Journey

Tarot - Temperance


Compliment

The next few days were a flurry of work, arranging for undesirable buildings to fall in the flood, arranging for a number of the nonexistent citizens to die, some leaving wills with large sums donated to the city's hospitals and charities. Finally, John started to let the waters recede, carefully fortifying the remaining buildings in the city as he did, undoing as much water damage as he could. It left the city almost clean, Daniel found himself thinking. Ready to start anew. And even though he'd never quite been sure about John's plan to flood the city, he found himself realizing that maybe this had been the right direction after all.

The waters receded, and life in the city slowly returned to normal, the summer sun beating down on the streets, and it was difficult to remember the cold and wet.

John was exhausted. Daniel had tried to keep track of everything that he was doing, but it was impossible to know what went on in John Murdoch's head, to watch every area of the city at once for his work. He found the dark haired man on the roof one afternoon, at the edge of the building between two bushes, overlooking the city. He turned to Daniel with a weary smile, skin pale despite the heat. "It's done," he said softly, then tried to take a step toward him and stumbled.

Daniel managed to grab him before he hit the pavement, getting his arms under John's and hauling him to his feet. "I asked you to take it easy, love...." He shifted their position to pull one of John's arms across his shoulders, trying to ensure he could hold him upright, and slowly started inside.

"Couldn't stop..." John replied wearily. "But it's done. And no one dead, 'cept for them. Told you I could do it...."

"Shhh..." Daniel slowly helped him through the doors to the atrium, grateful that the lift to the upper level was directly accessible from it. "I didn't have any doubts that you could. I just didn't want you ending up like this...."

"I'll be ok," John murmured, leaning weakly up against the wall of the lift and giving him a soft smile. "...have you to take care of me."

Daniel gave him a warm smile, kissing him gently as the elevator stopped, feeling suddenly very tender and affectionate. "Well, mister Master and Commander of the city. Lets get you to bed."

John gave a soft, tired chuckle, letting Daniel bundle him into bed, pull off his shoes and undo the top buttons of his shirt. He watched as the doctor pulled the blinds on the big bay windows, dimming the daylight to a golden glow. "Where would I be without you, Daniel?"

The doctor chuckled, perching on the edge of the bed, regarding him. Truthfully, he did often wonder what path John would have taken, without his influence. "You would likely be in a much bigger house and a lot more trouble, and giving yourself a lot more headaches."

"It was a rhetorical question..." John smiled and held out an arm to him. "Come here, you."

Daniel curled against him on the bed, resting his head on his shoulder. "I'm just teasing you. We compliment each other well... we really do." He stroked his fingers slowly over John's chest, voice soft. "I can help you control and find outlet for your passion.... and you... you temper my melancholy..."

John's voice was sleepy. "I hmm...?"

Daniel smiled, pulled a throw over them and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Never mind, my love. Rest now. I'll be here."