safe house
allxrdâ:
Allard knew Lara didnât have the capacity to deal with the blows heâd been dealt, but it didnât matter. After his first attempt at Apparating failed, he considered going straight to a hospital. He doubted he was the only one whoâd disappeared from the field in a desperate need for a bed at the hospital. The thought quickly passed and made him feel guiltier than any infidelity ever had. The transportation was so painful, so suffocating, it felt as though he mightâve fully lost consciousness before he landed slumped over one of the chairs in their safe house.
Thankfully, Lara didnât touch him. The hand he raised to place his fingertips on the familiar outline of her cheekbones and jaws proved he wanted contact with her - he was just embarrassed by the sound that mightâve escaped his mouth if heâd been touched instead. âWe willâŚhome first, then different fireplaceâŚall FlooâŚâ He hadnât realized just how tired, how pained he was until he had to speak. âThey canât knowâŚabout this.â In his heightened state of paranoia, he feared someone might track where they came from if they used Floo transportation to get from their safe house to the hospital. The only network this fireplace was connected to was their home, easily destroyed or hidden by either of them as the rightful homeowners.Â
Allard tried to push himself up but collapsed again with a groan. It ignited such a wild, sudden fire in his torso that shot up through his neck and forced his eyes to turn on Lara sharply. There was a new energy surging through him just long enough to ask the question he was despearte to hear an answer to. âAre we going to continue to be cryptic or shall we finally both tell the truth about which side of the battle weâre on?â
His touch stung. She did not know why, but she allowed it anyway, sighing softly to accompany it. ââI donât wish to argue with you now, but all that travelling would only cause you harm. And itâs a wrong choice you are making.ââ Her voice had way too much stamina compared with his mutters, and she suddenly felt inadequate speaking. She pursed her lips together, as if apologetically. ââPrivacy has no value next to health. Youâre in no position to be acting conservative to anything but yourself. But fine.ââ She allowed it, holding a hand up in the air for him to lean on if he wanted it, but still allowing him to choose between touch and just companionship.Â
She knelt before him, this time more determined about helping him up, and the question heâs been meaning to ask for so long didnât even seem to matter anymore. Lara liked conversation and words about power, but in the dark of the first January night, it was losing some of its meaning. Still, her eyes glimmered, still more focused on helping Allard get inside safely. ââIâm sure youâve known before I did. Youâre asking an impossible question of me and I know your answer already. It burns my tongue to say. Not because weâre in it together, but because I hoped there would be a better choice.ââ She could ramble about why she believed in Jonathan Marks and why she believed in him less than she should have for a long time, but Allard was in pain.Â
For a selfish, oratory moment, Lara figured out it would distract him. ââI donât mind talking about it as I donât mind talking about anything. Itâs delicate, I agree, but Iâm sure that despite all secrecy, we both know our truths. You should have told me first, you know?ââ she looked fondly at him for a second. ââI wish Jonathan were less like him sometimes. It would have made things so much easier for everyone to swallow.ââ



















