Ina flopped on the couch, exhausted out of her mind. Her eyes were bloodshot, dark circles carving her face. She looked like she hadn't slept in an eternity. Pulling a cigarette from her pocket, she placed it on her lips while looking for the lighter. That's when River came out of the kitchen with apple slices on a plate. He plucked the cigarette from her lips before she could light it. 

"How many packets is that?" he asked, making her sigh. He placed the plate on the table and sat next to her. Ina gently leaned her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his hand around her and held her close.

"You should eat some," he said, pointing at the apples.

"Not hungry," she dismissed, closing her eyes. 

He just sighed, rubbing his eyes. He asked, "How did it go?"

River looked equally tired. Even though his hair was brushed neatly, his clothes crisp and clean, and his face shaven, it still couldn't hide his exhaustion.

"Okay, I guess," Ina replied without opening her eyes.

"Wait, Jane...has Jane woken up?" Ina questioned as she was about to get up, clearly dodging the question. River stopped her.

"She's still sleeping. I checked. Let her sleep, she hasn't had proper rest for a while," Ina nodded reluctantly and sat back.

None of them said a word after that. Time passed. The only sound was their breaths and the distant ticking of the clock on the wall.

Suddenly, Ina sat up, her eyes locking onto River's. The sudden intensity in her gaze made him flinch.

"River... do you trust me?" Her voice was low and fragile, as if the question itself carried weight.

He froze, reading her expression, then pulled her closer. "Of course," he murmured.

But the silence gnawed at him. At last, he asked, just as carefully, "And you...Do you trust me?"

Ina's head bobbed too quickly, almost frantic. "Yes. Of course. What do you think I'd do without you?" A shaky laugh escaped her, and she looked away, fumbling in her pockets for her lighter.

River watched her, the way her hands trembled. With a resigned sigh, he let her light the cigarette, smoke curling between them as the unspoken words hung heavier than the air.

They stayed that way, pressed against each other, until exhaustion finally dragged them both under.

__ __

There was a light knock on the door, making Ina stir in her sleep. River was still curled up next to her.

She got up and stretched a little, and checked the time. It was almost past afternoon. All of them had been sleeping for quite a while; even Jane hadn't woken up yet. She had yet to take the medicines, so Ina was frustrated. The knock came again, sharper this time. With a huff of frustration, Ina opened the door. 

And froze.

The sight of her was enough. Ina's chest caved, and she collapsed like a punctured balloon, sobs ripping out of her before she could stop them, collapsing to the floor as if her body could no longer hold the weight. Ina hadn't cried like this, even after hearing the news. It was as if grief had been waiting, biding its time, until Rui's presence cracked her open.

Rui leaned down and held her in her arms. Seeing her best friend break down right in front of her, she couldn't help the tears pricking her own eyes. She had never seen Ina break, not even in their worst years. Strong, steady Ina was gone, and this fragile version gutted her. Avy, who had come along with Rui, hovered, then knelt too, resting a hand on Ina's back. She had only met Ina a few times, but even she knew this woman to be confident and radiant. So seeing her unravel now was unbearable.

River stumbled in from the living room, hearing the sounds, blinking at the sight of them huddled on the floor. Without a word, he sank against the wall nearby, watching quietly, as though his presence alone might hold the pieces together.

At last, Ina's sobs slowed to hiccups. Rui cupped her face, wiping away tears with her thumbs.

"Come inside," River said gently, clearing his throat.

Ina only nodded, letting Rui and Avy help her up.

__ __

"I came as soon as I heard. I'm sorry I should have come earlier," Rui said, her hand squeezing Ina's as she let her lie on her shoulders. 

"It's fine, it was very sudden," River replied as he took a seat.

"How are you holding up?" Rui continued squeezing River's knee, looking at him.

"I don't know," River answered honestly.

"Yeah," Rui understood and didn't push further.

"Oh yes, River, you may not know, but this is Avy Whitlock. We work together," Rui introduced her.

Avy gave a faint smile as River nodded, returning the smile.

"Rui asked me to pick her up from the airport, so we came directly from there," Avy added, as River nodded.

"Oh, what am I thinking? Do you guys need something to drink? Tea? Coffee?" he asked suddenly, as he got up.

"River, relax, you don't have to serve us, we aren't guests," Rui stated, sighing.

"You came here in a hurry, and even she hasn't had anything since morning. I will at least pour you some orange juice," River left no room for an answer and got up.

"Um, I will help," Avy got up, following River, leaving the two friends alone.

"Hey you," Rui finally addressed her. Ina just hummed in response. 

"Have you calmed down?"

"Maybe"

"I'm sorry," suddenly Rui murmured, making Ina open her eyes.

"For what?" 

"For...everything," she muttered. Ina could feel her guilt from that sentence. 

"It's fine, you came as soon as you could." Even though Ina said that, Rui still looked very hesitant. She opened her mouth to say more, but didn't.

"Oh yeah...Jane," Ina suddenly remembered, as she got up.

"Jane is here?" Rui questioned.

"Yes, where else would she be?" Ina asked her, confused.

"Yeah," Rui replied, but there was something about her tone that Ina couldn't wrap her head around. She went to the bedroom, knocking lightly at the door. She entered the room as Jane stirred from her sleep.

"Hey," she called her, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"You have been sleeping for a while. How are you feeling?" she continued, as she helped her sit up.

"Tired, I guess," Jane replied as she leaned on the headrest. 

"You should get up and take your meds. Rui has also come."

"She's here?" Jane's eyes snapped open, too alert for someone who claimed to be tired. She pushed her hair back, trying to smooth it down, then hesitated.

Ina watched her for a moment, the way her chest rose and fell quicker than before, the nervous flutter in her hands. A thought flickered in her mind, sharp and unwelcome.

"Come on," she said softly. "She's waiting."

Jane swallowed hard, then nodded.

                                                                𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁