𝔀𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓭.

Her arms swung around with her body as she spoke to Bennie. “Well you must be. You’re pale and ginger, don’t you get colder than normal people?” Cleo questioned, drunkly. She didn’t want to go home, but she didn’t know what she did want to do so she let Bennie drag her along. It was the first time Cleo had ever acted like a toddler, but she was so out of it she had no idea what she was doing. “I know where I want to be. I want… I want… to be with somebody who loves me.” She’d never imagined herself to be an angry-drunk but there was so much happening that even Cleo was struggling to contain her anger.

Cleo: No. I should be with the people who love me. Cleo: I should be with my family

“Well it’s no big deal to me. Lies, it is but- I’m more worried about the others right now. Kit will throw himself into gambling which is dangerous as fuck and Cleo will bottle it up which is similarly dangerous as fuck especially so soon after losing James. The parents - they already nearly lost Cleo, now I’m probably going to die before they do which is also pretty shit.” Ariel ran her hand through her hair. “Sorry, I babble on when I’m nervous and this is the first time I’ve ever said it out loud.” Ariel looked Bennie in the eye and nodded. “Thanks Ben,” she said with great sincerity. “I hope we can be friends. Every friendship needs someone who talks too much and someone…like you.”

Cleo: Maybe the drunk-me wanted to hear something more. How naive she must have been.

Cleo: I should move out for a while.

Bennie: You don’t have to do that, if you need space I’ll go.

CLEO DRUNKENLY TILTED HER HEAD and laughed up at Bennie, for no particular reason. Actually, she could hardly stop laughing. “Man, I’m so lucky you found me else I would probably be in a ditch somewhere. Which does sound comfy but probably not too safe.” Her fairly-posh accent didn’t really match being drunk. It was the ‘not safe’ part that made Cleo refrain from drinking, but for the first time she didn’t seem to care if she got hurt. “But how are we going to get home without the vodka?” she laughed, feeling her feet trying to stumble her over onto the ground. The small brunette grabbed hold of Bennie’s arm to steady herself. “Cold? Uh…no. I don’t really feel anything to be honest, it’s great. Are you cold?”

EVER SINCE THEY’D MET CLEO had tried to look to Bennie for answers a lot. Even answers to questions she should have figured out herself. “We’re so lucky to have you. Have I ever told you that?” Cleo giggled, placing a short kiss on the redhead’s lips. She knew Bennie knew how much Cleo loved her, but it didn’t hurt to remind her every once in a while, especially mid-panic when Cleo was difficult to be around. “I think you might be going a bit far there,” she giggled again, squeezing Bennie’s hand a little harder. It wasn’t long before the three had reached the school gates and hugged their goodbyes. It was their daughter’s first year of school so it was difficult to say goodbye for the day. “What do we do now?” Cleo questioned, looking towards her wife. It was rare they got a day just to themselves.