𝐘𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐚.

It doesn't help the situation.

He doesn’t get to say that..

Sleep isn't much of a friend these days.

She drops her chin to Melina’s shoulder. Her eyes going closed, while she soaks up the physical contact. “Were you safe?” Yelena worries. She can’t help it. Seeing Melina always brings her right back to being six years old.

“You left… again.” She whispers, reluctantly stepping into her arms.

Just stares at her.

Hums to herself.

She can’t sleep. But what else is new?

She misses "mama".

She's just sat there, spinning a very sharp knife between her fingers.

Yelena had hurried for the bathroom after nearly cutting her index finger off. She just needed to get the bleeding under control, and it'd all be fine. "Just... peeing!" She called back, instantly knowing it was a dumb thing to say. If true, she would've ignored her entirely.

There’s a pool of blood on the kitchen island, with little droplets littering the floor. Yelena was trying to cut up some cucumber for a salad — but she’d gotten lost in her head.

Perfect. She should stay in there for… awhile.

The fact she even has to ask… Yelena scoffs.