Oh, To Be Taken Care Of- A Stinella/Redheks Oneshot
(stinella oneshot because i think stinella is the most underrated ship out there)
The stormy gray clouds rumbled overhead, raindrops relentlessly sprinting down to the ground. The white-capped mountains in the distance towered above the rolling green fields and the silver crystal mansion that was Sterling Gables. Stumbling up the hill were two girls, one leaning on the other’s shoulder and sobbing into the burgundy fabric of the other girl’s tunic.
“Almost there,” Stina whispered to the sobbing girl, wrapping her into a tighter embrace. Just one more minute, then you’ll be safe.
Stina looked up at the glowing windows of Sterling Gables, a figure of her mom peering outside at the two girls. Stina only saw a shadow of her mother, but she already could tell she was frowning.
Stina furrowed her brow. When she reached the main path, instead of following it to the doorstep, she trailed off toward the woods. Rain-soaked pine trees that Stina knew all too well nodded in acknowledgment to the girl who had taken refuge beneath those green leaves too many times to count.
The sobbing girl sniffled and looked up with bloodshot ice-blue eyes. “Where are we going?”
“A place to warm up,” Stina answered, holding the blonde girl tighter against her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed in determination; her mind saw the task of getting Marella safely under a warm roof as a challenge. And Stina Heks never backed away from a challenge.
The faint, warm glow of the building Stina was looking for glowed against the drenched pine trees. Stina picked up her pace, Marella’s small body still nestled into hers, and reached the wooden door to the abandoned unicorn stables. She threw it open and ducked inside.
The stables smelled like a mix of a crackling fire and a bunch of stale unicorn poop, but the place had an air of comforting atmosphere that was hard to explain. Maybe it was the familiarity of the place to Stina, or maybe it was the knowledge that nobody but Stina could ever come here, because nobody would ever think to check.
Stina rested Marella’s tiny figure on a stack of hay, sitting down next to her and caressing her cheek. Red and puffy eyes looked up, so weak and empty of hope, that Stina felt a part of her cold, dead heart grow life, only to be broken once again.
“Where are we?” Marella croaked, relaxing ever so slightly into Stina’s touch.
“The old stables,” Stina informed, gesturing at the old wooden walls desperately in need of a paint job. “Nobody will find us here.”
A stray tear dripped from Marella’s freckled cheek, falling onto the stack of hay below. “You promise?”
“I promise. And I’m sorry.”
Marella’s red eyes narrowed and she backed away from Stina’s warm hand. “Why?”
“Because I wish you didn’t have to endure all the things you carry.” Stina growled at the thought of the scene in the hallway, the scene where Sophie dropped Marella like a hot rock, the scene where she didn’t even bother to ask Marella if she was holding up like she was oblivious to just how much stuff Marella-
Marella’s lips quirked upward into some sort of sad smile. “I manage.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” Stina could feel her eyes well up with tears. Tears for the girl who tried so hard, fought like hell, but always seemed to be picked last.
“You shouldn’t have to take care of me like I’m a child, but here we are.” A sound that sounded something like a cross between a whimper, a cry, and a laugh escaped from Marella’s lips.
Stina forced a smile, even though her heart felt like it was being ripped out of her chest. “It’s not childish to be taken care of.”
Marella granted Stina a snort of sarcasm and Stina’s heart healed and shattered a little bit at the same time just hearing the hint of humor in Marella’s voice. “It sure feels like it.”
“Who told you it was childish? To be taken care of?” Stina propped herself up with one elbow resting on the haybale.
Marella opened her mouth, but nothing came out. “A voice deep down, I guess.”
Stina smiled. “Tell the voice to deepthroat a cactus then.”
A laugh bubbled up from Marella’s throat, making Stina’s heart swell with pride. I did that. I made her feel better. No one else. “I’ll try that. Thanks.” Marella’s eyelids drooped a little and she flopped onto the stack of hay. “Can I..um-”
“Rest? You don’t have to ask me,” Stina teased. Marella rolled her eyes and closed them, resting her small head on her hands.
“Rest well, Marella,” Stina whispered into Marella’s freckled ear before she started to snore.