Chapter Text
Laura followed Carmilla’s gaze and spotted the Dean stood in the aisle with the gun in hand. Carmilla was still stood in front of her, shielding her, but Laura would be damned if she let the Dean harm another hair on Carmilla’s head.
However, the Dean was already moving rapidly toward the stage and had now lifted the gun, aiming it at the two women.
She was shouting something like ‘mine’ Laura thought, but her attention was now fully on protecting Carmilla, just as Carmilla’s was on protecting her.
It seemed as though Carmilla was content with just taking a bullet for Laura, making some noble sacrifice, and while Laura appreciated the gesture, she wanted both of them alive. She couldn’t go on without her.
So she practically rugby tackled Carmilla to the side of the stage, hopefully powerfully enough that they would land out of sight, in the wings. Just as she made contact with Carmilla, however, a gunshot went off.
Laura landed on top of Carmilla with a grunt, and when she opened her eyes they were in complete darkness. The curtain had been closed.
Will burst through the curtain nursing very red knuckles.
“Is everyone alright? Where’s Carmilla? I just knocked the Dean clean out but she managed to shoot before I got to her.” His voice came through the darkness, the panic apparent in his voice.
Laura smiled. “You hear that Carm? Will just KO’d the Dean.” She said to the girl underneath her.
It was only when Carmilla just moaned in pain that Laura started to worry. She flipped Carm from being on her stomach so that she was now lying on her back. The writer gasped when she saw her face.
There was a thin, striking red slash across Carmilla’s right cheekbone, and blood was flooding from it. The bullet must have just caught her.
“Somebody help! I need a bandage, a cloth, anything! And get the doctor.”
Laura was straddling Carmilla but moved off to lie next to her when Perry ran over with fresh bandages. The redhead held a damp cloth to Carmilla’s cheek and she winced in pain.
“Carm, it’s okay baby, you’re going to be okay.” Laura ran her fingers through the other woman’s dark hair and kissed her forehead.
“I’m sorry, Laura.” Carmilla wheezed out, clearly exhausted and in pain.
“Shh. Shh. Don’t talk. We have plenty of time for me to shout at you.” Laura smiled through newly formed tears.
Carmilla smiled at that. “Does it make me sexier?”
Laura’s brow knitted in confusion. “What?”
Even Perry, who’d been inwardly fretting up until now, seemed amused and confused.
“The huge gash in my face, cupcake. Does it make me sexier?” Carmilla said, exasperated at Laura’s puzzlement.
When Laura cottoned on, she smiled wide. “Absolutely.”
***
“Hi, beautiful.” Laura stood in the doorway of her apartment. Carmilla was sat at the window, reading a book. She looked up and grinned when she heard Laura’s voice. The sunlight from outside highlighted the right side of her face, illuminating the bright red scar, the reminder.
The scar was big and beautiful, but it still paled in comparison to that beautiful smile. Laura crossed the room, passing boxes and boxes filled with all of the writers’ possessions, and some of Carmilla’s.
Carmilla lifted her legs and Laura sat down in the free space. Then the taller woman was sat in her lap and Laura was quick to wrap her arms around her waist.
“You’re supposed to be packing, not reading.”
“I did pack! A whole box, actually, but it’s okay, I’m no hero.” Carmilla said with a wink.
“Oh, well, excuse me. I just-“ Carmilla cut her off with a kiss.
“Please don’t start shouting again. I’ll do it, I promise.”
“You make me sound like a nagging wife! And you are a hero.” Laura said with sincerity.
“That’s funny, because all my efforts to save your life have landed me in nothing but trouble with you…” The dark-haired girl teased.
“I mean, save my life as much as you want, that’s not a problem. It’s just your methods I disagree with.” Laura hadn’t meant it in a serious way, but the look of guilt on Carmilla’s face made her wish she’d worded that sentence better.
“I’m sorr-“ Carmilla started.
“-Don’t you dare. We’ve talked about this. You were trying to save me. You were hurting too, Carm.”
“I just hate what I put you through.”
“You did it for the right reasons, you know you did. But, I suppose if you really wanted to make it up to me, I have something in mind…”
Laura was about to suggest something incredibly inappropriate, to keep the mood light, but stopped when Carmilla took her hand and brought it to her mouth. She looked into Laura’s eyes and pressed her lips to the back of the writer’s hand. “Anything.” She whispered.
Laura wished there was a way to rid Carmilla of her remorse. It was so misplaced. Laura would have done the same thing in her position. It had been over a week since opening night, and while they were happy and in love, Laura knew that Carmilla was still carrying all this guilt.
Telling Carmilla to not feel guilty evidently wasn’t working, so she decided to go along with it.
“Tell me you love me.” Laura stated.
Carmilla looked lost at the simplicity of it and Laura had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.
“Laura, that can’t be-“
“Everyday. Whenever you feel it, or think it. Even if I’m mid-sentence or I’m writing, tell me you love me. If you can’t sleep and you want to tell me then wake me up. Don’t ever let me doubt your love, and I’ll never give you a reason to doubt mine. Deal?”
Carmilla nodded and small smile reached her face. “I do love you. Always.”
***
Dear LaFontaine and Perry,
Well, we arrived in the States safely. The boat ride was incredibly long and a grumpy and bored Carmilla did nothing to improve the situation. However, when the boat docked Carmilla’s new agent, Matska Belmonde, welcomed us and Carm seemed to perk up (for reasons I will never know).
She seemed much nicer when she approached us back in Paris, the day after Opening Night, and offered Carmilla and me jobs here in America. It actually turns out that she’s just as snarky as Carmilla, and the two hit it off immediately. On my part however, I think she’ll take some getting used to.
Anyway, I’m writing you this letter (on MY OLD TRUSTY TYPEWRITER which Carm bought back for me) to say thank you. Both Carm and I felt our goodbyes were rushed, and we owe you both so much. That goes for Kirsch and Danny as well (tell them we say hello).
Also, congratulations on your engagement! I’m so happy for you, so is Carm but she is also incredibly smug, and would like me to tell Perry that ‘She told you so!” Sorry Perr, I got her back by informing her that I’m waiting for her to propose next, she quickly went silent aha!
We hope that the Dean-free Moulin Rouge! is treating you all well, and that you’re keeping William in line. That place is better off in your hands, LaFontaine - you deserve it.
I’ll wrap this up, as I need to get started on the first draft of my book. Carmilla doesn’t start rehearsals for another week but she’s got plenty of unpacking to do while I work.
I promise that when the book is finished I’ll send over a few copies to you guys first.
I can’t wait to tell the world our story.
All my love,
Laura Hollis (soon to be Karnstein, I hope!)
-This is Carmilla. I just want it to be put on record that Laura Hollis is not easily pleased. I just bought her a typewriter, unpacked a whole two boxes and now she wants marriage. Send help.