juststeverogers | Checking in (set after Halloween event)

Entry tags:

Checking in (set after Halloween event)

In the aftermath of the Nightmare incident in the Nexus, Steve knew the most important thing in the immediate was making sure people were okay. Hell, he'd spent most of his time tending to Amelia's wounds such that by the time he was finished most of the cafe had cleared out. He's glad the rogue got the care she needed but he hasn't seen her since.

In fact, he's not seen most of them since. He waited a bit to see if he'd spot familiar faces in the Nexus, but with things quiet he takes matters into his own hands and sends out a message to several of his friends.

Hey, it's Steve.

I know you were involved in the mess during the Halloween party and I really want to make sure you're alright. I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner. I wanted to make sure you got the time and care you needed after everything that happened. The coordinates to my apartment are listed at the end of this message.

Please let me know you're okay.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Not likely." Her initial optimism fades. "I hope..."

While Steve talks she keeps her eye on Viatorus, watching him. Although she hides it better it's easy to tell that Viatorus is not the only one who is scared. When he asks for an explanation her head snaps to him and she hesitates, caught mid-breath.

Realising herself she sighs and nods, half turning away from her brother with one last glance. "When... When he got back from the Nightmare... Something followed him. Just one, as far as I saw, and I..." Her jaw tightens. "I dealt with it."

She drags her gaze up to meet Steve's. "The last time he saw one of those things was... years ago. When he was... 'ill'. Years of... of seizures and insomnia, of possession and madness. The things I heard and saw..." Isidor's face cracks and she shakes her head to hide the pain. "He barely survived it. He came out so weak, so pale and thin... And by the time he came out of this living nightmare the whole world had changed for him. We never found out how to stop it. Not really. Not a real solution. Teas and wards, that's all."

She looks over her shoulder at Viatorus, watching him mutter and mumble for a minute before turning back to Steve. "I think... when he saw that thing again... He remembered. He remembered what happened and... and he must have thought it was going to happen all over again. I don't blame him for talking about work, trying to hide from it, trying to forget it."

Possession. Having someone else, something else inside your head trying to call the shots. Steve's blood simmers at the similarities to the plights of other friends he's done this for over the years. He nods, shoulders squared. Accepts the medicine when Isidor offers it in one hand.

The time of day doesn't matter in this place here the curtains are drawn and the lights turned on. Their artificial light keeping any shadows that are present minimal and constant, unlike those cast by the moving sun. Still, Steve thinks carefully to the techniques he knows and finds his chest tight when he tries to come up with something to say.

He doesn't want to spout false platitudes. Not to Viatorus. Not to a man who's lived through this before and who knows it's not alright.

"Sun's getting real low, Viatorus. You need to rest soon. Please let me help you do that, before you hurt yourself. None of us want you to have a seizure, least of all you. I know that. Let me help? I'll stay with you if you want. If you need someone to keep watch I can do that. But you have to rest."

Steve holds out his left hand toward his friend, still curled shut to keep the pills from dropping to the floor.

Viatorus' legs are shaking with the effort of standing, his arms tremble and his breathing is laboured. All his focus is on staying up, trying to work, trying to do anything but sleep. That is until Steve approaches.

He watches his friend with a sidelong gaze, but when he explains why he's approaching, Viatorus closes his eyes and turns away as if physically pained. It takes him a moment and a few shuddering breaths before he looks to Steve again, eyes full of remorse.

"I can't," he whispers. With a gasp he doubles over, resting his hands on his knees to keep himself up. "I can't. I can't. I..." He shakes his head. "Y-You don't... I can't sleep."

"V, look at me please."

Steve keeps his hand curled shut but moves closer to help Viatorus stay upright. Support the other as much as the scholar will allow him to. "You're going to pass out soon. You can't fight it forever. Let's do it this way so you don't get hurt, okay? I can't keep you awake and even if I did your seizures...It's less me making you sleep and more you're gonna sleep one way or another soon and I can't stop it."

His grip on Viatorus' shoulder is soft. Steve doesn't want to hurt him. Not one of his closest friends.

"Please let me help. It's killing me to watch you like this."

Viatorus turns his head enough to look at Steve from the corner of his eye. Slowly his expression twists into one of misery and fear.

"I'm scared, Steve," he whispers and a sob follows. "I'm-m s-so s-scared."

With another sob he turns away, freeing a hand to wipe at his eyes.

"Th-They'll come b-back, and…" He sniffles and sobs. "I d-don't want them t-to come back."

It's the broken sob that finally breaks Steve's calm resolve. He's moving when Viatorus turns away, pulling the smaller man into an embrace and doing his best to gather V up and convey as much safety and comfort as he can.

"I know. I know you're scared. But Isidor would never suggest something that would hurt you or be in your worst interest. You know that. Hell, I know that. And I'll be here. I'll stay with you if you need me to. Whatever you need, whatever will help if I can give it it's yours."

There's nothing Steve Rogers wouldn't do for his friends. Viatorus is one of the closest ones Steve has so it only reinforces Steve's determination to support the other.

As soon as Steve pulls him into a hug Viatorus loses the last of his strength and his legs give out from under him. He surrenders to the reassurance and support of his friend, and to the exhaustion overtaking him. It's hard to tell if he hears Steve, since instead of speaking he battles with his sobbing.

At this point Runa has woken up and gotten to her feet, but she stays back, looking between the other three for some point at which she might help. Isidor steps closer, but doesn't intervene, waiting for her cue.

After a bit, Viatorus starts to nod his head. In between sharp breaths and sniffling he says, "A-Al-Alright. I-I'll. I'll go to sleep."

Steve doesn't seem to be encumbered in the least supporting all of Viatorus' weight. He nods to Runa and carefully puts the pills in her hands when he can get her attention to come over by him. Once she has the medicine Steve bends down and tucks one of his hands underneath the backs of Viatorus' knees so he can pick the scholar up and carry him.

"Could you get him something to drink please?" Steve murmurs to Runa before looking up at Isidor again. Nodding over to V's bed. There, right? He's pretty sure he remembers Viatorus has to sleep there to be fully safe. Something something runes and wards?

"Do you want me to stay here? Or Runa? Whatever you want. Whatever you need, V."

Runa takes the pills and hurries off to get some water.

"Through here," Isidor instructs, directing him with a hand to lead him from Viatorus' study to his bedroom. She moves ahead of Steve, holding open the doors for him while keeping a careful eye on her brother.

There's no energy left in Viatorus to protest getting lifted and taken anywhere, and he's light for a man his age and size so Steve will have an easy time moving him. "Don't leave me," he whispers. "P-Please don't leave."

Steve is careful as he lays Viatorus down on his bed. Stands at the bedside once Runa comes back with a glass of water and the medicine again. Steve holds both while she sets about tucking Viatorus in and making him as comfortable as possible. He'll be there to make sure Viatorus takes the medicine and once he has Steve borrows a chair and places it at the side of the bed.

He holds Viatorus' hand and keeps talking about his world quietly until Viatorus falls asleep. He doesn't let go of his friend's hand once. He'll rest there until V wakes again. If they want him to become more willing to sleep when he's supposed to, first he needs to feel safe. At the very least, Steve can help with that. He gives Runa a hug and claps Isidor gently on the shoulder when he leaves the next day.

Steve's exhausted, but he's happier than he's been in a long time to have been able to help a friend in need.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Checking in (set after Halloween event)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject