Part 2 of 3, and it will be updated again on Tuesday :) (Though I might just make it longer, I'll be honest.)
Beta-ed by graceonce
Rated T
Mary shifted. She wanted to raise herself up to take a blanket to cover herself as a shiver ran down her spine, but the simple thought of her skin moving over her bones made her want to cry, and the longer she thought about it the more she began to imagine herself breaking down in sobs. So she let her body go without clothes or cover.
She was in more pain than she'd ever been. She'd cried through Lana's punishment, for both the brunette and for herself as she thought of the coming lashes that would mirror the reporter's raised skin, but Jude's anger had been minimal with the saphic woman.
Lana had been thrown out into the hallway afterwards, limping and wincing with every step she took, and the nun had slammed the door shut behind her before pushing Mary down over her desk forcefully.
And she'd taken all her rage out on the young blonde.
Every single ounce of it.
Frank had had to help her back to her room, supporting all her weight, and had helped her off with her habit, eyes dutifully raised to the ceiling as she'd dropped onto her bed, head at the bottom of the mattress and crying heavily. He'd left her, finding nothing else to help her with and unwilling to stay too long, fearing Jude just as much if he was found with Mary Eunice.
The entirety of her backside was covered in red welts, open and oozing blood and pus. Some ran down the back of her legs to her knees, one laid beneath her shoulder blades. That one had made her scream. The skin was raised if not broken over several inches and she could feel the warmth emanating from the wounds without having to reach back to press her hands to them. Not that she wanted to. She just wanted to die.
She flitted in and out of deliriousness and unconsciousness, knowing she was entertaining a fever, but she didn't dare stand to find help. So she dropped her head to the mattress and hoped it would pass, praying in repetition and biting at the skin around her lips, where her punishment came from.
She raised her head hours later, or maybe it was days, minutes? she wasn't sure, but she raised her head and watched as her door opened and as Lana tiptoed into her room, hand against the side of her mouth as she closed them into the girl's quarters, the inmates' cries falling flat when the door closed.
Mary groaned lightly before letting her head fall back.
"Mary." Her name was said in an awed whisper, confusion etched in the syllables. "Are you alright?"
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted-" The woman paused. "I haven't seen you since Jude's office."
"I've been here."
"Can you move?"
Mary shook her head, and the tears began to fall as she fought to stay still, breathing labored. Lana came to kneel before her, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
"I'm so sorry." The reporter whispered. She watched Mary push her cheek into the palm of her hand. "This is all my fault. Does it hurt? Oh God that's a stupid question."
She raised and Mary tried to follow her but she cried out, falling back onto her elbows and grimacing.
"Don't touch-"
"I wasn't going to." Lana assured her. She raked her fingers through golden locks and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She paused, heart aching. "The sisters said you were sick. Did they bring any ice? Or any medication?"
"Afraid." Mary stammered out, ribs hurting from the swelling. "They're too afraid. I'm a pariah until I heal."
"You won't heal if no one helps you."
Mary glanced up, eyebrows knitted in worry. "How did you get up here, Lana?"
"Frank looked the other way." The brunette breathed. "Now I know why. Do you have a bathroom?"
"Just a sink. The door to your left. What are you doing?" The sister asked as she watched Lana pick up a towel that she had hung on the back of her door.
"I'm going to take care of you if no one else will." The woman replied forcefully.
"You'll get in trouble."
"Only if I'm caught. And I would deserve whatever came my way for what happened to you."
"It's not your fault."
Lana glanced back at her as she wetted the towel with the coldest water she could get. "I started it."
The 'it' went without explanation and Mary found herself shaking her head, though she wasn't sure why. She wasn't negating her nor agreeing, but Lana let it slide. The brunette was just amazed that she could keep a conversation in her state.
She kneeled down at her side and after muttering a quick 'sorry', draped the girl's back with the ice cold compress. Mary began to howl, spine arching out and fingers clawing at Lana's arms. She quieted down moments later, whimpering at the sudden tortuous relief, hands still tight around the brunette.
Lana wasn't sure if she fell asleep from the exhaustion and pain coursing through her body or if she'd become unconscious with her nerves firing left and right, but she didn't want to wake her. Even though the girl frowned and yelped lightly in her dreams like a demon, she was still an angel, and the brunette couldn't help but sit on the hard concrete floor to watch over her that night.
The girl's fever broke around three that morning, with Lana changing the towel on both her back and her forehead several times in between, and when the brunette's eyes opened an hour later after an unfortunate nap, baby blues were gazing back at her.
She sat up properly, tucking her knees beneath herself, and pushed the girl's hair out of her eyes.
"You okay?"
"It hurts."
Lana's face fell lightly. "It's going to for a little while."
"But it hurts less. Thank you."
The brunette shook her head, choosing not to answer as she raised the soaked towel a few inches to look over her wounds.
"Lana?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you come here?" Seeing the brunette's confused look, Mary continued. "Up on the bed. I'm cold."
"Mary, I-"
"Please."
The reporter sighed lightly but raised up on her haunches and pushed at the blonde carefully until she gave way, groaning lightly at the effort it took her to move. Lana hustled in beside her, curled on her side and with her elbow supporting her head. Mary smiled lightly, her eyes half-closed as she watched Lana with her own chin resting against her forearms.
"Thanks."
"Stop thanking me." Lana sighed. "You should hate me, you know that? Detest me. Wish I'd never been born."
"I'm not much good at hating." Mary replied softly. "Especially towards the people I like."
The reporter looked up, almost alarmed. "What?"
"I know you're supposed to be insane but," The blonde shrugged. "I can't help but feel attached to you and the other inmates."
Lana deflated slightly.
"You most of all."
The brunette perked up, lightly willing her racing heart to calm itself. "Really?"
Mary blinked almost lazily before looking away, suddenly unable to look at her companion. "I kissed you back, didn't I?" She asked softly. "Didn't I?"
"I-" Lana paused. "Yes, you did."
"Or I tried to, at least." Mary's hid herself into her arms, a little laugh coming out. She closed her eyes. "What does it feel like?"
"What?"
"To kiss someone. Properly."
"I couldn't explain it. And I wouldn't want to tempt you."
"It might be the pain talking?" The blonde began. "But I want you to."
Baby blue eyes met a black gaze, both women searching the other's souls, and finally Lana leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, lingering there while Mary sighed. The blonde turned and in a move mirroring the one almost two days before, kissed her lightly on the lips, choosing to take the woman's bottom lip in between her teeth. She shifted, wincing as she did, to cup Lana's chin.
If Lana's eyes had been open they'd have rolled into the back of her head at the feeling of her tongue finally, deftly, meeting Mary's. She pulled on golden hair and Mary would have giggled if the reporter hadn't tugged so hard. Lana pulled away and pecked the girl's lips repeatedly before moving to press a kiss to her temple, moving to be closer to her.
Mary's head fell back against her arms as she breathed heavily, eyes closed in serene bliss and brows furrowed in light confusion, the two emotions clashing against her rib cage. She angled her head towards the brunette when Lana began to play with one of her curls, the two biting on their lower lips.
The blonde smiled. "That actually helped the pain."
