the dead walk among her , a friend to the dark , a home of nightmares . teary eyes blink stars back with each yawn , growing exhaustion impeding on her reluctance to rest until her daughter does . she’s a PRYDE , that very much implies a pridefulness that’s rooted in her ornery and tenacious outlook of providing protection for her loved ones . and yet she’s slowly nodding off into slumber , dark curls pressed against the brick wall of the basketball court , toddler cradled in her arms .
( she’s a horrible mother , isn’t she ? trapped in a blackout and lockdown , isolated from her family , unable to fully support her own daughter without the unyielding craving to swallow a fistful of pills . there’s nothing poetic about being a mess , nothing poetic because prose will once end but her addiction seems infinite and boundless . )
it’s a voice and approaching footsteps , however , that tease her awake from her reveries , and the pryde’s sunken visage immediately brightens . despite everything lately , the secrets and lies and deceit , the overdose and withdrawals and limitless cravings , this is her family , and she refuses to take them for granted again . ❝ charani ? eli ? you found us ! ❞ gosh , she’s missed them . steps towards them both and pulls them in for a tight hug . ❝ you’re both safe , thank goodness . i was starting to worry so much ! how’re you both doing ? personally , i’m super frustrated they separated us . rini’s been really overwhelmed with the lockdown and has been a pretty big handful . ❞ a gesture to the toddler whose cheek’s resting delicately on her left shoulder , small pool of drool soaking into her sweater . ❝ i think she’s finally fallen asleep . ❞
with each room they searched, elijah had to remind himself that there was
still hope. it was hard not to get frustrated, but he had to collect himself for charani’s
sake. while they could be the frustrated one, eli had to be the hopeful one this time.
scarlet had taught him that much. what he wouldn’t give for her infectious happiness
right now though. mustering up what he could, elijah gave charani’s hand a reassuring
squeeze as they headed towards the basketball courts. at first he hadn’t spotted scarlet,
charani being more adept to the darkness than elijah, but the second he did relief
flooded his body. just seeing her and rini was one thing, but hearing her voice — he
didn’t even bother to hide the huge grin that enveloped his face. complete at last.
( trying to find the rest of his family, his sister and the defenders still lingered in the
back of his mind, but his partners and child needed him right now. he couldn’t be
separated from them again.)
as scarlet pulled them both in for a hug, elijah rested his head on top of
scarlet’s head, arms wrapped around all of them as best as he could. ❝ better now
that we’re all together. other than being frustrated are you and rini alright?❞ he pulled
away ever so slightly to get a better look at the sleeping toddler on scarlet’s shoulder.
❝ that’s good. have you slept yet? do you need a break?❞ anything to make things easier
for both scarlet and charani.
relief settles in charani’s stomach as scarlet shifts her gaze to them, smiling. the relief grows at the sound of the girl’s voice, infectiously happy even with the frustration and exhaustion tinging the edges of it. charani allows themself to smile, soft and small but still there. there’s very few people who can make them smile--- and the roth’s small family makes up most of them now. “ of course we found you--- i was not going to rest until we were together again. “ there’s no apathy or monotone in their voice. not today. emotions tint it, frustration and relief all at once. they’re whole again.
they let elijah speak for the most part, more than content to just hold scarlet for a while. even when elijah pulls back charani doesn’t want to let go. it’s not just worry from being separated. they KNOW scarlet has been battling more than just exhaustion these past few days. and they know scarlet will not speak of it--- not that charani even knows how to discuss it with her. “ yes, “ they finally pull away though, they leave a hand to rest against the small of the other brunette’s back. “ how are you? “ charani’s question is deeper than it sounds, blue eyes searching the mutant. “ if you need anything--- we are here now. and i am refusing to leave again. they will have to forcibly remove me. “