Work Text:
Natalie can’t say she’s surprised when Van comes to her trailer asking for concealer. It’s not a regular occurrence, but it’s one that was inevitable. A fat bruise adorns Van’s cheek, her eye is squinting in pain.
Quietly, Natalie leads Van through the tiny trailer, past her mom who’s conked out on the couch, beer bottle in hand. She looks at Van sadly. She knows what it’s like, to be hit. It hasn’t happened since her dad died, but she knows that look all the same. The sunken, shallow look. Her sunny friend, defeated.
“What happened?” Natalie shouldn’t ask, normally she wouldn’t question it. She would apply make-up gently and walk Van to school. Today, she can’t help herself. The bruises are too visible and Van is too broken.
“My mom.”
Natalie nods. She takes out her concealer, applying it lightly. She doesn’t have any color corrector so the bruise still shows through, but it’s faint. Faint enough that no one will notice or no one will care enough to say something.
When they’re done, Van pulls Natalie into a hug. “Thank you,” she says.
“Of course.”