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]

"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."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

His fingers brushed her cheek. "Thank you for having faith in me, Mal. I will do everything I can for you."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She leans into his touch breifly and then visibly pulls herself together, "We are forgetting breakfast, lamb."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"We do need to eat," he agreed, sitting back to work on trying to eat. "You included."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"I will, I promise." She even picks up her fork to demonstrate, still staring a little quietly and out of sorts.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

His next words were cruel and worth a try. "Please? For me?"

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She cuts into her omelette with a little curl of her determination to her lips, takes the first bite like a child starting to learn again. it's the shock, settling in her system like a mist that it's hard to see out of but she is trying, that much is clear.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur smiled then, working on his own meal. "Thank you," he whispered, watching her.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She looks up, smiling slightly so that her cheeks dimple before going back to the task at hand.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur worked on eating, watching her and seeing that she ate. He barely touched his, still nervous and worried.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal's careful the way she divides her food up, controlling in a way she isn't usually, like all the gusto has been driven from her. Eventually her energy flags and she pulls a face, laying down her utensils.

"I'm not sure I feel very well, my Arthur. May I stop?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The changes are heart breaking. He watches her but when she asks to stop, he nodded. "Of course. I won't force you to eat," he murmured, knowing the only thing he would make her do was not leave.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Mal only places her chin in her palm, leaning against it, curled into the table like she's protecting herself. It's instinctual, hand pressed into her stomach like a cat would protect her weakness.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He knew the smartest thing was to leave her there, let her work on parts of this on her own and not let himself become lost in her. Instead he rose, offering his hand. "Come sit down with me."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She looks up, takes his hand automatically and rises, fingers curling tight around his like he's her anchor. "I do not wish to cause you discomfort."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Mal, you're not causing me any discomfort," he said, offering her the kind lie. "I just want to make this as easy for you as I can."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"I can still tell when you're not speaking the truth," Mal tells him but stays close, watching him carefully, "I'm so very sorry. I hate hurting you."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"I am doing the best I can, Mal, but know I'm speaking the truth when I tell you this. You are not hurting me. You didn't do this to yourself. I'm hurting because you're hurting, but that isn't your fault," he assured her.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"I just wish I could stop, I wish I could know and then you wouldn't be so worried."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"We'll find a way, Mal. I promise. We'll find a way to make it right again." He didn't think, pulling her to him, holding her close.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

She doesn't even think twice in seeking out comfort from him, cheek pressed against his chest like she's trying to listen to his heartbeat in her turmoil.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Strong arms go around her, cradling that seemingly slight form to him and resting his cheek against her hair. "I never should have let him push me away from you. He's your husband and I thought you would be all right with him. I'm so sorry."

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

"But I am with you now," Mal whispers against his chest, trying not to let it get too bad, holding back the tears.