theunpressuredclub | the scars of your love [soulmate scars au]

Shea is usually careful, with her. With the other Spades, he has a little freer reign-- most of the time, their soulmates are nonexistent or in the Suit as well. Knowing that makes him a little more comfortable about doing with them what he will. No one in the Suit is going to fight him on what he does, after all; not with Medea's blessing protecting him.

But she's a risk. She's someone who's more likely to be connected to someone outside of the Suit; someone he can't control. So he's usually careful to make sure that the injuries that do end up marring her body are ones easily explained away by the excuse of training.

But she's gone too far, this time. She's pushed too hard in an attempt to protect too fiercely. She's going to go home bruised and battered; a gash across her leg and a knife injury to her shoulder that's going to be absolutely impossible to hide.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

theunpressuredclub

"O-okay."

A shaky breath.

"Sorry, it's just been a-- really rough day."

From:

ofthecubs

It's difficult, but he manages to bite back the impulse to press. His fingers move carefully now to her elbow, not squeezing so much as resting.

"You don't have to... tell me, if you don't want to." He could imagine it might help, and he could imagine it might make everything worse. "But... let us take care of you, Rach. At least a little. At least-- what's physically bad. Please?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

Breathing is shaky. Running the fingers of her good arm through her hair comes with a heavy sigh, before she nods.

"O-only if you-- promise y'won't ask me to tell."

From:

ofthecubs

"I won't."

His mother will, he's certain. And his mother will be able to do it in a kinder, gentler, more thoughtful fashion.

"Just let me handle this much, hm?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

"A-all right."

She can let him in that much. She can, hopefully, keep the truth enough hidden away that it won't matter she's letting him in this much.

From:

ofthecubs

"Thank you." It's an indulgence, after all. It's not something she had to allow. His fingers squeeze carefully at her elbow as he nods toward the bedroom. "Let's get you settled, then."

From:

theunpressuredclub

"Okay."

She's still shaking, just a little. She's going to have to lean against him slightly when they move towards the bedroom.

"...Thanks, Ed."

From:

ofthecubs

"Anything, Rach."

It's still one of the easiest promises to make in the world. It's easier still now that the drugs in his system are staving off the echoes in his own shoulder and leg, making it easier to take her weight.

From:

theunpressuredclub

"You're th'best."

And she's still going to cling just a little to him when he helps her settle onto the bed. He makes her feel safer, after all.

From:

ofthecubs

Sticking close to her is easy. Keeping a hand at her elbow and his weight leaned heavily against the bed is easy. Looking at her with an open sort of adoration is easy, if also entirely unconscious.

"We're gonna be okay. I promise. Lemme take a quick look and you can go to sleep, all right?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

"...I guess."

She's still going to look guiltily down; hesitant to actually reveal the injuries.

From:

ofthecubs

"Just quick, okay?"

They're both the sort of people, after all, who tend to bleed through bandages rather than admit they don't feel entirely well. There's understanding beside the concern furrowing his brow.

"Leg?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

"Okay."

She's still going to sound reluctant. Shifting to roll up her pants sleeve is a little harder to do with the full range of movement in only one arm.

"...You promised not to ask."

She has to remind him of it one last time before she offers the bandaged injury to him for inspection.

From:

ofthecubs

"I promised."

But he didn't promise not to frown. He didn't promise not to let his brow furrow with concern as he carefully checks over the bandaging for signs she'll bleed through any time soon.

"And-- your shoulder, right?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

"Yeah."

She tries to keep her voice even, because maybe if she acts like she isn't worried, then maybe he won't overthink it. Maybe he won't begin to wonder if maybe their scars are the same.

"We can't just-- let your Mom look at it tomorrow?"

Let him think it's just anxiety about taking off her shirt. The less he sees of her hurts, the better.

From:

ofthecubs

"Could let her look at it now," he counters, fingers oddly thoughtful in tightening the ends of her bandages. "Just wanna make sure it won't get worse while you sleep, Rach. It'll be quick."

From:

theunpressuredclub

"--Fine."

She can't help but bite her lip with nerves even as she agrees to it.

"D'you mind-- getting her, then?"

From:

ofthecubs

"Will y' let me get a real doctor, then?"

It isn't a strong push. It's almost more instinct than anything else, fingers drifting up to press carefully against the soreness in his own shoulder.

From:

theunpressuredclub

She can't help the way her gaze flickers to where he's pressing against his shoulder, nerves briefly showing in her eyes. She can't help but run through the options-- figuring out the likelihood Edgar has of telling his mother of his own hurts; of Lorraine putting together or her gentle prodding leading to questions Rachel doesn't want to answer.

A doctor seems like the safer bet to both appease him and keep him from figuring out what she's fairly certain is true.

"...Yeah, I-- guess that's all right."

From:

ofthecubs

He can't help that his eyes light up. He can't help that his entire face brightens in relief. He also, apparently, can't help leaning in to press a firm kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you."

From:

theunpressuredclub

It's nice to see him relax a little bit. It's nice, when he leans in to kiss her forehead. She can't help the brief brush of her lips against his cheek in response.

"Y're welcome."

From:

ofthecubs

He'll always smile at the brief press of her lips. It can't help keeping him lingering close, despite the tug in his gut to get a doctor before she changes her mind.

"Y' know it's-- just 'cause I care, right?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

"I know," she says softly, "Me, too, nn?"

All of the hurts have come because she cares. All of the hiding is for the same reason.

From:

ofthecubs

"And that's not changing, okay?"

It's an easy thing to know. It's something he's known for a while now. His fingers are careful as they catch at hers for a delicate squeeze.

"So you and your soulmate are just gonna have to be on board with me tagging along sometimes, okay?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

She can't help but laugh, for all it's a little nervous with the half-certainty forming in her gut that he's her soulmate.

"'ll keep that in mind."