Re: log: chicago - atticus/matt
"Glad you see things my way." A return quip, this time about unknown prisoners. Was better now. Could laugh about it. Soon, Atticus knew he would contact Daniel. Talk to him without it being in letters sent from secret places. Wasn't that he wanted to get to know the other man, but wanted to get to know that he wasn't terrifying. Everyone said he wasn't. Needed to see it for himself. Was about healing. Atticus wasn't big on therapy or shrinks, they just weren't popular during his childhood. Was a generational thing. But, he would do this thing. Eventually.
"Don't need to talk to Stephen before we leave. Have all the information we need. Mom, don't make me the laughingstock of my new friends," Atticus added with a grin. Feverish, sure, but the grin was the same as ever, slow and nearly a smirk. "I got all the information. Will be fine. If anything kills me, it's going to be the bite itself, not the infection," he swore. Meant it. Was supposed to feel like hell. "Infection, pain, it's just a symptom of what's going on. I'll even let you take me home, once we get home, so you can mother me there. Have a home, don't you?" Wasn't sure Matt did. "Probably better than the Carriage House. Connie would be bringing over cookies every hour. Would get fatter. Can't have that."
But the burst of pain was blinding. Atticus was quiet a few seconds, even after letting go of Matt's shoulder.
Let Matt bandage him up, and watched through lashes half lowered. Hazel eyes feverish, but clear. "Don't want anything for pain," he said stubbornly. "Don't think it would work, anyway. Some things in life you just have to suffer, Matt. Might make a writer out of me, this ordeal. Wouldn't that be something?"
Once the bandaging was done, Atticus stubbornly nudged at Matt's stomach. Room. Space. Hand that lingered too long against fabric and muscle beneath, and then he tried to swing his legs off the opposite side of the bed. To stand. Managed it. Standing. Wobbly. Holding onto the end of the bed. Sweat breaking out across his forehead. Smiled at Matt. "See, Ma?"