Comments | ascendant_rpg: The healing that night has shed

highnoonsun in ascendant_rpg

The healing that night has shed

Aug 17, 2008 14:17

Who: Theodore Nott, Edric Nott and Rudolph Atkins
What: Theo is okay!
Where: Wouldn't you like to know?
When: Saturday, June 10th, 2000
Status: Complete

The ferret was back to its usual mischief, bouncing around the room, chewing on things it shouldn't be chewing on, knocking things off of tables, generally getting underfoot. ( The tasks are done )

rudolph atkins, edric nott, theodore nott

Comments 52

seeingdarkness August 19 2008, 17:56:11 UTC

A hand on Rudolph's shoulder for support Theodore stepped in, far too pale, and with bags under his eyes, but alive and moving about, a tentative smile on his lips as dead eyes scanned the room looking for the shadow of his father.

"Dad?" he called in a soft voice, taking a few steps forward, releasing his hold on Rudy.

He couldn't remember much of what had happened between his being shot and waking up some hours later in Saint Mungos, though he could distantly remember his father's voice. When he'd awoken he'd confused Rudy for Edric so many times he'd begun to grow embarrassed, and now all he wanted was his father's strong words, and strong arms, like when he was a child.

maledettodolly August 20 2008, 03:11:31 UTC

Besides all that had happened, there was still a small remnant of a smile that could be called to Rudolph's face, and it had been eager since the first whisper's of the boy's awakening. His eyes had opened devoid of the nuisance of flickering: they'd simply slid open, and blindly regarded Rudy, and the first words had hung light and careless in the air : "Father?" oh so carefully.

Rudy was on a few occasions rather sorry he wasn't Edric, but he'd been reassuring and supportive and solid for Theo as the boy had awaken, as he was now. He spared Edric an open look, neither daunting nor wondrous, but it was significant. And while Rudy knew he couldn't really intrude on this moment, he felt it was important to show he was ready to be malleable under the stress that was weaved in the air. Nothing smart from him today. He was there to be used and trusted and leaned on ( ... )

highnoonsun August 20 2008, 03:52:06 UTC

Until Theo was close enough, steady enough, and Edric could take him in and be assured of his recovery, Edric remained frozen. But then a breath, and with it a tear in his cold resolve, with just far too much to restrain built up in just barely a week. The embrace still did not come, because first Edric's hand went to his mouth, catching the breath that threatened to shudder unbecomingly, and his eyes squeezed shut, catching any wetness in his lashes.

His son was back and healed and just for a minute it was all right, and whatever strength it was that propelled Edric through life could just fuck off, for a minute.

Over.

Edric stepped towards the boy to pull him into a careful hug, avoiding Rudy's eye like he had the last time Theo had stumbled into the room, but this time it wasn't defensive. No one needed to see that weakness. Everything would stop working right if that was allowed.

seeingdarkness August 20 2008, 04:02:58 UTC

Theodore held him tight, head finding it's place in the crook of Edric's neck, eyes closed. Safe. Safe, safe, safe, safe, safe There was no where safer then here.

The fear he hadn't allowed himself to feel in the hospital had washed over him all at once, now that he was safe in his father's arms. He couldn't imagine having ever been mad at him; couldn't even recall what they had fought over.

"I love you," he said urgently, voice muffled by Edric's shoulder. It seemed very important that it be said, and he muttered it again several times, almost desperately. What if he had died? What if he had died without saying it? "Iloveyoudad."

Thread 21

maledettodolly August 26 2008, 06:21:16 UTC

"It'll hurt," was Rudy's first response, and it was said with an uncontrolled grin and Ed's fingers inviting goosebumps along his neck and down his back till they hit the hot water. He blinked a bit, controlling himself, and pursed his lips.

"I don't want to think about it." Said with his voice cracking, weakness. No, he didn't want to think about it: like most things that required so much pain and hurt to accomplish. He pulled more soap close and craned his neck to better fit in Edric's hand. More soap.

"Fix my hair, will you? It's an... extra stress I don't need." A wry smile, but pain and distraction, his hand joining Edric's. This was betrayal, but it was harder to face it then ignore it. It was painful. That he was disposable, and Edric wouldn't admit to it: own up to it. Ignore it entirely so it was that much more obvious.

highnoonsun August 26 2008, 22:06:00 UTC

Denial was on the tip of Edric's tongue; not one person was caused any harm by his obliviation in his long career, but he had never put memories back. Rudy was right. Edric didn't really want to be there when Rudy woke up. If it worked at all ( ... )

maledettodolly August 27 2008, 00:25:11 UTC

Like the crisp toll of a bell or the quick jerk of a shoe on cement, Rudy was acutely aware of everything in fine detail: the wet drip down his skin and down Edric's forearm to his elbow, and the exact taste that soapy water might have coming off his skin. There was going to be little time to appreciate these small details: soon his frustration was going to boil over, he was going to say no and Edric was going to be gone. Rudy was going to have everything he ever wanted and more, and give up the only constant in his life so far besides a pet rat. He could acknowledge what a bad mistake it would be for them to part at such a... vulnerable time. And that he would make bad choices along the way and he couldn't avoid them. And that it wasn't going to be the same when Edric got back. Something would have changed by then, as it was changing between them now. And so he had to appreciate it. Before all those bad choices and arguments and parting ( ... )

highnoonsun August 27 2008, 01:21:55 UTC

Of course they continued, dropping to push the damp curls back from Rudy's face, slowly working to untangle them, though not much was accomplished. The kiss should have gone barely heeded, if not for the tension lingering in Edric from the ridiculous article that morning. That sort of thing happened all the time between them, didn't it? Enough for it to just be shrugged off, not even considered, just normal. Like Edric's thumb along Rudy's hairline, catching the drops of water before they slid into his eyebrows.

With Rudy's eyes closed, without scrutiny, it continued to be normal for a moment. Taking in Rudy's flushed skin, in perfect portrait light, the worry printed into his brow and the laughter around his eyes and his long neck and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest and his long fingers over his hard stomach--

The chair scraped across the tiles, Edric standing abruptly, patting his pockets, sitting with the same energy and keeping his focus trained on his new cigarette. That wasn't normal. Whatever that was in his throat or ( ... )

Thread 7

highnoonsun August 27 2008, 03:28:34 UTC

His distraction needed distracting from, so Edric kept very focused on the tea. Pot filled, steeped for a totally counted and measured amount of time, feeling the heat of the boiled water radiating with his eyes closed. Patiently counting, almost a full three minutes. Of course, by then he had lost count and was attempting to rationalize himself again, and when the tea was finally poured he had entirely forgotten Rudy's rare request and gave him sugar anyway. Because he was trying to remain so focused. And Theo's cup was prepared as well, perfect preferred measurements, and brought first because Edric still needed to focus.

"Sorry," he said at Theo's door, apologizing for but not feeling any need to explain the absence. He sat on the edge of the bed, leaving the cup carefully on the nightstand and ran a hand up Theo's arm. "Let's see it then." The request came with a brief smile, hoping Theo might be able to not think too negatively about any lasting effects of the wound. Just for now, for the healing process.

seeingdarkness August 27 2008, 03:40:49 UTC

"Mm?" Theo's head turned towards the noise at the door, a smile coming to his lips and he held his near finished cigarette between his lips, pushing himself into a more upright position. He let the back of his fingers touch the cup, quickly accessing the temperature.

Cigarette back in hand he glanced down, giving a small nod and tugging up his shirt with his free hand. "It's mostly healed now; what's it look like?" he asked. It felt different from his others scars, but was still tender, and he couldn't quite form a mental picture.

highnoonsun August 27 2008, 03:54:34 UTC

"Like you have been shot," Edric replied, leaning over to take it in. It wasn't as bad as he had expected. Well, he wasn't sure what he had expected. A gaping hole, if he was going to go by the blood loss and the state he had left Justin in.

'Satisfied' might not be the proper word for it, but Edric had gleaned what he needed to from the examination. He left it alone to wrap his arm around Theo's shoulders, pulling the boy close then bringing his arm back across his back to hold his neck, feeling out the tension in the muscles. "Are you going to stay with me, or do you not need a nurse?"

seeingdarkness August 27 2008, 04:04:54 UTC

The young man laughed. "Yes, well, a lot of good that description does me. You should have seen them trying to describe a gun in the hospital. It seems such an odd thing that a small bit of metal could do such damage." His fingers brushed across the healing the skin, then tugged his shirt back down. It would be just like the others soon, probably more pink, you always healer better when you were younger, but it would be a distant memory.

He leaned into the touch, taking a final drag before stamping out his cigarette. "So long as we don't run away this time...I can't go back to work until I'm off the potions, but I shouldn't stay too long, Ewling practically destroyed my flat."

Thread 22

highnoonsun August 31 2008, 20:23:33 UTC

There was no reply as Edric watched him go, fingering his damp cuffs thoughtfully. Of course Rudy looked good, Edric wouldn't do anything to him that he would be embarrassed to be seen with. Not that they were seen together very often anymore-- it was best for everyone if Edric did his best not to be seen at all, not until he was ready. Well, there it was then; Rudy had to represent them both, and it took a very sharp look to carry that off. The new short cut was good for that. Dignified. The only answer was the roll of his eyes and a grin, you know the answerWith the buttons at his collar popped, Edric was pulling the dampened shirt off over his head as he turned to glide into his own bedroom, searching out something less damp to wear. There wasn't much on the boat, and the best he could do was a sweater that was less black than gray and slipped about his shoulders like most of the sweaters around here seemed to end up doing. The sea wasn't good for woven fabrics, that was certain ( ... )

maledettodolly September 1 2008, 05:43:25 UTC

A heavy breath, and the days catching up with him, and Edric. Ed. There was that burden. His ankles twitched and his feet pressed to the cold post and away, calves sliding together noising with freshly dried skin. He felt queasy.

"No." He couldn't stand food right now. Sleep, maybe. If he were to accept the oncoming depression early and comfortably sink into it. There was nothing wrong with starting early. He wanted to remember everything very clearly, to not miss a thing. But sleep was calling, strong and insistent. Ed was insistent. Like it was some small comfort in the glaringly obvious betrayal of Rudy's love and devotion and he should be impressed Ed was taking such good care of him already. Look! He's already worrying after your health. Aren't you lucky ( ... )