Work Text:
Elizabeth Donnelly doesn’t really mean to bring Elana Barth home but when the phone-call comes in that Elana is losing her sons, struggling to keep her sanity in the process, she knows she has to look out for her.
Elana crumbles in minutes, the scent of whisky and fire on her clothes enough that Elizabeth moves to support Elana, letting her cry as they walk, placing Elana into the car before going back to the woman’s home, doing what she can to put the fire out before calling for Melinda, knowing she needed to get help.
Elana’s still shaking and sobbing when Melinda cleans her cuts and bruises, Elizabeth taking Elana home with her and making Melinda promise not to tell anyone else what happened. Melinda merely smiles, stroking Elana’s shoulder lightly before moving away with a promise to safeguard the woman.
It's only when Elana’s curled safely into her arms that she relaxes, Elizabeth letting out a soft sigh when Elana’s grip tightens, stroking her hair softly, the copper hair reminding her of the flames she already fought. She prefers Elana’s fire, her tender heat.
“Sleep Ela… I’m here now.”
It's a promise she makes easily, but she means it.