[for Will] - timed to December 1st

[notsocommon]

After seeing John off, as it was, Helen was sort of loose ends rattling around her hut-now-house waiting on Will to get home. She sort of wanted to seek him out directly but, considering John was out there and may or may not be sane, she didn't want to take the risk of him catching her unawares.

Every little sound of the house settling had her on alert and when the door finally swung in, she called out to confirm it was actually Will before leaving her bedroom.

"Will? Is that you?"

Comments

[inabmovie]

Will wasn't so sure about that. "Look, Magnus, I know you want him to be okay, that this situation is something that's been hurting you for a long time, and I respect that. But if this creature's been hitching a ride with him for over a hundred years, I would guess that there's been some serious psychiatric issues coming from that and I wouldn't be too quick to assume that he's back to his old self just because that creature's gone."

[notsocommon]

"I just want to hope for a little bit before I have to be pragmatic, is all," Helen said, sighing a bit. "That's all. I want to believe he's all right and I can have my friend back. It's hard to deny how he makes me feel, Will. He's the first person other than my father that ever loved me...it's hard to let that go."

[inabmovie]

"I know," Will said. "Really, it would seriously make me happy if he wasn't homicidal, so I'm hoping you're right. I just want you to be careful. That's all. You said yourself he manipulates you, and if he's not okay I don't want him taking advantage of your feelings to hurt you."

[notsocommon]

"I'll be careful, Will," Helen promised. She reached for his hand impulsively, twining their fingers together and rubbing where he'd have a wedding ring if they'd had rings to exchange.

"Be my emotional compass, then?"

[inabmovie]

"Of course," Will said, squeezing her hand. He meant it just as much as he'd ever meant anything in his life, maybe even more now. Druitt showing up was something he'd been dreading for his own sake but mostly for Magnus's sake, and while he didn't like it one little bit his priority was not just making sure she was physically safe but emotionally safe, as well.

[notsocommon]

"I love you," Helen murmured, drawing their joined hands up to her lips to kiss. "I'm so glad I don't have to face this alone and that even if I'm brave outside this house, I don't have to be brave with you. I need a place where I can speak about my doubts and feel safe."