For Joan

[theodorelasso]

Continued from here.

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

Comments

[theodorelasso]

"Love you too," he whispers back.

He holds onto her for a few moments longer, before finally pulling back and smiling at her. His eyes are maybe a tiny bit watery, but it's just as much from how much he loves and appreciates her.

"How about we finish getting you dressed, huh?"

[formersurgeon]

Those unshed tears cause her heart to ache a little.

She leans in, takes his face in her hands, and kisses him one last time. Then she pulls back and sighs before smiling. "Definitely. Don't want to keep Keeley and Roy waiting."

[theodorelasso]

Ted may be dealing with a lot of stuff, but he also feels like Joan sees it, and wants to be there for him, and make him feel loved. And that means a lot.

"Yeah, Roy gets even grumpier than usual," he answers with a chuckle, turning to pick up her cardigan, finding the arm holes to help her on with it.

[formersurgeon]

Joan slides her arms into the sleeves without too much effort. There's still a little bit of strain, but it's getting noticeably better.

"I cannot wait for Roy and Sherlock to meet," she says with a grin. "They're just going to scowl at each other for hours."

[theodorelasso]

"Who knows, maybe they'll get along great. Though potentially non-verbally. Roy and Beard have some great stare-offs," he says with a chuckle.

He leans over to grab the hairbrush from the nightstand, then starts undoing one of her braids so he can redo it.

[formersurgeon]

Joan shifts so that she's facing away from Ted to make it easier for him to undo her braids and brush her hair. She smiles at the comment about Roy and Beard. "I can totally see that. Who needs an irresistible force when you can have two immovable objects?"

[theodorelasso]

"Hey, as the irresistible force in that particular concoction, I take offense to that," he quips and chuckles warmly.

[formersurgeon]

She grins. "Yes you are, and I love you for it. But I'm going to hazard a guess that you're not usually around when Roy and Beard get into their staring contests."

[theodorelasso]

"No, though I've walked in on them. Been a while now though. Since he's no longer on the team, the two of them don't really socialize on their own."

To the point they ever socialize with Roy. It is a fairly rare occurrence, and mostly because of Keeley. He probably wouldn't have even shown up at the club if it weren't for, well, the stuff going on in Ted's life.

[formersurgeon]

"Mmm. Makes sense."

Joan gets that it's been hard for Roy to come back to the club after his retirement. She remembers how, when she decided to leave medicine, she didn't go back to the hospital, even though she had had friends there. In her case there was shame and guilt involved, but still. It was a world she had left and was no longer a part of.

[theodorelasso]

"So what are you in the mood for for dinner?" he asks, brushing Joan's hair and splitting it into chunks to start redoing the braids.

[formersurgeon]

She closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling of him playing with her hair.

"Is there anything Keeley or Roy like?"

[theodorelasso]

"I dunno, we don't really eat dinner together. You wanna just leave it up to them when they get here?" he asks, dutifully braiding.

[formersurgeon]

"That would probably be best. Sherlock can bring over our extensive collection of take-out menus from 221B."

She reaches behind her to touch his knee affectionately.

[theodorelasso]

Ted smiles at the touch - he enjoys how she's always reaching out to be just a little bit in physical comfort, even if they're busy doing something.

He finishes one braid, and leans in to give her shoulder a quick kiss, before getting up and moving to the other side to do her other one.

"I don't usually order that much. If I don't want to make dinner, I just eat at the Crown & Anchor."

[formersurgeon]

Joan smiles as he kisses her shoulder. She loves all the little ways he gives her physical affection. It makes her feel so very loved, which is particularly nice with the physical difficulties she's fighting through.

As he moves to the other side she reaches out to take and squeeze his hand for just a moment before letting go and turning so he can get to the other side of her hair.

"Hard to argue with the Crown & Anchor," she remarks with a smile.

[theodorelasso]

The only downside to all this affection is it's incredible easy for them both to get wrapped up in it, to just keep returning and escalating. And then soon enough they're either snuggled up or they're having sex, and either way they won't want to get up. It's dangerous. Still, there are definitely worse problems to have.

"It's true. Great food, great ambience, great location. Outstanding staff," he says with a chuckle, obviously referring to Mae.

[formersurgeon]

In their present circumstances, she doesn't necessarily see that as a downside. Spending most of their recovery time snuggled up (and occasionally having sex) sounds perfect as they recover.

"Mae is a treasure," Joan agrees with a smile. "I love it when she's yelling at the TV with those superfans."

[theodorelasso]

"Which times? When they're yelling at soccer, or at Bake-Off?" he asks with a chuckle, finishing up the second braid.

"There, all done," he says, and gets to his feet to move the wheelchair into position.

[formersurgeon]

"Pretty sure there was cricket somewhere in there," Joan says, amused.

She smiles, gently touching the braids. "I can't wait to see it!" She holds out her hands for Ted to help her to her feet.

[theodorelasso]

Ted's a little trepidatious about just helping her to her feet on his own, but he's going to trust that she knows what she's doing. He takes her hands and prepares to help her up when she's ready. He's also very much ready to catch her if she overestimates her strength though.

[formersurgeon]

She stands, and staggers, grabbing his arms to steady herself.

"I'm good," she says quickly so he doesn't freak out.

[theodorelasso]

He does very much appreciate her reassuring him, cause he is internally freaking out just a tiny bit. But he's mostly just trying to be something solid she can hold onto, and hold onto her a bit to steady her.

"Alright," he answers, a bit nervous, but ready to help her sit down. "You wanna pop by the bathroom while we're up and about?" he suggests. Especially if she doesn't want to be carted around while they have guests.

[formersurgeon]

She lets go of one of Ted's arms to grab the arm of the wheelchair and carefully lower herself into it with his help. She nods at the suggestion. She still doesn't love having to be helped in the bathroom, but she still has to go.

"Sounds good."

[theodorelasso]

At least now she's pretty close to being able to do it herself. There's an end in sight for it.

"Oh, and I had a thought," he says, as he grabs his crutch and hooks it over his arm, so he'll have it even as he wheels her around. "If the weather's nice, how about we go have a picnic in the park tomorrow? You know, we've been cooped up for a while, and it would probably good for us to get some sunlight and fresh air."

His hour in the park earlier had helped him, and made him realise how much he was missing it. It might help with the trapped and restless feelings. And she's strong enough now that it shouldn't be a problem.