[ He's always been alert; conditioned from years of sleeping under the stars, needing to be able to wake at a moment's notice, run, fight, or otherwise. ]
It only means she's never had any reason to truly fear sleep.
[To say she's content is a lie, but Claire is fine to let the silence drape over them as she listens to Bree's breathing. When Jamie speaks, she's not sure if either of them drifted off at all, or if they were just here, quiet.]
Yes. I'll do it.
[So as not to startle her. Claire kisses her forehead, touching her hair with a heavier hand, and speaks at her normal volume.]
[ Two parents to push now. Amazing. So, she just nods, letting out a soft breath. ]
All right. I know I'll never win this argument.
[ Slowly, she sits up, as if anticipating pain before she remembers what her mother did for her and she meets Claire's eyes, looking more grateful than she knows how to say. ]
[ He smiles softly and once she's sitting up, he sits up as well, though there are some cracking and popping sounds from a man unfolding himself from against a wall. ]
Mo leannan. First, ye need to ken I will never be upset if you speak of yer father. The man who raised ye ,and raised ye well. All that I wanted was for you to be safe and taken care of. Loved. And ye were.
[ He wants her to know it, that she doesn't have to censor herself. ]
Ye miss him, and that's an ache that doesna go away easily. I'm no' trying to replace yer father, Brianna. If he woke tomorrow, I would be glad for ye.
[ Bree looks at him, eyes watery, and she nods, swallowing. Why that's the thing that makes this little dam break she isn't sure, but suddenly she's fighting real tears. ]
I think I really need you and mama right now.
[ She pushes her hands under her eyes, trying to keep the tears away but they're falling anyway. ]
[ Jamie moves into action quickly and his arms wrap around her, one hand cradling the back of her head as she falls apart. He rocks slowly, whispering quietly to her. ]
Mo leannan. It's all right. I have ye, lass. Much, mo naoidheachan, much.
no subject
[ He's always been alert; conditioned from years of sleeping under the stars, needing to be able to wake at a moment's notice, run, fight, or otherwise. ]
It only means she's never had any reason to truly fear sleep.
[ Christ, he hopes she doesn't now. ]
no subject
You'll keep her safe so that will continue. I always slept best in those arms of yours.
[Which she misses, but she will gladly, gladly, gladly hand them over to Bree. She needs him more than Claire does now.]
no subject
Should we wake her?
no subject
Yes. I'll do it.
[So as not to startle her. Claire kisses her forehead, touching her hair with a heavier hand, and speaks at her normal volume.]
Bree, darling. Wake up. It's time to eat.
no subject
I don't wanna eat, mama.
no subject
[ Jamie speaks softly and kisses the back of Brianna's head. ]
I ken ye likely haven't eaten in hours. Neither have I. Perhaps we could eat together.
no subject
The both of you need sustenance. You'll feel better with something in your stomach, Bree.
no subject
All right. I know I'll never win this argument.
[ Slowly, she sits up, as if anticipating pain before she remembers what her mother did for her and she meets Claire's eyes, looking more grateful than she knows how to say. ]
no subject
[ He smiles softly and once she's sitting up, he sits up as well, though there are some cracking and popping sounds from a man unfolding himself from against a wall. ]
no subject
What sounds good?
no subject
Something like...soup.
[ She's thinking comfort. ]
...Chicken noodle?
no subject
Soup, and a bit of bread, Sassenach.
no subject
All right. I shouldn't be more than a half hour.
[She trusts Jamie to take care of Bree in the meanwhile. With one last look at the two of them, she heads out.]
no subject
You stayed in a very uncomfortable position while I was asleep.
no subject
[ Jamie reaches out and lightly rushes his fingers through her hair. ]
I would take away every ounce of pain, every hurt, if I could.
no subject
I know you would. Somehow I've never...I've never thought you wouldn't.
no subject
When I first saw ye again it was a shock. Seeing ye all grown, not a bairn. You're beautiful, a leannan. M’ annsachd.
[ He says the words softly, thumb ghosting over the apple of her cheek. ]
no subject
Can I admit something to you? I just...I don't know how to say it.
no subject
[ He looks at her with complete honesty. ]
Ye have my word.
no subject
Since the moment I've woken up here, the first time, all that I've wanted is for...
[ She hesitates, looking down for a second before looking back at Jamie. ]
For my father to wake up.
no subject
Mo leannan. First, ye need to ken I will never be upset if you speak of yer father. The man who raised ye ,and raised ye well. All that I wanted was for you to be safe and taken care of. Loved. And ye were.
[ He wants her to know it, that she doesn't have to censor herself. ]
Ye miss him, and that's an ache that doesna go away easily. I'm no' trying to replace yer father, Brianna. If he woke tomorrow, I would be glad for ye.
[ Not for himself, perhaps, but for her. ]
no subject
And what should I call you? It doesn't feel right, to just call you by your first name.
no subject
[ He thinks about it quietly for a moment before looking at her. ]
Ye could call me 'da.' If ye wish. It's simple, ye ken.
no subject
[ Bree looks at him, eyes watery, and she nods, swallowing. Why that's the thing that makes this little dam break she isn't sure, but suddenly she's fighting real tears. ]
I think I really need you and mama right now.
[ She pushes her hands under her eyes, trying to keep the tears away but they're falling anyway. ]
no subject
Mo leannan. It's all right. I have ye, lass. Much, mo naoidheachan, much.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
let me slide in here real quick
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)