InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Ladybird"

Ashley Ellenore Darcy (ashleysully) wrote in spinningcompass,
@ 2018-12-18 00:27:00

Entry tags:

fitzwilliam darcy, ~ash sully

Who: The Darcys
Where: Their apartment
What: Aftermath of dealing with anger
When: Monday evening
Rating: High just to be safe
Open: No
Status: Ongoing
Ashley should have known better than to actually read the comments on her mother's post. She knew it wasn't a good idea, but she'd done it anyway. And then she was very, very angry. She definitely didn't want to take it out on anyone that didn't deserve it so she left a note for her husband and then headed to the door. She'd changed into a tank top and cargo pants, not caring where she ended up.

She wasn't at all surprised when she walked through the door and straight into one of the video games she used to play with TK all the time. There weren't any guns or any special powers, just a lot of ass kicking. She'd gotten very good at it as they grew up so being in the game wasn't hard at all. And she did do a lot of ass kicking.

Ashley wasn't sure how long she was through the door while she was there. She'd left her phone at Isabel's kitchen so that she could just concentrate on getting her anger out. It had been dangerous, she knew, but right then she didn't care. Once she was sure that she wasn't angry anymore, she stepped back into the food court. She took her phone and called her husband, as she said she would. She was dirty and sweaty and had some scrapes and bruises. She was pretty sure she was going to have a black eye. None of that mattered, though. She started walking back to their apartment and took a deep breath and she waited for Fitz to answer the phone.

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mrdarcy_
2018-12-19 12:07 am UTC (link)

Darcy had already been worried when he had seen the box of tea on the counter. It had quickly become a little code, and although they hadn't talked about it properly yet, it had felt as though there was a bit of a tension there that needed to be addressed. Maybe she wasn't worried. Maybe he was making too much of it. They had not yet been married two months, although there had been much more opportunity than that for a conception to occur.

But all of that could take a backseat for the moment. When he'd found her note, he'd actually felt quite panicked when he went to check the network. For one horrible moment he'd thought that more people had disappeared. Then he figured it out. This kind of thing was exactly why the open network was such a tricky thing. People revealed too much too publicly.

He'd hung around the apartment, not wanting to miss her incase she suddenly appeared. When his phone rang, he practically jumped a mile in the air, but quickly composed himself to answer on the second ring.

"Hello, my love."

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	ashleysully 2018-12-19 12:15 am UTC (link)
	Ashley smiled as soon as she heard his voice. The background sounds made it obvious she was walking through the station. "Hi." Just that simple word revealed that she was exhausted. It had been a pretty good workout. "I'm sorry if I worried you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 12:19 am UTC (link)
	Darcy smiled a little as she spoke, feeling that he just wanted to wrap her up and look after her. He didn't know if his mollycoddling actually helped, but it was just what he felt he wanted to do. "Please do not apologise," he assured her. "Are you okay? Where are you?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 12:26 am UTC (link)
	"Somewhere between the food court and the apartment." She sighed a little as she walked. "Physically, I'm a little best up but I'm okay." That was the best answer that she could give just then. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-19 12:29 am UTC (link)

"Alright. Are you coming home now?" he asked her softly, not wanting to pressure her, but also really hoping that the answer was yes.

Her answer to his question wasn't what he expected, and almost at one he felt his heart start to pick up speed. "Beat up? What do you mean, has someone hurt you?" he asked. Oh God, had she gone to confront her mother about it? He knew that Commander Shepard had a poisonous tongue on her at times, but he hadn't thought her capable of physically hurting her daughter.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-19 12:32 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah. I could really use a hug." She cleared her throat. His concern actually made her smile a little. "I went through the door and ended up in a video game. I did a lot worse to them than they rid to ke, I promise." It had been extremely cathartic. "I'm mainly just dirty." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-19 12:35 am UTC (link)

"Oh," he breathed a sigh of relief. "That I can definitely do," he assured her.

He frowned as she started to explain further about why she was physically hurt. "A video game? I don't..." he trailed off, deciding it wasn't exactly important. He knew what a game was, and that at least meant that there had been no physical fighting on the station. "I shall run you a bath," he told her, getting up to head to the bathroom even as he said the words.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-19 12:41 am UTC (link)
	"A bath sounds really nice. Can you put that lavender oil in it?" That always helped her feel better. She started walking a little faster to get home. "I should be there soon." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 12:46 am UTC (link)
	“Yes, dear, of course I can,” he told her, getting it started without hanging up. He didn’t think it was a good time for her to be ‘alone’ even if she was going to be there soon. “Do you want special tea as well?” he asked. She could have it in the bath if she wanted. Or something stronger if she needed it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 12:56 am UTC (link)
	Ashley was quiet for a second as she thought about it. "Yeah, tea sounds really good, too." She was quiet again for a little bit. "I love you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 01:03 am UTC (link)
	“Okay,” he smiled, and he left the bath running for a moment to go and put the kettle on to boil, too. Her three little words made his smile more genuine. “I love you too, Ashley.” (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 01:06 am UTC (link)
	"I'm going to hang up now because I can see our door from here." She chuckled softly. "See you in a very brief moment." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 01:10 am UTC (link)
	“Alright my love, see you in a minute,” he told her before they disconnected. He put the phone away and then set up everything ready for the tea. Then, he went back to the bathroom to turn the water off and check it was all ready for her. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 01:14 am UTC (link)
	It only took Ashley about two more minutes before she was walking through the door. She knew she had to look a mess. She was dirty and scraped and bruised but she was in one piece. "Fitz?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 01:22 am UTC (link)
	Darcy heard her call for him, and he headed out to find her. Before she had a chance to say anything else, and before he even allowed himself to look at the state of her, he had crossed the room and pulled her into an embrace. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 01:29 am UTC (link)
	Ashley practically melted against his chest, wrapping her arms around his middle. She closed her eyes and just let herself get lost in the hug. It was very easy to do. Hugs were one of his many talents. They were very therapeutic. "Hi." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-19 10:19 am UTC (link)
	“Hello,” he responded simply. He stayed just where he was, letting her lean into him and keep the hug going as long as she liked. Or at least until the kettle started shouting at them. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and gave only a slightly worried look as he saw her face. “Bath’s ready. I’ll get the tea.” (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-19 01:11 pm UTC (link)
	Ashley didn't really want to let go but the kettle needed attention. She stepped back and sighed a little. "Thank you." She gave him a quick kiss before heading into the bathroom. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and so the aches were finally starting to register. She sat down on the side of the tub and started to undo her boots. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-19 05:44 pm UTC (link)

Darcy busied himself with tea-making. He considered biscuits but decided that was probably a bit weird in a bath, so he would just have her something ready to eat when she got out instead.

It was silly, really - they were married, he’d seen her naked regularly now, but still when he got to the bathroom with her tea he knocked. She hadn’t even properly closed the door but it only seemed polite.

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ashleysully
2018-12-19 05:52 pm UTC (link)

Ashley had gotten her boots and her shirt off when he knocked on the door and she couldn't help a smile. She had worn a sports bra this time, and she hadn't gotten her pants off yet. She pulled the door open a little more to let him in.

"You really are adorable." There were several bruises around her middle, front and back, but the dirt made them look worse than they were. Pulling the bra off over her head was proving to be a bit difficult with her sore muscles.

"Could you help?"

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mrdarcy_
2018-12-20 01:14 am UTC (link)

Darcy waited until she pulled the door before he entered properly. Apparently it made him adorable. He never quite understood why, but he would accept that. It certainly seemed a compliment, and always made her smile when she said it.

He placed the tea down before he really looked at her. He did try to keep his expression as neutral as possible, but how well he was succeeding he wasn't sure. Hopefully his effort wasn't making him go too far into scowl territory. Oh, well. She could usually translate his scowls well enough to know they weren't him being displeased with her.

"Yes, of course," he told her softly, before he did as she requested. He very carefully and gently helped her lift the sports bra off.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-20 04:01 am UTC (link)
	Ashley lifted her arms and once the bra was off, she kissed him softly on the lips. "I'm okay, I promise." She smiled a little. She stepped back a little to take off her pants and then stopped. There were some things she could spare him, at least. "Could you go see if you can find my extra fluffy pajamas? I want to put them on after my bath." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-21 01:05 am UTC (link)

Darcy did not look convinced. He wanted to ask her more about the video game, even though he knew it was hardly the point. And he also knew that he couldn't very well be upset about it. Didn't he usually end up challenging everyone in sight to a fencing match when he was in need of burning off some anger? It couldn't be much different really.

"Mm. If you promise," he nodded. She looked pretty beaten up, but perhaps the bath would make it seem less awful. And pale skin did make these things look worse than they were.

He cleared his throat a little, and then nodded. "Yes, certainly," he told her before going to find them, and a couple of big fluffy towels. once again, he paused and knocked and waited to be told if he could come in or not.

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ashleysully
2018-12-21 01:37 am UTC (link)

"I promise." She kissed him once more before he left. She finished getting undressed and taking care of everything that needed to be taken care of before getting into the tub. She'd submerged herself up to the neck when he knocked again.

"You can come in." She sat up a bit. "And maybe join me?" It wouldn't be their normal shared bath but she really did want his arms around her just then.

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mrdarcy_
2018-12-21 11:54 pm UTC (link)

When he was told that he could enter he did. He put the towels on the rail, and folded the pyjamas beside them. He hadn't really expected her next request, having assumed she would want him to leave her alone for some peace and quiet.

"If you're sure you want me to," he said softly. She didn't usually request anything she didn't actually want, but it was better to be sure.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-22 12:52 am UTC (link)
	Ashley nodded and smiled at him. "Please." Right now she found his over attentiveness to be very soothing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-22 01:57 am UTC (link)
	Darcy smiled back at her and gave a nod of agreement. “Very well. Just a moment,” he told her. He disappeared very briefly, returning with extra towels and a dressing gown to change into afterwards. He wasn’t wearing as many layers as usual so stripping off didn’t take too long. He even gave her a little eyebrow waggle as he got naked. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-22 02:12 am UTC (link)
	While he was gone, Ashley quickly washed her hair. She watched him as he undressed and laughed at the eyebrow waggle. She definitely needed it. "I love you, silly man." She grinned at him and moved up a little so he could climb in behind her. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-22 05:41 pm UTC (link)
	When she called him silly man, Darcy did feel himself relax a little. He knew that she was starting to feel better, and that things would be alright again. “I love you, too,” he told her. He carefully slipped in behind her so that she could lean back on his chest. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-22 05:55 pm UTC (link)
	Ashley moved her hair over her shoulder before moving back a little and leaning back against him. She closed her eyes and just relaxed. "You're very good to me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-22 07:58 pm UTC (link)
	“That is my job as your husband, is it not?” he asked softly, just letting her body start to relax after all the scrapping. He was in a good position to give her a gentle shoulder massage. “How are you feeling now, my dear?” (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-22 11:18 pm UTC (link)
	"It's part of it." She chuckled a little. Ashley sighed and relaxed a bit more after he started to rub her shoulders. "Better. Still a little angry but I'll get over it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-22 11:35 pm UTC (link)

“It is no hardship. You know I like to take care of you,” he said softly, and he really was doing just that as he worked at her tense shoulders.

“Well, that is understandable.” He wanted to say that Shepard knew exactly what she was doing by posting publicly but he didn’t want to get her worked up again. That was the opposite of what he hoped to achieve.

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ashleysully
2018-12-22 11:49 pm UTC (link)

"I'm very lucky." She smiled. And she really did feel that way. Having him in her life had made things a lot easier to handle.

"I don't even care that she likes him. I'm glad she finally admitted her feelings." Before it was too late, though she kept that to herself. "But to put out there where everyone could see that she likes him more than my father?" She shook her head. She didn't need to get herself worked up again. Instead, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

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mrdarcy_
2018-12-23 11:10 pm UTC (link)

Darcy nodded a little in understanding, although he had figured out what it was that upset her about it without her having to spell it out for him.

"I know. It should never have been declared so publicly," he agreed. He didn't understand why people seemed to forget that they were addressing the entire station when they posted on the network, why they did not adjust their discourse accordingly. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-23 11:27 pm UTC (link)
	Ashley sighed a little and just kept her eyes closed. The whole point of the bath was to help her relax. "Rawdon's a good man." There was something to focus on. She did genuinely like him. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

mrdarcy_
2018-12-25 10:19 pm UTC (link)

Darcy wasn't sure that he entirely believed that Rawdon Crawley was someone he considered a good man, but he decided not to voice his exact opinion for once in his life. It wasn't the time to start tearing the man to shreds - and truthfully, he was growing on him. He couldn't imagine they'd ever have become quite so close in their own world, but as it was, they seemed to have been able to move past the initial hurdles.

There was one thing he did feel sure of, though. "He will be very good to little Ashley and TK," he mused softly.

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	ashleysully 2018-12-25 11:00 pm UTC (link)
	Ashley nodded. "Do you think they'll end up calling him dad?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-25 11:07 pm UTC (link)
	"I don't know," he admitted softly. There was no real way to know, of course. "Would it upset you if they did?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ashleysully 2018-12-25 11:31 pm UTC (link)
	Ashley shrugged a little. She hadn't really thought about it. "I guess it would all depend on how close they get." She sighed. "It wouldn't be that bad." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	mrdarcy_ 2018-12-31 09:59 pm UTC (link)
	"I suppose it is good that they have a father figure," he said softly, and then pressed a little kiss to her wet curls. "I am sorry that it will not be the same one you knew." (Reply to this) (Parent)