What Are You So Scared Of?// Mildred x Gwendolyn
"It's not like living in your own home to be sure, but it has its perks." Mildred sat down beside the other woman on the foot of the bed. Her tone and face became serious. "He didn't hit you, did he?"
"No.." Gwendolyn shook her head. "He is a wonderful man, but I couldn't live a lie anymore.. I knew it was time for me to open myself up to something more.." She paused. "To experience a true, full love."
Mildred's eyes went soft and she emitted a small, "Oh." She stood then, making her way to the door. "I have to get to work, I'm going to be late."
Gwendolyn stood, “Wait,” She placed her hand on the brunette’s shoulder. “Mildred, what are you so scared of?” The question hit the woman like a ton of bricks, her body stiffened- flashes of Ms.Cartwright being boiled in the hydrotherapy tub and ice picks going through the patients’ eyes coming to the forefront. “You don’t have to be afraid.” She gently grabbed the nurse’s hand. “As long as I’m here no one will ever hurt you… ” Tears gather in Mildred’s eyes. Oh, how she desperately wanted to believe that- That she could be loved and looked after; To do the same for another.
“O-One of my pat-patients,” Mildred wiped the fallen tears with her free hand. “She said, ‘you don’t know what it’s like to be constantly running from who you are.’; Yet, I do… All too well. I can not stop thinking about you, Gwendolyn, you just,” She waved her hand, laughing somberly. “Pop up, everywhere I go... There you are. You say I’m scared… And I am, I’m mortified, I’ve seen how they treat people like us.” The last word seemed to reverberate in the small motel room, giving the nurse chills. “I can’t imagine them doing that to yo-you.” She admitted.
“I love you, Mildred Ratched,” Gwendolyn grabbed the nurse’s other hand. “I knew from the first day I laid eyes on you, that you are the woman for me. I am not scared, they can’t hurt me. I will spend the rest of my days protecting you...us… If you’d allow me. Please let me.”
The nurse squeezed the latter’s hands and thought for a moment, staring into her icy blue hues. Mildred leaned in and kissed the woman tenderly. Sending chills through the pair, all the cliches of ‘fireworks’ finally making sense for them. Gwendolyn let go of the nurse’s hands and entangled them in soft brown curls while Mildred’s arms found their way around the other woman’s neck, deepening the kiss. After what felt like an eternity, they pulled away breathlessly.
Tears welled up in Mildred’s eyes and fell again. “I would like that very much... Because I love you, too. I'm going to need to call the hospital- I'm going be staying here today."
