impure_tale | 28 - [Locked to West in the hopes he can see it]

[He allows himself a moment to calm and still himself, aware of West's immediate reaction but too selfish in his own relief to really allow him the space he needed.]

...

[Finally, composing himself, he retreats somewhat, drawing in a breath.]

Forgive me. [He reaches up to push his hair out of his face.] I think I'd started trying to reconcile myself to the notion you were never coming back, and I -- [He covers his mouth. He's a fool.]

[He's not quite sure what to say to that] So had I.

[He laughed at himself when he realized there where tears standing in his eyes, and he's not certain how he feels about that -- certainly that it's not something that should be seen. The Major looks at him sometimes like he expects to be told what to do, and this is hardly becoming for someone who deserves the honor.]

Forgive me. [He's repeating himself.] I don't know what I would have done...

There's nothing to forgive. [He tries to smile again] Really. No harm's been done.

Tell me what you need. [He draws in a calming breath.] I'm being silly and emotional and I'm obviously making a fool of myself. I just -- needed to see you. I needed to be sure.

A drink, probably. I'm fine; the Port came and went. [For now, he has no idea whether or not the Marquis knows about his death]

[The Marquis knows he can go back to his room and grab some wine if he has to -- what West says about the port gives him brief pause; the only reason he knows West is back at all is that Morgan demanded he be restored in the open, and that's never happened before. He frowns.]

Will wine suffice, sparrow?

Wine's fine [He nods, almost too eagerly. His own room still has no alcohol in it, thanks to Morgan] Thank you.

[He smiles in what he hopes is a disarming manner.] I should still have some in my quarters. [And not the bottle that Jim brought him.] I'll be but a moment.

[He nods, watches the Marquis go, then lets out a sigh. The coming days are going to be a trial, that's for sure. Right now, though, he just feels a bit... numb, like when he first arrived on the Barge. Waiting for the other man's return, he goes over to his bed and sits down]

[He returns and closes the door quietly, watching the Major look troubled. He doesn't ask questions immediately, just fills a glass and brings it to him. Sitting on the bed across from him and holding out the glass, he bites his lip.]

You died back there, didn't you?

[With a half-hearted "Cheers" West takes a drink, then slowly nods] I did. [And he offers no other details beyond that]

[The Marquis nods.] I cannot imagine what having it happen a second time would be like, not yet. But I don't suppose that makes it any less difficult than the first. [He probably shouldn't be talking about this.] It's not right, Henri. ...Not that I'm displeased that you are now unharmed.

I took the risks-- and I failed. [He shrugs slightly] I couldn't save anybody, just like last time. [So, of course, the solution is to get good and pissed]

Did you do what was right, to the end?

I did nothing.

When I last spoke to you, you were risking your life to go and find the people that had been lost, yes? Did you give up?

I didn't give up. I just... couldn't save them. All I did was lead more people to die.

You did not make anyone come with you. They chose to follow. [He reaches to touch his cheek.] No one else would have tried.

[He leans into the touch a little] It might have been better that way. Less casualties.

That is not your fault, Henri.

Hm.

[He takes another large sip of wine]

So... has anything interesting happened while we were at Port?

[The Marquis looked a little uncomfortable at that.] Your pet nemesis came to me with a peace offering.

[He's silent, torn between anger at the mere thought of Jim, and... worrying about bigger things] I see. And did you accept?

[The Marquis sighed.] To be fair, he had me in a vulnerable position. I thought you were dead, and the nurses would not permit me to return to my room for a nightcap. He brought a bottle; I emptied half of it in a span of about half an hour -- and I do not remember much after that.

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[action spam] - sorry for the slow tags! Been busy

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