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Stelle’s heart pounded, her head banged. She sat on the floor with her back against the wall, her head in her hands as tears fell down her cheeks.
She had been cursing herself for the past few hours, completely and utterly angry with herself. All she wanted was for the tears to stop and the pain to go away.
The loss of Firefly had hit her hard. Even the loss of Robin had affected her too. It was one shock after another. All Stelle could think about who was next. Sunday? Acheron? Black Swan? Himeko? Welt? March?
She was afraid of going back to Penacony. She had hid herself away on the Astral Express in her room whilst everyone else remained there. Her mental state could definitely not handle that place right now.
Her thoughts were swiftly cut off by a loud bang at the door.
She tried her best to blink away the tears, using the sleeve of jacket to wipe them away too.
“H-Hang on!” she exclaimed.
But before she could even stand up, the door slowly opened. Stelle immediately turned her head away. She had probably just woken Dan Heng or Pom-Pom up with her sobs.
“Stelle…” well that definitely didn’t sound like Dan Heng or Pom-Pom.
She turned her head back to look at the intruder, “Kafka?” her voice cracked due to all the crying she had been done. She really hoped that Kafka wasn’t here for trouble because she definitely couldn’t handle it right now.
Kafka closed the door before walking over towards Stelle, “My Stelle…” Stelle noticed Kafka’s voice. It was soft and understanding, not like her usual strong and dominant tone.
Kafka wasted no time in sitting on the floor next to Stelle, her arms coming up to bring her closer.
Stelle wasn’t quite sure what Kafka wanted, but she wasn’t about to say no to a hug. Her own arms made their way around Kafka, the latter pulled the silver-haired girl into her lap. Stelle straddled her and buried her face into her shoulder, tears already beginning to stain Kafka’s clothes.
Kafka had caught wind of what happened. She had been paying close attention, so of course she knew about the quickly growing relationship between Stelle and Firefly. Kafka wasn’t usually the jealous type, but she couldn’t help but seethe upon hearing Acheron suggest that Stelle and Firefly were on a date.
She was well aware that Stelle had developed some feelings towards the girl, but she wasn’t going to scold her for it. After all, their own relationship wasn’t anything concrete.
But now was not the time to dwell on any of that. Stelle was hurting over the loss of a friend she already seemed close to and Kafka wasn’t about to make her feel any worse.
Kafka’s hand carefully rubbed up and down her back, her other tangling into her silver hair to hold her as close as possible.
“I’ve got you, darling,” she placed a gentle kiss against her head, causing Stelle to squeeze her tighter.
Stelle’s face was continuously being assaulted by the tears, her heart hammering against her chest causing her breathing to falter. She felt panic flow through her.
Kafka simply held her, hushing her softly.
“I’m not the best at… these things… but I’m here for you, Stelle,” Stelle cracked a small smile at that. She’d never really heard Kafka be awkward before so it was quite a surprise. The smile didn’t last long however.
Stelle wanted to speak, but her dry and sore throat refused.
“She seemed… like a wonderful girl,” Kafka whispered.
Stelle gripped harshly against the back of Kafka’s coat, afraid that she too would disappear if she let go.
The sobs from Stelle died down as the minutes passed by. She had been at it for so long she didn’t even know the time, her body felt exhausted.
Kafka had been gently rocking her. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but she had the biggest soft spot for this silver-haired girl in her lap. Her heart ached seeing her in so much emotional pain.
“There we go, darling,” her hand rubbed a final soothing circle at the bottom of Stelle’s back, “Now… Lets have a look at you,” Stelle reluctantly pulled away slightly, moving her hands to rest on Kafka’s shoulders.
Stelle’s face was red, there were bags under her eyes and tears had stained her cheeks.
Kafka offered her a soft smile, trying to reassure her, “It’s okay now,” she raised a hand and cupped her cheek, rubbing softly with her thumb.
Stelle shook her head, already fighting back the next onslaught of tears, “I-I could’ve saved her… I could’ve-”
Kafka quickly moved her finger to Stelle’s lips, hushing her, “There’s no point in dwelling on the past, darling. You did your best and that’s all that matters,” she dropped her finger, going back to cup her cheek. She leaned in a gave a soft kiss to the corner of Stelle’s mouth, “It’s not your fault.”
She moved back in to bury her head against Kafka once more.
Laughing softly, Kafka stroked the girl’s hair, “Now… I think it’s about time you got some rest. Are you going to stand up or am I going to have to make you?”
Stelle simply clutched around her harder.
Kafka sighed, “Okay then,” she braced one hand against the wall and the other securely around Stelle. She pushed off of the wall and somehow managed to stand up with Stelle still holding on, her legs had wrapped around Kafka’s waist, “Have you always been this heavy, darling?” her voice was clearly strained but she tried her best to walk.
Stelle whimpered when Kafka placed her onto the bed and pulled away.
“I’m not going anywhere, Stelle,” she promised, “But we do need to get you out of these clothes. I refuse to let you sleep in such a condition.”
The pair both got dressed into something more comfortable, Kafka borrowed something from Stelle. It was slightly baggy on her but she wasn’t complaining.
“You… You’re staying here?” Stelle’s voice was quiet, almost hopeful.
“Of course I am. What kind of partner would I be if I were to leave you here and wallow in your own misery?”
Stelle was simply shocked. She had never seen Kafka be this soft around her so it was quite a surprise.
She shifted awkwardly on the bed, kicking her feet over the edge, before looking up at Kafka, “I… I don’t want to be a burden. You don’t have to stay-”
Kafka rolled her eyes before strutting towards her. She wasted no time in straddling the taller girl’s lap, Stelle froze and gulped at the contact, her shaky hands somehow managed to plant themselves on Kafka’s waist.
“I don’t want to ever hear you talk about yourself being a burden again. Okay? I won’t have you talking bad about my girl,” she smirked at Stelle, twirling a finger into her hair.”
Stelle nodded with a slight smile, “Okay.”
“Good girl,” Stelle’s heart flipped upon hearing those words. Kafka leaned in to kiss her softly. The kiss barely lasted a few seconds, despite Stelle’s protests, “As much as I would love to continue this, darling. What you need right now is a good rest.”
After Kafka removed herself from Stelle’s lap, the pair both got into the bed. Kafka immediately wrapped her arms around Stelle, the latter buried her face into Kafka’s chest and put her own arms around her. She let out a deep sigh in content, immediately tangling her legs with Kafka’s trying to get as close as possible.
Kafka chuckled, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Mm…” Stelle hummed in response, finally starting to allow herself to relax.
“Although… If any of your colleagues find out I’m here, I’m taking no responsibility.”
Stelle didn’t care at this point. All she wanted was Kafka, Kafka and Kafka. If any of her friends had anything negative to say then she would deal with it at a later time.
There was a moment of silence, the only noise being Stelle’s laboured breathing.
The thought of Firefly was still gnawing at the back of head, the silence around her allowing her to think about it once again.
“Shhh…” Kafka started to realise Stelle’s distress, “You’re okay…” her fingers tangled in her hair, scratching her scalp. Stelle groaned in response, “I promise I’ll be here when you awake, Stelle.”
Kafka never stays. Stelle felt her heart swell hearing how much Kafka actually cared for her.
Finally, her eyes closed. She knew this wouldn’t be the last day she’d cry over Firefly, but perhaps it would be easier if she could convince Kafka to stay for a few more days.
Kafka’s next words were barely audible, but Stelle was glad she heard the quick ‘I love you’.
A tear slipped past her closed eye before she passed out, hopefully going to a better dream than the ones she’d had in Penacony.