Chapter Text
Julia- or Jules, only spent another few minutes with Flynn. She checked to ensure he hadn't injured himself in his tumble and replaced his IV, ensuring no air bubbles had appeared during his "adventure" as she called it. She insisted he get some rest, that they could discuss his situation with her mother during dinner.
Although he didn't feel much like resting. Apparently he'd been resting for the better part of a week. But without any sort of mobility aid or prosthetic to help him, what was he to do? He'd have to ask Jules about it when she got back. So he sat in the bed. It grew uncomfortable after a while. So when she finally did come back after what felt like an eternity, he once again felt immense gratitude. Told her as much too.
"I think one of my feats this week was decisively more impressive, Flynn." She smiled at him as he wrapped his unmarred arm around her for support. His face flushed, mostly from the embarrassment of having to use her as a crutch, though not entirely.
"Thanks.." He smiled at her as she held him steady.
"Do you ever get tired of thanking me?" She nudged him slightly, teasing him. She grazed one of his bruised ribs, but he tried not to wince. He felt his face grow red once more.
"I'll keep saying it 'till I feel I've said enough- I think I have a lot to be grateful for." He looked away as he realized he was blushing. He missed his hat and bandana, the combination of both hid his full expression when he was on the job. He felt bare without them.
"I hope you aren't just saying that because of my mother, Flynn."
Flynn shook his head in a hurry, however was careful as she guided him down the corridor. "No! No- Not at all! I really am grateful for all you've done for me and-" Julia was smiling, he realized.
"Ah," he sighed, "you're teasing me again, aren't you?"
"Guilty." She smiled wider. Her nose crinkled when she smiled. It was cute.
She unhooked herself from him as they finally reached the kitchen, where Jules' mother was cutting slices of bread and smearing them with jam as she hummed to herself.
"Good afternoon, sleeping beauty. I'm sure you're hungry." She spun on her heel, a sharp click against the tiled floor as she placed the plate of sandwiches on the table.
Flynn hopped across the room, hand to the wall to old his balance as he made his way to the chair, sliding in with a relieved sigh.
"Thank you, ma'am." He tried for a wider smile, the kind he would've given his own mother. It hurt to use the muscles in his left cheek, he realized. Unfortunate.
"That'll be Mrs. Fetcher to you, young man." She narrowed her eyes at him before turning back to the whistling kettle on the stove, gently moving it to the countertop, where three mugs sat. "You'll join us for tea, won't you Flynn?"
"Ah, I'd prefer some coffee if you have some, Mrs. Fletcher." He'd never been too fond of tea. It was his fathers preferred drink. Besides, coffee would keep you awake and sharp.
"We don't. So, tea?" She spoke sharply. He idly wondered if she was like this with all her patients, or if she simply wasn't much for charity.
"Suppose it's better than nothing." He nodded as he turned to take a sandwich from the small stack. Clearly meant to be shared.
"It is, and you'll be grateful for it, young man."
"Mother-! Please, be nice. Flynn has clearly been through a lot." Jules gave her mother a pleading look, to which Mrs Fletcher rolled her eyes as she placed two cups of tea in front of both Flynn and Julia, then went back and forth to fetch her own cup before sitting down.
A heavy silence fell over the kitchen as Flynn ate as quietly as he could manage, with Julia following suit soon after.
To his surprise, it was Mrs. Fletcher who broke the silence.
"So, Flynn." He tensed at the words. She seemed much calmer now, but he'd seen how short her temper ran. Nothing Jules said could convince him it was a façade. He'd believe it when he saw it.
"What had you bloodied and burnt on our doorstep?" Ah, that question had him seizing up entirely for a moment. Only a moment, of course, because he quickly descended into a coughing fit as he choked on the tea he was drinking, tea leaves tickled his throat.
"I- ahem-" He sputtered between coughs, "Pardon me?" He placed down his cup on the kitchen table. It stained the oak with a small ring, he noticed.
"What caused your injuries?" She repeated. He shared a nervous glance with Julia as he grimaced.
"I- uhm- Well.." He stammered. He was a pretty anxious guy, sure, but usually he didn't have this hard a time speaking.
"Spit it out."
"I-I was caught?" Uncertainty plagued his voice "In an explosion, I mean. Down at the docks it-" He couldn't tell her everything, lest she get in trouble. "Some people- uh. I got into trouble with them. So..."
"Unseen." It wasn't a question. She leaned back in her chair slightly, mug in hand as she stared at him. Her gaze felt heavy. It would be unfair of Flynn to shirk her judgement.
"Yeah... But I'm not-" Not with them. Not anymore. "I've got the tattoo but that's about it."
"I think them trying to blow you up is evidence enough of that." Mrs. Fletcher sighed. She placed down her cup, instead raising her hand to her chin as her gaze fell to the floor, in thought. "You'll have to leave soon then, won't you?"
"Yeah." Julia caught his eye once more. She seemed sombre, a slight frown with furrowed brows, but she nodded her head. "Flynn was telling me that they'll be looking for him soon."
Flynn nodded in turn. "I have a job offer in Corrus where I'll be taken care of. I just need to be well enough where I can travel that far." He hesitated. His eyes drifting down to his stump. "I also need a new leg. I had to abandon mine. I-I was worried it would melt to my skin-" It only now dawned on him that the prosthetic was the only memento he carried to remind him of his family. It was certainly past it's due date but it was his favourite. "I have spares in my apartment. On the other side of town. All my stuff is already packed in two bags by the door. I was supposed to leave last week."
"I can get those for you," Julia spoke up, "if you'd like me to."
"I'll never run out of reasons to thank you, will I Jules?" Flynn was certain he looked like a dope. He wasn't upset about it, but he quickly returned to looking down into his mug, taking a quick sip.
"No," Mrs. Fletcher cut in, "you won't." If she noticed the use of the nickname or the colour in Flynn's cheeks, she didn't do anything to show it. "Julia," she turned to face her daughter, "If you'd like to do so, I need you to be incredibly cautious. These are obviously dangerous people."
"I know, Mother." She tried for a comforting smile. Flynn wasn't sure who she was trying to comfort. "I promise I'll be safe." The two seemed to forget Flynn was there. He tried to let them have their moment, but he couldn't help observe a fondness in Mrs. Fletchers gaze. Her sharp features seemed to soften as he took her daughters hands in her own.
"Alright... Alright." Mrs. Fletcher sighed. She looked across the table at Flynn. He'd believe her scowl was fixed if he hadn't just witnessed evidence to the contrary. "Write down the address for her, we'll grab your things this evening and-"
"We?" Julia tilted her head at her mother. Flynn held his tongue.
"Yes, we. Flynn is a grown man, he can handle himself." Funny, he didn't feel it. "And like hell I'm letting my own daughter go into the night by herself to retrieve a dead man's belongings. You aren't going alone, am I clear?" She glared at Jules, then at Flynn, who proceeded to shrink back into his chair.
"Yes, mother." Jules seemed exasperated. All Flynn could feel was terrified.
"Right then. Flynn. Finish your meal, write the address and get back to bed. We need to get you recovered quick." Her tone left no room for argument. Flynn tentatively reached for the remains of his sandwich and quickly shoved them into his maw. "And Julia, help him to bed, would you?" Jules nodded, and with that Mrs. Fletcher stood and left the room, the door shut with a light slam behind her, and silence fell over the room.
"So, about that address?"