Regulus Black (nox_aterrima) wrote in afreshrpg, @ 2012-04-30 22:19:00 |
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Entry tags: | !backdated, !complete, retired: mary macdonald, retired: regulus black, time: 1998-04 |
WHO: Regulus and Mary
WHEN: Backdated to this past weekend.
WHERE: St. Mungo’s.
WHAT: Regulus finally wakes up and Mary, his Healer, is there to greet him.
RATING: PG-13 for mild language.
STATUS: Complete.
The Healers at the hospital had finally decided it had been enough time to let Regulus drift naturally out of the deep sleep they kept putting him in. The spell that they had used every day to keep him in his sleep state was not reused that morning, but they had no real time frame for when he would finally wake up on his own. The day had passed by excruciatingly slowly for those that sat conscious and aware in his room and out in the waiting room, and had eventually turned into night when visiting hours were over and they had to go home.
He finally started to stir a little before midnight that night, clawing his way back to reality and the waking world inch by inch within his subconscious. When he finally regained consciousness, his muscles felt stiff, his mouth was dry, and it took some effort to force his eyelids open through the haze of pain potions that were finally starting to wear off and work their way out of his system. Even though he’d been out for quite some time, he still felt like he’d been run over by the Knight Bus and he groaned softly as he stared up at the bright, spotlessly clean white ceiling of wherever he was.
Regulus looked around and saw way more flowers than he ever cared to see in his entire life, a handful of cards that had been propped up in front of them, and his eyes finally focused on the stark white bed he’d been resting in. He was in the fucking hospital, wasn’t he?
He hadn’t noticed that there was someone else in the room with him yet and he cursed out loud - or more like croaked out loud. “Son of a bitch.”
Mary had fallen asleep on the small and rather uncomfortable couch next to Regulus' bed after the room had cleared out, her exhaustion finally getting the best of her. It had become a pattern - she would hang around throughout most of the day, check up on him, administer potions to him then promptly fall asleep on the couch. Her back was killing her, she most likely had a permanent crick in her neck and it was a wonder she hadn't died of pneumonia yet considering the temperature they liked to keep his room at.
But none of that mattered. She hadn't wanted to leave his side.
It was strange - that someone she hadn't had contact with in 20 years and had parted with in a less than friendly manner could have this effect on her. Yet ever since Gwenog Jones had shown up on her doorstep with a bleeding Regulus Black, she hadn't been able to function without knowing if he was okay.
Which he apparently was when his curse woke up her. She jerked a bit and sat up quickly, wincing at the pain that shot through her neck before turning towards the bed. "Regulus?"
Regulus couldn’t help but jump slightly in his bed when Mary spoke. He hadn’t realized someone else was in the room with him and for some reason that put him on edge. His hand went for his wand before he remembered he was in a hospital bed - for whatever reason - and it was more than likely not on him. He glanced toward the sound of the familiar voice so fast he also got a crick in his neck, but then relaxed immediately when he saw it was Mary.
“Mary, hey...” he started, his voice sounded severely hoarse from a long time without using it. He swallowed and cleared his throat a few times, then spoke up again. “Hey,” he said, furrowing his brow. “I’m in the bloody hospital, aren’t I?”
He hated hospitals, he had since he was a child for some irrational reason that he couldn’t put a finger on. And most of his friends knew this, so he must have been in really bad shape for them to have brought him here. Regulus was about to ask her why he was here when it dawned on him that it was Mary that was sitting there in his room and had apparently been asleep there for some time. Not that he minded it, he was actually pleasantly surprised about the fact.
Still, curiosity about what had happened to him got the better of him at the moment and he pushed his other feelings aside briefly.
“Why am I in the bloody hospital, anyway?” He asked, struggling to push himself up into a sitting position.
Mary jumped up from the couch and moved over to side table where she filled a glass with water and after helping him sit up, she handed it over to him, chuckling softly. "You are...and before you start to rant," She reached over and nudged his hand with the glass before nodding. "It was necessary to bring you here as much as I would have preferred keeping you at the clinic. So if you blame anyone, blame me."
She waited for him to drink some of the water before carefully sitting on the bed next to him, a worried look on her face. "How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her eyes drifting down to his chest, the memory of healing his wounds coming back to her in full force. She swallowed hard before shifting her gaze back to his face, a small smile appearing.
"You're here because you needed transfusions from losing so much blood. Unfortunately I don't store that at my clinic so it was necessary to bring you here for that." she answered, the strange feeling settling over her again as her brain tacked on Or I would have lost you. She didn't need to be thinking things like that. "They've been able to monitor you better here as well since I was required to sleep every now and then."
He took the glass of water gratefully and started taking small sips from it as he listened to her explain the situation. His brow furrowed further as he tried to dig up memories of what happened but fell short of recalling whatever had taken place. Shaking his head, he said, “You’re going to have to start from the beginning because I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mare, no offense.”
Regulus realized then that he was shirtless, he didn’t even have one of those flimsy little hospital gowns on, and saw the faint scarring across his chest and arms. “What the hell...” he muttered, wondering if he’d had some sort of accident. Maybe he’d drank too much and had actually been hit by the Knight Bus.
Her words finally sank in, bringing him back to their conversation. “You patched me up? Were you there whenever....whatever happened?” Regulus fought to keep a neutral expression on his face - he had left Mary at the hand of their classmate all those years ago, had sat idly by and done nothing. And here it looked like she’d just saved his goddamned life. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, sinking back against the pillow she’d propped up behind him.
Mary sighed softly and reached up to run her fingers through her already tousled hair before shaking her head slowly. "You were brought to my clinic by Gwenog Jones. She found you somewhere in the alley, bleeding and almost unconscious." she explained softly. "You had slashes on your chest and it was obvious..." Her words died off and she swallowed hard again, forcing the rest of her sentence out although her voice had become slightly strained. "...it was obvious that someone used dark magic on you."
She fell silent, letting those words sink in as she fought back memories she really didn't want to relive. It was both a blessing and a curse to realize when someone had been tormented with dark magic. And every time she saw a case, no matter how big or small, it brought it all rushing back.
She finally found her voice again, a soft smile appearing on her face. "I did patch you up the best I could, Regulus. But no, I wasn't there when it happened. I saw the signs when I examined you." she murmured, reaching over to help rearrange the pillow behind him as he fell back against it. "I couldn't leave you like that..."
It all sounded vaguely familiar - or maybe it was just that he wanted it to, since he still couldn’t remember what had happened. He was certainly surprised to hear that Jones had been his savior, not that he figured she would’ve left him to die out on the street, however. Regulus started feeling nauseated then - not from the pain potions wearing off, but from the next part of her story. He’d suffered a dark magic attack, just like Mary had from Mulciber, and he’d brought this to her of all people? At least, he assumed he made Gwen take him to Mary, as Gwen probably would have wanted to do the sensible thing and take Regulus to St. Mungo’s straight away.
Regulus groaned and ran a hand over his face, keeping his eyes closed. “Fuck. Sorry,” he whispered, ashamed that he’d more than likely caused her to have to relive her own experience.
When he finally reopened his eyes, he stared up at the ceiling again and swallowed a few times, choking down the bile that threatened to cause him to be sick in front of her. He bit back the words ‘maybe you should have’ because he knew she wouldn’t want to hear that, nor was it fair to her as a Healer, someone who was sworn to help those in need despite everything else.
“Thank you.”
Mary's brow furrowed at his apology and without thinking, she started to shake her head. "No need for you to apologize to me, Regulus." she replied softly. "I would have wanted her to bring you to me - one, it's my job and two, I care for you." She reached out and touched his free hand lightly. "If anyone needs to apologize, it's me - for bringing you here when I know you hate hospitals and for driving the hospital staff crazy by not wanting to leave your side these past few weeks."
She had no idea why she was admitting any of this to him - the fact that she had admitted to caring for him had surprised her as she hadn't really come to terms with that yet. But here she was, the words easily spilling from her lips and her knowing that she meant every one of them. He was going to think she was mad. With any hope, he would ignore her.
Pushing that all aside, she smiled. "And you're welcome."
He started to argue with her that he did need to apologize to her for what had happened, when she threw a huge curveball at him by saying she cared about him - surely she meant in the capacity of friendship. But then Mary touched his hand and admitted to having stayed by his side for the last several weeks. Regulus arched his eyebrow at her and stared at her for a minute, remaining silent.
Finally, he turned his hand over and took hers in his. “You were only doing what you thought was needed...and after hearing what happened, I’d be a fool to argue that point with you. So, you don’t need to apologize to me, either. The hospital staff...well, that might be another story,” he teased, buying himself some time to process what else she had said.
He studied her face intently, watching her work through her own thoughts, presumably about what she’d just let slip to him. Regulus set the glass of water aside on his bedside table and he tugged her slightly down toward him with the hand that was still holding hers. “Come here, Mare,” he said, quietly and evenly.
She glanced over at him in time to catch the look he was giving her, instantly knowing that he hadn't ignored what she had said as she had hoped. She resisted the urge to wince and cut her gaze away, seemingly becoming fascinated with the couch she had been sleeping on earlier - anything to avoid that look. Perhaps she could knock him out again and pray that he would forget she had said anything, especially when she herself couldn't even come up with the reason behind why she had done what she had done.
"They will be happy to see me go, I'm sure." she murmured, chuckling nervously although she did squeeze his hand lightly when he took hers. "I've been a nuisance to them, especially your cousin. I don't think she likes me being in on her territory much since I abandoned my job here." she joked. "She's been nice despite what I'm sure are visions of strangling me in her head."
She finally looked over at him in surprise when he tugged on her hand and beckoned her closer. Swallowing hard, she did as she was told, moving closer to him, a curious look on her face.
An amused smile crossed his face when Mary described Andromeda to him. He’d have to hassle his cousin about it later - lovingly, of course. The amused smile stuck whenever Mary looked uncertain about what Regulus was up to by beckoning her closer to him. He chuckled lowly and gave her a rueful grin. “I’m not going to bite you. Much to the contrary, actually. I’d like to hug you, if that’s alright.”
A part of him wanted to hold her, but perhaps baby steps were best at the moment. Although Mary had saved his life and had practically been living in the hospital, Regulus wouldn’t blame her for still being cautious around him.
Mary made a face at him and moved over to sit next to him. “It’s not that I thought you were going to bite me - honestly, Regulus.” she replied with a small smile. She shifted a bit to face him. “A hug will be fine, though.” She forced herself to relax, unsure of why she was suddenly nervous - they used to hug all the time. Of course that was also twenty years ago but they were past all of that. Right?
“However, if you do go back on your word and bite me while hugging me, I’ll just jab you with a needle as I always keep one in my pocket.” she joked a bit, hoping to lighten the mood.
Regulus laughed heartily and immediately regretted it - he was still feeling a tad bit sore. Wincing slightly, he shifted to turn his torso more toward Mary - and had been quite pleasantly surprised when she sat down next to him - shaking his head. “That’s not fair, Mare. You know how I feel about needles,” he said, sticking his bottom lip out in a pout.
Now he was stalling, he told himself. It wasn’t like he hadn’t hugged her recently, either - well, not within the last month, certainly, but he’d hugged her since they’d come back into each other’s lives. But now things were different - she’d saved his bloody life and admitted to caring for him, whatever she meant by that. She couldn’t possibly have meant what he was thinking it meant, could she?
Finally, after he’d stalled long enough for Mary to probably have noticed, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a hug. Resting his chin on her head, it finally hit him just how dire the attack could have been. He was lucky to be here, to be able to hug her. It caused Regulus to hold onto her for longer than he should have, considering they were friends and all, but he couldn’t bring himself to let go of her just yet.
Mary was watching him quietly, wondering what was going through his mind. He had wanted to hug her and now he was just watching her. Perhaps he was rethinking things. Were they at that point yet?
Before she could think of any other reason as to why he'd be rethinking the hug - and why was it bothering her so much? - he turned towards her and pulled her into a hug against him. She was still for a moment, as if waiting for him to pull away. But then he rested his chin on her head and just held her. And that was when she gave in and slipped her arms around him carefully, returning the hug gently, content to be in his arms - just happy that she could be in his arms.
His thoughts were hazy and hard to shift through at the moment, thanks to the pain potions that were still working their way out of his system, and he wasn’t entirely sure he was ready to work through what any of this meant at the moment - if it meant anything at all. Regulus was almost certain he was reading into things further than he was meant to, but he certainly wasn’t going to be able to sort things out at the moment. He held onto Mary for a few more moments, almost certainly longer than he should have at that point, before he finally let go of her.
Clearing his throat, he chuckled nervously and asked, “So I guess it’s too much to hope that I’ll be discharged tonight, right? Or tomorrow for that matter?” He really wasn’t looking forward to spending the next few days in St. Mungo’s under observation, which he was certain they would probably insist on doing. Maybe if he donated enough to the hospital they’d let him go. He did have a Quidditch team that needed his attention, after all - shit, he’d just about missed the end of the season probably.
Regulus knew it was ridiculous for his thoughts to fly to the Falcons at that moment, but he knew it was a coping mechanism of sorts. Thoughts of....well, anything else, really, were easier to focus on than whatever this was....or wasn’t. Not to mention there was Rainer to think about - everything had turned into one big fucked up mess again. Maybe he should’ve just stayed asleep.
Shaking his thoughts clear of his head once more, he finally smiled pleadingly at Mary. “I’m not above begging to not have to stay here, you know.”
Mary was content where she was, trying not to think too deeply into the hug or the fact that he hadn't let her go. She was certain he would have done this to possibly anyone that he had met upon waking up if she hadn't been there. Telling herself stopped any questions going through her head. As long as she told herself that, she'd be fine.
So when he let go, she slowly released him as well and sat back although she didn't move from his side. A small smile appeared on her face at the hopeful look on his. "Nice try, Black - you're going to be in here for a few more days." she teased softly before reaching out to pat his hand. "But I'll see what I can do about springing you out of this cell a bit earlier than normal. But only if you're a good boy and behave for the next couple of days. Maybe then we'll see."
An amused look replaced the smile on her face at his pleading look. "That's not going to work on me - you need to be here with trained healers." she replied with a soft lap. "You'll be fine, I promise. They are more than capable of taking care of you - although if I could bust you out of here and..." She stopped and ducked her head a bit, clearing her throat. Had she really just almost offered to..? Stop thinking like that, Mary. she scolded herself before looking back up at him. "It won't be for long, I promise. You'll be back with your Quidditch team before you know it."
His brow furrowed - she’d told him the exact opposite of what he wanted to hear. He couldn’t imagine being stuck in here for another hour let alone three more days (at the very least, it sounded), especially after being stuck there unconscious for what was it...almost a month, from the sound of it and the amount of flowers, cards, and shit that had piled up around his room?
Regulus frowned deeply, unhappy with the prospect of being bored out of his mind in a hospital room, but then something Mary had said registered in his head as he thought it over again. “You’re a trained healer. And a bloody good one from what I’ve seen. What if I sign myself out into your care?”
He knew it wasn’t fair of him to impose himself upon Mary like that, especially not after she’d had to save his life under the circumstances present that night however long ago it was, but he really couldn’t stand being cooped up in the hospital any longer, even if he’d been asleep for the entirety of his stay there.
He gave her his best puppy dog look and begged, “Please, Mare?”
Mary smiled weakly at him, thinking about the short conversations she had with Andromeda and Sirius. "I don't think your family would be happy with that - I've already stepped on enough toes." she murmured softly before sighing as she straightened up a bit. "Not to say that I wouldn't do it as I'd happily take you in while you finished healing but..."
She paused, chewing on her bottom lip. She could count the number of people who wouldn't approve on her hand - and that was just those that had come up to the hospital to see him while he was out. His cousin, his brother, that loud woman who had come to see him... The list kept going. But then she took in the look he was giving her - that bloody puppy dog look that he had perfected back in school. Apparently it grew better with age. Bloody Regulus - he knew what he was doing. Part of her wanted to poke him with the needle in her pocket for spite. The other part - thankfully the stronger one - sighed.
"...if you can get released into my care, I'll do what I can to help you heal." she finally murmured.
“My family will have to answer to me personally if they keep me locked away in here any longer. I’m perfectly fine...okay, maybe a little sore,” he moved around and stretched a bit to prove his point, but wound up wincing some more. “Okay, maybe more than a little. But I’m alert, I’m talking, I know what day it is....what day is it, by the way?” He added with a cheeky smile.
Regulus watched her thinking it through and wondered exactly what the problem would be with him being released into her care. He smiled ruefully again when he could tell that the look he’d given Mary was wearing her resolve down. When she finally agreed to his proposition, he beamed at her and couldn’t stop himself from place a hand on either side of her face and leaning in to kiss her on the cheek, the action seemed natural and didn’t really faze him. “You’re the best, Mare!” And he really, truly meant that.
Mary pursed her lips at him. "Smartass." she replied, giving him a look. "Saturday, April 28th - soon to be the 29th considering the time." she replied with a smirk only to blink in surprise when he suddenly grabbed her face and kissed her cheek.
She stared at him wide-eyed for a moment, not sure how to respond to his sudden display of affection - if it had been anyone else doing that, her first reaction would have been to slap them. But not him. Her cheek was tingling from where his lips touched, muddling her thoughts momentarily. Thankfully his exuberance was enough to make her shake off the shock and smile at him. "So you keep saying - if you keep it up, I'll get a big ego." she joked lightly. "I mean it, though, Regulus - if they say no, you'll have to stay here."
Regulus winked at her when she called him a smartass and shrugged - of course that hadn’t changed about him and it more than likely never would, even if he had his memory Obliviated. And, April 28th? He’d missed the entire month of April just about. Merlin. He’d also missed his birthday, then - which really, was quite alright with him, but that meant he’d also missed his birthday dinner that he’d been looking forward to. And it meant that whomever had attacked him meant it, if he’d been healing for almost the whole month. Regulus knew that meant he should probably be afraid of whatever was out there waiting for him, but he refused to let his attacker get the better of him and the next time - if there was one - he’d be ready for them.
He was too busy plotting his escape...err, discharge from the hospital, to notice the surprised look on Mary’s face. Shrugging once more, he replied, “But it’s true.” Regulus gave her his best puppy dog expression again and asked, “Oh, come on. Who could resist this face? Just make sure it’s an old mediwitch or something that you bring in here to discharge me, I’ll handle the rest.”
Mary groaned. "Regulus, stop that." she laughed. "You got your way - I agreed to take you in if you can work your charms on whoever I can get in here to discharge you." She shook her head at him and reached in her pocket, pulling out the needle and raising her eyebrows. "Or do I have to...?" She didn't finish the sentence, instead waving it in front of him.
"I'm not sure who is on duty now but I can go see if you'd like." she offered, dropping the needle in his lap with a smirk. "I should get home soon and take a shower as I've been up here all day long looking after you while you slept, Sleeping Beauty."
At his quip about his face, she promptly made one at him then sighed. "Apparently I can't."