ellectrical | (no subject)

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Eventually, Elle had leaned back onto the bed, curled away from Ava, watching the IV drip. The sandwiches have been consumed and the packages discarded. X is sitting at the edge of her bed – Elle has been listening to her breathing, while she waited.

She's not entirely sure what she's waiting for.

But if it's for sleep, that doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

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"No."

She flexes her fingers slightly. "If he could do those things to - other people, maybe it's just something he could do to me."

If X were someone else, or of a more scientific bent, maybe she would be preoccupied with the 'why?' inherent to this scenario.

As she isn't, what she says instead is, "It is good that he is gone."

For many, many reasons. Most of them involving Elle.

"Yeah."

A little more quietly, "I hope she's okay, too."

X does not bother looking at Ava.

"Maybe she will be."

Beat.

"Sometimes people are."

She looks up to X.

"Are you okay?"

X looks a little bewildered.

"Yes."

It probably should not be a question.

And yet.

She doesn't look away.

It's not doubting, but -

"The demon - hurt you."

"I heal," X says.

She sounds a little uncertain.

"And I was not dismembered. It is okay."

"I know."

She moves her fingers again.

Unsure exactly how to say it, "But you had to come for me."

"You are important," X says firmly.

It is like an explanation.

Her eyes linger, expression unchanged.

"I don't know if that makes it - okay."

"I think it does," X says, after a moment of thought.

It only seems fair.

"For me."

That part is important, too.

"Okay."

She falls silent for a moment, and then adds, "You can just - tell me. If something's wrong."

"I know."

X's response is prompt.

"But there is not."

Beat.

"For me."

She hesitates, fingers twining with Elle's.

"But you are worried. About Ava."

Elle glances down again.

"He did it to her."

"I know."

She does. Because Elle said so.

But X is still worried.

It is how she rolls. (Sometimes.)

Not looking up -

"It - I don't like it."

"I do not think Ava does, either."

X sounds fairly certain of that.

"And I do not."

Beat.

"But I do not know -- "

She pauses again, searching for words.

"How to -- help."

Beat.

"I like that you're here."

(She's not really sure how to help, either.)

"I -"

"I don't like that she doesn't know what happened."

X's fingers tighten on Elle's.

"No," she agrees.

"I think it is making her more upset. Ava."

She glances to one side.

"Knowing might make her upset too."

X hesitates, but --

"You wanted to know. What you did not remember."

This time she does flick a glance over at Ava.

"You think she will be different? Even if it is -- bad."

"I decided I wanted to."

Beat. "For me."

In retrospect, she can understand why those who knew in her world didn't always want to help.

"She will decide, too."

It seems self-evident to X.

Is she missing something?

"For her."

When she is awake again. Or not pretending to sleep.

Or whatever.

"I don't know what to say to her.

"If she doesn't want to know."