Title: Open the Doors
Fandom: The Expanse
Characters/Pairings: Clarissa Mao & Anna Volovodov
Rating: PG-13
Length: 282
Author notes: written for Challenge: Welcome. Abaddon's Gate chapter 53 spoilers!
Summary: “Why did you open the doors?”


“Why did you do it?” Clarissa asked after Holden and the others left the room.

There was no reason for Anna to argue about getting her safe transport so she could stand trial let alone cash in on a favor so the Rocinante crew would do it. Clarissa had almost killed her and everyone she ever loved. Yet Anna did it without question and hesitation.

“Why did you open the doors?” Anna asked her back instead of answering.

It hurt to stare at her, but Clarissa did it. She had lost too much to be able to let herself lose more. That was why she opened the doors. To give herself a chance—to give everyone a chance—so that everything she had done hadn’t been for nothing. It had to mean something.

Saving everyone didn’t make up for all of it, but it was a small thing she was able to accomplish in the middle of all of her past mistakes.
All she had to do was open the doors and so she did it.

Anna stared at her through her silence. Her eyes were kind and empty of pity and Clarissa found comfort in her unshaken certainty that even the worst of people could be capable of good things if given the chance.

Clarissa tugged at Anna’s shirt again. “Thank you,” she said, glad she still knew how. It was a thank you not only for getting her out safely. It was a thank you for believing Clarissa still had it in herself to do something worthwhile when all Clarissa felt was dirty and soiled.

“You’re welcome.” Anna’s lips twitched up into a smile and she patted Clarissa’s hand. “And thank you.”