March catch-all [open]

[wherethestoryis]

Characters: Lois Lane (wherethestoryis), Gaius Septimus (survival_isnt_living), and you!
Date: March
Location: Radio headquarters in EA-3A, hospital, all over the city
Situation: Catch-all for whatever
Warnings/Rating: Maybe swearing

Comments

[watcheslanterns]

Rapunzel thought that she might cry. Just thinking of Septimus going off into danger caused her heart to clench in her chest and her eyes to sting with the beginnings of tears. She didn't want any of her friends to be involved in this war, but she knew it was inevitable and that when it did happen they'd need her to be strong.

She gulped, fighting back the tears, and nodded. "I know," she said quietly. "If it comes to that...I'll do what I have to. I'll help the people who are hurting not matter what."

[survival_isnt_living]

"I know you will."

Simple, direct, confident, gentle. He can feel how scared she is of it. But that strength, no matter the fear, it's so familiar and makes him hurt more than a little inside. He's felt it so many times, from Alia, from young legionares who had never seen battle--from seasoned ones, who knew better than to assume the feeling ever went away.

"You remind me of someone." It comes out without really being intentional, and he decides to move on. Certain aspects of his past he is not ready to discuss. "The one other thing: you should start thinking about who to trust on the staff to know to call you in emergencies." He holds up a hand. "It doesn't have to be now, and you don't have to clear it with me. It's your call." He hates to have to put all this on her, but this is turning into a proper war. That means thinking about these things, no matter how much it hurts.

[watcheslanterns]

More than anything Rapunzel wanted to ask who he had been thinking of. For a while now Rapunzel had thought he was hiding things about his past, but she never suspected anything bad. Something that hurt perhaps, so she didn't probe further.

"Are there people you would suggest?" she asked instead. "I trust your judgement."

[survival_isnt_living]

Nothing bad, in that he's always been textbook Lawful Good in the extreme. But explain that he was murdered during a battle? No. Not a burden he wants to put on her.

He tilts his head at her, a little quizzically. "Certainly Bianca and McCoy--he's not as frightening as he might seem," Septimus interrupts himself, because McCoy can seem a little much, he suspects. "But I trust your judgment as well. If you're worried, ask me--but this is your life and choice. I think you're more than able to do this." He gives her a faint smile.

[watcheslanterns]

She nods and returns his smile. It still warmed her heart to have so many people tell her that they trust her. People thought she was capable of so much and she didn't ever want to let them down.

"I'll think about it," she told him. "Decide who I think it would be best to tell."

[survival_isnt_living]

"Good." She's growing up, he can tell that, and he's incredibly proud of her for it. She deserves to know all of why so she can tell you to stop having associations quite possibly unfair to her, a part of him points out.

"When you do, would you tell me?" he asks instead. "You don't have to, but I would appreciate it."

[watcheslanterns]

"I will," she agreed easily. Septimus had been there for her almost from the start and she always wanted to be honest with him. "I promise."