile. “I didn’t know you were hiding your heart. You have risked yourself for me, put my heart and my family above yourself time and time again. I want to do the same for you. You don’t love easily, but when you do, you love with every bit of yourself. That’s what you were hiding that entire time. And so I take you and your terrible taste in wine, your weird addiction to Instagram, and all the walls you hide your beautiful heart behind. I promise to love you, too, and care for you as my wife for the rest of my life.”
Isobel wants to tell the officiant to hurry up, but she doesn’t, waiting until she’s done before she ducks down to kiss Maria, not caring about the way their lipsticks smudge and blend together, just pulling her wife closer, smiling at the way Maria nips at her lower lip playfully before pulling away.
***
She doesn’t know why she chose to have a reception, not when she just wants to pull Maria into one of the closest rooms and get under that dress.
That is until she sees Maria dancing with her mom and laughing, throwing her head back, flowers shaking loose. Mimi is having a good day today and, while they all know it won’t last, Maria is determined to enjoy it. And Isobel is happy to step back and let her. She gets to spend the rest of her life with this woman, after all. Might as well start it off with joy like this.
Instead, she turns to see how the rest of her guests are doing.
Rosa has already left, citing her need to stay away from the alcohol. But probably also so she can get some alone time with her girlfriend.
Liz is seated, feet up on Max’s lap as he continues to fawn over her. No surprise there. Kyle and Liz are talking animatedly, probably about the practical applications of her latest research, something they have been talking about nearly nonstop lately. And Jenna is talking to Max.
She would wonder why Michael wasn’t a part of the science talk, but she suspects she already knows where he is.
And she’s right. Michael and Alex are dancing, as wrapped up in each other as always. Michael’s hands keep not so subtly sneaking down to grab Alex’s ass. Objectively, she recognizes that it’s a fantastic ass, but if she can’t get any at her wedding, she certainly doesn’t want her brother to either. She’s tempted to get a spray bottle and go after them. At least Max knows how to keep it in his pants in public. She would tell them to get a room, but then they might actually do that and, as it’s Max’s house and they’ve already defiled multiple rooms, much to his dismay.
Which just leaves-
“Happiness suits you, Isobel,” her mom says, walking up to her, her father following close behind. “I never would have guessed it would be Maria Deluca, but… She’s good for you.”
Isobel fights her instinct to straighten her spine, to put on that act she’s spent so much time learning to let go of.
“You know we would have been happy to pay for you to go all out, Princess,” her father says. Well-intentioned, but just not getting it, as always. When she was younger, she had thought he was perfect. Spoiling her rotten. Giving her the picture perfect life. She had thought she should find a man just like him. That had turned out to be one of the worst decisions she had ever made.
“I know, Dad,” she replies, leaning in to give him a hug. “We just wanted something small. With the people we love and who love us most. But thank you. For everything.”
Ann speaks up then, “I’m sorry I didn’t realize how much our expectations affected you. We just wanted you to have an easy life, but I guess-”
“You loved me, Mom,” Isobel interrupts. “As best as you knew how. And I certainly didn’t make it easy. I don’t blame you.” And, truly, she doesn’t. Her concerns were never about what her adoptive parents thought. They were always bigger. Always about hiding who she was from everyone because her secret was dangerous. Her parents still don’t know. But most of their little family does. And accepts it. Somehow. “You tried to make me happy. I was lucky.”
Ann nods. “I think your wife is trying to get your attention,” she says. And then, “Congratulations, Isobel. I’m so glad you’re finally happy,” she gives her daughter a hug and then she’s gone.
Isobel’s father does the same, kissing the top of her head, telling her he loves her, and then following his wife.
Isobel sees she was right. Maria is still dancing with her mother but is waving her over too.
She doesn’t even pause, instantly rushing toward Maria. She’s surprised by a hug from Mimi, who says softly, “Thank you so much for taking care of my daughter. And for making her happy.”
Isobel fights off tears, well aware that, on some days, Mimi doesn’t recognize her. Some days, she doesn’t even recognize Maria and, instead, is convinced she’s living out Independence Day.
She simply nods and focuses her attention on Maria, letting her pull her into the wild dancing. She loses her shoes at some point, but she doesn’t really care. All she cares about is Maria’s joyful smile as they dance and the way she finally feels like she can just be.
Maribel Prompt: Maria breaks things off with Michael quick once she realizes how much it was hurting Alex, Isobel wants to find out who she is without Noah in her head so her and Maria hook up but both develop feeling.
***
“We’re closed,” Maria said as the door of the Wild Pony opened, her wrist aching as she wiped down the bar for the seventh time. She took a deep breath, willing the heavy, hot weight in her chest to cool, but no matter what, no matter how hard she tried, his face kept flashing in her mind.
She sighed, leaving the rag on the table as she rubbed her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept.
“Shucks, really?” she suddenly heard, and whipped around to find Isobel Evans standing with her hand on her hip, her head tilted and a smirk on her lips. “My brother told me you always let him in after hours.”
“Evans,” she said, her shoulders slumped. “Great, just what I needed tonight.”
Isobel scoffed, though Maria couldn’t help but notice that it held none of her usual snark or sneer. “You’re not exactly my beacon of light tonight either, DeLuca.”
“Then to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
“Like I said,” Isobel said, sliding onto one of the stools while Maria leaned against the bar. Her knees bumped into Maria’s legs, though Isobel hardly seemed to notice. “My brother says –”
“I wouldn’t listen too closely to anything your brother says,” Maria said with a feigned sweet smile, though even referencing the cowboy made her feel sick. “I ended things a few hours ago,” then she muttered, “I’ve done enough damage with him already.”
When she thought about Alex, his face as he had told her that Michael wasn’t “so bad after a shower,” the hurt in his eyes when she’d confirmed she’d slept with him, and the fear she felt flicker in his heart as she’d promised him that it had meant nothing.
Then the agonizing pain the next time he had looked at her, the betrayal she’d felt on his behalf, the unrelenting shock as if every part of him still couldn’t believe she had done such a thing to him.
“Ended things,” Isobel repeated, a furrow in her brows. It was only now, Maria realized, that she could clearly see Isobel’s face that she realized how tired the blonde woman looked. Her makeup which was always on point – though Maria would never admit it out loud – was slightly smudged around the eyes, as if Isobel had been crying but tried saving the eyeliner as best she could. Her lips had no gloss or color, but were chapped as if she’d been chewing on them all day, her finger tapped her knee anxiously as if she had too many thoughts running around in her head to focus on one at a time, and just by standing near her, Maria could feel it. The sorrow, the grief, the anger, the hurt, the betrayal, the misery. What happened to her?
“You’re talking about Michael?” Isobel asked, and Maria flinched, severely yanked out of her thoughts at the mention of the cowboy.
Maria pressed her lips together and said nothing. She picked up her rag, patted her hands down with it, and went around the bar, as far away from Isobel as she could get. Something about the blonde’s dark energy scared her, part of her worried that it would affect her if she came to close – something she definitely couldn’t handle right now – and the other part… the other part of Maria, a teeny tiny part, couldn’t help but worry that her own misery and heartbreak would touch Isobel. Something told her the blonde really didn’t need anymore of that. Not tonight.
“You dated my brother? Michael?” she asked again, disbelief coloring her tone. “Are you sure you were dating? ‘Cause I should probably tell you, if you slept with him and you’re, like, waiting for a declaration of love, he’s really not that kind of guy.”
Maria sighed, pulling a bottle of tequila out and filling a small glass. She wanted to pretend it was to shut Isobel up, though something inside her dug at her heart, past the ache, past the weight, past the heat – something that felt like sympathy, though Maria chose to call it pity.
“How bored are you?” she asked wearily. Even if Isobel wasn’t the absolute worst person to talk to about this, it was too late in the day to explain the story.
Isobel held her hand out eagerly for the drink, and Maria handed it to her, careful not to hold onto the extra weight that seemed to fall on her shoulders as her fingers touched Isobel’s. Maria’s eyes burned as the desire to curl up on the floor and sob suddenly hit. She snatched her hand back, holding it to her chest. What kind of misery was surrounding the blonde?
Isobel, however, didn’t seem to notice Maria’s momentary fear as she took a big gulp of her drink. She winced as it left a burning trail down her throat, but when she looked up, Maria had already turned away from her, making it to seem as if she was cleaning the other cups. In reality, Maria was rubbing her fingers, half of her trying to decipher the strange electric tingle against her skin while the other half told her to just forget it, to ignore it. It was Isobel, after all – who cares what happened to her?
“I’m just trying to warn you,” Isobel said, though as Maria looked over her shoulder at her, she saw the blonde stare at the table, and Maria had the feeling she was talking just to avoid crying. “My brother’s already in love with someone who, if you ask me, is way out of his league already. But…” she sighed, her voice softening, “he’s in love, so… I want that to work out for him.”
Maria sniffed, wiping Isobel’s unshed tears from her eyes before she turned to face her, her brows furrowed. “You know? Who Michael’s in love with, I mean?”
Isobel had just finished her drink, hissing before she leaned her elbow on the bar. “Sorry, DeLuca, I don’t think your psychic powers are gonna help you this time. My brother told me.” She shook her head, shrugging. “It’s not my job to pass the information on.”
Maria flinched, trying not to remember the way she’d so casually told Liz that Michael was the one Alex had loved, as if the whole thing had been a story about celebrities and not her best friend. As if Alex’s feelings were an inconvenience for her. As if Alex finally being hopeful again was unfair –
Maria exhaled sharply, rubbing her face. Go away, she urged the thoughts. Go away, go away, go away.
“Are you having a seizure or something?”
Maria looked up from her hands, glaring at Isobel who had taken the bottle and was drinking out of that instead.
“You owe me fifty bucks for that bottle,” she said dryly, and as she drank, Isobel pulled a bill from her jacket pocket and handed it to Maria. The bartender blinked, taking the money. “A Guerin who actually pays. That’s new.”
Isobel finally swallowed, lowering the bottle into her lap. She stared at it a moment, scratching the paper on the glass, then she repeated, “A Guerin. Do I look like a Guerin to you? It does have a better ring that Bracken anyway.”
Maria tilted her head, studying Isobel thoughtfully before she asked, “Do you honestly want to be a Guerin? They’re kind of known to be messes.”
Isobel huffed a chuckle, shaking her head. “You just don’t see it,” she said. “Nobody ever really sees him. Except maybe…” she shrugged, taking another swig of the bottle. “He’s nice. He sees him.”
Maria, for a moment, thought Isobel had been hesitant to call Michael nice, and was confused. Then she realized that Isobel had been hesitant because she was talking about Alex. Maria half-wondered where Isobel had met Alex and decided he was nice. Still, she couldn’t help but nod along.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “He is.”
She looked up at Isobel to see her watching her, her brows furrowed as if she was trying to remember if she’d mentioned Alex’s name or not. Maria couldn’t help but notice how fragile the blonde looked then, how innocent. Her green eyes which had twinkled with mischief the last time Maria had read her palm, her lips which seemed curved into a permanent smirk not that different from her brother’s, her fingers that been firm and steady in Maria’s were now slipping on the tequila bottle in her lap.
Maria soon realized they were staring at each other and blinked out of her haze, clearing her throat as she reached across the bar, took the bottle out of Isobel’s hands, and had a long swig of it herself.
“Oh,” Isobel said with a tilt of her head and an amused smirk at her lips that didn’t reach her eyes, “it’s going to be one of those nights.”
Maria rolled her eyes. She briefly noted that Isobel’s lip gloss on the mouth of the bottle smelled like strawberries, and even against the strong scent of the alcohol, it didn’t smell too bad. “Evans, you talk too much.”
A few hours later, though Maria couldn’t entirely remember how, she and Isobel had ended up on the floor against the bar, their knees pulled up to their chests, the bottle nearly empty between them.
They talked about little nothings; weird customers that had come in before, rude store owners, skirting around the topic of men, and as they did, Maria glanced at Isobel, wondering why someone who seemed as happily married as her wouldn’t be with her husband right now, especially if she was having such a hard time.
“What happened between you and my brother?” Isobel finally asked, though any trace of humor was gone from her voice.
Maria knew she could’ve told Isobel that it was none of her business, or just refuse to answer, but the energy clouding Isobel was too strong, too miserable, for Maria to bear say nothing.
“Worried about me now, are you?” she joked, and Isobel shook her head.
“I don’t want Michael to get hurt,” she said softly. “He’s already in love, and it’s killing him. I wondered why he was having so much trouble talking to… that other person.” She turned to Maria with a frown. “Now I’m starting to think maybe you’re why.”
Maria felt a pang in her chest at the mention of Alex. So he wasn’t talking to Michael. Maria had figured that might have happened. She wanted to believe that breaking up with Michael would be enough, that it might fix his and Alex’s relationship, that maybe – without Maria in the way – they might be able to love each other again.
But no. The rational side of her thought, the side that knew Alex. She and Michael had completely shattered his trust, broken him in a way that could never be undone.
A tear slid down her cheek and she was quick to wipe it away, but not before Isobel saw it and nodded slowly as if she understood.
Maria, unable to take the look, shook her head and asked, “Then what happened between you and Noah?”
Isobel tensed at the mention of his name and looked straight ahead.
“Come on, Evans, it’s not that hard to figure out,” she said. “It’s past midnight and you’re trying to get drunk, and instead of being with your husband, you’re here with me. So what –”
“We got divorced,” was all she said before she took another swig of the bottle, emptying the contents.
Maria blinked, her face falling. “Oh,” was all she knew to say, and instantly regretted asking. A breakup wasn’t the same thing as a divorce. And Isobel had been so happy with him, too.
She shook her head, gently taking the empty bottle from Isobel and resisting the passing urge to move a strand of blonde hair that had come loose from its braid.
She slumped back with a sigh. “How did this happen? How is this our life?”
Isobel said nothing for a moment, then she shrugged. “Maybe we’re cursed. I mean, you fell in love with someone who doesn’t love you back,” she said, and Maria turned to snap at her, but saw no mockery or indifference on her face. “And I fell in love with someone who…” the corner of her lips quirked up sadly, “doesn’t love anything.”
Maria pressed her lips together for a moment, then, “Well, you know, Prom Queen, tonight’s not so bad. At least we’re not alone.”
Isobel glanced at her and scoffed, some of the sorrow and bitterness in her smile faded. “I thought you hated me.”
Maria frowned. “I don’t hate you. I…”
“Think I’m responsible for Rosa Ortecho’s death.”
She looked down. “I shouldn’t have blamed you for that.”
“No,” she agreed. “You shouldn’t have.” She took the empty bottle, and as she held it tightly, Maria could tell she was conflicted, a thousand words lying on her tongue, though she couldn’t bring herself to say any of them. “I never hurt anybody.”
“I know, Isobel,” she said softly, and Isobel looked up at her, the two caught in each other’s gazes for a long time.
Maria knew it was the tequila that made her lean in, it had to have been. As green as Isobel Evans’s eyes were, as pink as her lips, as soft as her skin, Maria knew that – had she been sober – she would not be doing what she was doing. Still, something in her shifted and softened as she saw that Isobel was leaning in just the same.
Their lips barely brushed, Maria’s thoughts consumed with how nice Isobel smelled (strawberries and vanilla), how much nicer the scent was compared to Michael, and her eyes snapped open.
Michael.
This was his sister; she couldn’t kiss his sister, no matter how drunk she was!
She pulled back, and Isobel, whose eyes had just begun to flutter shut, slowly leaned back, her brows furrowed. In that moment, Maria realized that Isobel knew, just as she did, that nothing good would come of them hooking up.
She cleared her throat and moved to stand, just as Isobel did the same.
“Right, well, I really do need to close up now.”
“Mm,” Isobel hummed, avoiding her gaze. Maria wondered if she felt any regret at coming here tonight, if she would’ve rather suffered at home alone, and the thought left an inexplicable pain in her chest.
“You – you want me to call you a cab?”
Isobel nodded, buttoning her jacket. When had she unbuttoned it?
“Yes,” she said, then as an afterthought added, “please.”
Maria nodded and walked out, aware of the blonde following her.
***
I’m sorry! I know you asked for a hookup and developing feelings, but there was no was for me to realistically cover that in a one-shot! There’s way too much to work with there! This was as realistic and true to the characters as I could go without turning it into a long fic.
Sorry it deviates so much, but I hope you enjoyed reading regardless, and thank you so much for the prompt 💕
Max rolled his eyes in the mirror, but Isobel ignored him. This was it, this was her time. She looked good, she felt good, and she was ready to get that goddamn ring on her finger. Next year, she’d be the fiance of a man in law school and life would be so good. Life is already so good.
“Where is Michael? He needs to be here to send me off with you!” Isobel said, checking her phone. He hadn’t even opened her message.
“If I had to guess, they’re probably having sex. They’ve actually been inseparable, it’s gross and weird,” Max sighed.
“You’re just jealous because you don’t have someone. When you have someone like, like me and Noah, for example, none of that is gross anymore. It’s like when you have it too, there’s no reason to be jealous, you know?” Isobel explained with a smile, double-checking her look in the mirror before she left to go meet Noah, “Besides, we should be happy for Michael! This is his longest relationship ever! I mean, ten days is an achievement for him.”
“Okay, okay, whatever,” Max sighed, smiling at her as he moved in for a hug, “I hope everything goes good for you tonight, Izzy.”
“It will.”
-
“Noah!”
The man of her dreams stood up from the table with a smile, letting her pull him into a hug. He hugged her tight and it made her that much more excited to become his wife. She couldn’t wait to just be a wife. That’s what she had always been told she could be so good at and she really believed it.
“Come, sit, let’s talk,” he urged. Isobel tried to hold back her excitement, sitting across from him and taking a sip of the glass of wine he already had waiting for her. He bought a whole bottle. How sweet is that? “Look, I think we both know what’s happening today.”
Tightness formed in her stomach as she grinned wildly. She absolutely did.
“You came in here tonight, looking like, well, Isobel, and I thought for sure it would make me think… But honestly, it just made me so sure this is the right decision. So I need to be honest with you, take this a step forward,” he said. She smiled even brighter.
“I feel the same‒”
“I’m not done.”
“Oh, sorry, go on.”
Noah took a deep breath, seeming to gather his thoughts again. He reached across the table to grab her hand.
“My whole life I’ve known what I’ve wanted. Law school, become a senator, have a beautiful, smart wife on my arm. I’ve wanted a wife who was incredible and outstanding and intelligent to give me incredible and intelligent children. I’m gonna be the next JFK, and I need a Jackie,” he explained. Isobel sucked in a slow breath, nodding as she leaned closer. “Which is why I want to‒”
“Yes!”
“Break up.”
“Yes, yes, I‒”
Isobel paused once she finally registered the words she was hearing. Break up? Break up? The words didn’t really compute in her mind. She came here because he was going to propose. Why else would he have asked her choice of ring a few months back? Why else would they have discussed the kids they’d have and how lavish their wedding would be? It didn’t make any sense, absolutely none.
“Break up?” she asked, snatching her hand away. He smiled bleakly. “I thought you were going to propose!”
“My future’s all planned, I need someone‒”
“I am incredible! I am intelligent!” Isobel yelled, standing up and not even caring that the chair scraping across the floor. Noah looked around at all the people looking their way, but Isobel kept her eyes trained on him. “You can’t break up with me!”
“Isobel, please don’t make a sc‒”
“A scene? You don’t want me to make a scene?! Wow, okay, totally, I’ll listen to you! I can’t believe you’re dumping me!” she raged.
“It-it’s just easier to go to law school single. UT is important to me and I can’t have a… Marilyn and not a Jackie,” he said. Isobel felt her eyebrows pull together in confusion. What?
“You’re dumping me because I’m blonde?”
And he laughed.
“Screw you, Noah Bracken!”
-
Isobel wasted no time in trying to go to her own dorm. She was crying way too much to risk passing a hallway full of girls who knew her. So, instead, she went straight for Max and Michael. Maybe they could go beat up Noah or something.
She completely bypassed the sock on the doorknob and didn’t even bother reacting being greeted by a bare ass. Michael quickly pulled Alex down beside him and threw the blanket over him as if trying to conceal some type of modesty.
“Isobel, what‒you’re crying. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” he asked. She sniffled and wiped her eyes as best she could as she waited for them to get dressed. He only bothered to slip his boxers on before pulling her into a hug. “What’s wrong?”
“Noah broke up with me!” she sobbed, clutching onto him tighter. His hand went to the back of her head, cradling her close. Thank God for brothers. “He-he said he didn’t want me because I was blonde and stupid.”
“What?”
“Hey, you want me to go?” Alex whispered. Isobel just let a sob go through her before she reached out aimlessly, finding Alex and pulling him in to hug her too. “Or I’m doing this, okay.”
They both held her as she cried it out, softly shushing her as she rambled. She couldn’t understand what she did wrong. What he said couldn’t be right. By his standards, she’d been stupid and blonde their entire relationship. Besides, what was so wrong with being a Marilyn?
“Can I sleep here tonight?” Isobel sniffled, using Michael’s shirt to wipe her nose. He nodded.
“Of course.”
“Alex too. We’re friends now,” she added. Alex snorted as Michael gave her a bleak little look.
“Iz, that mattress is barely big enough for two people,” he tried.
“But I’m sad! I just got dumped!” she pouted, giving him the best set of puppy eyes she could manage. She watched the two boys have a mental conversation over her shoulder, still sniffling all the way. She had planned to be staying with her fiance tonight, but she was going to have to settle for her brother and his boy-toy.
“Okay, okay, fine, Izzy, but if someone ends up on the floor, it’s your fault,” Michael sighed. She nodded, wiping her nose on him again.
“Thank you. Can you change your sheets though? I don’t wanna sleep on your sex sheets,” she said. Alex let out a soft laugh as he grumbled and complied. The moment he let go, she sunk into Alex. He really was becoming a good friend. He picked out her gorgeous dress and everything. Oh my god.
How could Noah not want to propose to this dress?!
“Do you wanna talk about it?” Alex asked, stroking her hair. She didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, she did. She wanted to know everyone else’s opinion on what they thought. On the other hand, she didn’t want to be constantly reminded of her failure.
“I have never, ever been dumped before, you know? Never! I-I made it almost 22 years! And it has to happen now?! I mean, I’m not getting any younger! How am I supposed to find another guy, date him for two years before our engagement, be engaged for a year, then get married and wait two years before having our first child, and then still have time to have all three kids and not be old and gross?!” she scoffed. Alex exhaled really slowly for some reason, but she accepted it when he held her a little tighter.
“I was dumped once,” Alex said.
“Once?” Michael echoed, disbelief in his voice.
“Yeah, once. And it felt like the end of the world to me. Of course, I was 16 and we met at a Marine Academy summer camp and it only lasted four weeks, but I thought I was in love. He dumped me the night before we left and we were sitting by the fire and he said I was too feminine for him. I was so sad, but I couldn’t, like, cry because I was at a fucking military camp,” Alex rambled. Isobel sniffled as she pulled away.
“Does this story have a reason?”
Alex rolled his eyes and grabbed her shoulders. “I’m saying, life goes on. People are dicks about things like your appearance and the way they perceive you, but you shouldn’t take it to heart. You’re not like that.”
Isobel nodded slowly. Alex was right. She wasn’t like that. She just had to show Noah that she was exactly what he thought she wasn’t. Then she wouldn’t have to restart all over, she could just pick up where they left off.
“You’re so right,” Isobel said, watching as he smiled just enough for her to be one of the two people that could get a genuine smile out of him, “I just have to show Noah that I’m smart, then he’ll take me back. Oh, I know! I’m gonna get into UT and follow him to law school! Then he’ll have to see that I’m smart!” Alex’s smile fell and he shared a quick glance with Michael.
“Well, no, that’s not‒”
“I mean, you have to be smart to get into law school, right? Well, I am smart! I have a 4.0 GPA! I bet know didn’t know that,” she said. She was feeling a whole lot better now that she was getting a whole plan in action. Man, Michael had really chosen well. “Yeah, so, I’ll just apply to UT.”
“Iz, you know you have to take the LSAT, right? And, like, I’m sure UT won’t let you in unless you have over a 170-something on it,” Michael said slowly. She rolled her eyes, waving him off.
“What, like it’s hard?”
“Yeah, it is, I took it and I got a 130,” Alex admitted. She paused, staring at him for a moment before turning to Micahel.
“I have a literal genius for a brother, you can just help me study for it,” she decided, smiling confidently. Michael made a face, clearly debating. “C’mon, Michael! I need this! I need him to see that I’m smart!”
“Do you really wanna go through all that trouble just for some guy?” he asked.
“He’s not some guy! He’s Noah Bracken, the love of my life!” she pointed out. Michael reluctantly started to nod.
“Okay, fine. No promises, I don’t really know anything about law, but… I’ll see what I can do, I guess,” he sighed.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alex asked. When she turned around to face him again, he was looking at them like they’d lost it. Isobel put on her pout.
“Oh, Alex, I need you to support me. You’re, like, my fashion guru and I need you to help me through this by, like, helping me chose the best things to wear to keep me amped up for this process,” she explained, grabbing his shoulders as he had just done with her. He still looked on the fence with the subject, but when he looked over at Michael, he folded.
“Fine, fine, whatever, but if this backfires, I’m not taking the blame.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys aren’t going to regret this!” she gushed, pulling them into a much happier hug than before.
That night, she fell asleep happily smashed between two of her biggest supporters and couldn’t wait to show Noah all that he had missed.
Maria is watching her mom disappear. Isobel tries to comfort her.
Thank you so my amazing beta and friend, @insidious-intent
Also available on AO3
Maria stares at her hands as Isobel drives them home. They look exactly like she remembers her mother’s hands when she was little. Soft, gentle, but with surprising strength hidden beneath the skin.
Isobel is silent, but she can practically hear her wife thinking. Until, finally, “I can try again, you know.”
Maria knows it won’t do any good. Isobel has tried to reach her mother in her mind a few times now. Tried to find her and pull her out to no avail. Mimi is lost to them. And, if she lets Isobel do this for her, as she always seems desperate to, she’ll lose her too. She almost did last time.
She doesn’t know how she’ll survive watching her mother keep losing more of herself. The only family she’s ever had. The only person for the longest time who loved her for exactly who she is.
But she does know that, if she loses Isobel along with her mother, it will destroy her. If she loses Isobel because she can’t surrender to disease and time and whatever was done to her… Maria won’t have that.
“No,” she whispers, looking out the window now as the desert passes them by. “You’ve tried. You’ve done more than enough. I need you to stay with me, not fight a losing battle.”
Isobel tenses for a moment, but Maria can feel the moment she relaxes, a deep breath let out. She doesn’t speak, just reaches out with her right hand blindly, letting Maria intertwine their fingers.
There’s comfort there that she hadn’t expected so long ago. She never would have imagined Isobel Evans could or would love anyone other than herself like this. But she does. And so easily. And Maria loves her too, would gladly give anything to protect her and her secret, just as she has seen how willing Isobel is to give everything to make her feel like she still has a family. Like she still belongs somewhere.
Dinner is a quiet affair, both of them too lost in their own thoughts. But Maria is surprised by the knock at the door that comes around nine.
Liz and Max come rushing in, “Okay, we have until midnight. Arturo has the twins. And Rosa is on the way with her ipod.”
Maria smiles at the thought. That damn iPod has to be fifteen years old. Maybe older. But Rosa insists it has all her music on it and she would never get rid of it.
She looks toward Isobel who is the picture of innocence. She knows she won’t get anywhere with her wife so, shortly after Rosa arrives, when Max and Isobel are talking, she pulls her best friend aside and asks, “What’s going on? What did she do?”
“You didn’t... ?” Liz starts. “Of course not. You saw your mom today, right?”
Maria confirms with a nod.
“Isobel texted us all for an impromptu dance party. I figured you needed it. No way Isobel would want to do something like this.”
Maria doesn’t respond, though she knows this isn’t exactly the first time her wife has done something like this. Before, it’s always been just them. Isobel dancing badly on purpose with her, just because she knows Maria enjoys it.
But tonight, she invited their entire family. And Maria wants to cry for it. That she’s losing her mother in every way but her life itself and Isobel is choosing to bring the rest of her family to her. Reminding her that she’s not as alone as she sometimes feels.
Just as she’s about to speak, Michael invites himself in, Alex close behind, old emo getup in place, nails even painted, septum piercing in.
She is torn between running over to hug Alex and rushing over to Isobel, letting her know how much all of this means.
Instead, she is interrupted by Rosa. “Let’s get this fucking party started!”
She’s blasting Counting Crows and, suddenly, all of her friends are dancing with varying degrees of skill. Guerin and Max are, as always disasters. Isobel is intentionally bad, but Maria knows her parents put her in ballet as a child, so the terrible moves are entirely for Maria’s benefit. Alex and Liz are the same, dancing badly and wildly, even though Alex, well, he’s not horrible. And Liz can actually dance well.
Rosa is grabbing her and whirling her about, spinning her over to Liz, just taking her mind off of all of it. Just for a little bit.
It’s not that long before they’re all taking a breather with a slower song, Kyle and Jenna pop in a bit late, but it means more than she can say that they’ve joined at all. They are members of their family in a way, of course, aware of, and protecting the aliens. But they’ve never been particularly close to either Maria or Isobel.
Maria drifts into Isobel’s open arms, letting her wife hold her close and sway to the music. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did,” she replies, ignoring her denial. Isobel won’t take credit for it. She’ll absolutely take credit for the bitchiest things she’s ever done, but never the kindest. Not really. Not unless they’re the usual socialite expectations. That’s the one part of Isobel that has always remained the same. She doesn’t show her heart easily.
They continue to dance and just hold each other until the song is done and another fast song starts, Rosa jumping towards them and pulling Maria with her to dance.
She continues to dance for a while longer, waiting until she sees Isobel sneak off with a wine glass in hand, following her wife out onto the patio, slightly away from all the noise.
“I don’t know how you can drink that stuff,” she teases, taking a swallow straight out of the tequila bottle she snatched on her way to the door. “Chardonnay tastes like a butter bomb.”
“It’s sweet. I like it,” Isobel replies, affecting her former snobby air. But Maria knows it for what it is now.
“I love that you did this for me, you know. It helps. Knowing that I have them, our family. Even as my mom,” she chokes back a sudden sob, the pain having snuck up on her. “Even as my mom starts to disappear… It helps to know that I have you and the rest of our family. That I’m not alone. And that I can be loved for exactly who I am.”
“You are,” Isobel says softly. “I didn’t promise it lightly. I love you for everything you are, Maria. And I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Even if your brother figures out that spaceship he’s not-so-secretly building?” Maria teases, hoping to return to lighter ground, pulling a chair over next to Isobel’s to sit next to her.
Isobel snorts in response. “My brother isn’t leaving the planet. He’s building a spaceship, sure. But he’s not leaving for good. He couldn’t leave any of us behind. Not even if Alex went with him.”
Maria nods. “Yeah, well. But would you?”
“No,” Isobel says softly, looking up at the stars. “I know it’s where I came from, but it’s never been home. Home is Max and Michael. And you. I spent a long time trying to find my place here. I’m not leaving.” She pauses, turns to look over at Maria, “But you knew that.”
“I did. But sometimes I just like hearing it. That you love me like that.”
“I do love you, Maria.”
“I love you too, Isobel,” she replies, standing up and moving over to her, straddling her in her chair, knees pressing against Isobel’s hips as she leans back, hands supporting her around her waist. She reaches up, pushes blonde hair back away from her face. It’s gotten loose and wild with the dancing. She loves it like this. Usually, Isobel is composed and perfect. She feels like this Isobel, the woman who is relaxed and at ease and happy, exists only for her.
When she is satisfied, Maria leans forward and captures Isobel’s lips with her own, sliding her tongue into her mouth, smiling at the needy growl low in Isobel’s throat. She traces gentle hands down Isobel’s neck, down to her shoulders, sliding down to her chest
She pulls away just enough to speak, “I’m happy you invited them all here. It means a lot. But do you think you could get rid of them?”
“I think I could manage,” Isobel crinkles her nose and gives her a wicked grin. “But I think you’ll have to get off my lap first.”
Maria smirks at that, “Maybe a few more minutes.”
“Maybe,” is her response, leaning forward and capturing Maria’s lips with her own again.
They just sit there like that as the night turns colder, Maria on Isobel’s lap, lips pressed together, fingers exploring. Once it starts getting too cold, Maria huddles into Isobel for warmth and whispers, “Okay, I think you can kick them all out now.”
Isobel nods, following Maria to her feet. She just watches, appreciating the way Isobel stretches out her long limbs, smiling when she leans forward for a quick kiss and a “Meet me in our bedroom in 10?”
She appreciates all these things Isobel has done for her more than she can say. And she’s thankful that Isobel is giving her the chance to sneak out without dealing with any emotional goodbyes and thank yous. She’ll see all of her friends tomorrow and let them know how grateful she is for them then. But she’s not ready for that right now.
Instead, she heads up the stairs and starts washing her face, smiling at the way Isobel’s nude lipstick blends with her own red in places, both on her lips and down to her neck.
She brushes her teeth while she waits for Isobel, hears the house quieting, the music stop, the sounds of cars starting and driving away.
And then Isobel is standing in the doorway, leaning against the door frame, blonde hair a mess, red lipstick staining her pale skin. And she looks good. Eyes dark, raking up and down Maria’s form.
She lets Isobel lead her to bed, melting into soft kisses, the gentle touches making her feel like she might burn up from the inside, so soft and right, exactly where she wants them.
Once she’s undressed, Isobel pushes her to spread back against their bed. And she looks almost predatory, blonde hair creating a curtain around them, a smirk on her lips.
And then she’s on the move and all Maria can do is cling to the comforter as warm, wet heat encloses one of her nipples, the other being gently teased with too-warm hands.
Isobel takes her time, kissing and licking down to her belly button, down to the soft curve below.
And then she sits up. Maria can feel gentle fingers on the inside of her knees, guiding her legs to part wide. When she looks up, Isobel is licking her lips, looking at exactly where Maria wants her most.
But she doesn’t move there quite yet.
Maria jumps at the warm, soft kisses on her knees, her inner thighs, moving up, up, up as gentle hands spread her legs wider apart..
She can feel Isobel’s warm breath over her core. If she looked, she knows she’d see blonde hair right there.
Gentle hands guide her thighs up until she’s at an angle to cause Isobel less discomfort, her thighs resting on strong but thin shoulders.
Isobel reaches her, pulling her forward a little bit, and Maria feels her hair dragging on the pillows as she moves downward, feels the warmth of Isobel’s lips right there, almost touching her.
She lets out a strangled moan at the shock of a warm, wet tongue sliding against her clit. She can feel Isobel’s wolfish grin as the woman says, “Hold on tight,” and dives in full force, tongue licking and exploring, thrusting into her and tasting her. Maria is thrashing against the bed, the only thing holding her steady being Isobel’s hands on her hips as she desperately tries to grind against anything, against Isobel’s mouth.
Maria can feel more than hear Isobel’s laugh through waves of vibration against her, dragging her right up to the edge.
That’s when Isobel backs off, pulls away, wrenching a scream from Maria’s mouth. “I love how reactive you are, babe,” she says. “How many times do you think I could bring you just there? So close you can taste it? And then just pull away? Would you like me to do that?”
Maria chokes out a frantic “Yes,” before Isobel moves in again, sucking gently on her clit, making her scream. She can feel it. Everything tensing up, her body right on the edge, so close to breaking and then-
“Not yet.”
Instead she feels feather-light kisses on her inner thighs.
She’s just coming down a bit, enjoying the gentle touch, when Isobel surges forward a third time and takes her clit in her mouth, rolling it around with her tongue.
She can feel one hand moving away from her hip, around to her inner thigh, sliding between her legs.
And then Isobel is pushing one delicate finger into her, followed closely by another, curving and pressing right there while she sucks on her clit.
Maria’s hips move against her mouth and hand, wanting even more, on a razor’s edge, so close she knows she can’t handle it if Isobel stops her this time.
And she doesn’t. Isobel only doubles down, working relentlessly until Maria screams when she comes, flying apart into a million pieces and then put back together. Her orgasm seems to last forever as Isobel continues to touch her through it, mouth and hand moving in synchronicity.
Then, when she’s sated and limp, she can feel Isobel lower her legs back to the bed, crawling up her, wiping at her mouth, face still glistening and wet.
“You taste so good, babe,” she says collapsing back next to Maria on the bed as she continues to try to catch her breath and get to the point where maybe she can reciprocate. When she starts to move, Isobel shakes her head, pressing her hips back down against the bed. “I don’t need that right now.”
Maria smiles, leaning forward and pushing Isobel back, straddling her, feeling the smooth fabric of Isobel’s dress against her bare skin. She leans forward until their mouths are practically touching before saying, “I want this, Isobel. I want to be able to thank you for being here for me. I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve done for me today. So let me be able to celebrate having you here with me, okay?”
Isobel smirked, “By celebrate do you mean-”
“Sometimes you are too much like your brother.”
“Oh! Mood killer,” Isobel laughs. But her expression changes as Maria runs her hands down the front of her dress, fingers tweaking nipples already hard.
“Take this off,” Maria demands playfully, knowing that, like she has never surrendered to anyone but Isobel, Isobel would never surrender to anyone but her.
Isobel sits up, not dislodging Maria, just letting her continue to straddle her.
Maria reaches behind her, fingers tracing the cold metal of the zipper and dragging it down, parting the fabric and letting Isobel slowly push it down, moving up only enough so that her wife can get the dress all the way off and throw it to the floor. The bra follows quickly with Maria’s help.
Isobel still looks like a fairytale princess. Even with her hair wild and a smirk on her face. Like the girls Maria remembers seeing in storybooks when she was growing up. It’s only when her tongue flays you open that you see she’s nothing like them at all. She’s ruthless, tearing people’s lives apart with only her words. Now she does it less, with less bite behind it, but it’s still there.
And that is the most beautiful thing about her, Maria thinks. That she loves so fiercely and that she will tear apart anyone who dares hurt those she loves. It’s funny that, for the first time in her life, Maria feels safe with someone like Isobel. But she does. She knows her heart is safe in Isobel’s hands. It’s a gift she always wanted from the person she least expected to give it.
“What are you thinking about?” Isobel asks, pulling her out of her reverie.
“How lucky I am to be your wife,” Maria answers honestly.
“Yeah you are,” Isobel says with a teasing smirk and a wink, pulling Maria with her back to the bed.
Summary: isobel finds comfort in an unlikely place (title: falling in love by aj abdullah)
ao3
Isobel Evans sat in the Wild Pony at two AM for the eighth night in a row.
The first few nights, Maria had ignored her. There was something odd about having a six foot tall, model-esque diva sitting in the back of a bar alone for one night, much less multiple nights. She always looked lost in thought to the point not even the men that were wasted beyond recognition bothered to hit on her. She was just alone, sipping on one drink for the entire night until they closed.
Eventually, Maria had begun to feel a little concerned. She hated being concerned for someone like Isobel who really hadn’t proven herself to be worthy of pity, but she couldn’t help it. Someone was in need and, even if that person made her life hell back in high school, she found herself drawn to the table once she closed for the night.
Maria sat across from her and stared for a moment. Isobel stared right back, her eyes looking a little more than lifeless. Maria could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen Isobel without one of her three alien men attached to her hip. Even though both Max and Noah were gone, it didn’t make sense that she was alone like this so often. Isobel Evans didn’t do vulnerable.
“Does Guerin know about your little drinking problem?” Maria asked playfully, hoping to earn at least some sort of positive reaction from the life-sized Barbie. It didn’t even get a sarcastic smile.
“Why are you talking to me, Deluca?” Isobel asked dryly. Maria bit down on her lip as she absorbed all that was Isobel. She’d never gotten this close to her before without constant bickering or just Isobel keeping up her walls so high, Maria couldn’t see in if she tried. But today they were down and it was saddening on a deep level. She was just shrouded in loneliness to the point Maria wouldn’t be shocked if it was causing her physical pain.
Isobel usually, even on bad days, usually exuded some type of vibrant red. She was a bitch to everyone regardless of how much power she held socially, but that never seemed to take away from her very clear positives that showed to anyone who paid attention. No amount of high school hatred or residual anger over Rosa could make Maria miss the fierce loyalty, protectiveness, and pure strength that made up Isobel Evans. Yet lately it seemed to be infected, each day it got a little darker, a little less vibrant.
Today it was so dark there was almost no red left.
“Look, I understand how you’re feeling,” Maria said, trying to force as much empathy in her voice that she could manage.
Isobel moved her eyes up slowly and, like her aura, they were damn near black with anguish. Maria prepared herself not to take to heart anything Isobel was about to hurl towards her.
“Do you? Did you find out that your husband had been using and manipulating you for a decade so he could commit murders? Do you have to deal with the fact you never saw it or even considered it? Do you still miss him, or, just, miss having someone?” Isobel asked, tears brimming her eyes. “Or do you get how it feels to lose your brother? To feel someone who you are so linked to just disappear? I can’t feel him, Maria, I can’t…”
Maria slipped out of her side of the booth and moved to Isobel’s, silently wrapping her arms around the taller woman’s shoulders. She pulled her in, stroking her hair back. Surprisingly, Isobel let her comfort her.
“I meant I understand how it feels to be lonely,” Maria said softly, wiping a stray tear that managed to slip down Isobel’s cheek. “I had to put my mom in a nursing home a while ago. It was for the best and I still go see her all the time, but everything feels so empty without her. It’s like I still expect to hear her walking around the house or singing in the shower. It’s so quiet sometimes I feel paranoid.”
“I hate it! I hate that I miss him in the house! I’ve never lived alone before and, and it’s exactly like you said. It’s horrible, empty. I know that he’s not who I thought he was, but I still miss him just being there. It’s driving me insane.” Isobel vented, her voice cracking and Maria held her a little tighter. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t find comfort in the fact someone else got it. For a while, she thought she was just being dramatic.
“Is that why you keep coming here?” Maria asked, but she didn’t expect an actual answer. She knew that’s exactly why. Maria did the same thing. Once her mother was gone, there wasn’t anything to go home to except emptiness. She’d rather be someplace where she could convince herself she wasn’t alone.
“I hate it, but I don’t have any options. I can’t stay with Michael, he’s too wrapped up in Lover Boy and government conspiracies. I can’t stay with Max because he isn’t there. Rosa’s back, I can’t stay with Liz. I’m just…”
“Lonely.”
Isobel huffed a laugh but nodded. There was no denying it, not when she was being hugged by a psychic and crying. Still, it took her a moment before she slid her arms to wrap around Maria and pull her a little closer.
It was odd how comforting it could be to hold Isobel Evans. Maria couldn’t think of the last time she’d ever felt anything positive towards the woman. They existed in two different realities. Isobel was a woman of status. She organized events for a living and everyone in town knew her by name. Maria had managed to fade into nightlife and went unnoticed by most people that weren’t drunks or spiritual, pill-popping housewives that wanted a reading. They actually couldn’t get more different socially.
But they were both strong. And they both had lost the person they came home to at the end of the night.
“You can stay with me. You know, if you want.” Maria offered as the motion of smoothing down Isobel’s hair became a reflex. “You could sleep in my room, I could sleep in my mom’s.”
Isobel laughed, “You’d really want me, the person you hate, to be sleeping in your bed?”
“I don’t hate you,” Maria said with a small smile, settling more into the booth as Isobel sunk to lay her head on her chest. “I really don’t. Actually, I almost like you now that I see you’re actually human.” Isobel shook her head, but Maria could see she was smiling. That was better than crying or wallowing over a man who didn’t deserve it. She deserved to smile.
“Not exactly human, but thanks,” Isobel said, a familiar confidence making an appearance. Still, she didn’t move.
“Still, the offer stands. It’d be nice to have someone around. And fuck only being able to rely on the men in your life, Isobel.” Maria mentioned, leaning her head back and staring at the ceiling. She took a heavy breath and Isobel’s grip tightened around her. Maria smiled.
“You’re right. Fuck them. I mean, I love Max and Michael. But… fuck relying on them.” Isobel decided.
They stayed silent for a little longer than either of them expected. It was just comforting to not be alone for once, especially sharing that space with someone who understood it better than either could describe with words. Maria had gone too long in her own head and putting up a front to help the people she loved. It was nice to just let shit happen.
She just didn’t expect it to be with Isobel Evans.
“So, it’s a real offer?” Isobel asked softly. Maria smiling a little wider than she expected.
“Absolutely. I’ll drive.”
---
I write both roswell nm and all the skam remakes, so if you want to be tagged for a certain ship instead of having to sift through fics on shows you don’t watch, just let me know!
