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“Ava,” Beatrice frowned, her lips twisting downward at the corners, as she glanced sideways to take in the soft profile of Ava’s face. Beatrice’s eyes traced the smooth line of Ava’s cheekbones and upward along the soft curve of her nose to the sleep deprived black circles etched into the skin beneath the younger girl’s normally bright honey brown eyes. “Do you… Do you want to share with me tonight?"
"I..." Ava’s eyes darted between Beatrice’s face and a spot over the woman’s shoulder as a light pink flush crept up her cheeks. “I wouldn’t want to… You don’t have to…”
“Ava.” Beatrice sighed softly as a fond smile crept its way onto her lips. “I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure—it doesn’t bother me at all.”
“Oh.” Ava blinked and swallowed slowly. “I… I haven’t really been… I mean, I might keep you up.”
“I know you’ve not been sleeping.” Beatrice murmured reassuringly. “The evidence of that is clear on your face.”
“Oh,” Ava frowned, “that noticeable, huh?”
“Mhm,” Beatrice hummed, “you’ve got rings going on that would rival a raccoon… or a panda.”
“Well, at least I’m cute then?” Ava said with a weary chuckle and a shrug of her shoulders. “I can’t get anything passed you, can I?”
“Not this,” Beatrice agreed, “so, you should stop trying.”
“I just…” Ava’s eyes dulled for a moment, “I didn’t want to be a burden… I…”
“You’re not used to having someone care about you.” Beatrice replied softly as she reached out to rub her fingers soothingly across Ava’s knuckles.
Ava laughed wetly, and Beatrice politely ignored the shimmer of tears that glistened in her eyes, as she nodded. “I’ve never really had a good experience with that.”
“I know.” Beatrice said. “You’re safe with me Ava, I promise.”
Ava tilted her head to the side and let her eyes roam appraisingly across Beatrice’s face. “I know.”