Helen Magnus (britishcharm) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-09-28 22:35:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, helen magnus, varric tethras |
"You'll Stay?" "I promise."
Who: Helen and Varric
What: Hospital Visit
When: Thursday?
Where: Kaiser Hospital
Status: Complete!
Rating: PG
Logically, she knew James couldn't be with her constantly. He had his work, her greyhounds, and his own companions to look after. But she was still frightened, still afraid to be alone.
She knew he had gone against her wishes, telling her daughter and Varric where she was, and she was already tired of being strong. She still wanted him close.
Shifting onto her back, she closed her eyes against the tears threatening to fall.
Varric still needed to actually meet James. It seemed like they always managed to meet one another. They might have to actually arrange a play date.
Varric settled into the chair next to the bed, a book in his lap and a cup of coffee in his hand. He said nothing for a moment, then reached over and brushed away a stray tear, "Hey, Rabbit."
Expecting it was another visit from the nurses or perhaps Ashley returning, she didn't open her eyes until he spoke. Nor did she try to hide that she had been crying. It was too late for that anyway.
"You didn't have to come. I asked him not to tell you."
Varric clucked his tongue at her, "Of course I had to come. What kind of man would I be if I didn't?"
Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but the feeling behind it was sincere.
"I didn't want to worry you."
"And yet," He replied, a low rumble of a chuckle dying in his chest. He took her hand and kissed the palm, "Do they know what it is yet?"
She shook her head, answering simply, "More than a headache."
"Pneumonia?" He asked, trying to think of something serious enough to send her to the hospital. He stroked her knuckles with his thumb, worriedly.
“Something else. Something they can’t understand.” Or something they weren’t willing to tell her. She wasn’t certain which she would prefer.
Varric frowned, "Maybe we need to get you to a better hospital then, if it's something they can't understand."
“They’re trying.”
“Not hard enough.”
She gave his hand a faint squeeze. “It isn’t their fault.”
Varric frowned, but squeezed her hand back, "I know. I'm just worried. I hadn't realized how serious this was."
“Because I didn’t tell you.”
"You should have," He admonished, lightly, face strained. "Why is it most of the women I know are so stubborn?"
“I wanted to protect you,” she answered softly.
"Thank you, but I'd rather be there for you than not," Varric replied.
“James said as much.”
"James is a smart man! I really ought to meet him some time."
“I had hoped you would meet under different circumstances.”
"I suspect the only circumstances we would meet would be coming together for you." Varric kissed her knuckles, smirking.
She freed her hand to rest it against his cheek. “What have I ever done to earn such loyalty?”
"Be a more remarkable woman than you give yourself credit for," Varric replied, thinking once again that maybe she would have survived Kirkwall.
“I’m not remarkable.” Despite her protest, the compliment made her smile, made her feel a little lighter.
"You are. You have a steel will deep within you, waiting to come out."
She let her hand settle back onto the bed, palm up, in a silent plea for him to take it again. Even small tasks seemed draining now, but she wanted the contact.
"Perhaps one day I'll believe you."
Varric took her hand again, "Get some more rest, Rabbit. If you do, I'll read you a story."
She curled her fingers loosely around his. "You'll stay?"
Varric didn’t answer for a moment. He watched her face, then said, “I promise.”
"Forever?"
Varric chuckled, “Well I do have to leave to use the restroom on occasion. But yes.”
“That isn’t what I meant.” But she was smiling, relaxing slightly against the sheets. Perhaps now she could rest.
"Go to sleep," Varric said gently, as he opened the book. The pages were blank, but he started to read anyway.