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“I’m the Warrior Nun,” Ava smiled brokenly as she reached up to press her trembling palm against the smooth plane of Beatrice’s cheek, “this is what I’m meant to do.”
“No,” Beatrice whimpered, “you… You’re not meant to do this.”
Ava chuckled, the sound wet and twisted in her throat, as she brushed her fingers across the gentle curve of Beatrice’s jaw. “I’m sorry.”
Beatrice turned slightly to nuzzle her nose into the soft skin of Ava’s palm before she pressed a tender kiss to the broken skin. “You’re important too, you know, you—Ava—your important too.”
“Not to them,” Ava smiled, “the world needs the Warrior Nun, it doesn’t need Ava.”
“I do.” Beatrice said, “I need Ava.”
“I’m yours.” Ava promised.
“Then,” Beatrice let her body bend until her forehead rested lightly against Ava’s temple, “don’t give up. Don’t let go. I’m here, I’m here and I’ve got you, and the Halo’s just recharging but you’ve got to hold on.”
“I…” Ava felt the heat of Beatrice’s breath against her skin, breathed the scent of her sweat and her shampoo into her lungs, and shuddered at the weight of love that settled in her heart. “I need you, Bea.”
“You’ve got me.” Beatrice swore—promised, vowed, pledged—with a kiss to the bloodstained skin of Ava’s forehead. “I will never leave you Ava. There’s no power on this Earth, or any other, that could make me leave you.”
“It hurts Bea… It hurts so much.” Ava whimpered as she tried to curl her body into the comforting heat of Beatrice’s embrace.
“I know Darling,” Beatrice murmured, “I know, but you’ve got to hold on for a little while longer. Help is on the way—our sisters are on the way—Camila and Lilith are already clearing us a path out of here. We’re going to go back to the mansion, and once we’re there you can rest.”
“No morning training tomorrow?” Ava said with a tentative trembling smile.
“No morning training.” Beatrice agreed. “In fact, you get to sleep in tomorrow, and I’ll even bring you breakfast in bed. Maybe waffles… or perhaps those pancakes that you really liked that Hans introduced us to?”
“Cuddles.” Ava muttered tiredly. “I want morning cuddles.”
“Of course,” Beatrice smiled, “morning cuddles for my saviour. Rest Ava, I’ve got you. You're safe now.”