Chapter Text
To say it had been a stressful day would be a massive understatement. The horror they had witnessed that day would be enough to set even the toughest scout fairy on edge. She had to stay strong for them though, no matter how much it hurt inside.
She had instructed them to take the rest of the day off, and to take things easy until they had healed. They both had agreed and she’d left the infirmary with Gary. She’d done well to hide how shaken she was from the morning’s events, but was unsure how long she could keep up appearances.
Mary felt Gary take her hand and allowed him to lead her. She couldn’t bring herself to speak yet and merely sat at Gary’s table when they arrived at his home by the Pixie Dust Tree.
“They’re going to be fine, Mary.” Gary said softly.
“I never thought it would come to this.” Mary sighed. “I can’t believe I let him get that out of control. What must they think of me?”
“I’m certain they don’t think poorly of you.” Gary soothed.
Mary stood. “I should go check on them.”
Gary gently took her by the shoulders. “You were just with them. They’re fine. Those boys will take care of each other. Let me take care of you.”
Her shoulders slumped as she leaned into Gary’s touch. He wrapped his arms around her and held her silently. Gary wasn’t sure he would ever be able to handle what Mary had been trough today, but he knew he could comfort his love until the nightmare was over. He sat her down again and stood behind her. He figured maybe a good shoulder rub might ease at least a little bit of the day’s tension.
“Are you sure they’ll take care of each other?” Mary asked. “Clank has been avoiding Phineas these last few days.”
“I’m sure.” Gary said with a smile. “Phineas was with Clank when I went to collect them this morning.”
Mary straightened up, surprised. “Is that so? Well I’m glad they’re still friends.”
Gary smirked and pressed his thumbs into her back and rubbed small circles. He was fairly certain Clank and Phineas were more than friends, but elected not to tell Mary for the time being. As wonderful as it was that those two had found love, now wasn’t the time to bring it up as it would most likely complicate things even further for Mary.
She exhaled another heavy sigh and looked over her shoulder at Gary. He smiled softly at her and asked “Are you going to be alright?”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t know Gary. I’ve never lost a worker before.” Gary released her shoulders as she stood and began pacing. “Was banishment really the right course of action?”
“Dozer strangled Phineas right in front of you.” Gary reminded her. “You know he was too dangerous to keep around.”
Mary nodded sadly. “Yes, I know. I just can’t help but wonder if there was some way to prevent this.”
“You’ve been dealing with dozer for years, Mary. Phineas wasn’t the first Tinker he tormented, but this way he’ll be the last.” Gary said, taking her hand.
Mary nodded again. “He’s hurt too many people. Today alone he hurt them…” she turned to Gary “… and you. Gary I’m so sorry.”
“What, this?” Gary gestured to his bruised nose. “This is nothing. I’m fine.”
Mary smiled just slightly and hovered off the ground enough to kiss Gary’ nose. “I’m glad you’re alright, Gary.”
“You’ll be alright too.” Gary said. “Don’t forget, you always had trouble with him. I recall a time when you swore he was born from a scream instead of a laugh.”
Mary laughed humorlessly. “That wasn’t very kind of me to say.” She pressed her palm to her forehead. “Perhaps if I had worked with him more, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.”
“Mary, you can’t blame yourself for this.” Gary assured her. “Dozer was just bad.”
Mary turned on him then. “I refuse to accept that someone is ‘just bad’ Gary! If dozer was a bad person it was because I failed him.”
“Mary please,” Gary reached for her but she hovered away from him. “You can’t control every little thing. You know that Dozer was one of those things you couldn’t control. I beg you, Mary… Don’t blame yourself. Just be glad the rest of your workers are safe.”
He held his hand out to her. Mary stared and with a sigh, she took his outstretched hand and allowed Gary to pull her into a hug. She had a tendency to blame herself when things got bad. Gary always hated it when she did. Most of the time it wasn’t even remotely her fault and now was no different. Gary swore he would do everything in his power to convince Mary that she was blameless.
“I should go.” Mary said, pulling free from Gary’s embrace.
“Please stay, Mary.” Gary said. “Stay with me tonight.”
“The other Tinkers are going to start asking questions.” Mary said. “I need to be there when that happens. I need to tell my guild what happened to Dozer.”
“Can’t you ain’t a day?” Gary asked. “You can tell them in the morning.”
“Then I’d better go home so I’m there in the morning.” Mary said, heading to the door.
Gary followed and took her hand. “Then I’m coming with you.”
Mary smiled and shook her head. “You need to stay with the Dust Keepers.”
“You need me more. “Gary insisted. “The rest of my guild can get along without me until I return.”
Mary squeezed his hand tight. “Thank you Gary.”