Shiro & Jean-Paul, Wednesday afternoon

[x-sanfuaiyaa.livejournal.com]

Shiro goes to see Jean-Paul for the first time since his return, but it's a short visit.


Just because a friend was unable to receive visitors did not excuse one from the obligation of asking after his progress, of which there had been depressingly little over the past few days, or at least none that the mansion's telepaths were willing to divulge. So when Shiro's daily check-in with medlab yielded word that Jean-Paul had been allowed to go back to his suite, the news was unexpected, most welcome, and absolutely had to be verified.

It would not be a long visit, certainly. Just enough to confirm that the Professor and the others had been able to actually unearth Jean-Paul from the blank-eyed mess that they'd brought out of Romania. Just enough to make sure that he was still...him.

Shiro hated the thought of disturbing Jean-Paul and didn't want to be one of those people who just came bearing food and trite platitudes. But it would be even worse to avoid him during his recuperation. And beyond that, Shiro could have sworn that he noticed something in Jean-Paul while they battled, some faint yet vital flicker that the Taygetos telepath had missed, that suggested everything was reparable. Shiro had to see it for himself.

"Jean-Paul?" Shiro announced just loudly enough to be heard through the door when he knocked, "It is Shiro. May I come in?"

The door opened, but it was not Jean-Paul on the other side. "Shiro," Nathan said slowly, gray eyes flickering away as his head half-turned towards the center of the room. A moment's pause and then he stepped aside to allow the younger man in. "Don't push too hard," he said, almost under his breath.

Jean-Paul was in his bedroom, half-curled on his side when Shiro came in and buried in blankets. He sat up and blinked at the newcomer, then looked away, his breath quickening noticeably. It took a few moments for him to get himself under control again.

"Shiro," he said faintly. "I-I am so sorry..."

Shiro's mouth was half-open to disregard the apology before he caught Jean-Paul's expression and nodded instead. "I accept," he said softly. "And for what it is worth, I apologize as well if I brought you any harm."

"Healed already." Jean-Paul rubbed one hand across his face, trying to bring himself into the here and now. He was stripped to the waist and still bandaged along the left arm. "It...I didn't expect to see anyone just yet. How long has it been?"

"Just a couple of days. I normally would not be so intrusive, but . . ." He would never forgive himself if he weren't there when he could be needed. "Well, Dayspring needs a break, ne?" Shiro tried to offer a small smile but was sure he failed. Biting back a sigh, he took a step into the room, warily closing the distance between them. "Is there . . . do you need anything?"

The man in the bed let out a hoarse cough of sound that might have been a laugh...or a sob. His lank hair framed his face like spidery fingers. "Medical science needs to catch up with my metabolism. Drugs would be nice. Could use the rest. Nathan...he cannot give me the usual hand with that. They do not want to mess with my head any more than is needed. Not until the damage scabs over."

"I am sure you could find some alternative remedy. Allerdyce ought to know where it can be obtained." Humor him. Anything to abate the nearly palpable despair and misery.

Jean-Paul drew his knees up, resting his chin atop them. "I did not need to kill those people."

Shiro stood still, aware of the wall erecting between them and hesitant to pass it. "I hardly think you are culpable, considering what they had done to you."

"Non?" Dull, tired eyes closed and took a very long time to open again. "I think you should be scared of me now."

"How so? By your logic, I should also be frightened of Dayspring or Sefton, or the Richter kid." Shiro paused. "Or myself," he added quietly. There, at least, Jean-Paul had a point.

"Perhaps not the worst idea." Jean-Paul closed his eyes again, as if it were an effort just to keep looking at the other man. "Sorry, Shiro. I am...very tired."

Shiro nodded. "Then rest. Please let me know if there is anything you want or need from me. I am always available, afraid or not."

The miserable huddle on the bed shuddered with violence enough to rustle the bedclothes, but made no other reply.