For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

(warnings: sexytimes. also, panic attacks, brutal violence, attempted murder, discussion of suicide and actual murder... )

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[theodorelasso]

Ted is reluctant to let go of her, but the sooner they get back home, the sooner they can cuddle up.

"Welcome back," Beard says with a smile as he hands Ted his crutches.

He leads the two of them out of the airport, getting them all a cab. Probably a good thing he's taking the lead, as Ted is too distracted just looking at Joan to really pay attention to his surroundings.

[formersurgeon]

Joan absolutely gives Beard a huge hug once he's handed the crutches back to Ted. "Thank you," she says, and those two words mean so much. Thanks for the welcome. Thanks for holding their things. Thank you for bringing Ted to the airport. Thank you for taking care of him, and for being there for both of them.

Joan's attention going to the cab is also predominantly on Ted, so Beard's shepherding is also appreciated. Once they're in the cab she immediately leans against Ted, resting her head on his shoulder.

[theodorelasso]

The hug catches Beard by surprise, but he obviously hugs her back. Ted gets all emotional just watching. He loves seeing people he cares about getting along.

In the cab, Ted takes Joan's hand, lacing their fingers together.

"How is it you still look amazing after spending hours on a plane in the middle of the night?" he asks fondly. Of course, he's probably biased.

[formersurgeon]

She laughs a little, squeezing his hand. "It might have helped that I didn't sleep, strangely enough. I'm also just so happy to see you."

She's tired, but her joy is definitely carrying her.

[theodorelasso]

"Well, both of those things apply to me too, and look at this," he says with amusement, jokingly pointing at himself.

He definitely doesn't look the most presentable he's ever looked: mildly disheveled, stubbly, tired eyes (not even counting the fading bruises), wearing sweatpants (they're easier with the cast). But the joy at seeing her is definitely cancelling a lot of it out.

[formersurgeon]

She looks at him and sees how rough he looks, sure, but she also sees the man who laughs with her, the man who sees so much joy in the world that Joan would otherwise miss, the man who holds her and makes tender love to her.

The man she loves.

"You look great," she answers with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

"Eh, you're biased," he says dismissively, then laughs and squeezes her hand. "Oh! Wanna see how cool my cast looks now though?" he asks, letting go of her so he can reach down and pull up the leg of his sweatpants, revealing his cast covered in colorful doodles from Henry.

[formersurgeon]

"Terribly biased," she agrees, squeezing his hand back. She leans down to look at his cast. "Oh hey!" she says with a pleasantly surprised smile. "That's wonderful! I definitely recognize Henry's handiwork here from the dinosaur you showed me."

[theodorelasso]

"Yeah! Beard here made sure we were equipped with markers in the hospital," Ted says, and Beard gives a silent affirming nod.

Ted smiles fondly, looking at the drawings. "Yeah, I just like the idea of when you get hurt, you patch it up with reminders of the people who love you, and then you'll heal stronger for it, you know," he muses.

[formersurgeon]

Joan can't help but think that maybe Ted doesn't just mean the doodles on his cast. The both of them have been emotionally hurt, but they love each other, and their love will patch them up and they'll be stronger together for it.

"I like that," she says softly.

[theodorelasso]

She'd be right. The doodles are just a metaphor, a visual reminder. The gentle caresses and kisses on his bruised cheeks, those are the same. Symbols for something deeper.

Ted smiles and takes her hand again, leaning over to give the side of her head a soft kiss. Then he yawns. "Oh boy, we're definitely taking a nap."

Beard smiles at them and looks out the window. "We're there."

[formersurgeon]

She squeezes his hand and turns her head to kiss his lips gently. She is definitely on board for a nice long nap safe in each other's arms, but the cab stops before she can verbalize it.

She climbs out and retrieves her suitcase and waits next to the door for Ted and Beard.

[theodorelasso]

Beard makes sure Ted gets out alright and has his crutches, and they're all set.

"Alright, I gotta get to work," he says, going back to the cab. He looks at Joan. "I'll leave him in your capable hands."

[formersurgeon]

"I won't let you down," she says with a smile.

She waves as the cab drivers off with Beard, then turns to Ted.

"Do you need help getting up the stairs?"

[theodorelasso]

"I got it," Ted answers with a smile. "You can get the door though," he adds, fishing out the keys and handing them to her.

He's getting quite used to getting up and down the stairs, even if it takes a little bit longer than normal. He's just grateful the cast doesn't go past his knee, so he can still bend his leg easily.

As soon as he's inside and his shoe (singular) is off, he heads straight for the bedroom.

"Help yourself to anything in the kitchen, or the bathroom, but as soon as you're ready, I want you lying next to me, alright?" he says, pretending to be stern.

[formersurgeon]

Joan happily unlocks and holds open the door, then follows Ted up the stairs, her suitcase in hand.

Once they get inside, she sheds her own shoes (two for her).

"I'm good," she says with a smile, following him into the bedroom. "I could use one of your shirts, though."

She has her own nightshirt, but the thought of wearing one of his as they snuggle is too lovely to pass up.

[theodorelasso]

"In that case, help yourself to anything in my dresser," he answers with amusement, sitting down on the bed. The only thing he's going to bother to take off is his sock and sweater. He's already wearing a t-shirt underneath. And while he doesn't need to sleep with the sweatpants, right now it's too much effort to take them off. He's carefully crawls under the covers and gets comfy.

[formersurgeon]

Joan chooses one of his Kansas City barbecue shirts. She gets undressed, everything but her underwear, and it feels so good, like she's shedding all the tension and worries of the past several days. She pulls on the shirt, then joins him under the covers.

[theodorelasso]

Ted watches her get undressed - not because it's sexy (although it is, and if they both didn't need a nap so bad, he might have suggested they have some fun), but because it's such a gentle kind of intimacy, like she's taking off all her armor because she's safe here.

Once she joins him, he wraps his arms around her and whispers "I love you," into her hair.

[formersurgeon]

They'll have plenty of time to have that kind of fun later. Right now all she wants is for them to hold each other and rest together. She feels like it's been an eternity since she's actually been able to relax.

She wraps an arm around him as well, nestling against him, her head on his shoulder, feeling so warm and safe. "I love you," she whispers back.

[theodorelasso]

Feeling her against him, smelling her, hearing her voice say she loves him... after a moment, Ted gets such an overwhelming amount of emotions, he actually tears up a bit.

After all the struggles and unhappiness of the past two weeks. After all the uncertainty and worry. And missing her so much. It's just so good to have her in his arms. To just get to lie here and be safe and happy. He sniffs softly and kisses the top of her head.

[formersurgeon]

She hears that sniff and looks up to see the tears. Her forehead creases in concern. "Hey," she says softly, reaching up to gently brush his tears from his cheek. "You okay?"

It's been so hard, having all these horrible things happen and having to deal with them while half a world apart. She can understand why he might be crying for any number of reasons, from stress to relief to happiness.

[theodorelasso]

It's a little bit of everything. Just a lot of stored up emotions, finally allowed to be let out, because he feels safe. But most of all they're good tears.

"Yeah," he answers, then arches his neck a little to give her a soft kiss. "I'm just so happy you're here."

[formersurgeon]

She kisses him back, gently caressing his cheek. "I'm so happy to be here," she murmurs. "I missed you so much."

Her own heart is so full of relief and joy and love. They're safe now. They don't have to be strong and fight through the pain, trying not to focus on the bleakness of their situation. It's safe to allow themselves to lean on and into each other.

Joan takes a breath and buries her face into his shoulder again. She's not crying yet, but there are definitely tears in her eyes.

[theodorelasso]

Ted squeezes her a little, resting his head against hers. He closes his eyes and just breathes. Letting himself relax as fully as he can, for the first time in a while.

It doesn't take long before he falls asleep, just listening to her breathing.