The Recovery (Lucian/Open)

[amorte]

Amorte staggered under the weight of his brother. He had sprinted from the owlery down to the grounds and found him unconscious on the ground, bones broken but alive and breathing. He had done the only thing he could think of, lifting him up awkwardly with one hand and managed to lift him onto his shoulder in a fireman’s lift, the only thing he could manage with one arm.

Panic had taken him and pain tore at his heals, pulling him toward the ground far more successfully than gravity as he clambered the stairs and walked through the corridors, generating a lot of interest from the crowds of students. Some called out asking what had happened, others just stared amazed at the image of the staggering brother hauling his twin with him.

Finally he forced his exhausted feet into the hospital wing, having to kick the door open because he lacked a hand. The nurse came forward, not sure which one of the boy’s to tend first, deciding the unconscious one was the best bet. She helped Amorte lift him into a bed and ran off to get some potions which Amorte slumped into a chair.

He leaned forward, resting his head on the bed his brother was settled in and staring mutely, his head screaming guilt at him. If they hadn’t have argued, he wouldn’t have fallen, this was all his fault and he knew it. He bit his lips hard, staring in silence and fear, his face ashen white, nearly grey with pain and worry. “Lucian... wake up, please.” His voice was hoarse, dry from crying, shouting and general emotion.

[lucian]

Lucian was out cold. The unconscious mind is really a wonderful thing. Lucian felt like he was floating in the air, but really it was his brother carrying him to the hospital wing. But in Lucian’s mind he was floating. He was floating around his house, La’Chance Manor. He could see his grandmother and grandfather arguing over something, but they always argued. But they didn’t argue like his mother and father. His grandparents argued but really loved each other – his parents on the other hand argued because of the hatred for each other.

But the floating ceased when he was laid o the hospital bed. Although unconscious he knew exactly what was going on around him. He could hear everything. He could hear his brother. Amorte La’Chance. The only person who ever looked out for him. Lucian’s only real friend. Although they had different agenda in life they were tied by brotherly love. It was a tie that could never be broken.

“Lucian... wake up, please.”

Lucian tried but couldn’t. I don’t know how to, Morty! His little trapped voice tried to shout back to his brother. But nothing came out of his lips. It was all in Lucian’s head.

[amorte]

Amorte could hear the nurse bustling around a little way off, arranging the potions and sorting out ingredients she needed to make those for fixing broken bones. Realising she would wonder why he looked so ill he pulled down his sleeve so it covered the bandage on his arm though the spasm of pain that caused made him grit his teeth.

He was terrified for his brother, so frightened that he wouldn’t wake up. His voice was low, barely a whisper and gruff with emotion. “Please... I’m so sorry. It’s my fault, I didn’t mean to... I just. Lucian. Please.” Tears were running from his blue eye, his scarred gray eye unable to cry at all. Wiping his shaking hand over his glacial blue eye he sniffed and choked, trying to hold back a sob.

Biting down on his tongue to distract himself he closed both eyes, trying not to face the fact he might lose his brother, everything that mattered to him. His father was important of course, he was the man he most respected in his life, but Lucian was everything, his friend family brother all in one and he would do anything he could to protect him. It was one of his thoughts behind becoming a death eater, he could make his father happy, he would leave off their mother and in turn Lucian wouldn’t get so upset. It all made so much sense in his head, but right not he would give it all up for his brother, if he had to.

[Paige Lucas]

Paige walked into the Hospital as quietly as she could. She had heard what had happened to Amorte's brother, Lucian. She wanted to make sure everything was ok. It was what a friend would do, right? She stopped in front of the bed. "Will he be alright?" she whispered. "Will you be?" Not once did she looked at Amorte, Paige already knew how much this was tearing him up inside.

[amorte]

Amorte didn't look up, he didn't think he could face Paige too, he felt so guilty about the strife he had caused her. He was hopeless and useless. "He fell from the owlery... I don't know. He had some broken bones but I think he might have hit his head." His throat was sore, his voice gruff and clipped, holding back the tears lest he look a fool.

"It's my fault. I keep doing such stupid things... I can't do this without him." He muttered, grasping his brother's hand with his own good one, squeezing gently as if it might wake him. "Why won't he wake up?"

[Paige Lucas]

Finally Paige looked away from Lucian. She walked over to Amorte and crouched down in front of him. She put a hand up to his face and gently stroked his cheek. "Morty...I'm sure it was an accident. Your a good person and it's obvious that you would never intentionally hurt your brother." She sighed and looked at the bed. "I'm sure he knows that. Just remember you're not alone...I'm here for you too."

[amorte]

His ashen hand was gripping his brother’s so tightly it would have been impossible to pry them apart, he felt as though if he could only hold on then he wouldn’t have to lose him ever again. He didn’t look away from his brother until he felt the contact on his face, the gentle touch. It lured his eyes away to meet with the bright green of Paige’s.

“Thanks...” He croaked, his voice barely recognisable to it’s normal rich tones. “I can’t cope. If I lose him... I can’t stay here if I’m without him.” He closed his eyes and blinked back the tears forming in his right eye. “Paige... what am I supposed to do?” He moaned a little. “This is the first time where I really can’t help... I don’t know what I can do to help him at all!”

[Paige Lucas]

Paige felt the tears coming, but she had to be stong for Morty's sake. She listened to him quietly, he would leave if anything happened to Lucian. She couldn't see a Hogwarts without him. "You can't leave....I'm sure he'll be fine Morty...but you just can't..." Her voice trailed off. "Don't leave me..."She whispered softly looking at the floor.

[amorte]

Amorte realised his words had meant more to her than he could have expected and turned his face to look at her, his white skin glowing with an unhealthy hue, all the stress making him feel sick for his brother. "I..." He couldn't answer, he didn't know if he could bare to be here without his brother, if he could even enter the dorm room and see that empty bed without dying inside.

Instead of answering or even trying to make any false promises he simpy turned and wrapped his good arm around her in a hug, biting back his sob so there was barely a flutter in his chest.

[Paige Lucas]

At his touch her tears fell freely. She herself had no idea how important he really was to her. Over the past few days they had been through a lot together. Paige knew these feelings were wrong but they felt right. "You can't leave..." She sobbed into his shoulder.

[amorte]

He held her tightly with his good arm, wishing not for the first time that he could use the other too, leaning his head down and feeling her hair brush against his cheek. She was sobbing into his shoulder and it made him feel awful that he had caused this again. "I won't just up and leave... I promise." He whispered, his voice hoarse with his own supressed tears. "I won't leave you..."

[Paige Lucas]

Paige looked up at him through watery eyes. "I'm sorry..I just..." What was coming over her? She had a boyfriend, but then why was she acting like this? She hugged him tightly while her thoughts ran wild.

[amorte]

"Don't apologise." He whispered, meeting her gaze before closing his eyes and pulling her close again. He didn't understand what was running through her head but right now it didn't really matter. He was biting his own tongue to stop himself crying, but he felt as though he needed to be strong for her, as if he would hurt her by being upset.

[Paige Lucas]

Paige's tears began to slow and her breathing was back to normal as she calmed down. Her mind however was a different story. It was a complete war. She pulled away and moved into the seat next to him, debating whether to tell him or not.

[amorte]

He released her quickly when she moved away and returned to his own seat, his eyes drifting guiltily back to his brother then to the floor. He rested one hand on his leg and gripped it tighly as if in pain, his fist balling up while he gritted his teeth, just a few moments passed before he relaxed again, whatever had caused him to fight back had gone. He knew what it was but it didn't need to be mentioned here