Journey

Tarot - Judgement


Flood

Waking up was a little disorienting, though the familiar comforts were there. John's body against him, arms around him, warm and protective. The familiar softness of his bed. Rain drummed on the window, and the rhythm was strangely soothing.

Then he realized what was bothering him. Or rather, what wasn't bothering him: Pain. No discomfort, none of the aches in his muscles, in his leg, and he blinked sleepily, easily, without the pull of the scar tissue on his eyelid. Suddenly the previous night came flooding back - the dream, John's selfless healing. "Oh...."

Oh his back, John's hand moved, stroking slowly over his skin. "How are you feeling?" he asked, voice warm and soft, with no trace of sleep to it.

Daniel moved just enough to look up at him with a little smile, not wanting to break the intimacy of their embrace. "Better," he replied softly, and it was true. He felt well rested, and in daylight, in John's arms, the memories seemed far away. "Thank you, love."

John smiled, moving a hand to touch his face, tracing his features, and Daniel closed his eyes, enjoying the touch with a little smile. "I'm going to have to get used to seeing you like this..."

The doctor gave a very soft laugh, a little self conscious. "It shouldn't be hard. Nothing unpleasant now."

"It was never unpleasant to me," John replied softly, nuzzling his hair, holding him closer. "I just might find myself expecting you to tell me to pay attention in class, that's all...."

He chuckled, and curled into him with a soft, contented sigh. "How long have you been awake?"

"A couple hours," John admitted. "Just wanted to lay here with you for a while and think." He was quiet for a long moment, fingers smoothing up and down Daniel's back slowly, face nestled into his hair. Then he spoke again, softer, tentative. "It.... was sexual, wasn't it. What they did to you."

He closed his eyes, curling into him a little more, but it wasn't so terrifying to think about, now that the night was gone. "Not in the way you'd expect, but yes." John shuddered, arms tightening around him, and Daniel wished that his lover didn't have to share this pain.

"Have I ever hurt you?" John's next question was half whispered, and Daniel raised his head to meet his worried gaze, slipping a hand up to cup his cheek.

"Never," He replied, voice a little husky, which surprised him. "And don't think for a moment that it has had any effect on how I feel for you or how we are together. You drive away the darkness in me."

"I couldn't last night," John replied, clearly miserable. "God, if I ever see another one of them alive, I'll tear him limb from limb...."

"Shhhh." Daniel placed a soft kiss to his lips. "It's over, love. Just stay by my side... it's the best thing I can have, right now. You've helped me so much more than you might ever realize."

John gave a soft sigh, returning the kiss, arms tight around him. "If I could give back even half of what you've done for me," he murmured softly, "I'd be a very happy man."

They lay in silence for several long moments, curled into each other, each taking quiet comfort in the closeness of the other. Then they dressed quietly, slowly, as if words would break the calming feeling of the silence, moving out into the apartment.

Passing the door to his office, Daniel caught sight of something -- not quite right -- out of the corner of his eye, and stopped for a closer look, opening the door. "John? Where is my... everything??

His lover reappeared, looking a little guilty. "Ah... I moved it all upstairs while you were sleeping. Sorry... can we move today?"

A little overwhelmed by the sudden change, Daniel gave a soft laugh. "I suppose we can, love." He glanced out the window. "Though it's not really very nice weather for...." his voice trailed off, and he turned back to him. "... rain, John?"

His dark haired lover looked more guilty, and distinctly uncomfortable. "Ah, yes."

He slipped his hand into John's, standing closer to him, voice soft. "Any particular reason why?"

John avoided his attempt for eye contact. "I just... it has to rain sometimes. Now is as good a time as any...."

"You normally make it rain at night," he replied quietly, bringing up a hand to cup his face, gentle, trying to be reassuring. "Love... what's the matter?"

John looked down, silent for a long moment. "I...." A deep breath. "I'm flooding the city."

For a moment, Daniel couldn't register, couldn't process his words. "You're... what?"

His lover wet his lips, then raised his head, chin out a little defiantly. "I'm flooding the city. It will accomplish everything we need. I can arrange to make certain areas of the city uninhabitable, so we can move people closer together, like you wanted. We can set up a charity, arrange for large anonymous donations...."

Daniel watched him speak, lips parting in amazement. "John... people will die."

Stubbornness, his mouth setting in a firm line. "I'll make sure they won't."

"There's easier ways to do this John, you know that...." He let both hands rest on John's shoulder's, searching his eyes. "Why are you really doing this?"

The other man's chin trembled slightly. "I want to make sure they're all dead. I've already flooded the Underneath, in case any of Them were still lurking down there. Now I have to do the same thing here. I want them to have nowhere to hide from the sun when it stops raining. When the water is as high as I need it, I'll make the rain stop, and I'll search the remnants of every building. They won't live in my city anymore."

Daniel shook his head slowly, breaking his eyes from the intensity in John's green ones. "It's too much, John. Too much of a chance that something could go wrong, just because of me...."

John's fingers cupped his face gently, but his voice was determined, passionate. "I told you I wouldn't let anyone hurt you again. Don't make me break my promise. Don't make me stop this. I need them gone, Daniel. For good." He gave a soft sigh, and his tone turned slightly pleading. "Love, please... trust me."

The doctor's eyebrows knit together in worry. "It's not that I don't trust you, but it's a huge undertaking. We already know that your abilities have limits." He turned his face slightly to kiss John's palm, eyes not leaving his. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

John's lips formed a small smile, green eyes trusting. "I know. But you'll be beside me... right?"

Daniel leaned in with a wordless smile, pressing his lips to John, slipping his arms around his shoulders. "Always, love. I promise. I'll help you in any way I can."

~~~