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Sam’s hand shot out toward hers, but Cate pulled back before he could touch her. His eyes went wide, and desperate.
“Cate. Please.”
He was shaking, all raw nerves and panic, begging for something she couldn’t give. What use was she to anyone now? Her throat burned, she couldn’t swallow away the guilt.
His face turned blank. That same blankness she had seen before, she knew it all too well. She hated it. All she wanted was to be seen, to be known and to be loved despite it all. Once, she thought she understood isolation, back when her friends didn’t know the truth. But this… this was worse. It felt like she was being hollowed out, until there was no one left at all.
No matter how much she gave to Vought, to Cipher, to Sam, it had all been wasted. She was useless for now. Even Sam hadn’t looked for her, not really, not since the hospital. Maybe he’d only needed her then, his weekly fix.
“The doctor said I shouldn’t use my powers.” Cate folded her arms. His face dropped for a moment, his head slightly motioning no.
Cate stepped closer, jabbing her finger hard into his chest. “So you can leave now, Sam.”
His eyes dropped to where her finger pressed against him, but he didn’t move.
“Nothing else you want from me, right?” she bit out, her lips tight.
Sam stared down at her, eyes huge, pathetic, like some wounded animal.
“Leave!” she spat, shoving him, striking his chest again and again. Her blows landed without much resistance, small and useless against his body, like an insect hurling itself at a wall. Her fists beat at him while her sobs fell apart. Sam mumbled something she couldn’t hear, most of his words faded into her cries.
“Cate.” His hand caught hers, steady. She froze, blinking up at him. His lips brushed her palm, whispering into it:
“I’m sorry.” He repeated again and again, hushed, frantic.
Heat spread over her cheeks, flooding her face, and she broke eye contact, staring down. His touch was so warm against her cold hand. Without meaning to, she leaned into him.
Her shoulders gave way. She let her head fall against his chest, his warmth engulfing her body. Her hand found its way up his arm, clinging. How long had it been since she held someone? Since someone held her back?
A flicker of Indira’s face crossed her mind, sharp and cutting, but she shoved it down. Instead, she buried her body deeper into Sam, absorbing as much warmth as possible.