[[ milliways, upstairs ]]

[justdidntseeit]

[ "i think i should talk to demeter." ]

Kate eases open Boo's bedroom door, and she isn't completely surprised to see that Bill has fallen asleep with Boo curled on his chest, her head tucked under his chin. They're both snoring softly, a copy of Where the Wild Things Are rising and falling on Bill's stomach with each slow, even breath.

Smiling to herself, Kate pads across the room on silent feet and lifts the book from Bill's torso. Once it's back on the shelf, she carefully covers Bill and Boo with a spare blanket.

She doesn't want to wake either of them -- Boo played hard earlier, and Bill hasn't been sleeping well for days; the purple smudges under his eyes hurt to see.

She's closing the bedroom door behind her with a barely audible click when a soft knock sounds.

Her heart rate doubles as crosses the suite, but tension drains from her shoulders when she sees who's on the other side of the door.

"Demeter," she says quietly, stepping back and opening the door wider. "Come in."

Comments

[justdidntseeit]

'There's no easy answer.'

"God, I wish there was."

[wheatencrown]

"Shh, I know."

Demeter pulls Kate into a tight hug.

[justdidntseeit]

She returns the hug, and in this moment, she's never missed her mom more.

"Thank you for being here."

[wheatencrown]

"I won't go anywhere."

[justdidntseeit]

She pulls back, blinking hard to clear her watery vision.

"You've been such a good friend to Bill and me, Demeter -- and to Boo. I don't know how to begin to repay you."

[wheatencrown]

"You don't have to do anything to repay me. I love you all and that's enough."

[justdidntseeit]

Kate breathes a shaky, heartfelt laugh and shakes her head.

"I want you to help me drink all this tea and tell me how you've been since we saw each other."

[wheatencrown]

Demeter's smile is warmer and she pours out more tea and pulls out a warm loaf of bread,

"There isn't much to tell. I've been spending time with Kore since she'll be leaving soon."

[justdidntseeit]

"That's right."

Kate's expression softens as she trades her mug for a small slice of bread.

"I know it's kind of a stupid question, but how are you doing?"

[wheatencrown]

"Its been a long Summer, but I'm well just worried about everyone."

[justdidntseeit]

"You have to take care of yourself, too," she says, gently half-teasing.

(Of course, the irony of the advice isn't lost on Kate.)

[wheatencrown]

"I know, we'll find a way through all of this."

[justdidntseeit]

"We will," she says with a small nod.

We have to.

[wheatencrown]

"We will."

Demeter holds her tightly and rubs her back, sometimes words can only do so much.

[justdidntseeit]

Kate swallows thickly and nods into Demeter's shoulder.

They'll fix this somehow -- just like she and Bill agreed.

They have to.