towerofanimus | (no subject)

Characters: AU Eridan Ampora and OPEN
Setting: Infirmary
Format: Either
Summary: Eridan was injured pretty badly in his nightmare world, and he's the Worst Patient Ever.
Warnings: Swearing and references to grievous injury likely. Otherwise, I'll edit it if necessary.

Someone bandaged his blistered wrists and put some kind of salve on his savaged back. The salves dulled the pain a lot, which was good, but Eridan knew it'd come back. He lay on his side, because lying on his back hurt too much, the blanket pulled up to his chin and his face buried miserably into the soft pillow.

He didn't know why the universe decided to dump all of the problems onto him. Why did he have to be the one sea dweller who was born into poverty, the only one from a world where sea dwellers were reviled instead of revered? Why did he have to be the one clapped in irons and whipped for something he never did? Why did Feferi have to be dead? The one light in his life, and she was gone.

Why did the universe always have to make him miserable?

Life was hard.

So hard.

And clearly no one understood.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Definitely, [she assures him readily, always willing to compliment someone she cares about. Willow laces her fingers in his.]

Can't you tell that I think you're amazing?

[Wow. He squeezes her fingers and beams] Wwell, I didn't wwant to just fuckin' assume wwithout you sayin' it outright.

[Yup, she's a dyed in the wool romantic, and he's getting a wide smile back. Despite all the confusion and potential problems here, Willow is starting to remember how happy it made her to have someone to lavish with compliments and depend on to return her witty banter.]

You can assume. Assume away. I don't hop into emotionally baring conversations this quickly with just anyone, Mr. Ampora.

[He returns the smile with a grin] I'll remember that, then.

[Her smile turns into a grin, too, and then she remembers why she was here in the first place.]

So you're feeling better? I wouldn't want to think I hadn't done my friendly duty and cheered you up after your horrible experience.

[Oh right, his horrible experience. His smile falters, but he does nod]

Yeah, you did an upright great job a cheerin' me up, actually.

I don't mean to remind you, [she rushes to say.] I just wanted to check. Chronic worrier is me.

So I'm glad I did my job, um, upright. [Although it sounds like a dig, her expression-- teasing and affectionate-- makes it pretty clear that she finds his vocabulary more cute than anything.]

[What's wrong with his vocabulary? Nothing! He grins and gives her a squeeze, content]

It's okay, you don't need to wworry.

[Of course there's nothing wrong with it. It's just hilarious.]

Alright. [She squeezes back.] Do you need me to bring you anything? Chocolate, bad movies, chicken soup...?

Uh...maybe somethin' to read?

You got it. Genre preference?

I don't know, maybe some advventure stories?

Adventure stories coming up.

[Willow carefully disentangled herself from him and the blanket, and got off the bed backwards, so she was still facing him when she stood.] I'll come visit you later, okay? You rest, I'll bring provisions.

[He snuggles under the blanket, laying down onto the bed and smiling up at her. She makes him feel so...cared for and safe. It's such a strange feeling, but so great.]

I wwon't go anywwhere.