Clear as the sky, deep as the ocean
Even if she doesn't wanna wake up Gwen, Mildred knows she needs to. Touching her forearm gently, she squeezes it lightly.
Mildred - Gwen. Gwen, wake up. - The nickname sounds so natural coming out of her mouth. The blonde moves a little, but doesn't open her eyes. The nurse smiles. Gwen has an innocence Mildred never knew before. Her childhood has been marked for a lot of things, but she never met anyone with Gwendolyn's purity. Her eyes really are a reflex of her soul. Clear as the sky, deep as the ocean. Open, bewildering Mildred with her brutal, yet so subtle honesty.
Again, they're immersed in each other's gaze, till Gwendolyn's stomach decides to pronounce itself. They both laugh mildly and the nurse reflects if this is what being a child feels like.
Mildred - I was going to say I brought your breakfast but your stomach decided to take the first step.
Gwendolyn lowers her gaze with a slight smile in her lips. Mildred finds herself melting again at the sight and scolds herself, "Jesus Mildred, when did you got so soft?"
The tray has a croissant, orange juice (she may or may not had been looking everywhere for the oranges just to make it for the other woman because once she told her it was her favourite drink), some strawberries and two cubes of dark chocolat.
Gwendolyn - It looks delicious.
Mildred - I hope you like it.
Gwendolyn - I certainly will.
Mildred hates herself for blushing at such simple statement, though she can't help it.
She sits in the chair that was her "bed" hours ago. Gwen starts to eat and Mildred is glad everything is of her taste.
Mildred - The doctor who operated you is going to come here later to check on you.
The assessor nods while drinking her juice. Mildred doesn't miss the soft humming of approval Gwen does and gets embarrased as if the woman could know all the effort she put in it.
Gwendolyn - Are you going to stay with me?
She asks with such hope, it breaks her heart. No matter how many times her own heart has broken, she never likes the feeling of doing that to someone else.
Mildred - Well, I'm the head nurse, I need to check on everybody. But... - She adds before Gwen's face has the chance to fall. - I will come to lunch with you. Is that okay?
Gwendolyn's face shines again and she is so beautiful it hurts. She smiles and the nurse knows she did the right thing.
Gwendolyn - It's more than okay. Like this breakfast, simply divine. You truly are an angel, Mildred Ratched.
It pains her soul (if she still has one), the adoration in the blonde's eyes, the selfless admiration. She's closer to being a demon than an angel.
Mildred - I'm no such thing. I'm just doing my job.
Still, Gwen's smile doesn't fade. As if she wants to prove Mildred she's wrong. Like she sees something in her, something she herself can't. Like she sees more. The brunette can't help but feel attracted and scared simultaneously. She wonders if that's what falling in love is: always seeing something more in the other and that is what it takes to dive into the unknown even if it's terrifying because you have a hand to hold. And that, that is amazing.