Latent Dream (Summervale) [Cramler] [M]

[GoblinFae]

He readjusted his stance to brace himself better and then nodded. "Go ahead."

[Nightcrawler]

Fletch took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He shot one last look at Theo — a look fraught with guilt and genuine concern — before bending to focus. "Okay, palm towards the floor," he began. Then he realized that Theo couldn't read him like this and stopped. He'd never been good at playing doctor anyways. That was always Ven's domain. But someone had to take care of Theo if he wasn't willing to do it himself, and so, gently as he could, he grasped the man's arm and turned it so the bruise faced upward.

He cupped his hand beneath Theo's to hold it steady, fingers splayed to support the wrist. He held his breath. With barely a whisper of a brush, he ran a finger over the bruise, following the line of the bones. Nothing poked from beneath the skin. Fletch straightened his back, gently raising Theo's arm, and looked him in the eye. "Take a breath," he grimaced. "And let it out. This is the part that hurts. Ready?"

Fletcher pressed a thumb to the bruise, wincing in anticipation of a cry of pain. "Yep. Yeah. Okay. That's all I needed." He released Theo's hand and stepped back, now looking just as green as his friend. Perspiration glistened at his temples as he stared wide-eyed at the nobleman. He swallowed. "It's broken. That's...that's not something I can fix. Theo, you need a healer. Now."

[GoblinFae]

Inhale. Exhale. Silent scream.

Theo kept his eyes on Fletcher's face as the man felt the bones in his broken hand. But, even the slightest pressure turned him green and the fullest pressure blew his pupils as wide as dinner plates. His lips turned pure white in an effort to keep them closed while a muffled, wheezing, groaning scream of pain strained out of him.

The nobleman breathed fast and heavy from his nose as he was released, brows furrowed in pain as he desperately focused on remaining put together. It took several attempts for him to be able to speak but, even then it was through loosely gritted teeth.

"It will heal on its own. The Baroness will be expecting us downstairs soon."

[Nightcrawler]

"Theo...no. I don't think you understand." Fletch wiped his brow and shook his head. Normally he'd have lost his patience and flown off the handle already, but somehow, the weight of that guilt still held him steady. After all, if he hadn't been so horribly behaved, none of this would have happened. It seemed all he did anymore was cause damage.

Well. Time to clean up his own mess again. He gazed at Theo imploringly and with utter seriousness. His voice shook as he spoke, and he was thankful that the man couldn't hear the fear in it. "You've never broken a bone, have you? You can't have, if...look. I've seen plenty of breaks, and I've seen them heal wrong. Believe me when I say that if it's serious enough, and a bone shifts out of place, and doesn't set correctly, that piano is going to gather dust for the rest of your life. You need to see a healer, Theo. Please."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eye tight and tried to think of some way to get through to the man. He dropped his hand to his side again. "Just...tell her it was my fault. You wouldn't be wrong."

[GoblinFae]

He didn't need to hear to know it. Theo wanted nothing more than to reach out and cup Fletcher's cheek, to brush the sweat off his brow, to pull him close and reassure him it was okay, that there was nothing to worry about. His eyes slid away from the other man's lips as a shadow fell over them. He didn't have the right to care. He was a terrible friend and this was just pity and fear for Fletcher's job. The man was even trying to cover for him again.

"No. It's my fault. I was standing on the chair and it broke. I tried to use my hand to catch myself and there was a snap. It's my fault. I'm sorry to trouble you. Can you please help right the folding screen before we get help? Don't need extra questions."

[Nightcrawler]

He opened his mouth to argue, but quickly shut it when he realized what the man was doing. They both knew it was a lie. But maybe a lie was better than the truth of whatever had just happened. "I...yeah. Alright. I'll just..." With one last glance at Theo's hand, he pursed his lips in determination, nodded, and stepped away to lift the screen back where it had stood. Then he circled around the man and back through the nanny door, disappeared for a moment, and returned with his mended coat.

"Okay," he said as he ran a hand over his hair in a weak attempt to smooth it. "Tell who you need to. I'll follow you."

[GoblinFae]

"We're going to be late," he sighed. "And I'm covered in sand. She's going to have a fit. Her poor nerves." Theodore shook his head and did his best to brush his shoulder off with one hand while walking out the door and down the stairs. Sure enough, as soon as he was within sight, the Baroness started up her godawful shrieking, going on and on about them being late and how difficult it was to even get an appointment with this seamstress to begin with and how prestigious the woman was, how she did the clothes for the Viscountess Noxel and not just anyone could do that harpy's clothes.

"What happened to your hand?! Oh my nerves!" The Baroness immediately started faint-falling in Fletcher's direction the moment the pair were within range and she caught sight of Theo's broken hand. She fanned herself rapidly while melting to the floor. 

"I require a healer. I had a fall," he replied in an unusually reserved and clipped manner. "The fitting can wait."

"The fitting most certainly cannot! Into the carriage at once! BOTH OF YOU!" Suddenly the woman was apparently fine from her nervous spell and was back to her feet and shoving her son forward as fast as possible. "You too Mr. Daw! You've delayed us long enough Teddy Bear. We can have a healer meet us there!"

Mother and son sat side by side leaving only the spot across from Theo for Fletcher as the Baroness placed her tiny coin purse in the space across from her.

[Nightcrawler]

Fletch chose to step aside as subtly as he could rather than so much as come near that horrible woman, and kept his hands clasped firmly behind his back. If she wanted to make a very real injury about her, she could certainly just sit on the dirty floor and deal with it. His expression, a few seconds ago melancholy and etched with worry, now drew taut into the clenched jaw and downtowned mouth that marked the barely-concealed contempt he held for this woman and her viper husband. Sure enough, it was an act — the woman rose right back to her feet. What he wouldn't give to stick a leg out and trip the bitch flat on her face. See how quick she'd call the healer then.

"Tiff, with me," he called to one of the guardsmen as they passed through the front door. While technically they wouldn't be needing a second prison guard for Theo, Fletch followed the Baron's orders to the letter — at least, in appearance. This was a trip into town, so two guards it was. He waited for Theo and the woman to pile into the carriage, directed Tiffany up top next to their new driver, and then hopped in and shut the door. Once settled, he glared pointedly out the window and away from the Baroness — both because he couldn't stand her, and to stave off the inevitable carriage sickness.

[GoblinFae]

Theo did his best to rest his injured hand in his lap. The jostling of the carriage however was doing nothing for the pain. The man whimpered softly, biting his lip hard at one particularly nasty bump in the road and looking more and more by the second like he was going to be ill. He pressed his knee into Fletcher's without thinking, taking comfort from friendly contact in the crowded, unpleasant space that was as much a cage as home.

He practically tumbled right out of the carriage as soon as it stopped and had to lean against the side to keep from upending his stomach on the spot. Not even the Baroness's flailing and squawking was phasing him in the moment. "Tiffany," Theo called softly to the very tall and broad-shouldered guard. "Can you fetch the healer please." The man nodded his head although glanced to Fletcher, wordlessly asking permission as Ivory dragged her son in for his fitting.

The nobleman was immediately swarmed by the seamstress and her assistant as all three woman took to poking at his clothes and trying to use him as a living doll for their own entertainment. For his part, Theodore endured without complaint save for the occasional flinch and jerk of his hand as it was bumped in their excitement.

[Nightcrawler]

The bumps in the road. He wished he'd thought of it earlier. With autumn rains came the inevitable potholes, and now they were stuck in this suffocating box, and it felt like someone was shaking it. At least on a ship, the rocking was predictable. In the carriage, with the only view being out the side through the windows, one never knew when one would be thrown around. It was bad enough on him with his nausea. For Theo, it must have been hell.

Something pressed against his knee. He glanced down, hoping to all that was holy that he hadn't just accidentally bumped the Baroness, but no. It was just Theo. Whether or not he knew what he was doing, the man kept his leg there, and Fletcher made no effort to move away. Instead, he slid his hands into his lap where the man could see them, made a show of picking at his nails, then slowly signed a message. "Just keep breathing. We're almost there."

Finally, they arrived, but before he could help Theo out of the carriage, the man tumbled forth and only narrowly caught himself. Fletch hopped out next to him just as Theo took the words right out of his mouth. As Tiff looked to him for confirmation, Fletcher's eye widened and he nodded vehemently. Yes, this was real. Yes, this was serious. He sidled up next to the horses under the pretense of speaking with the driver and his fellow guard about something else. "Quickly," he added under his breath. "And quietly, please. It's bad." Then he turned and followed Theo into the shop.

He hated these places — stuffy with perfume, hung thick with frilly shit and lace and all manner of things that were best left hidden beneath clothes on women's undergarments. He was certain Theo would hate it, too, if he weren't preoccupied with the blinding pain of a broken bone. Fletch couldn't help but pace and fidget and tap his foot as his anxiety took a firm hold of him. He'd really fucked up. He should never have broken like that on the training grounds. It was unconscionable to direct any of this towards Theo, but he'd turned so much acid and poison and bile on the man that he'd pushed him over the edge.

He stopped pacing for as long as he could stand. Long enough to sign another message. "Tiff knows it's bad. He'll be back soon. Just hold on."

[GoblinFae]

Had the circumstances been different Theo might have actually been amused by how antsy Fletcher was. His bodyguard had always come off so confident and go with the flow that seeing such anxiety over such a small injury was almost endearing. Having seen the scars, Theodore could only imagine what worse treatment the other man had survived and didn't at all feel the fussing was necessary.

Pretty boys like him always turned out fine. A little pain was the least he could quietly suffer given how much worse others regularly endured. He was sure if he complained he'd just be made fun of for the fact his precious piano was at risk of losing a player or that his penmanship would no longer be as graceful as it once was. Poor pretty boy. Look how he feels so sorry for himself.

No he deserved this. This was for losing his temper. This was for hurting his friend. This was for being such a constant spoiled brat, for lacking compassion, patience, and understanding. He'd forgotten his place. Of course Fletcher wouldn't trust him after he'd kissed him in public, after he got his job threatened, after he ruined everything while swearing with an ego the size of a watermelon that it would be fine, he'd handle it, he knew what he was doing.

Theo grunted as another pin stabbed into his ribs. The women were all smiles and laughter in direct contrast to the anxious, concerned Fletcher. The nobleman for his part nodded his slightly in understanding, doing his best to offer a small half-smile. He was fine. He'd be fine. No need for his friend to worry more about his job or person. It wasn't Fletcher's fault after all. Theo was the one with petulant overgrown child temper tantrums.

Blessedly the healer arrived not much later. He was an older man known for his no-nonsense attitude but gentle hands and competent care. He was also a skilled mage.

"Ladies please. I clearly have a patient here. Can't this wait?"

"There are too many pins that need placing. We cannot stop now! Work around us!"

Theo offered the man an apologetic look while doing his best to hold his hand out still and straight for him. His bit his lip and whimpered as it was palpated, eyes shut against the pain or perhaps out of fear of seeing Fletcher's expression.

The cry however seemed to finally catch the Baroness's attention who immediately went from a fashion crazed mother to a suddenly concerned and sympathetic one. "Oh my baby my baby," she cried trying to touch his face and offer comfort. "What's wrong with him?!"

"Definitely broken," the healer murmured softly. "This could have gone seriously awry young man. You should have sent for me sooner."

"I apologize," Theo replied readily. "I knew how important this appointment was and did not dare keep these lovely ladies waiting. I will be more mindful in the future." The way he spoke came so easily as if he had been made to apologize for existing his entire life.

"Now then there are three methods of which I can repair this—"

"Oh by any means necessary! My Teddy Bear is a pianist. He must be able to use his hands by the upcoming debutante ball to entertain his sweetheart the Lady Obower. Have you met her? She's such a delightful lady isn't she?"

"As I was saying, the bones are pretty set sir but they risk falling out of place as you attempt to use the hand while it is healing. We can simply bandage the hand and allow nature to take its course. It would be very slow however—"

"That isn't an option. Next. I only want the best. Cost isn't a problem. We need this done quickly!"

Theo swayed slightly where he stood, his vision going a bit fuzzy as his mother continued to keep interrupting the healer. "Perhaps Mother we could let Mr. Stoney finish his assessment," he whispered. His stomach turned again and he wondered if he was ill right here how long he'd survive afterwards for causing such offenses.

"Are you well, Honorable Lord Archer?" The healer placed a hand on Theo's shoulder while trying to peer into the man's eyes.

"I will be fine under your care, thank you."

The older man, ignoring the Baroness's prattling, squinted his eyes before reaching into his bag and unwrapping a small candy. "This will settle your stomach sir. Just don't chew it." He continued as Theo popped the ginger and honey pastille in his mouth with a slight grimace at the taste.

"As I was saying the fastest option is to cast a healing spell however they have a tendency when it comes to hand and arm bones to be rather volatile on rare occasions or to heal improperly. My recommendation is a hybridization of magic and nature. If I use magic I can splint and hold the bones in place while allowing the body to do what it needs to. However, it will be much more painful but will also heal much faster and in theory correctly. I can prescribe mandragora for the pain but it will mean you will be confined to bed until it heals as the effects are quite strong."

Theo was already in the process of nodding his head to accept the more painful option when his mother started off asking after the speed of healing and if he'd be able to play piano. His vision blurred again, the edges turning black as swayed again, completely unsure if he'd manage to catch himself before he fell off the pedestal.

[Nightcrawler]

Every passing second wore his patience dangerously thin. Standing by and watching and doing nothing felt so wrong. So slimy. Like he himself had made a deal with the devils, and not Theo. Every word out of the woman's mouth bent the subject back towards her needs, her wishes, as though Theo's agony was a minor inconvenience to be negotiated past. The tailors wouldn't even give him room to fucking breathe until it was finally advantageous for the Baroness to make a performance out of fussing over her son. Watching it all reignited that overwhelming impulse to just grab Theo and make a break for it and never look back.

But he couldn't keep causing damage. He couldn't be reckless. All he could do was stand there and dig his nails into his palms as the veins popped angrily in his neck and forehead. That was, until Theo began to sway. Fletcher's eye narrowed. He started forward, hesitated, stopped, then started forward again. "I think he needs air, Ma'am," he interjected. "Ma'am. He needs — he's going to — "

But of course, in all the fuss and hubbub no one listened. "Oh, for fuck's sake," he murmured as he pushed past one of the tailors just in time to catch Theo and hold him steady. He rounded on the Baroness. It took every last ounce of self-control that he had to keep his voice even. "Ma'am. Respectfully: if this keeps up, he won't make it to the ball at all. He needs healing first."

[GoblinFae]

Theo was out before he even hit Fletcher's arms. His head lulled in unconsciousness into the other man's neck as he was carried to a sofa to lay on. The garments were quickly removed and the healer made quick work of getting a direct answer from the Baroness. At least with Theodore passed out, the most painful part of initiating the magical splinting and healing would not be something he remembered. Baroness Archer of course was losing her mind in concerned hysterics as the other ladies worked to console.

Even unconscious though, the nobleman made a pained groan of pain as the healer worked as quickly and efficiently as he could. Theo's hand glowed blue then purple and finally settled on green before the magic sunk within his skin. Healer Stoney then wrapped the man's hand in bandaging and turned to address Fletcher with Theodore's care. I will be giving him some mandragora with will help with the pain but will also act as a sedative for him. He will likely be very tired and very out of it. Don't be surprised if he experiences some hallucinations or acts out of character. However, if he does start vomiting, discontinue use entirely. It should fully heal in two to three weeks but if he is still experiencing problems, have me sent for. For the first week though see that he is taking the mandragora every quarter of the day without fail. After that point only as needed and by the later weeks he can switch to willow bark tea to manage the more minor pains. Questions?"

[Nightcrawler]

Fletch was reluctant to leave him like that: splayed out and fainted on the couch, white as a sheet and cold to the touch. But he knew better than to get between healer and patient. And he also knew better than to expose just how much he cared for the man by refusing to leave his side. He backed away, allowing the healer some space to move in and work his magic. When it was finally said and done, he was surprised to find that the man addressed, not the Baroness, but him.

Fletcher listened carefully to every word, and when he'd received his instructions, he lowered his voice and turned his back and hoped that the Baroness couldn't hear him. "She's going to ask when he can play the piano again...regardless of the pain. What do I tell her?"

[GoblinFae]

"Not until I remove the bandaging in two to three weeks time and then only scales and minor stretching. If he feels pain he is to stop and not push through. Poor lad, he does seem to be the stubborn type. Let me tend to her ladyship," the healer replied, rolling his eyes with a deeply aggravated sigh. "See to it he's brought home at once. Boy needs his rest. I can trust you with his medicine then?" A bag was held out to Fletcher to take as the man gave him a very stern and pointed look. 

[Nightcrawler]

Fletch breathed a palpable sigh of relief. "Thank you," he murmured. "It's the last thing he needs after this." He took the bag and stowed it safely in his coat pocket. A quiet laugh hissed through his nose. At the end of the day, these people of medicine: they were all the same. Every last one. "I was married to a healer. I know the drill," he assured the man. "And...thank you again."

He turned away from the healer and took a deep breath, bracing himself for the worst, before addressing the Baroness. He left no room for argument. "Ma'am. The healer insists that Th — that Master Theodore rests at home. As I'm in charge of his safety, I have to agree with him. I'll alert Bartrand to ready the carriage."

[GoblinFae]

The healer raised his brows, a brief look of amusement passing his features at the knowledge before nodding his head. Theodore would be in excellent care then. The Baroness for her part however waved Fletcher off, commanding him to do what was best while she tried to sort out the payments and clothes and healer all in one go.

Theo on the other hand started to come in and out of consciousness while Fletcher was absent getting the carriage together. In fact the entire getting into the carriage, getting home, and getting into bed were a blur of lights and faces and dizzying movement. His hand still throbbed and ached something fierce. "It hurts," he groaned, finally admitting to his pain while trying to sit up in bed. "Did...is the outfit ok?"

[Nightcrawler]

There was, at last, something he could do to feel useful. He hated the circumstances for it, mind, but all the fire in his nerves and that pit in his stomach had to go somewhere, and now there was something to direct it towards. He gave Theo the full seat in the carriage so that the man could lay down, opting to hang off the side like a highwayman — much to the chagrin and constant complaint of the Baroness. By the time they'd reached the manor, he and Tiff had worked out a suitable shift in the guard rotation so that Theo's medication could be administered as ordered. The man helped haul Theo gently up the stairs and lay him in bed before heading off to relay the news to Ash and Niles. Neish helped Fletcher get the bedside table set up with water and tea and scones and some honey to take with his medicine.

And she left, too, and it was quiet. For two more hours it remained that way — Theo resting, Fletcher sitting and pacing and sitting again. Finally, he dragged a chair next to the bed and slumped down into it and stared off at the far wall. His mind continued to race, and every time he looked at Theo and Theo's hand, the weight became more pronounced. Those thoughts bubbled to the surface again: how he'd caused this. How, in his overconfidence, he'd thought that surely he could fix it all if he only stayed and tried hard enough. How in staying, he'd started to become the very man that he opposed: both Theo's father, and his own.

It all pointed to one conclusion. And it was one that he had avoided at all costs, because truthfully, he didn't want to leave anymore — not out of some sense of duty to Theo or the dog, but because he'd lose a friend. Or...whatever they were anymore. But if he wanted to do the least harm, he might have to break that very promise he'd sworn to keep. And he should do it soon, too, before mid-winter. To keep Theo from seeing where he went at his very lowest.

Theo shifted and groaned, jolting Fletcher from his thoughts. He stood abruptly without a word and began to measure out the mandragora into a small glass of honeyed tea on the bedside table. "Here," he muttered. "Drink this."

[GoblinFae]

Theo recoiled his head back from the drink as he attempted to reach for it with his injured right hand. He was still so foggy from passing out and the pain, that it took several reaching attempts to figure out that he couldn't use that hand and that was the reason why Fletcher was playing keep away with the cup. Finally, he managed to accept it with his left hand although he immediately placed it in his lap instead of drinking from it.

"What happened? Why am I...home? Yes, home. How much trouble am I in?"

[Nightcrawler]

Satisfied that Theo wouldn't spill the medicine all over himself, Fletch stepped away to stand awkwardly over him. He lasted all of two seconds like that before finding a spot at the foot of the bed and sitting there instead. "None," he replied. "By any measure that counts, anyways. The healer made sure your mum took it seriously. If she tries to pretend she didn't hear him, I'm sending for him again and again until she shuts her damned mouth."

He laughed softly and smiled what must have been his first genuine smile at Theo in weeks. "I think I've about had it with her," he continued. "And I suppose that means you'll get some entertainment if she starts her shit back up. Something to look forward to, ey?"

Fletcher motioned with his head towards the unconsumed medicine. "Drink it, please. It's for the pain."