The pain built up until Marcus couldn't take it any more. He let out a cry of pain, hands grasping at the sheets as he squeezed his eyes shut. When he had gathered the courage to speak again, he managed to attempt another warning. "Winnifred–" he let out another soft whimper "Winnifred I mean it– you need to– need to run– I don't want him to–"
(Ya'know, I never thought of it that way. That is pretty neat.))
Winfred slapped a hand over his mouth. "Shut it." she hissed. She gave him a stern look before pulling her hand away and resuming her work. "I'm not going anywhere." she said through gritted teeth as she continued to restitch the work she had done before.
(thought of what what way?)
Marcus's eyes would have widened in surprise if they weren't already squeezed tightly shut.
He drew in another ragged breath. The only things keeping him from ripping open his chest and bleeding to death were the need to protect both girls, and the vague hope that Winnifred- that Winnifred could love him back.
((The combination to make Luc))
Winifred worked with an efficient hand, weaving the needle in and out of his red and irritated skin. She dismissed the servants with small thanks and set the needle to the side. She remember when she had done what she was going to do. Before, it had been an attempt to cool his heating skin. Now, it was a message.
She would be his balm, his soothing scent. She would cool his fire, and bear his heat.
Wringing out a cold rag, she pressed it against his heated flesh and leaned in close, blowing gently to cool his skin. She smiled faintly, even as tears slid down her cheeks and felt to his skin.
(Oh yeah )
(Aww Winnie)
Marcus was made of flames. He was a blazing wildfire, made of red and orange that burned the sky, tore himself down in the process. And Winnifred was the only thing that could quench him.
He could feel himself slipping, craving her touch more than anything he’d ever wanted before— because he didn’t want her. He needed her. He would literally be dead if not for her, and maybe not only because of his wounds…
Her tears fell to his bare chest, trucking down the the mattress, and he raised a weak, trembling hand to cup her cheek gently and wipe the tears from it with his thumb. “Shh.. don’t cry.. don’t waste your tears on me..”
((Yes! This is about to get mushie!))
Winifred leaned into his touch. He was trembling so bad, it wretched her heart from her chest. Her sobbing intensified, a mixture of anger and profound love. She hated that she fell for him so quickly. She hated that she loved him so much.
But she loved him. That was all there was to it. She loved him. She would never stop loving him.
My gods, Winifred! What have you done?
She raised her eyes to Marcus. She pressed the rag to his chest and lifted her face to him. Her eyes lingered on those full, soft lips. And she kissed him. It was soft and hesitant. "I hate you…." she mumbled against his lips, though she hardly meant it. She kissed him once more. "You did this to me…."
(AAAHHHHHHHHHHAADFGHJKLTHISISSOCUTE)
Marcus’s eyes flew open, widening into dark, turbulent saucers. His heart thumped in his chest, breath catching, hands trembling as he pushed his fingers into her hair and crushed his lips against hers.
He was shaking all over, shaking with need— because he needed Winnifred. Couldn’t go without her any longer. And he found ways to explain that to her with his mouth pressed up against her soft one, a non-verbal confession.
The kiss, in many ways, was not like he’d expected. He hadn’t expected there to be one in the first place. And yes, his mouth was hot on hers— but it pressed up against her with a tenderness, even love. Instead of telling her how much he wanted her, he was showing her how much he needed her.
“Winnifred Elaine Darcy…” he murmured into her mouth. The name was sweet on his tongue. “You’ve done something irreparable to my heart..”
((Oh, this is glorious! I love how it wasn't love automatically between them.))
Winifred's tears didn't stop. She continued to let her heart sing for him. She was going to let go. She would let him have her. She would be undone… for him.
"Marcus Crenshaw… I love you…' She whispered. Oh, she loved him. She loved his eyes, his voice, the way his lips felt against her. She couldn't get enough of him. "I love you, I love you so much…" She cried.
(Ajkllkjshajdjaks this is so cute )
(Sameeeee Marcus literally threw a knife at her on their first day)
“Shh..” He held her face gingerly in his scarred hands, as if he was afraid that she would break. “Don’t cry.. it’s okay.. you don’t need to waste your tears on me.” His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, he was so scared and in love all at the same time. “I love you too…”
She calmed her tears as best as she could. Her lips trembled as she looked to Marcus. She placed her hand over his and kissed the pad of his hand. Winifred sighed. "Why do you have to scare me so much? What- What happened? I hardly remember what Angeline-" She paused.
Angeline…..
She looked to Marcus. What of his relationship with her? Winifred shook her head. She'd ask later. He was hurting and needed to rest. She kissed his hand once more. With red and puffy eyes, she smiled. "Rest. Please… I am not above drugging you."
Marcus smiled through the haze of pain and euphoria. “I thought so… but before I do— I need to tell you about Luc-“
The smile dropped off his lips, and fear shadowed his eyes. “My uncle- he told me of your dinner tomorrow- Winnifred you can’t go. He’s planning- he wants to- he’s going to rape you after you eat. He- he told me that I could not keep both you and Angeline safe. He called you delicious.”
Winifred blanked. "What?" She shook her head. "You must be joking…"
But he wasn't….
Winifred narrowed her eyes. Anger boiled in her. "How dare he?" She scoffed. "That old croon has hopes of getting me in his bed?" She stood from the bed. Something inside her that had been buried a long time ago began awake.The rage she had felt. At her mother, at those men, at the world… She remembered the nights, long and torturous. She remembered the pain. She remembered it all. She had ran from that life. She had escaped.
She'd be damned if she was going back.
"Who does he think he is? Condemning young women to lives of metal despair as such?" She could hardly contain the indignation she felt.
Marcus didn’t reply for a very long time. He usually felt rage burning within him at his uncle’s ways, but right now he was too exhausted to feel anything other than fear and… this new feeling. Love. For Winnifred.
But there was something in her eyes, a determination, as if this was all familiar to her. And it broke his heart.
“Angeline wasn’t his first. You- Winnifred- you have to get out of here. He’s not just going to ask. He’ll threaten you. He’ll threaten to kill you. And he will, if he doesn’t get his way. It won’t be the first time..” Marcus’s voice cracked on the last word.
Winifred turned with outrage in her eyes. "I. Don't. Care!" She hissed. But, she caught herself. Why was she getting upset with Marcus. This hardly was his fault.
But, Luc Crenshaw, that bastard, he had gone too far. "That disgusting pervert!" Winifred exclaimed as she though of all the other women he could've taken advantage of. Angeline included. Dread filled the pit of her stomach. But in her mind…
Something was forming.
Marcus closed his eyes, bearing the weight of her anger. "Winnifred," he whispered, cracks slowly breaking open his heart. "You should go. I don't want him to hurt you. I wish you could stay– but– he's already killed-" He paused, swallowing a hard lump of emotion, "He's already killed people close to me. I don't wat you to die."
He's already killed people close to me…. Winifred's mind went to his parents. Murdered ruthlessly and a murderer still hadn't been found. People suspected Marcus's uncle. Maybe they weren't wrong….
Her brown eyes softened on Marcus, endearment shining in them. She pressed a finger to his lips to silence him. "Shhh…. I'm not leaving. Not with the state you're in. Just rest…. we'll discuss something tomorrow when you wake." She sat on the bed and leaned close to him, her hair falling around him. She placed her hand on his face. "I'm staying right here."
Marcus's heart pattered lightly, and he kissed her fingertip lightly, realizing that any of his protests would fall on deaf ears. He hated to admit it, but her presence was immensely comforting. His hand, still cupping her cheek, drew her face closer for a soft, tired kiss that set his exhaustion alight.
I just kissed Winnifred. Oh my god. I'm kissing Winnifred.
He forced himself to pull away before his euphoria overflowed, wetting his lips before croaking out a question. "Angeline. She should- she should sleep here. Could you- could you move me to the sofa?"
(ooh other fluff idea: what if they cuddle in Winnifred's bed?)
(also get ready for some Angeline angst)
(((OOOOH YES!!!!! And I'm ready for Angeline, I was sorta expected it to happen soon anyway. I kinda like her.))
Winifred smiled and nodded. "Yeah… let her stay here." She stood, missing the warmth of his hand as she pulled away. She was slightly unsteady on her feet, a bit dizzy with the remnants of that kiss on her lips. She could get use to that. She went to the door and called a lingering butler in. She asked him to help move Marcus… but not to the sofa. Oh, no.
She pointed to the door that separated their rooms. The door that would never close and lock again. Not for a long time. "Move him there." She instructed the butler. He nodded and helped Marcus to a sitting position.
"Forgive me, my Lord. This may be uncomfortable…" He apologized before raising Marcus to his feet, and allowing him to lean against him.
(same here
she won't get in their way or be jealous though, just really sad)
Marcus shot Winnifred a confused look, but a burst of pain interrupted whatever he was about to say and he sagged against the butler, letting out a strangled gasp. Slowly but surely, they made their way over to Winnifred's room, his legs almost giving out multiple times. Before he crossed the threshold, he turned his head to try and catch the eye of Angeline, to give her a reassuring and apologetic smile, but she turned away quickly. His heart plummeted.
(btw he doesn't have feelings for her, but she's his best friend)
(( Don't worry Angeline! The next time they go out to the Swan restaurant! You go too and meet a nice waiter!))
Winifred followed after them, nagging like a mother hen. "Watch that step!" she chided. "Please, be careful with him." She sighed. And finally, before her heart burst, the butler had Marcus resting on her bed. Only then did she turn to Angeline and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Thank you…" she whispered. She had been the one to get her when Marcus was bleeding out. She had been the one to help, even in her pain. Winifred would check on…. that… very soon, but she'd give the girl more time to heal before she went poking once more. Something neither of them had enjoyed.
(omg that's a great idea
her and Thomas???)
Angeline's eyes widened in surprise and she flinched back, instinct screaming at her that she was about to be beaten. But when the hug turned out to be nothing more than a comforting embrace, she sank thankfully into it, tears blurring her vision.
She was torn, so utterly torn, between being happy for Marcus and being upset that– that he loved another. Between weeping at the fact that he had ben so badly hurt and running to comfort him, and staying away. But her thoughts didn't matter. Her heart was shattered either way.
Marcus sank into the soft mattress, stifling his exclamation of pain before it could slip out from him. Angeline. Winnifred. Luc.
There were too many things to worry about. Way too many things.
One step at a time..
(hehehehehe evil scheming laughter Mmmmm, yes~))
Winifred took a step away from Angeline, holding her at the arms. "You did good work today. You rest, too. I'll call someone to clean the mess." She instructed, pointing to Marcus's bed. She turned away and crossed into her room, over to Marcus. She smiled as she settled on her knees beside him.
"I'm sorry about the rough move…How do you feel?" She pressed a hand to his forehead and then his neck, a part of her expecting a fever. Like the last time… Hopefully he wouldn't be as stubborn.
(hehe)
"I'm fine," he replied hoarsely, but his tone suggested otherwise. "Thank you. For everything. And the kiss. Definitely the kiss. That bit was fantastic," Marcus stammered out, clearly flustered even through his exhaustion. "And for saving my life. And Angeline's."
Winifred laughed softly. "That is my job. This is what doctor's do…well-" she bit her nail. "Except for the kiss, on the contrary, it is well advised that do not kiss my patients…." she sighed. The rule was broken, and would be a thousand times more.
Her eyes trailed down to her damp sweater-gown, covered in blood. She sighed, she had no choice but to change into a nightgown, now. "I'll be back…" she murmured, slipping into the bathroom for a rapid change. She found herself humming and even…checking her reflection when she finished. She returned to Marcus, wearing the provocative lacy night gown she had only days before. But what the look on her face wasn't erotic and inviting, it was stern and warning. "Don't try anything Marcus, I'm new to the whole 'I-love-you' business. I will not hesitate to defenestrate you."
(Omg that’s one of my favourite words)
Marcus nodded, careful to keep his eyes on her face. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Winnifred, and… I’m new to this too.” He attempted to sit up, but pain ripped through his chest, forcing him to slump against the pillows. “What— I don’t want to hurt you, so— I want to know your boundaries. So that I do not make you uncomfortable or harm you in any way.” He suddenly realized that every single one of his defenders had been dropped, his heart was out for display, raw and hopelessly confused.
((Same. I'm gonna go for tonight. Good night!))
Winifred let a small smile return to her face. She moved and sat beside Marcus. "Stop moving, you'll make it worse." she instructed with a hand on his shoulder. She thought for a moment. "I don't want to make boundaries that we'll break. Which seems to be a pattern for us…" She laughed.
(Gnight!)
Marcus suddenly realized that he was still shirtless. A faint pink spread across his cheeks, but he managed a smile and a nod. “Good point. But— I don’t want to hurt you. So tell me if I’m making you uncomfortable.”
Winifred laughed. "At this point, you'd have to do a lot to make me uncomfortable, love. You act as if we're about to do something…. sacred?" She placed a bashful hand over her lips.
Marcus’s blush deepened. “N-No- of course not.” He suddenly realized how his words could have been interpreted. “But- I like it when you call me that. Love. I like it.”
"Good, because that is your pet name whether you like it or not." she winked at him. She brushed her fingers through his hair, almost unconsciously. Now that the things that mattered were said between them, she had so much freedom. She could run her fingers through his hair, and kiss him, and hold him.
She lay beside him and placed a cool hand on his chest. The skin was still a bit hot, but not as irritated as before.