January 1987; what you can't carry

[theunpressuredclub]

 She'd skipped training today, and she was certain she was going to pay for it later, as Pierre was liking paying for it now. But walking to the Spades Castle had had her running into Elliot, and Elliot had clearly been in need of some kind of help. It wasn't until he'd turned away from her and she saw the blood that had seeped through the back of his shirt that she'd even begun to figure out the problem.

Encouraging him back to the Clubs Castle was rough, but he was ultimately in too much agony to argue otherwise. Had half-collapsed onto her bed after shrugging off his shirt with a low groan of pain.

Really, it was impressive that it was only a groan, Rachel had determined once she'd gotten proper look at the obvious lashes across his back. It had turned her stomach more than anything she'd seen yet had-- and there'd been a lot she had seen, now. Had had her asking a Two to call for Edgar when the Spade had passed out-- from the exhaustion or the pain her delicate cleaning of the wounds had been, she couldn't tell-- asking him to come as soon as he was able.

There's worry clear in her features when she answers the door, along with a small bit of uncertainty. By now she knew that Edgar suspected there was more to her 'training' situation than she'd let on, but she wasn't sure he knew to what extent. And even though she was fairly certain Elliot's situation wasn't related to their shared experience, she couldn't help the fretting when she was still so obviously healing from the session that had left bruises all along her arms.

Comments

[meonmyway2stealurgirl]

There's confusion in his expression, still. He's lost too much blood and been unconscious for too long not to be groggy.

"Where--?"

[ofthecubs]

Rachel is here to be soft. Rachel is here to be the strong emotional connection. Rachel is here to soothe and coddle and help that way.

He's not here for that. He's here to help in a different way.

"Hospital in Town." He shifts slightly, lowering his head to catch Elliot's bleary eyes better. "With a Clubs doctor. And it's saved your life, Elliot."

[meonmyway2stealurgirl]

There's an absentminded frown, at the words. A shake of his head, as best as he can manage it, lying on his stomach like this.

"Can' be right," he mutters, "'s usually fine with a couple layers 'f bandages."

"You bled through them, Elliot. Twice, even," Rachel tells him, too fretful to even entirely notice the use of the word 'usually.'

[ofthecubs]

It's why it's good that there's two of them. The 'usually' hits him like a punch to the gut.

It takes a moment before he can form words again properly. "...just... just rest, okay? This will-- heal up better."

Than if he moves around, yes; but also, presumably, than 'usually.'

[meonmyway2stealurgirl]

"Please, Elliot," Rachel adds softly, her hand finding his hair briefly, soothingly.

There's something soft in Elliot's eyes when he looks up at her, for all there's also still that lingering hint of disorientation. It has him acquiescing with a slight nod after another moment's hesitation.

"All-- 'll right."

[ofthecubs]

It doesn't matter, in the moment, if Elliot does it for himself or for Rachel. It doesn't matter as long as Elliot is willing to settle back down.

"Thank you. We'll be here, all right? You just breathe."

[meonmyway2stealurgirl]

"...Okay."

He can do that. He's drifting back more towards unconsciousness again, anyways. He's absolutely starting to relax as Rachel's fingers stay delicately tangled in his hair.

[ofthecubs]

He waits until Elliot's breathing is evened out. He waits until he's certain the other young man is asleep before he allows himself to genuinely exhale.

"...he's lucky."

Not in every way, but in a few of the important ones.

[theunpressuredclub]

She won't disentangle her hand from his hair until she's certain his breathing is evil. Will still have her hand unconsciously reaching for Elliot's, just so she's able to feel his pulse (and it's starting to steady, now, thank goodness.)

It takes her a moment to catch Edgar's meaning. She bites down on her lip a moment before she nods.

"Just a little bit."

[ofthecubs]

"Very." His attention stays, for the moment, on the monitors. There isn't a lot they can do, after all, other than try to breathe for each other now. "Not everyone has a friend like you to trust like this."

His hand settles briefly, lightly on her elbow for just the faintest squeeze.

"And he's lucky he got here in time, mm?"

[theunpressuredclub]

She'll extend the arm his hand rests on, needing him a little closer so she can drop her head against his shoulder.

"He is," she says with a soft sigh, "Thanks for helping me with him."

She wouldn't have been able to manage it without him. She shudders to think what that would mean.

[ofthecubs]

Moving closer to her is easy. Supporting her is as natural as breathing.

"Anything for you two, Rach. You know that."

She must, at least, know that for herself, if not by extension for Elliot. It's more true, after all, for seeing how much she clearly cares for the Spade.

[theunpressuredclub]

"I know."

And she does, at least for herself. She's starting to believe the same about Elliot. They were close friends before, once, after all.

"Still. Thank you."

[ofthecubs]

"...you're welcome."

He turns, briefly, to press his nose against her temple. He squeezes, briefly, to hold her tighter.

"You should get some rest too, you know. He's safe now."

[theunpressuredclub]

The curling closer has her smiling softly, nestling in a little more into his hold.

"What about you, though?"

[ofthecubs]

The shake of his head is light, careful not to dislodge her from where she'd settled.

"You first. We'll take turns, okay?"

[theunpressuredclub]

"'ll right," she murmurs, resting a little longer against his side before she finally pulls back. Squeezing Elliot's hand is necessary before she lets it drop. There's a tired smile Edgar's way as she starts to move to settle back into a chair again.

"Wake me up when you need me, all right? Promise?"

[ofthecubs]

"I promise."

And he will. Maybe he'll push himself too far, stay up longer than his body genuinely wants to allow so she can sleep more, but there's no help for that.

[theunpressuredclub]

"Thanks, Ed."

And maybe she'll frown a little when she wakes and finds it later than expected, but she'll shoo him to sleep and keep watch of both him and Elliot.

It's odd, how much her heart tugs to protect both of them. It's strange, feeling this much of a level of love and care.

[ofthecubs]

It's an odd sort of comfort, really. There's comfort in being able to look after Rachel--in being part, again, of at least a team effort in looking after Elliot. There's comfort in being looked after by Rachel--and in knowing Rachel is looking after Elliot as well.

It makes him less than happy, when he wakes a few hours later, to know he'll have to leave them and go back to the Clubs castle, at least briefly. It's something he'll do his absolute best to delay as long as absolutely possible.

[theunpressuredclub]

It's nice when they're all here together. It would be better if they were all together and none of them were injured, but she'll take what she can get.

Will, gently, shoo him on his way when she knows it's his time to go.

"Y'need to leave, Ed. 've got this."

[ofthecubs]

There's genuine frustration in his sigh as he forces himself to his feet. One hand reaches briefly to squeeze Rachel's hand; the other shifts almost unconsciously to smooth protectively at Elliot's hair.

"I'll be back, okay? Tell him."

[theunpressuredclub]

"I will. Promise."

Said with a tight squeeze of his hand before she lets go to give him a gentle shove against his side.

"Go, Ed."

[ofthecubs]

"Okay."

He can leave. He can take a deep breath and force himself to the door.

He can't quite force himself completely through it. "If-- if anything changes, just-- have someone come get me. Okay? Promise?"

Neither of them should have to be alone.

[theunpressuredclub]

"I promise, Ed. You gonna try to come by when you're done?"

She doesn't doubt it, but it can't hurt to confirm.