Stars over the Meadows

Dorcas Meadowes 

Dorcas is sitting in the owerly, hoping the odds would be in her favor and grant her the presence of the woman she despises the most. It’s been a week since she’s gotten back and this is her first time back in the owerly. She hasnt been in here in months, it gives her a bittersweet feeling. The memories shared with marlene fill the room.

As she sits there hopelessly, she looks around the room to look for any signs of change. Nothing.It sits just the same as it did months ago. She hears the old door squeak open, and there she stands. Marlene Mckinnion in the flesh, her hair cut short, her cheeks flushed, and he posture stands tense.

“Dorcas!” She says abruptly, she instantly covers her mouth at her loudness, their eyes meet once again Dorcas instantly feels her breath hitch in her throat. “I’m Sorry, I didn't think you’d be here. '' Her voice muffled under her hand fills the room. There’s  dried blood on her thumb that’s covering her lips. Dorcas furrows her brows as she analyzes Marlene.

She feels her stomach twisting at the sound of her voice . She hasn't heard her voice since that day in the supply closet. Marlene drops her hand from her mouth. She bites on her bottom lip to stop herself from talking. 

Dorcas finds herself staring at her lips  . She sits still, not a word coming from her mouth. Her hands lay on her lap and she has her jaw locked to stop herself from saying anything. Dorcas doesn't know what to say, even if she did she wouldn't want to cut this silence. 

“I should go-” Marlene mutters softly, turning her body away from dorcas.

“Your hair,” Dorcas says abruptly, her voice coming out quite , but Marlene still seems to be shocked by her tone. Marlene turns her body back to face Dorcas “Do you like it?” Marlene asks weakly. 

Dorcas nods shortly. Marlene gives her a small smile, Dorcas can see tears glossed over her eyes, it pulls on her heart to see . “I missed you cas” She whispers wryly, her voice cracking at the seams.  

Dorcas doesn't say anything, she can't. Words feel almost impossible in this moment. She can hardly breathe, she watches as Marlene stands there quietly. Not saying another word.

Dorcas stands up, her dress shoes creak from the sudden moment. She feels her heart beating in her chest as she levels with Marlene. She now stands a few inches taller , Marlene stares at her as Dorcas derecits her eyes to the scar on her chin. They stand like this infront of each other for a few moments. “I missed you too” Dorcas whispers sadly, her voice so soft she doesnt think Marlene even heard her.

Marlene's eyes fill up with tears, her fringe blows in her face as tears run down her cheeks. “Please dont cry” Dorcas whispers weakly as she watches  Marlene break down in front of her. Dorcas’s arms lay flat at her sides.

“Im-” Marlene hiccups trying to push back tears. “Im sorry” More uncontrollable tears stream down her cheeks as she apologies. Dorcas swallows a shaky breath, as she lifts her hands to Marlene’s tear soaked face.

She wipes Marlenes tears away with her thumbs. “Don’t cry Marlene , im sorry. Please Im sorry.” Dorcas asks of her delicatly, as tears start forming in her eyes.

Marlene edges closer dorcas, her chin wobbles doleful, her eyes glisten in the moonlit room. Tears still wet her cheeks as she gazes at Dorcas.  Her chest heaves deeply , reminding Dorcas to take a breath.

 “Im sorry for taking it out on you Dorcas, I just - I push people away, , Mary got hurt I couldnt-” Marlene stops when she sees a tear fall down Dorcas’s cheek. Dorcas takes in another shaky breath as more tears fall from her eyes. 

“You really hurt me . you know “ Dorcas mumbles surrowfully, she bites her lip to stop the trembling in her chin. She watches as Marlene opens her mouth to speak again,  “Im sorry. Cas  really I am” She repeats her voice cracks a splits apart in her apology.

 Dorcas feels her heart lay in display in front of Marlene as tears fill her eyes. A choked sob escapes from Dorcas’s throat as she drops her head onto Marlene's shoulder. Dorcas drops her arms to wrap around Marlenes torso as she weeps into her shoulder. 

Marlene wraps her arms Dorcas as she comforts her, leaning her head into the crook of her neck. They stand like this for a while until Dorcas’s  sobs dim down. She stays in Marlene’s presence for a while taking in as much as she can, she smells the familiar scent of Marlene McKinnon and feels her warm skin against hers. Her eyes are closed as she drifts off into her. Her tears are falling down Marlene's shoulder, as Dorcas’s wet face leans against her.

Marlene holds Dorcas’s shoulders as she pulls away. “I'd understand if you never wanted to speak with me again. And I know you said what happened before break didn't mean anything so i wont talk about it, but I- ” Marlene cuts off her words as She moves her hand to Dorcas’s cheek.

“ I love you “ Dorcas takes in the comfort of her warm hand pressed against her cheek leaning the weight of her face onto it.   Dorcas closes her eyes again as Marlene's fingers shake under her cheek. As Dorcas opens her eyes she sees Marlene open her to continue, but Dorcas interrupts.

“It did mean something to me.” Dorcas swallows a shaky breath as she remembers the sorrowful moment of leaving her love behind. “It meant the world to me,” Dorcas adds tenderly. Her voice coming out small.

 Marlene widens her eyes ever so slightly “It did?” Marlene questions softly, she blinks as if she cant believe what Dorcas is saying. Dorcas lifts her head from Marlene's hand and gives her a short affirming nod. 

Marlene smiles lightly . “I love you too ” Dorcas whispers, 

I love you, I love you, I love you. Marlene Mckinnion I love you

 The two don’t kiss they just fall back into each other’s arms, Dorcas rests her head on to of Marlene’s who’s head lays on Dorcas’s chest her arms wrapped around her waist, and Dorcas has one hand carding through Marlene’s short hair, and another rubbing her back gently. The two sway together gently melting into each other and they take in each other's presence.

***

It had to be at least two hours later. Dorcas is sitting back down on the floor of the owlery, Marlene’s head lays on Dorcas’s lap, Dorcas draws circles on Marlene’s back with her fingertip..

“I’m scared to leave,” Marlene whispers . “Hm?” Dorcas questions, edging Marlene to go on. “What if I leave and this is it? I’m not ready to leave you again” marlene sits up , turning her head to Dorcas, their faces just a few inches apart from eachother.

Dorcas shakes her head “This isn’t it Marlene” she whispers , Dorcas bringing up her hands to Marlene’s face, tucking in the loose strands of hair behind her ears just for them to fall back into her face. 

“It isn’t?” Marlene’s voice comes out so soft and cracked, Dorcas is sure if she spoke any louder it would’ve come out in a sob. “No,” Dorcas smiles lightly.

“Do you want to come to mine?” Marlene whispers wearily. “we don’t have to do anything else, just this” Marlene affirms, bringing her hands to Dorcas’s face as well. 

“Just this” Dorcas repeats. Marlene brings her lips to Dorcas’s forehead, planting a short kiss on her skin before she pulls away. Marlene stands up and reaches out her hands for Dorcas to hold onto.

Dorcas grabs her hands standing up as well, the two walk to marleness dorm hand and hand. Marlene shuts the curtain on her bed as Dorcas lays still as Marlene crawls next to her.

 On her way in she passed Mary and Lily sleeping together in eachothers arms. It had to be the first time in months Dorcas hadn’t sighed or grown upset at the sight of a couple.

Marlene lays beside her , the two look straight into each other's eyes. She lifts her hand to Dorcas’s cheek tracing along her face with her pointer finger. Her other hand interlocks with Dorcas’s.

“What happened to your thumb?” Dorcas asks 

“Bad habit “ Marlene whispers, pulling ether hand away from Dorcas’s, she  decricts her eyes to Marlene’s raw fingertips. “I can’t help it” . She lifts Marlene’s fingertips to her lips, planting a soft kiss over the broken skin. 

 “Oh. I’ve missed you” marlene confesses, tracing her fingers on Dorcas’s face. Dorcas closes her eyes as she keeps Marlene’s hand to her lips for a moment. 

“Tu m'as manqué mon amour” Dorcas mumbles against her fingers , Marlene's smile widens “what’d you say?” She laughs lightly.

“I’ve missed you my love “ Dorcas translates, she brings her hand to Marlene’s face as her other hand holds on to Marlene’s.  Marlene’s face instantly flushes, she drags her hand back to Dorcas’s cheek.

“I love you” Dorcas whispers back wryly, her heart pounding in her chest as she whispers the three sullen words .

“I love you too” Marlene whispers back, closing her eyes. She rubs her thumb against Marlenes cheek Dorcas knows at this moment she doesn't have to worry about their future. Dorcas Meadowes is here in Marlene Mckinnions arms and knows they'll make it work. 

“I love you so much. I’m sorry "Dorcas chokes out, she moves her thumb to Marlene’s scar. “I’m sorry “ she repeats tracing over the cracked skin.

 Marlene's chin wobbles under Dorcas’s thumb,  “I love you” Marlene mumbles . “I love you so much cas” she moves her hand to Dorcas’s and places Dorcas’s fingers over her lips. Planting a firm kiss on her fingertips.  She moves her lips down to her palm. Dorcas watches her slowly, following her eyes with the lingering kisses on her hand.

”Marlene” Dorcas croaks wearily. “I missed you” Marlene mumbles against Dorcas skin. Dorcas slowly moves her hand to cup Marlene’s jaw. As Marlene releases Dorcas’s hand , the two stare at each other for a moment. Silently waiting for the other to make the first move. 

Marlene moves closer, dorcas didn't thought they even had anymore space to fill between each other, but here they are moving closer. “I want you Dorcas” Marlene mutters. “Then have me” Dorcas says almost instantly. In a split second Marlene wraps her arm around Dorcas's waist. She’s the one to connect their lips together.

Dorcas seems to move closer to her, desperately moving her lips against Marlene’s. 

Ive missed you, I’ve missed you, I’ve missed you. Oh, how I’ve missed you my love. 

Marlene pulls away. “Ive wanted you to do that for months” Dorcas whispers. Marlene breaks out in a shit faced grin. “Ive wanted to do that for months.” She huffs a laugh.

Dorcas brings her lips back to Marlene’s. “Me too” she pulls away.

“I love you cas” Marlene whispers, bringing her hand back to Dorcas's cheek. “I love you” She repeats

Dorcas rolls over as Marlene moves to lay her head on her chest.  Dorcas brings her hand to Marlene’s newly cut hair, carding her fingers through her blonde hair. Marlene wraps her arms around her. “I love you too” Dorcas whispers back.

Marlene Mckinnion lies in Dorcas Meadowes arms, her body melting into hers as she listens to the beat of her heart. Stars cross over the Meadows as they hold on to each other, as all those years of rivalry and hatred seem to fade away . As if they had all been to lead up to this very moment. Dorcas loves Marlene and Marlene loves Dorcas and that’s all she needs to know.