Work Text:
Barbie Wire spent some extra time on her apartment's balcony after today had ran its course. Despite the shitty day, Barb managed to resist the urge to relapse. She disposed of the H-8, letting the wind carry the blue powder away. She smoked a cigarette to try and calm her nerves, and one more for good measure before heading back inside. Barb slowly walked towards her and Kendra's shared couch to rest.
"I don't think this fuckin' day can get any worse...", she muttered to herself, mentally exhausted. Incessant thoughts about never being able to do anything right, forever being a failure, not deserving of her girlfriend's love tormenting her psyche. It was getting late, so Barb attempted to close her eyes and rest. But that provided nothing but a brief solace from the maelstrom of negative thoughts swirling in her head.
Kendra was still outside their apartment door, leaning against a wall, her own mind being flooded with negative thoughts. Her girlfriend lost another job, she's possibly relapsing after she said she was going clean. Kendra even began questioning why she was still in this relationship at all.
"Would it be better for the both of us if we finally went our separate ways...? No, we've made it this far. We'll make this work.", Kendra had calmed herself enough to look at their dismal situation with a clearer mind. She gathered herself and her thoughts and quietly opened the apartment door.
"Barb? Are you still awake?", Kendra quietly inquired as she peeked her head inside the door. No response. She saw Barb sitting in her lonesome on the couch, so she decided to join her girlfriend's side. As Barb felt movement on the cushions near her, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Oh, hey, babe... must not have seen you come back in. Are you still mad at me?", Barb groggily spoke, her mind still in a haze. Kendra moved a little closer, placing her hand over her girlfriend's. She started to gently rub the back of Barb's hand, eliciting a slight smile from the tired imp.
"Actually, Barb, I wanted to talk about what just happened.", Kendra spoke softly. She tried to use a tone that wouldn't be misconstrued as accusatory. Barb looked away, now worried what her girlfriend meant by this.
"Look, if you wanna break-up, just come out and say it. I'm honestly surprised you haven't yet. I deserve it, especially after today...", Barb's self-hatred was starting to rear its ugly head. She was now steeling herself for the worst possible outcome.
"I don't want to break-up, Barb. I really don't. I just needed some time to cool down. Some time to realize we've been here before, many times, and we've always managed to overcome. This time will be no different.", Kendra's words and tone were a lot more hopeful than Barb was anticipating. That managed to ease the tension in her mind by a small degree.
"Be honest with me. Am I just a burden...? Are you staying with me just out of pity?", despite avoiding the worst possible outcome, Barb was still unsure whether she could trust her girlfriend's words. Kendra knew she was entering a veritable minefield. So she chose her next words carefully.
"Honestly, Barb? Yes. You are a burden. A massive one, in fact. You keep losing jobs where I personally vouched for you. That puts a strain on our finances and our relationship. You seemed to have relapsed when you promised me you wouldn't... still, you've shown me how gentle, soft, warm and intimate you can be with your love. I don't want to lose that.", even though she asked for honesty, Kendra's words still stung Barb, like fine needles piercing her mind. Kendra looked down and saw that dime bag of H-8 from earlier, now placed on her lap. It was empty.
"Just so were clear: it was some old shit. You didn't see it, but I dumped it over the balcony. I really am trying my damnedest to go clean. I'm not going back to that. And I'm not just doing it for me. I'm doing it for you too.", Barb attempted to smile, to reassure Kendra she was kicking her worst habit. Kendra gazed deep into Barb's eyes for several seconds, scanning for any signs of deception. She couldn't find any, and she smiled back. A wave of relief washed over her. Kendra held Barb's hand in her own, interlocking their fingers as she nuzzled against her girlfriend's cheek.
"That was something I forgot to mention: You're always trying. Overcoming an addiction is not easy. The temptation is always there. You're so strong, Barb. I hope you know that.", Kendra spoke not from a place of familiarity, but one of understanding. An understanding of her girlfriend's greatest struggle. A never-ending, lifelong struggle. As she pulled back a little, Kendra was surprised to see a single tear streaming down one of Barb's cheeks. She was obviously trying to stifle her cries as well.
"F-Fuck... I didn't think I was gonna cry today too. It's always gonna be a struggle. But, with you here, it makes this struggle a lot more bearable. I would be in a much worse situation without you in my life. I'll never be able to say how much your love and support means to me. I don't wanna lose you", Barb was now on the verge of tears. She reciprocated Kendra's affectionate gesture, lovingly rubbing her cheek against her girlfriend's. The pair were then face-to-face, nuzzling their noses against one another.
"It's okay to cry, Barb. You're clearly holding a lot of bottled-up emotions inside you.", Kendra said these soothing, reassuring words as she embraced her girlfriend tightly, both arms wrapped around Barb's back. Barb finally broke down and cried wholeheartedly, not holding any of her emotions back. Hearing her girlfriend finally venting her pent-up emotions, Kendra couldn't help but join in as well. The two girlfriends were sobbing in each other's warm embrace. Both of them acting as an emotional anchor for the other. Minutes passed like hours until the two had calmed themselves. They nuzzled against each other's shoulders in their hug. They were both smiling warmly, tears still wet on their cheeks.
"I love you, Kendra, more than anything. You've never given up on me, so I won't give up on me either. I'll keep on trying and trying to make this relationship work, no matter how difficult it gets.", Barb broke the silence with a reaffirmation of her commitment to her partner. She again gazed deep into her partner's glowing eyes. She cracked a heartfelt smile. A thank you without words.
"I love you too, Barb. And I'll try my best to do my part as well. I want the same thing as you: to make our relationship work. We've come so far, and I don't want either of us to stop now.", as Kendra finished speaking, the pair leaned in close. They could both feel the other's warm breath on their lips. Almost instinctively, their lips pressed softly together. This kiss was gentle, intimate, one indicative of the deep love they shared. Barb transitioned to laying across the shared couch. Kendra sprawled her body over her girlfriend's, kissing Barb's forehead marking. She was soon resting her head against Barb's shoulder. Barb smiled softly and draped one arm over Kendra. After today, it didn't take long for the two of them to be fast asleep, hoping for better days ahead.