poly_chromatic

the nurses aren't letting me out of bed so i cant' exactly go anywhere

Good. I'll be along in a bit, alright? Want me to bring you anything?

no thank you. i'll see you soon

[Even though he'd said not to bring anything, Ginny's taken along a book or two from Percy's room and some non-hospital food when she shows up. She's given some effort towards the holiday—that is, she's dressed as a witch from their world would dress: in robes and her broom slung over her shoulder. The City can't turn her into something she already is, right?]

Hey, Perce.

[He's dozing lightly in his bed, but her voice wakes him immediately. He blinks at her rather owlishly, reaching up to push his glasses back into place. The IV in his arm hampers his movements, and it takes a moment to remember his other arm is there, too, and he uses that instead.]

Hi, Ginny.

[wait, there's something - ]

Why do you have your broom?

I flew. I needed it.

[It's all she really needs to say. He knows her well enough to know that flying is her way of letting go, of thinking, of needing to simply breathe and get away from the things that could weigh her down from the sky. She looks around the room with a familiar eye, remembering what it was like to lie in a bed like Percy's, the strange Muggle equipment, everything; she remembers how uncomfortable it was, how distressing, so she crosses and takes a seat, setting her coffee shop purchases down on the bedside table.]

Feeling alright?

[He still doesn't approve of her flying, but he's too drugged up to really chastise her properly, so he lets that one go for now. At her question, he nods.]

I'm okay. I don't really hurt anymore.

[He's distracted again by the sound of the paper bag crinkling next to him, and he turns, looking at it with confusion.]

What's that?

Good.

[She raises her brows at his question, smiling, and she reaches for the bag again and opens it up to show him.]

Cinnamon twists. Thought it suited the weather. I would've gotten you some decent coffee, but I'm not sure you ought to have any right now. And I picked up a couple of your books—no idea what you're actually reading at the moment, so I took the ones at your bedside.

[Yes, she's babbling just a little. She's concerned. It's just how she is.]

[After a false start or two, he grabs the book on top of the small pile and brings it close to his face, squinting at the title.]

I'm reading this one. Thank you for bringing them.

[He sets it back on top of the pile carefully, then settles back.]

How are you?

Fine.

[It's smooth and easy and only half untrue. Ginny smooths a hand over the blanket, like ironing out wrinkles will make things alright, but though that may work for their mother, it never will for her.

And then she blurts out,]

You know I wanted to come after you, don't you? Listening to you and Bucky just about killed me.

[If he's startled by her outburst, he doesn't show it, just shakes his head a little.]

I know you wanted to, but I'm glad you didn't. I couldn't have risked you getting hurt for me. It was too dangerous.

You know from the war that I'd do just about anything for family.

I know.

[And yet it's clear that he wouldn't ever expect her to; that he should be expected to throw himself into the fire for them, but there will always be a part of him that will wait for them to shut him out in the cold. It's something he keeps tucked away normally, but his walls are down, just a little, and it's enough.]

But I had to keep you safe.

I know.

[It's a quiet reply, a little frustrated at the edges but there's warmth at the heart of it. Of course she knows, how can she not? She's the youngest, the only girl, the baby of the family must be protected. She's tired and fond of it. And looking at Percy now, the tone of his voice, she knows she must press something else.]

I wouldn't ever leave you like that, Perce. Ever. I don't care what you've done or what ridiculous things you think you deserve. You're my brother and I love you. So don't you dare ask me to do that again, understand?

[He looks bewildered.]

But you didn't leave me. I had to tell Barnes to keep you away. I just couldn't let you get hurt.

[He touches his chest, gingerly, clearly not with his usual range of motion.]

They might have hurt you like this.

[They did. Ginny exhales, chest tight, and rubs a hand across her eyes.]

I'm not a child.

Neither am I.

[And that, to his heavily pain-killer laden brain, means that it would have been just as dangerous for her as it had been for him, because they're both of age and skilled magic users, and how could he have knowingly let her go into that?]

Please don't - beat yourself up for this.

[She scoffs at that, shaking her head.]

Don't worry. I'm not.

[They're a week out from the end of the war. What else did she do but beat herself up for all the things that went awry at the battle? It's a hard thing to shake.]

Good.

[He shifts, wincing a little at the slight lancing of pain even through the pills.]

Have I missed much? In the meantime?

No, don't worry about it.

[She studies him.]

D'you want me to go by City Solutions for anything?

[He frowns for a long moment, thinking, then shakes his head.]

I asked one of the nurses to let Ms. Potts know I wouldn't be returning for some time. Thank you, though.

[She frowns. "Some time."]

How long?

I don't know. They won't tell me when they're going to let me out. I keep telling them I have a shop I need to get back to, but no one listens.

For Merlin's sake, Percy. I'll do it, I've helped the twins manage it before and I've helped you, too.

[She smiles, pats his hand.]

I promise I won't set the fireworks off.

[He frowns at her.]

You're already doing too much. You can't do this, too.

086.

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