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Sam stared at her laptop screen. She scrolled through multiple articles and photos of Lara Croft. So much has happened to that woman in the past few years.
And Sam wasn’t a part of any of it.
Lara hadn’t said a word to her since they last saw each other. When Sam was in the hospital. It had taken quite a while to heal physically, but she knew it would take the rest of her life to even begin to heal mentally. But she wasn’t sure if she could do it alone.
Not without her.
Even though she had Lara’s number, Sam never texted or called. She gave Lara space, just like she was giving herself space. Three years was a little much, however. God, how she missed her.
More photos popped up as she continued scrolling. Many were from right after Yam- when they returned home. Others from not long after, detailing how “insane” and “deranged” Lara was about myths. Just like her father.
Except Sam believed her. They had lived through it. Sam became possessed by an immortal sun queen, how could she ever forget? She sighed.
More articles. More photos. The newest one she found was of Lara wearing a dress, her hair all done up, standing next to a relic. Her smile was forced and extremely awkward. It made Sam chuckle. The British woman had always been so stiff. Her muscles were defined as well, obvious. So were the scars.
Even after everything, Sam couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. She caressed her screen, sighing. Oh, how she wished they’d reconnect. But she had a feeling neither of them were truly ready.
Then again, how many times had Lara almost died for her? Almost died in general? Jonah still kept in contact with Sam, and the stories she heard just from him made her heart drop. At one point, she had found out that Lara sacrificed herself to save the fucking sun. Yet there she was, still standing. Strong and proud. Like she always was.
Because if there was one thing Lara Croft never did, it was give up. She was- is, a fighter. After… the island, her body kept giving up. The Asian woman lost count of how many times the doctors had to resuscitate her. And yet, Lara refused to die. Refused to give up.
She had made a promise. And they weren’t home yet, she couldn’t give up.
Sam glanced over at the kitchen. They had once shared this place. She saw herself and Lara dancing in the kitchen to random pop music. Sam, like always, had let loose. Lara, on the other hand, well…
Much like the photo, the brunette was painfully awkward with dancing. Sam didn’t mind. It was only them after all. All too soon, the illusion faded away. She wiped her eyes of tears.
She missed Lara dearly, and she hoped the archaeologist missed her as well. For now, though, she’d stay on the sidelines, watching and waiting.