A/N Hey there! This is my first Berena fic, as I'm pretty new to the fandom. I hope you all enjoy these little pieces! Would love to know what's working/what could use improvement!
A bookstore is where is happens; where the women bump into one another. Literally. Serena's nose is buried in a book of French phrases when she trips and collides against Bernie's sturdy form. Her bag drops and all of her belongings scatter across the floor. Serena blushes when she realizes what's happened, mortified at her own carelessness. When Bernie attempts to help Serena, Serena avoids eye contact and hastily gathers her things.
Serena tosses the book onto a table and rushes out of the little shop, her cheeks flaming and her eyes stinging. She hears the door open behind her and the bells chime as Bernie trots after her. She hears Bernie call her name, but she ignores it. Only when she feels the familiar touch of Bernie's hand on her shoulder does Serena come to a halt.
"Serena," the former military doctor sighs. She's been back from Kiev for a week now. Every day that she sees Serena at work, images of their kiss upon her return flicker in her mind. But she's been keeping her distance from Serena lately, giving her space. Though whether it's more for Serena's benefit or her own, Bernie's not sure. "Serena, please?"
Only because she doesn't wish to make a scene in the middle of the street, Serena turns to face Bernie. And just like that, her heart does a somersault at the very sight of the blonde woman; her lips are pressed together in a tight line and her eyes are filled with concern. A black scarf drapes over her chest as she stands with her hands now in both coat pockets, as if she's afraid to make any sudden movements— because she's afraid to make any sudden movements.
"Dr. Wolfe," Serena greets curtly. Bernie winces at the formality and looks down at her boots. When Bernie stays silent Serena nods and says, "Right, well, if you haven't anything to say, I'd best be going. I've left Jason waiting at home and he's quite—"
"I've missed you," Bernie says suddenly with closed eyes. Tentatively, she looks up at Serena, only to find that the woman is stone-faced. "I'm sorry. I- I should go."
Bernie starts to walk away and mentally chastises herself for her own foolishness. She just makes it onto the sidewalk when she hears Serena reply, "Is that all you've got to say?" Bernie turns around and watches as Serena walks towards her. "You've not said a word to me in days, not a single word. No calls, no messages." Serena scoffs angrily. "It's as if you've left all over again."
Bernie shakes her head. "I- I thought—"
"Do you know what the worst part is?" Serena cuts Bernie off in a huff. "I've fallen for you twice and you can't do me the decency of at least looking my way."
"Serena," Bernie murmurs.
"Here we are once again," Serena grumbles as she throws her hands in the air, "me groveling at your feet."
"I didn't mean to— I was trying to make things better," Bernie offers anxiously. "I thought to give you room. I didn't want you to feel…"
"To feel what?" Serena asks.
Bernie crosses her arms and shrugs, her bangs dancing across her forehead. "I'm sorry," she finally says. "I can't seem to do any of this right, can I?" she whispers, just loud enough for Serena to hear. And then, slowly, Serena starts to understand. Bernie's words fit together, and for the first time in a long time, Serena sees Bernie.
Serena's shoulders relax as she takes a step towards Bernie. "It does take two to tango, you know," she pipes.
"But it only takes one to screw it all up."
Serena glances around and suddenly remembers how public they've been. As strangers walk past, their wandering eyes giving away their curiosity, Serena feels her cheeks go red again. "Perhaps we ought to discuss this somewhere else." As if she's just noticed their surroundings, Bernie nods.
After considering it for a moment, Bernie makes the next move and closes the space between them. Her arms dangling at her sides, she slowly and carefully reaches for Serena's hand. She's longed for Serena's touch for days. But she knows how much she's hurt Serena; she can't bear the thought of doing it again.
When Serena doesn't reciprocate the gesture, Bernie does her best to hide her disappointment. Side-by-side they begin to walk back to Serena's parked car. But then, without warning, Bernie feels a hand slide into her hand. As Serena's fingers intertwine with her own, Bernie holds tight because this time, she has no intention of ever letting go.