Apartment Melodies (ch8)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!

I don't even wanna talk about the recent episode... just... take this...

Disclaimer: I do not own Carole & Tuesday.

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														Chapter 8.

Recently, Carole has noticed that Tuesday seems to be a little more distracted lately. With the arduous work on their album, along with news about Valerie's election constantly flooding the media, it seems like Tuesday is smiling a little less.

Carole just wants to do something for her, that's all.

So on their day off when they have no recording or interviews to worry about, Carole urges Tuesday out of the apartment for lunch.

"It's a really nice place," she says presently, skipping along beside her partner. "There's a second floor, and you can dine out on the balcony."

Tuesday keeps her head down as she walks, and her response is half-hearted, lost in thought.

"That sounds nice."

Carole pouts to herself, then takes a step closer. Slowly, she curls her fingers around Tuesday's.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right Tues? I'm always on your side, no matter what."

Tuesday finally lifts her head for what seems to be the first time all morning and cracks a weak smile.

"Yeah. Thanks, Carole."

Carole squeezes her hand.

"Don't mention it."

The day is warm and bright as they continue on toward the restaurant. To Carole, it seems like more people than usual are saying Valerie's name around them, and more screens have her voice and image on them. Carole grits her teeth and tries to keep Tuesday distracted from it all with random conversation.

When they finally arrive, Carole takes them to the top floor of the restaurant and onto the outside balcony that overlooks much of the city. She nudges her foot against Tuesday's from across the table and encourages her to browse the menu and order.

Carole steers the conversations back toward their music, because that's one thing she knows for certain makes Tuesday happy.

Their food arrives, and Tuesday eats little by little, joining in on the discussion of their songs more and more by the minute.

They talk about Tobe and Gus and Roddy and Angela, and anyone else in between.

They talk even long after their empty dishes have been taken away and the bill has been paid.

At the end of it all, Tuesday is laughing.

"You- You can't be serious!" she giggles.

"I swear!" Carole wraps up her story and drinks in the fruits of her efforts; Tuesday's smile. For some reason it feels like it's been a long time since she's last heard Tuesday laugh genuinely.

When her roommate finally catches her breath, Carole feels they've been loitering at their table long enough.

"All right then, whadda you say we head back? We could stop by the lake and sit for a minute."

Tuesday smiles. "I'd love to."

After a couple of rough days, Carole feels accomplished now that Tuesday seems to be feeling better. She gets up from the table, already thinking about what other little things she might be able to do for her for the rest of the day. She's considering buying her a new notebook if she can find one-

And the next thing she knows, the building is trembling beneath her boots.

A deafening explosion cracks the air as flames and smoke erupt somewhere in the distance. An instant, heavy dread grips Carole from head to toe, freezing her for a horrifying instance. Shouts rise up, and all around the city, alarms begin to blare.

For a second, nothing feels real. It's as if she can't actually see or hear or feel anything-

Until she hears one scream in particular.

"Ah-!"

Tuesday drops her hand bag and stumbles against the table, hands flying to her head to clutch at her ears.

The sight of her is what pushes Carole out of her shock.

She'd been on earth. She'd seen her fair share of bombings and explosions before. Even if it's unexpected, it isn't something new for her. But Tuesday...

"Tues!" Carole rushes back toward her, forcing her limbs to move. "Get down!"

She still isn't sure what's going on, if it's an air-based attack or something else, if it's natural or manmade.

Either way, the second she reaches Tuesday, she doesn't let go.

Carole covers her with both arms and pulls her beneath the table as the people around them start to do the same. Panicked shouts and sirens echo around the city below them and only add to the chaos.

Carole glances around briefly to check for any signs of suspicious-looking people or aircrafts, but doesn't see any at the moment. So she turns all of her attention onto Tuesday.

"Tues? Tues!"

She's shaking horribly, shuddering from the inside out in the worst panic Carole has ever seen. Her lips are trembling as if trying to say Carole's name, but nothing comes out aside from labored, shallow breaths. Carole can feel her already starting to sway from lightheadedness, pulse hammering frantically throughout her whole body.

"Tues!" Carole shifts closer and helps her sit up as best she can in spite of everything. "Hey, listen to me, Tues. Just breathe, okay? Just take deep breaths."

She can tell Tuesday is doing her best to try and listen, but the fear is just too great. Carole is terrified too, but less from some imminent attack, and more from Tuesday's condition.

Tuesday's hands quiver weakly in her lap, her fingers clinging helplessly onto her dress. Carole holds her up with an arm across the front of her shoulders, trying to help keep her airways open. Tuesday chokes, sagging into her, eyes wide with terror. Carole quickly checks their surroundings one more time and pulls her closer.

"Hey, Tues. Just breathe. Just like we do in singing practice. Real nice and deep, okay?" She rubs Tuesday's back for her, letting the movement warm her up a little. "Tues, it's okay. You're gonna be okay. I'm here. I'm right here."

Tuesday seems to understand the words, but it takes her a minute to get ahold of herself. All the while, Carole stays on high alert, regarding every flash of movement warily. But no other explosions or crashes happen.

The sounds of the sirens go past them and culminate near the water, and little by little people begin peeking out from hiding. The restaurant staff start hurrying around assisting their customers and making calls to the police for information.

Carole sits with Tuesday until she can breathe again. She takes a napkin off the table and cleans the sweat off her face, gently tilting Tuesday's head back to have her look up.

"Hey, Tues. You okay?"

Tuesday gulps down one last frightened breath before nodding.

Carole sighs. "Thank goodness."

She sinks into a hug, pulling Tuesday as close as possible, locking both arms around her protectively. She runs her palms over her shoulders and through her hair, and after a moment she can feel Tuesday's shaking hands making purchase on her shirt.

"Wh... What about you, Carole...?" Her voice is thin and meek, but it's the best thing Carole could possibly hear right now.

"I'm okay now that you're okay."

There's a mutual exhale, and for another moment they just hold onto one another.

Gradually, the two girls begin to help each other up, glancing around cautiously. Tuesday is still trembling, so Carole keeps an arm around her shoulders.

They're advised to stay put until news of what's happening comes, so the pair finds a bench inside the building and sits side-by-side. Tuesday is still uneasy, breathing heavily. Carole stays close, rubbing her back.

"You okay?"

Tuesday draws on one more steady breath and nods.

"Yeah. I've just never... that was the scariest thing I've ever seen..."

"I hear ya. Stuff like that would happen all the time back on Earth." Tuesday's grip on her hand becomes a little tighter. Carole quickly berates herself. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make you more upset."

Tuesday just shakes her head and lifts her arms. Carole leans into her, wrapping her arms around the girl's waist softly. Tuesday hugs her shoulders and hides in Carole's loose hair.

The minutes feel like hours, but no more explosions go off, though the echoing sirens remain constant and create an uneasy atmosphere. Carole and Tuesday hold onto one another for a long time, until news of what had happened airs.

It's reported it wasn't known to be any kind of terrorist attack, and that there were no casualties. They're just advised to be aware of an imminent temperature drop.

Once official word is given that civilians may return to their daily lives, people begin leaving the restaurant to go back to their loved ones.

Carole and Tuesday stay close, never letting go of each other's hands as they make their way back home. Upon getting there, they contact Gus and Roddy to make sure all is well, but after that, neither of the girls feels like doing much. So they simply curl up on the couch on their respective sections and try to rest.

But Tuesday can't get the image of the smoke and fire out of her head. Every time she closes her eyes, the same sickening panic takes over her again.

Carole can hear her whimpering, and she can't relax when she knows Tuesday is suffering. It's already starting to feel colder, too.

So she sits up, grabbing a stray blanket from the couch and moves over to sit beside her partner, reaching out gently to touch Tuesday's hand. As soon as the girl opens her tired, scared eyes, Carole smiles down at her.

"Hey, Tues. Let's go up top." She tilts her chin up toward the loft, and the much more inclusive bed there. Tuesday sniffles and nods.

Carole slowly pulls her up, draping half the blanket across her shoulders too.

Together, they head for the stairs and climb their way to the top floor. Carole pulls the blankets down off the bed and helps Tuesday get comfortable before joining her. She brings all the covers back up, wrapping Tuesday up so much that it becomes ridiculous, and she actually earns a laugh from her.

Tuesday returns the favor and throws a sheet over Carole's head as well. Carole grins and pretends to pose for a photo, and Tuesday laughs again.

They wrestle about the blankets for a while, until the entire mattress is ruffled and unkempt.

When they're just exerted enough, the two girls finally lie down. Carole opens her arms and Tuesday nuzzles perfectly into them, hugging her shoulders and pulling the blankets up to cover her.

Carole returns the favor, making sure Tuesday's entire back is covered and warm before cradling both arms around her waist. Tuesday's pulse is quick and soft against her chest. Carole nudges against her cheek and leaves a small kiss behind.

"We're gonna be fine, Tues. I promise."

Tuesday lets out a long breath and holds her tighter.

"I know. Thanks, Carole."

"Don't mention it."

Carole stays awake, making sure that Tuesday falls asleep first. Once her heartbeat has slowed and her grip has relaxed, Carole kisses her once again.

At last she closes her eyes, and even in spite of the cold outside, she and Tuesday stay comfortably warm.

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A/N: I'm sorry I was just dreading cuz I knew Tuesday was gonna fall 'in love' with Kyle, but the fact that he got to be there for her and touch her so intimately and help her in her moment of need and not Carole? I'm disgusted. I'm in denial.

Also I'm peeved cuz I literally wrote in an earlier chapter in this fic Carole telling sick/distressed Tuesday to 'calm down and breathe like she did during singing warm-ups' and then? Kyle gets to say that in canon? Unforgivable.