Chapter Text
Carmilla
She woke up with a new sense of self as a slither of sunlight shone in her eyes, prying them open. Carmilla smiled softly to herself, the girl she loved so much and adored oh-so curled up in front of her, Carmilla's arm wrapped around her waist, Laura's hand intertwined with Carmilla's. It was so... Peaceful; a bliss she has never known before. She never thought she could love someone so much, in a moment. To love her frazzled hair, her sleepy eyes, the slight pout to her lips and soft breathing. How warm her body is pressed against Carmilla's. Carmilla rested her hand on Laura's scar and rubbed her thumb over it, feeling the rough texture. To love every single thing that makes up a being; every flaw (though she's blind to any that Laura may have), every freckle, every little piece on the inside and out of who they are.
The peaceful moment was soon disrupted when her phone started to buzz from a corner of the room. That's when it hit her, falling on her shoulders like a ton of bricks, smacking her across the face as if reality had formed into a hand just to strike her; she's moving. She's leaving Laura forever. No eventually's or maybe's; she's leaving.
Quick enough so she could get to her phone in time but gentle enough so she didn't wake Laura, Carmilla moved to where the buzzing was sounded, slipping her bra and underwear back on as she did so.
"Hello?" Carmilla murmured, her eyes trained on Laura's sleeping form, looking for any sign that she could be waking.
"Ah, you're awake. It's 7:15 dear; where are you?"
Carmilla's heart sank to her stomach.
"I'll be there soon, mother. Just, uh, saying goodbye." Carmilla said, holding her phone between her shoulder and her ear as she began slipping the dress back on.
"Oh, wonderful. Be home soon."
"Yes mother." Carmilla hung up her phone and pulled her hair out of the dress, making sure to smooth it out. Carmilla picked up her shoes and made careful steps toward the bed. She can't wake up her; she can't say goodbye. Once she says goodbye, that marks the final end to her journey. The final end to Laura, the best thing that had ever happened to her. Carmilla felt a tear stream down her cheek even though she smiled, staring down at Laura's soft features as she continued her deep slumber. This was it; this was the last time she's going to see Laura. And she'd rather see her in a sleeping state than to see her knowing she'll be gone in only hours.
Carmilla wiped away the tear falling from her cheek. She gently brushed the hair away from Laura's cheek before leaving a chaste kiss. Carmilla closed her eyes, reveling in the final moments. Some part of her hoped that Laura would awake, that she could say a final goodbye. But she had to go; she had to pull away as much as she didn't want to. Reluctantly, Carmilla straightened out her back, gazing to the girl she loved oh-so much before looking in the mirror. She looked different, somehow. Lighter but heavier all at the same time; the glow from last night still remaining but the dull from her impending doom slowly approaching darkening it. Carmilla's free hand touched above her collar bone, seeing Laura had left a mark there. By the time she's in Austria, it'll probably be gone; just how Laura will be.
Gone.
Carmilla closed her eyes, and started walking through the halls of Laura's home. She remembers attacking her father that night, punching him relentlessly. She remembers taking care of Laura when she was sick. She remembers waltzing in her kitchen at 2 in the morning because they both couldn't sleep. She remembers the one time Carmilla pulled a prank and pretended she accidentally cut off her finger, and how absolutely mad Laura looked but she was laughing.
As she exited the porch, she remembers sitting their that night, where she almost caved in and swallowed some pills. But Laura was there, Laura comforted her. She remembers sitting there after date nights where she didn't want to leave so they just sat there, rocking slowly, holding each other in silence. She remembers laying there, Laura sleeping on top of her as she called Lafontaine and claimed she's not leaving. That dream died fast. Carmilla shook her head, and continued the journey to her car. She can't leave Laura, but she has to.
Carmilla crawled into the back of her car, grabbing the spare change of clothes Perry made her keep in case of emergencies. Perry- she's going to have to leave her too. Lafontaine- they're going to be in Styria, but who knows if they'll even want to keep their friendship?
Leather pants hugged her legs and combat boots made a home on her feet, a white t-shirt draping from her torso. She started driving again, thinking back over this- over it all.
God, it started off so innocent in the beginning. She thought to herself. But everything always does, doesn't it? A quest of friendship and a hunger for knowledge on this girl with sunny brown eyes that blossomed into a relationship. How can I kiss you turned to I'd sleep with you, how I think I have feelings for you turned I think I love you. When was she like this? Beating up any one who dared lay a hand on Laura, anyone who tried to hurt her. Touching her scar, holding her at night. Kisses on her cheek to get her to stop smoking- god, how the time has passed and how they've grown. Will she even be able to stay cigarette-free? She's always been addicted to something; Laura was her drug. What's going to happen to Carmilla when she's gone?
Better yet, what's going to happen to Laura? Is she going to be okay in that house? Will she be okay with Carmilla leaving? I'll just be a memory some day. Said a voice in her mind. Someone she thinks about time to time, or maybe she'll see a stranger who resembles a bit of Carmilla and think 'oh yeah; her'. Then continue on with her life. She doesn't think she'd ever be able to forget Laura, who changed her in so many ways. God, she can't leave Laura like that; someone has to watch over her when she's gone.
Carmilla found herself calling Lafontaine as she drove, the roads seeming so empty, so lifeless as they paved the way to her home.
"Hello?" They answered after the fourth ring.
"Lafontaine? I need you to promise me something." Carmilla said, tears already welling inside her eyes.
"Yeah?" Lafontaine replied.
"I need you to promise me you'll look after Laura- and not in the way Perry does. Give her breathing room but be there to look out for her when you know she's going to do something stupid."
"Okay, but why-"
"Just promise me? And make sure she doesn't know you're looking after her, just do it. Just make sure she stays okay, that she does her best in school, that she never goes down into dark paths and that she's always safe. Promise me you'll watch over her? Be there for her always? If she calls in the middle of the night, if something seems off, if she isn't as talkative or starts shutting down. If something is wrong with her father- if anything is wrong with her. Just promise me, okay?" The tears started falling from her eyes now, faster than she intended. Rolling down her cheeks with no plan to stop.
"Yeah yeah. I promise."
Carmilla smiled sadly.
"Good." Carmilla wiped away her tears; she can't be a blubbering mess in front of her mother. It'll only result in something much worse. "I'll call you when I land in Austria." Carmilla said.
"Cool. And, uh, how did it go with her, by the way?"
Carmilla sucked in her bottom lip. She's already gone this far in lying; why stop here?
"It went great. I told her, and we said goodbye." She said, hiding the sadness in her voice as she pulled up her street, already spotting the William packing boxed things into her mother's car. He waved to her, and she waved back.
"Oh great! That's great. I, uh, well not completely great. But, uh..."
"Yeah. I know what you mean." Carmilla parked into her driveway, tugging the keys out.
"Hey. I'll see you one day, yeah?"
Carmilla sighed. "Yeah. One day."
Carmilla doesn't know if that's the case. She hung up her phone and bounced her head back on the leather headrest, closing her eyes as the tears flowed down again.
Eventually, cupcake. Eventually we'll see each other again. I promise.
Eventually.
Laura
The annoying sound of a bundle of knocks on her front door sounded, waking Laura from her peaceful slumber. As her mind started to wake, she smiled, recalling the events of last night.
"Hey Carm. Do you mind-" But her words caught in her throat as she realized the spot in her bed next to her was empty. She didn't stay the night? No, she must have; she wouldn't be up this early. "Carm?" Laura called out. She crawled out of bed, only seeing her own clothing on the floor. She started to redress, no piece of Carmilla's clothing anywhere. "Carm?" Laura called out again, though there was no response. Maybe that was her at the door, then. Maybe she left and came back; that would seem like something Carmilla would do. Get some 'post-sex victory breakfast' or something that's so stupid but so beautifully Carmilla. The idea brings a smile on her face.
Laura sluggishly walked out of her room, running her hand through her messy hair. She wasn't in the kitchen- or the living room. So she must have left. Laura smiled. Maybe when she went out and got herself locked out. Laura answered the door, but was disappointed when she saw Lafontaine there, holding a package of cookies and a 6-pack of grape soda.
"Hey L. I heard what happened." Lafontaine said apologetically, melancholy shadowing their eyes. Heard what happened?
"Carmilla... Told you, about last night?" Laura replied. She knew that Lafontaine and Carmilla were close, but she didn't know they were that close. She never knew Carmilla shared intimate details like that with Lafontaine. And even then, why do they look so sad about it?
"Oh. Last night? Damn. That's why you look like a mess." Lafontaine said. "Oh, I mean..." Laura shook her head.
"It's fine." Laura said. She leaned on the doorframe, drumming her fingers against the rippled wood. "Uh, so where's Carm?" Lafontaine's expression dropped.
"She... Didn't tell you?" Lafontaine said, their voice almost solemn.
"Tell me what?" Laura replied, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Oh that-" Lafontaine seemed to forget momentarily that she was there, but when they locked eyes again they looked pissed. "She's gone, Laura. She's moved to Austria."
Laura's heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.
Gone?