Work Text:
While it was getting dark outside and most of her colleagues had already packed up and left, Pearl still sat at her desk, tapping a stack of books with a pencil while poring over some old texts, trying to translate what she hoped would be some ancient curse, or something equally exciting.
Her concentration got disturbed by the sound of her phone vibrating somewhere underneath some papers. Sighing, she sat up from her hunched position and stretched briefly, muscles sore and joints cracking. She really was getting old.
Pearl grabbed her phone and looked at it over the rim of her glasses.
Harriet [8:47 pm]: Hey, is Elle still at work?
Pearl [8:48 pm]: No clue. Haven't seen her since lunch
Harriet [8:48 pm]: Can you check? She doesn't answer her phone
Pearl raised her brows at this. It wasn't like Elle to ignore texts, especially from her dearest wife. If anything, it was Harriet who usually got an earful for not replying.
Pearl [8:49 pm]: Maybe she got an emergency at the infirmary. I'll go check.
Harriet [8:50 pm]: Thank you. Tell her to text me if you see her
Pearl [8:50 pm]: Yes ma'am
The professor sighed and looked at the stack on her desk. That would have to wait until tomorrow, then. She got up from her leather chair and grabbed her coat from the hook on the wall and pocketed her phone and keys.
She made her way across campus to the infirmary, where the night shift was busying themselves one way or another. Pearl leaned against the counter of the reception and tapped against its surface to get the attention of the attending Healer, who was immersed in a book. The woman looked up at Pearl, quickly putting the book down. "Professor Sunderland. Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Professor Lipson."
"Oh. Professor Lipson left about," the woman paused to look at her watch, "an hour ago I would say."
"Upstairs?" Pearl furrowed her brows. Eleanor had a door leading to her apartment, upstairs at the dorms of the students. Going home would take her no longer than a few minutes.
"No, she headed out the front." The Healer shook her head and shrugged.
"I see. Thank you." The professor turned around and left the infirmary again. It was a chilly autumn night. Not the best time to take a walk. She pulled out her phone and called Elle. No answer. "Where the fuck are you?" she muttered under her breath, as she put her phone back into her pocket. She had briefly considered to update Harriet, but Pearl didn't want to worry her unnecessarily. Instead, she headed down the path towards the main building, looking around. Only a few students were still out, going about their business. None of them would pay any mind to a wandering professor, so she didn't bother asking. Besides, if she had left an hour ago already...
By pure chance, something caught her attention. A small, glowing dot, up at the roof of the main building. Her stomach dropped immediately. Pearl doubted anyone had ever climbed stairs in heels as fast she did that night. Out of breath, she steeled herself before the door to the roof. She didn't want to startle anyone, so she opened the door carefully. Up ahead, as expected, she found a figure.
Eleanor.
She could tell by her silhouette alone. After being best friends for over ten years, she would recognise her, blindfolded, with her hands tied behind her back.
"Ellie," Pearl said softly, stepping closer. Eleanor wasn't wearing a coat. She just stood there, smoking a cigarette, unmoving and silent.
Pearl took off her coat and placed it around Eleanor's shoulders as she came up beside her. The brunette looked down at the campus, her wet cheeks illuminated by a waxing moon.
"What's going on?" Pearl wrapped an arm around her shoulders, noting how cold the woman was. "How long have you been up here?"
No answer.
Sighing, Pearl took the cigarette out of Elle's hand and took a drag, then extinguished it, dropping it on the floor. She was met with no resistance.
"Come on." The blonde guided her back to the door of the roof and all the way down the stairs, one arm always around her shoulders. Silently, she took the doctor to her office, lighting the fireplace with a flick of her wrist.
Eleanor didn't protest when she was gently pushed down into a chair near the fireplace, her gaze vacant as the flames reflected in her dark brown eyes.
Pearl took her phone and texted Harriet, letting her know that Elle was fine and with her. No details, for now. Instead, she poured her a glass of whiskey and held it out to her. Eleanor took it without so much as looking at Pearl.
There were many things Pearl could've said. Snippy comments about Elle having a bad history of standing on roofs, but this wasn't the time.
"I'm sorry," Elle all but whispered, looking down at the glass in her hand.
"Sorry for what?" Pearl crouched down next to the chair she was sitting in, looking up at her while gently rubbing her friend's arm; she was still ice cold.
"I didn't mean to worry you. I just needed some time to think."
"What were you thinking about up there?"
Elle shrugged lightly, bringing the glass up to her lips.
Pearl fell silent and brushed her thumb over the back of her hand. She knew that look.
"Is it getting worse again?"
Eleanor turned her head and looked at her, fresh tears running down her cheeks. That was all the confirmation Pearl needed.
"Get up," she said, straightening up herself. Elle stood, and Pearl took her place in the armchair, then pulled her into her lap. The doctor kicked off her shoes and pulled her knees up to her chest, her head resting on Pearl's shoulder.
Pearl tightly wrapped her arms around her. She felt so small, her wet cheek against Pearl's neck. "It's going to be all right, okay? I promise you. I'm here," Pearl said softly, pressing her lips against Elle's head. "I got you. I'll always be there."
She could feel Elle's warm breath on her neck, exhaling slowly as she began to relax.
"We'll get you warmed up and then I'll take you home, okay? Harriet is waiting for you."
"Don't tell her," Eleanor pleaded quietly. "I don't want her to worry."
Pearl hesitated. "We all just want to help you. Harriet included. She loves you. She'll be more hurt if you don't reach out when you need us."
She could feel Elle deflate at that. Elle was a sensible person, and Pearl knew the doctor was aware that she was right. Harriet would look right through her the moment she stepped into the apartment, anyway. It was a moot point.
"Can we stay here like this for a little longer?" Eleanor asked softly.
Pearl pulled her closer against herself, making sure the other felt safe.
"As long as you need."