Work Text:
Melanie jolted upright to darkness. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but she did remember the nightmare of Wilford’s return.
“Melanie?” Ruth’s voice mumbled.
Shit. Melanie failed to steady her breath. She never fell asleep in Ruth’s cabin. Sleep was a risk. “I should go–”
Ruth’s hand grounded hers: a comfort she didn’t deserve. “You don’t need to talk about it, but I’m not letting you wander off to work like this.”
Despite how badly Melanie needed that distraction, her body wouldn’t budge. Instead, it leaned into the warm safety of Ruth's arms, the motion of Her train carrying them forward.