"Nothing for you to worry about. I’ll handle it." Bette planted a kiss on her forehead. "Just these stupid pranksters." The brunette forced out a laugh.

Tina lifted up her head, taking in Bette’s facial expression. All she saw was guilt, worry anger and hope? She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Whatever Bette was hiding from her, she couldn’t deal with knowing the answer right now.

"I’m so exhausted." Her voice low and thick.

Bette nodded and the pair got into bed, both holding onto each other like their life depended on it because in actuality, it did.

———————-

Alice had came up with an excuse to get Jamie out of the house and when she did, she quickly dialed up Shane.

"Can I come over, can I? I just don’t want to be alone and Tasha is at work and Jamie left but she doesn’t understand and…."

Shane interrupted her. "Yeah, you can come over." She hung up.

"Rude much?" Alice spoke under her breath as she went into her bedroom and changed her clothes. Slipping on her shoes and grabbing her belongings, Alice was out the door.

~~~~

"Alice has arrived." The blonde flashed a smile when Shane opened the door. Shane couldn’t help but smile back and let her spunky friend in.

"Smoke much pot yet McCutcheon?" She asked snickered. The strong smell in the room engrossed Alice.

Shane took her spot on the couch as she handed over the bong to Alice who turned it down.

"I’m good."

Alice debated whether or not to tell Shane about her following text message but she decided not to. There was nothing there. Nothing happened with Clea and nothing would happen with Jamie. Tasha knows that.

"You know what, hand it over." She slipped her shoes off, getting comfortable on the floor besides Shane who was just laughing at her.

She needed a little pick me up, just something to forget for a while.

———————-

Tina opened her eyes and groaned. How long was she asleep? Looking at the clock on the bedside table, she got her answer. 30 minutes. Tina rubbed her eyes. Why did it seem longer?

She attempted to get out of bed but couldn’t due to Bette’s hold on her. A smile tugged on the corner of her lips but that quickly disappeared when she remembered that Bette was keeping something from her.

Tina was trying to give Bette the benefit of the doubt but Bette was making it hard for her not to worry. Tina hoped that if it was something big, something life altering that her partner would open up and share.

"I love you." She spoke out into the dark room as tears filled her eyes. Turning on her side to face Bette, she played with the curls on her face.

"I don’t want to lose you."

—-
"It was the coldest night of the year.
The war was on its way and we were waiting."
–Til The Casket Drops by ZZ Ward.