Chapter Text
Deborah was running towards the shore, her heart pounding out of her chest. She couldn’t bear losing her. She had already lost too much in her life. Or better said, she had sacrificed so many to reach the place she is now. But it was the first time she found someone that would push her to thrive. Ava and Deborah worked better as a team. They were elevating each other. It was the first time she realized the road she chose didn’t need to be this lonely. She could make it with her. If Ava wanted to.
So now going a mile a minute, literally, she didn’t even second guess about throwing herself to the cold waters. She had to save her. She loved her too much not to. Fur be damned she swam until she reached what she thought was Ava’s figure.
“Ava!” she called panting.
The woman then turns only for Deborah to be met with an unfamiliar face.
“Who are you?” Not being able to fathom what was happening.
“Are you crazy? Let go of me!” And the unknown woman swam away.
Feeling defeated, the older woman got out of the sea and started making her way towards her car.
“Deborah?” A questioning voice could be heard further down the shore.
Once the blonde woman connects the familiar voice to the person it belongs to, she starts running towards her. Relief painting her features and an all-encompassing burst of love.
“Ava! Oh my God! I thought you went and did something stupid.” She admitted while simultaneously cupping her cheeks just to feel her. Just to make sure she really is there with her.
“Deborah why are you soaked?” The redhead questioned, concern plastered on her tone. Her hands finding Deborah’s elbows, working on their own accord.
“I thought you dove into the waters. I…I couldn’t bear losing you. I missed you. I missed us.” Desperation taking over, making sure she says anything that remained unsaid between them. Almost anything…
Ava had tears threatening to escape, moved by the honest confession. She missed their dynamic as well, more than she is ready to admit.
“Let’s get you warmed up.” Said the younger woman trailing up and down Deborah’s biceps with her palms, in a futile way to create friction and therefore warmth. She was so wet that there was no point to try and warm her this way.
Ava had a spare change of sweatshirt and pants in her trunk. She retrieved them and handed them to the older woman who was sitting in the back of her car shaking uncontrollably. She gave her some privacy only after she started the car’s engine to open the heater. But after a while a voice called to her assistance.
“A-Ava” The tremble in her tone was evident, the cold she felt was bone chilling. She would be lucky if she didn’t catch pneumonia.
“What is it Debs?” The nickname wasn’t lost on her, but it was not the right time to contemplate on it.
“C-Can you h-help me?” Ava didn’t need to hear it twice. She practically threw herself in the backseat, melting at the way the other woman called for her to help.
“You need help changing?” The younger woman’s tone was so sweet, seeing the blonde woman so fragile made all her instincts go ballistic. She felt such a strong urge to protect her. At that point she came into the realization that she would do anything for her. Being at odds with each other took such a toll on her. She could barely sleep, she would combust at the slightest problem arising, but most importantly she felt broken hearted. It was worse than her breakup with Ruby and she didn’t even have that kind of relationship with Deborah. Anyone would think her crazy.
The older woman just nodded unable to form coherent words since her freezing mode was expanding significantly. The fur was the only thing she managed to remove. Now it was time for her dress.
“Alright. Let me just…” Mumbled Ava inching closer to the other woman and reaching on Deborah’s back to unzip her dress. Their faces inevitably drew closer at that, since Ava had Deborah’s face in front of her instead of asking her to turn around. The backseat of the car was inconvenient enough. Unnecessary movement was not needed.
The moment filled with unexpected tension. The air growing thicker by the minute. Both of them trying their best not to acknowledge it. Removing with her hands the upper part of the dress, Ava’s eyes widened and her face turned a deep shade of red. The other woman was not wearing a bra, meaning the younger one was met with her full breasts exposed in the air.
"Oh sorry... I didn't mean to...overstep." She turned her back to Deborah in an attempt to give her some privacy. All the while her blush becoming increasingly evident.
Deborah on her part huffed amusingly. If she wasn't in this unfortunate position, she would definitely have a field day with the younger woman's reaction.
"Do-don't be a pr-prude Ava. No-nothing you haven't s-seen before." Through chattering teeth, she couldn't pass the opportunity of teasing Ava. She might be freezing cold but her senses are alert. She is perfectly capable of understanding how much this exchange impacted Ava. What she didn't know was why...
"Nothing as beautiful for sure." Surprised herself, Ava internally scolded herself at her slip up. The energy shifted in the room. Suddenly becoming charged. This phrase along with the car's heater had a warming effect on Deborah, who decided not to address it further. For the time being she focused on Ava's eyes. Their gazes met and electricity coursed through their bodies.
"C-come on. Help me." Ava was pulled out of her trance and instantly proceeded to assist the other woman. She grabbed her oversized sweater and lifting Deborah's arms she helped her cover her upper body. Now the rest of the dress needed to go.
The redhead grabbed the sides of it and pulled it down the rest of the way freeing Deborah's hips from it. Undressing her numbed her mind. It felt overtly sexual. Ava's hands began feeling sloppy. She felt her insides burning. Pushing a strand of red hair behind her ear, she braced for the second act. Dressing Deborah's lower body. She started by passing the sweatpants through the older woman's legs. When she reached her hips, Deborah made it easier for her, or harder depending on your viewpoint, and lifted her hips until the garment finally reached her waist.
Once they were done with that there was nothing to be heard but the slight panting from the struggle of it all. Gazes locked on each other. Both hyperaware of the tension surrounding them.
"Are you feeling better?" Asked Ava not taking her eyes off Deborah, not even for a second.
"Much." Was the simple response. The truth is that Ava's hand that lay forgotten on her lower thigh, created a burning sensation that did a much more effective job than the car's heating or the clothes ever could.
"Good." Ava almost got lost in her eyes until Deborah's look drifted to the hand placed on her thigh. Following her gaze the redhead suddenly realized where her hand was all this time.
"Oh God. Sorry." As if scorched, she abruptly pulled away hitting the back of her head in the process. "Ouch!" She reacted while grabbing the sore area.
Deborah was just watching the scene unfold satisfied with the reaction she got.
"Let's head home." Finally in control of herself Ava exited the car and went behind the wheel.
Home Deborah thought. Whose home was she referring to? She didn't know. She didn't question it either. She just let herself be taken home.