I
Bruises
Based on various screencaps I've been looking at (I don't know if I'm the only one whose noticed, but Tara's line of eyesight always seems to rest in an awkward place LOL) and the series seven episode 'Skin'. Just one of a few drabbles I plan on writing. Inspired by CasperFrench, whom I've never spoken to, but am very much grateful to for giving me the courage to post this. First ever Waking the Dead fic, so any comments much appreciated!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters or the show itself bla bla bla.
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It was at the oddest moments that Eve found herself staring. She'd be mid-sentence, and she'd find her glance shifting to rest in the most inappropriate places. Often the pink hue would come to her cheeks, and she'd quickly look away, but sometimes she'd forget that they weren't alone, and she'd continue speaking, meaning her gaze to go back to Boyd's eyes, but forgetting. She just couldn't draw them away. She'd sometimes forget what she was saying altogether and then would come the sound of a hearty laugh and she'd snap out of it, looking suitably embarrassed.
If she was completely honest, she brought it on herself. It was her own handiwork that she found herself staring endlessly at. The way the dark purples and blues and pinks swirled into each other on Stella's flesh. It was with fascination that she continued to look.
It started with alarm. She hadn't expected to leave such visible marks, and when she'd noticed them, she'd flushed red and made a mental note to apologize later. That, or tell Stella to cover them up, for her own sanity more than anything else. But then it had become a game. Spot the bruise. And Stella made it far too easy; wearing the lowest cut clothing that she possibly could within reason for the job they did. Eve only hoped nobody else noticed her eyes drifting. Keeping their relationship a secret was difficult enough as it was.
The marks, in some ways, also made her smile. When all else went wrong; when the case was driving her mad and Boyd driving her madder, she always knew that those marks would be there as a reminder of what she had to look forward to. What she had. Stella.
One morning, the marks had faded and Eve had nothing to look at, just a reminder of what she was missing. Until the test results came in, Stella had banned them from seeing each other outside of work. Eve knew what Stella really needed was someone to comfort her, but still she had refused. Comfort was never just comfort. They'd proved that back when this whole thing had started.
The day the results had arrived, Eve had held Stella as they both cried with relief, and realized that she never wanted to let her go. Her arms wrapped around Stella's waist, her thumbs brushing the skin between the hem of her sweater and the top of her slacks, Stella's face buried in her hair. They'd kissed, gasping at the realization of how much they'd missed each other, how much they'd missed this. If it weren't for the risk, Eve was sure they'd have done it right there, they were that desperate for each other's touch.
The next morning, Eve gazed happily at the dusky red patch on Stella's chest. And instead of embarrassment, she found herself grinning, whatever Stella was saying to Boyd and Grace fading right into the background.