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

"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."

From:

ofthecubs

"Good. You just relax, okay?" Bumping his forehead against hers is light before he pulls back up to his feet. "I'll be right back. You'll be okay."

And, thankfully, she'd see a doctor.

From:

theunpressuredclub

"Okay."

She would see a doctor. She'll let Edgar let someone else take care of her. She'll focus on all of that rather than on the fact that it's entirely possible her dearest friend is also someone she's hurting by nature of their connection and the world she's fallen into.

From:

ofthecubs

He'll hover outside once he's dragged a doctor up to the room. He won't peek, and he won't stand too close to the door, but it's impossible not to hover close by.

He'll also ask the doctor if it looks bad, of course.

From:

theunpressuredclub

There'll be murmured concerns from the doctor and quietly defensive ones back from Rachel. There will be a worried furrow between the doctor's brows when they emerge.

"The scars will be bad, especially on the shoulder," comes the quiet answer, "She's lucky, though. She could've lost use of her arm or bled out, with that kind of wound, but it's been stitched up well. She should probably wear it in a sling for the next few days, just to make sure it heals up well."

From:

ofthecubs

It's good to have the doctor to take a beat with. It's good to let out the unhappy scowl of infinite frustration before he bobs his head and begins pulling his features back together.

"Thanks. We'll look after her."

And drag her down to see the doctor again, if he had to.

He'll have something like a tired smile for her when he pokes his head in again. "Not so bad, hm?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

The doctor will nod, "Let me know if you need me. She shouldn't need to replace the bandage until tomorrow."

Rachel will look a little more shaky, but she'll manage an exhausted smile at him anyways.

"Not-- so bad. Doc said it's-- looking good."

The stitches, anyways.

From:

ofthecubs

It's a relief. It's certainly got his lips pulling properly up at the corners as he moves to perch properly on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah. Feels better, doesn't it? Knowing everything's okay?"

From:

theunpressuredclub

She'll shift a little closer to him, smiling back a little at him.

"You should be th'one telling me that, since I already knew everythin' was okay."

From:

ofthecubs

"Thanks for humouring me, then."

And for letting him relax here with her, now that the air was a little clearer.

"You're a peach."

From:

theunpressuredclub

"You're welcome, then."

She can't help but smile back at him.

"Told you 's all okay."

From:

ofthecubs

"Y' did." And there's almost an apology in the way he settles in, head ducking. He trusts her completely, after all, despite the press tonight. "Just-- a little on edge, I guess."

From:

theunpressuredclub

"Guess that makes sense," she murmurs acceptingly, "Y've had kind of a rough day, too, right?"

From:

ofthecubs

"Makes me-- appreciate it. That-- you had a rough day, and-- you're still willing t' be sweet about this."

And that deserves more than a little acknowledgement.