(CLOSED) You wouldn't hurt them

[sprent]

WHO: Gela and you
WHAT: h/c (hafterdemon content)
WHEN: After pride, before the fall <- modplot
WHERE: Many different places
NOTES: Reference to & discussion of kidnapping, mistreatment, starvation, trauma, neglect

Starters below. Let me know if you'd like a starter!

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[wearyallalone]

"I've never had a pet," he confesses, "but I've always been fond of animals. They can be good company." It occurs to him that he, too, could get a pet if he wanted one. Other members of the company balance their duties with caring for a companion animal. But he's spent so long without it being an option, he hasn't given it any thought until this moment.

He's no less aware of what is in the corner of the room than she is, though he seems calm. Instead of agitation, the awareness manifests in keeping the conversation going when he might generally fall back on companionable silence.

"Do you need anything other than cake for now? Books, or ... I don't want to rush your healing, but if you could get permission to go out with company, I wouldn't mind giving you an arm to lean on for a short walk." Presumably anyone else who hadn't just gone through what they'd both been through would be a better candidate, but that's an argument for someone else.

[sprent]

"I might need more cake," she says, with mouth full. She can tell what he's doing and is grateful for it, picking up the conversational hook without commenting, "But a walk would be so nice. We should go."

As in without permission and also right now. She is already pushing back covers to swing her legs around and making sure to take the cake with her, lifting it from the bed. It's not like she is wearing 'hospital' clothes or anything, just a simple blouse and skirt. Her shoes are by the door. She flaps one hand at Vanya. "Quickly."

Before somebody pokes their head in and makes this not happen—

[wearyallalone]

There's a moment when she can see the rule-follower in him inclined to resist. But then, truly the worst that could happen would be a lecture and, perhaps, his having to enlist some help to get her back to the infirmary. And he knows from personal experience the difference that getting out from the same four walls made, even if he'd known he wasn't being held prisoner.

Decision made, he rises and offers her an arm once she's slipped her shoes on. If she leans on him, it's likely to look more as if the outing is sanctioned. (And if she actually needs to lean on him, well, the cover will mean she needn't hesitate over asking.) For all she urged speed, once they're outside the pace he sets is steady, for his sake as well as hers, and he points them toward one of the gardens.