A need to save everything that was lost

[loadedparadox]

Who: Arthur and acleandive
What: Continued on from here
Verse: Love Stories

Arthur moved around the loft, ensuring all windows were locked, the bars still on the windows. It had been for his own safety before, but now there was the worry about what would become with Mallorie trying to leave, to return to Dom.

After a bit she curled up in the corner and he was okay with that. He could handle her if she wasn't near the door, wasn't fighting him. Yet even as she dozed, he couldn't. He'd fall asleep, wake with a start. Come to and then drop off again. I was going to wear thin quickly but he hadn't had time to think when he realized what was to come, only react.

He watched her, never once truly looking away from her, even when his eyes fell shut. Always he was oriented on her.

Comments

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She rings one hand around the wrist of her other arm, thoughtfully looking at Arthur before she blinks, "You're welcome. I don't mind helping you."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Once more he leaned in, kissing her temple. For years he had denied himself these little touches and yet she was responding to them. Whatever it took to save her.

"Why don't you take a seat and I'll bring things to the table."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal smiles, slides her gaze over to the table and moves, light on her feet as she takes a seat. It's a little like playing with building blocks, each step added to the next.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Sighing softly, he poured the water over the tea ball in the pot, moving the plates to the table, then cups and the pot. He brought over cream and sugar before taking the seat across from her.

It was normal and every day and he knew he couldn't believe it was such. She was dangerous and in pain. He couldn't let himself forget that.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal plucks at her dress a little, fingers catching on the fabric because it gives her hands something to do, keeps her occupied. Arthur helps, fills up her mind with something other than panic, other than how to get out.

She pours the tea because she knows just how they both take it, a knowledge that she can clink to. That hasn't changed.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"We'll need to move soon," he admitted softly. "I know its a lot to take right now but it will make things easier." Away from the city. To a ground floor apartment.

"Will you be okay with that?"

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

There's a swell of panic in her system then, worried suddenly. She doesn't know if she can, if she can leave her husband behind, run away with Arthur.

"If I -" she pauses, twisting her skirt, "Will we come back?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Mal..." He moved to the chair closer to her, covering her hand with his own. "I'm not sure you can heal here. Too many memories and things to trigger your thoughts back to all he's done. We're not leaving forever. Just until you're better."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Curling her fingers with his, Mal takes a deep breath and nods only once, "We can come back. If we can come back then all hope is not lost."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Mal, hope is never lost. I promise. You're going to go home one day to Dominic and you'll start a family and be happy." Despite the sudden upwelling of emotions he'd had, he knew that was her future. Had always been.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal doesn't answer straight away, staring at her lap with a feirce kind of focus, like she's willing herself together and if she loses concentration all would be lost.

Eventually, she gives a small, almost unnoticeable nod, tucking her hair behind her ear and looking up. "If you think it is for the best lamb, then I trust you in this also."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"He loves you, Mal. Never lose sight of that." He sighed, straightening his shoulders, taking a deep breath. "You can't ever let that go. He did this because he loves you and was afraid to lose you."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"I just do not understand why, my lamb. I do not know why my husband would wish to -" Taking a shuddering breath, Mal stops, shakes her head once, "I would like to feel well again."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"He wanted to make you safe." And food was, for Arthur, forgotten. "You were trapped, Mal. Down in limbo and believing you were in reality. He thought he had no other choice to bring you back to the real world. He just didn't count on how much it would effect you."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"Why?" she murmurs softly, "Why me? Why can't I see?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"The inception process overrides your own thoughts, Mal. He implanted the thought that you were in a dream and needed to die and go home. Except you already did, but it is implanted so deep, you don't realize it isn't your own thought."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"But you've told me now, you've told me. I should be able to tell."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighed. "I had honestly hoped that might be enough. I don't know just how deep he went or what he did to convince you. Eventually I'm going to have to confront him directly about it."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal nods, biting down on her lip a little, nervous movements obvious. "And where will we go?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Not far. I promise, Mal. I'm not trying to keep you from him. I know you love Cobb and always will. I'm just worried because he did this and he isn't fixing it and... and I can't be party to you dying," he said, words fierce with emotions he was having a hard time controlling.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal only lays her hand against his cheek, thoughtful, "I'm sorry, my lamb."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Leaning into the touch, Arthur looked at her with such concern. "Sorry for what, Mal? You have nothing to be sorry for."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"I have hurt you," Mal whispers quietly, "You are upset and it is my fault."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Mal, no. You are hurting and it isn't your fault. Not at all. You didn't do this to you." Dom had. He couldn't blame her. He just couldn't.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal nods, dropping her hands from his face and canting her gaze downwards, letting out a sigh. "We'll do what we have to, non? I trust you."