Work Text:
Kiran Estevez did not know Rose Marigold three weeks ago. Or, well, she knew about Rose. The FBC had files on everyone that lived in Bright Falls, and as one of the people associated with Alan Wake’s actions all those years ago, Ms. Marigold had been relatively high priority. But she didn’t really know her. So it felt very strange for Kiran to… be inside her home.
It hadn’t been the plan, Kiran had simply been doing some “work” at the Oh Deer, working through the overflow of paperwork that’d followed from the whole Bright Falls AWE debacle. She’d elected to stay in the town as she worked on it—she could use some time outside of the Oldest House. A big part of her reason for staying in town, however, was just making her way to her table with a hot cup of coffee.
“Here you go, darlin’.” Rose placed the mug down next to Kiran’s laptop with a smile, that same smile she always sported while working.
“Thanks, Rosey.” Kiran mumbled, flashing a quick smile without even looking Rose’s way. She’d been coming to the diner every day for the past week or so, and the nickname had started slipping it’s way into her sentences on its own. Rose always lit up when she used it, and, well… Kiran could never resist making a pretty girl happy. Besides, Rose had saved her.
Despite being deep in her thoughts, and pre-occupied with typing up the document open on her laptop, Kiran was pretty attuned to her surroundings. It came with the job. And so, she realized, that for some reason Rose was still standing there, hovering over her table like she was waiting for her.
Kiran’s gaze moved from the screen of her laptop to Rose’s face, and she found a pained expression colouring that pretty face. The following question came naturally.
“What’s wrong?”
“I-” Rose bit her tongue, side of her mouth scrunching up in what looked like another shock of pain. She powered through it and started talking again. “I think I sprained my ankle, and I, uhm, wanted to ask you if you could drive me home? I have someone else coming in, so don’t worry, you can still get your coffee refilled once you get back.”
“Wasn’t really worrying about that, but I don’t have a car out here. The agency’s just gonna pick me up when I tell them I’m done here.” Kiran sighed. “I could drive you back in your car?”
“I don’t… really have a car, right now.”
“Don’t really or…”
“Don’t at all, actually.” Rose levied a nervous chuckle.
It hadn’t been too much a challenge to carry Rose all the way back to her home. For a decent while, she was even able to just walk her, an arm slung over her shoulder for support. But that hadn’t lasted long, and soon enough, Kiran was carrying Rose across Bright Fall in her arms, bridal style.
It wasn’t like Kiran was weak, she was a well-trained FBC operative, and she spent enough time in the gym to be an effective fighter. And it wasn’t like Rose was particularly heavy, but, well. It was a race of endurance. And by the time they’d finally arrived at Rose’s bedroom door, Kiran’s was wet with a thin layer of sweat. Rose hadn’t said anything, though she was probably just being kind, because Kiran assumed she reeked.
Still, she persisted, pushing the door to Rose’s bedroom open with her back before strolling that final distance all the way to her bed and laying her down on the sheets. She groaned as she crouched down, the exhaustion finally getting to her, immediately relieved when she was free of the weight she’d been carrying.
Rose hit the bed with a little yip, which quickly turned into a giggle as she sat up. “Well, thanks for carrying me all the way here, Agent Estevez!”
“Please, I told you. You can just call me Kiran.” Kiran tried to sound suave, but through the sweat that stuck loose hairs to her forehead, it didn’t really come across. Rose giggled again.
“Alright, Kiran, thank you.” Her words came across more measured, this time, placing a hand on Kiran’s arm as she stood next to her bed. Kiran winced under the touch, like it’d come unexpected. Like Rose wasn’t lovey-dovey touchy with everyone. Then, however, Rose pulled at her arm, and Kiran raised an eyebrow like a question. “Just come here, lean down. I got something to give you. As a thanks.”
Kiran hesitated for a moment, but obliged quick enough, leaning down closer to Rose’s face. And in a moment, Rose craned her neck up to leave a kiss on Kiran’s cheek. She sunk back down into the bed, watching Kiran as she stood there frozen for a moment. Another giggle left her lips.
“There, a reward. For my shinin’ knight.”
After a few seconds, Kiran cleared her throat, unfreezing as she stood back straight again. “No problem, Rosey.”
She moved to turn and leave, but stopped dead in her tracks. Like an idea had suddenly lodged itself in her mind. “Do you have, uh, anything else I can help you with? With you being injured and all?”
Rose giggled. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“I can take a break.”