regency au } { of getting in the loop and not saying goodbye

[hereditare]

Laura: [she may have not been in the loop, but she's known that something's up. She's not stupid. So when Deaton arrives at her door, she doesn't look up, but she does say:] So do I finally get to know what's going on with Peter?

Deaton: We have an idea, at least something we haven't crossed off our list as it not being so, and are going to be attempting to treat him in response.

Laura: [looks up and turns to face him, with an expression he knows very well from her mother] What's happening?

Deaton: We believe that the mate bond from his first wife is reasserting itself now that Peter isn't hyper focused on raising a daughter, running a manor, or dealing with a new marriage.

Laura: [sighs] Well, it was bound to eventually, wasn't it?

Deaton: The fact he managed to hold it back and off so long itself is improbable.

Laura: So what's the plan? I'm assuming we're not just letting things run their course.

Deaton: No. We have invited the Widow Bennett here and she has a spell that may temporarily return energy to Peter to allow him time to mate with Lady Kate.

Laura: And he's agreed?

Deaton: Eventually.

Laura: Good. What do you need from me?

Deaton: If all goes well, nothing.

Laura: And if it goes poorly?

Deaton: We will lose Peter, and perhaps Lady Kate as well.

Laura: Is there anything we can do to tip things in their favor?

Deaton: I don't believe so. Just prayers, and perhaps keeping Malia occupied.

Laura: I'll put Liam on it.

Deaton: Peter is sleeping right now, but if you wish to see him before we begin...?

Laura: [she nods] I do. But Malia should see him first.

Deaton: Lady Kate is with her now, explaining it all.

Laura: Good. Then I'll leave them to it, and will stop by to see him after dinner.

Deaton: [just nods, then bows and exits]

Malia: [meanwhile, she will pop in to see her father, knocking lightly on the door as she enters] Father?

Peter: [nope, still out cold in bed]

Malia: [fair enough. She'll just sit with him a bit then, going to pull a book from the shelves to read while she waits. she's not really sure what she would say anyway]

Peter: [eventually her scent nearby will make it's way through the fogginess of his brain, and he will sigh as he wakes up] Malia?

Malia: [glances up and moves so that she's in his eye line] It's me.

Peter: It's been a long time since I woke to you in my bed watching me

Malia: You seemed like you needed your rest.

Peter: It feels it is all I do these days.

Malia: Lady Bennett says there will likely be some more after the ... treatment, but you should recover quickly after that if it takes.

Peter: And then we can finally travel to Ireland. [a small smile]

Malia: [she laughs] We can go wherever you want.

Peter: Wherever we want.

Malia: There's plenty of places we haven't been yet.

Peter: You choose next, then.

Malia: [she nods, playing with the corners of her book] I'll start narrowing my options.

Peter: [he reaches for her hand. There's no strength to his hand as he wraps it around hers] You know how much I love you, sweetheart?

Malia: [nods as she takes his hand and squeezes it] I do.

Peter: You are the best part of my life. I loved you the moment I held you in my arms.

Malia: Please don't make this like you're saying goodbye.

Peter: I am praying this works, but I am a pragmatic person.

Malia: [and she has his pragmatism but this is her father] I don't think Deaton would allow it to happen if it didn't stand a chance of working.

Peter: [he nods, because it's true.] I just don't want us to have things left unsaid, in case it doesn't.

Malia: [she nods, because she understands, but she still doesn't know what to say]

Peter: [and to avoid the silence] What are you reading today?

Malia: [holds it up] Just a history text.

Peter: Which history?

Malia: Vikings.

Peter: Ah.

Malia: I just picked something, I wasn't really paying attention.

Peter: You know, a long time ago, the Hales who were born human often became Vikings. It helped settle the... restless nature inside.

Malia: So are you saying the werewolves don't know how to be adventurous?

Peter: The werewolves would be dangerous on ships that sailed for more than a month.

Malia: True. But there were other places they could adventure to.

Peter: They did. Why do you think... our name is well recognized... as respected even today.

Malia: I'm sure there are a lot of reasons that don't always involve traveling.

Peter: Not in the early eras, before the land had rulers.

Malia: You're saying word wouldn't spread about powerful shapeshifting alphas?

Peter: If we stayed isolated and didn't expand our territory, who would learn of it.

Malia: People could come to us instead of us coming to them.

Peter: With the weather in this country? [smiles]

Malia: Summer does exist.

Peter: [chuckles] Read the book and you'll see.

Malia: Fine. Then you'll have to be around to debate it with me later.

Peter: I will do my best. [smiles, sniffing the air] Have you been spending time with Liam?

Malia: [squints then sniffs at herself] Not a huge amount.

Peter: I'm glad to hear that. He is a good kid at heart.

Malia: We're working on it.

Peter: Good. [and he's going to reach out and just hold her hand. Sorry Malia, he's a bit chilly]

Malia: [it's okay. she runs her thumb over the back of his hand, before covering it with her free one to keep it warm] Is there anything else I can do?

Peter: Just stay with me awhile? I might fall asleep, but... I don't want you to leave just yet.

Malia: [nods] Alright. I'll stay as long as you need.

Peter: Thank you. [and he will snuggle closer, just wanting to share her space, in case.]

Malia: [and she will stay with him, shifting to sit on the edge of the bed so that she's closer]