Valerie stirred faintly in Odi's arms, her lips twitching at the corners.
"I would always stick around," she whispered, her voice hoarse, barely there, "even if you are terrible luck."
Odi froze.
Then, a small breath of relief escaped her. "Valerie?" she gasped.
Valerie's smile widened weakly. "Told you… not that easy to kill."
A trembling laugh bubbled from Odi's throat, raw and sharp. Tears fell down her cheeks, but now they were mixed with a wild, disbelieving joy. "You stupid, stubborn witch."
"Guilty."
"You scared me to death."
"Eh," Valerie coughed softly, "consider us even."
Odi lowered her forehead to Valerie's, relief coursing through her limbs like a drug. "You better not die on me after that comeback."
Valerie gave a feeble grin. "Can't die. Not until I teach you how to braid your own hair."
Odi let out a sound between a laugh and a sob.
Then she kissed Valerie's forehead gently, her face streaked with dirt and blood. "Let's get you home."
***
