Jessica is hurt. Jessica is crying, just a little, and there's nothing Noelle can do about it. Now that she's been set down on the ground, Noelle can't reach her with her human hands, and the idea of Noelle's lower half touching Jessica more than it has to is repulsive.
At least Jessica seems to know how to take care of herself. Noelle watches her re-locate her shoulder, which might be one of the bravest things Noelle has ever seen. Jessica didn't even scream. Noelle wonders if Jessica also feels like screaming, all the time, or if that's more of a Noelle thing.
Noelle is totally unprepared for Jessica's gratitude. It's unfair, maybe, to keep expecting disgust from Jessica when Jessica seems to feel none of that towards her. Maybe Noelle can let her guard down a little, too.
Her shoulders relax. Noelle blinks away a few tears of her own.
"I didn't want you to die either." Noelle pauses. Can Jessica hear her heart pounding in her chest? It's so loud. "When we find Krouse again, you should stick with us. If you want."
cw: bone stuff
At least Jessica seems to know how to take care of herself. Noelle watches her re-locate her shoulder, which might be one of the bravest things Noelle has ever seen. Jessica didn't even scream. Noelle wonders if Jessica also feels like screaming, all the time, or if that's more of a Noelle thing.
Noelle is totally unprepared for Jessica's gratitude. It's unfair, maybe, to keep expecting disgust from Jessica when Jessica seems to feel none of that towards her. Maybe Noelle can let her guard down a little, too.
Her shoulders relax. Noelle blinks away a few tears of her own.
"I didn't want you to die either." Noelle pauses. Can Jessica hear her heart pounding in her chest? It's so loud. "When we find Krouse again, you should stick with us. If you want."