Monday the 18th - Home
(Continues from yesterday's, Comfort)
In their arms Crona carried the box with all of their possessions crammed into it.
They felt the urge to go crawl into a corner as Marie opened the door to the lab and the smell of floral air fresheners and formaldehyde washed over them.
"Do you want any tea, or water? Or do you just want to see your room first?" Marie asked. Crona's hands tightened on the box, at the words 'your room'.
Crona's. No one else's. Not Medusa's, not the DWMA's, Crona's.
Unbelievable. They kept expecting to wake up, to be either back in the room under the school or in the room Medusa kept them in. Not here with Marie, half smiling expectantly, her wavelength glowing like the softly setting sun.
Crona realized they had been staring into space while Marie looked at them expectantly and blushed slightly, stuttering out, "C-can I see it? Now?"
Marie's smile grew as she nodded, almost more excited than Crona.
"Ofcourse!" She led them up the stairs to the top rooms of the lab.
"We weren't exactly sure how you would want it, so it's the one down the hall from Stein's and I's bedroom. If you don't like this one then we can always figure out another one." She snorted. "It's not as if we're short on space."
Crona nodded as Marie pushed opened the door, revealing the room inside. They took a few cautious steps inside, mouth half open, and eyes wide.
It was clean, free of dust and smelling like lemon. The small rectangular window, facing east was open and Crona could hear the distant sounds of crows and traffic. There was a small wooden desk and chair in one corner, with an old bookcase next to it. The bed was freshly made, the sheets a dark navy blue.
But the thing that caught Crona's attention the most was the large circular window, with a small bench jutting out from under it. It faced south and Crona could see the front yard and porch spread out underneath the room. And beyond that they had a perfect view of the school, rising up like a mountain, the candles flame even visible from here. It was beautiful.
They jumped when Marie softly brushed their arm.
"Crona, do you like it?"
For a moment, Crona gaped, speech escaping them.
A moment later, the box dropped safely on the bed, Crona threw their arms around Marie, and hugged her, startling them both. After a moment of surprise, Marie returned the hug, softly rubbing Crona's back as they shook slightly, overwhelmed.
"Welcome home, Crona."