Visiting Roman

[Journey Waters]

Jo pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she looked herself over in the mirror. She had been out of the hospital for six months…six long months. Well they had only seemed long because she was nervous about Roman. Her visits had to be infrequent to keep her safe from the people that would hurt Roman. It was a hard road but it was made a bit easier by speaking to Lotte. Jo had opened up to the women somewhat but not fully as that could put Roman at risk.

Jo lived at her sisters place now but it might as well have been her own place. Since Erina was at the school Jo was left alone a lot. Not that she minded to was actually nice to be able to go from room to room just looking over item our gazing out the window. Well she wasn’t totally alone. Jo had adopted and taken in no less then five cats. They were all well taken care of and had regular check ups by the muggle vet in the business district.

Today was a nice day so most of the cats had picked sunny spots to lay about and be lazy. Jo on the other hand was treating herself to a visit with Roman. She considered the two weeks since her last visit more then enough time. Looking over herself one more time in the mirror Jo headed out to the hospital to visit her sweetheart.

[Roman Darcey]

Roman was having one of his better days, but he had been having them often lately. The Mediwitch Luna had been particularly kind to him and made sure he wasn't left with wizards that could not be trusted. It was for the best because it was others trying to make him look crazy that had been causing him the problem.

Despite all of that he avoided being social. He had a room among the general population rather than in one meant for those in solitary. Today he sat at a table by the window as he did every day. The view was of no interest to him, it was seeing that Journey was coming that interested him. The days she came only reaffirmed that he could get free of this place, he could be a good man. The past was behind him, he wanted to move forward.

[Journey Waters]

“Hello Roman.”

Jo said brightly after she was shown the visiting room. Roman was sitting near the window looking out. He always had this air of being lost around him and Jo tried to convince herself it was all part of the act to keep him safe but sometimes she worried.

“How have you been?”

She asked sliding into the chair a crossed from him. It took all Jo had not to smoother him in hugs and kisses…Roman had to see this in her eyes. She was being good and playing the game even if it pained her to do so.

“I missed you.”

The words came as a whisper but they rang true. Jo was going crazy being away from Roman and having to play the role of friend when they held are deeper emotions for each other. Well not really crazy Jo had actually been normal ever since that day with Roman. She had not slipped back into her fantasy world and had actually confronted what had happened to her and was dealing with it.

“I’m hoping to bring you home soon. Erina said it was fine for you to stay with us…I think she would have said yes to about anything right now as she has a new boyfriend.”

Yes Erina rather liked being cheeky with her stodgy new boyfriend. Of course he wasn’t stodgy with Erina but Jo thought him a bit of a stuffed shirt. Of course she was whispering again not wanting prying ears to hear. Jo desperately wanted to keep giving Roman hope something to keep looking forward for.

[Roman Darcey]

“As well as can be expected. Haven’t had much of a chance for any good sleep…”

He admitted, as he couldn’t help yawning as he spoke. Sleep was only going to happen in small catnaps. He knew better than to let himself be caught in any sort of a vulnerable state or it may be the last he remembers.

“How have you been?”

That was the more important question as far as Roman cared. Was she doing well? Getting plenty of rest and fresh air? She looked well and that seemed to ease his troubled mind. Clearly he wanted to sweep her up in his arms and hold her until visiting hours were at a close and then the orderlies would have to fight to get her free of him. Only because such behavior would give them cause to say he was not ready for release did he refrain from clinging to her the way he wanted.

“And I you…”

He whispered in kind, reaching over and resting his hand beside hers so that their little fingers could brush. It was nowhere near the closeness he desired of her but this small touch was going to have to sate him until he could openly express his feelings toward her without being used against them.

“Does she know… my past?”

This was his first concern. He was not going to lie to anyone who asked. Yes he was a death eater in the dark times and yes he did horrible things. Most of which he could not remember and the things he could remember plagued his dreams to the point that what little sleep he did get was restless and riddled with his own agonizing over the past. Mediwitch Luna was right, he was not under his own control and he did himself a great disservice to take any blame for what he was enslaved to do.

“He is good to her? To you…?”

The news of her sister’s new boyfriend was neither good nor bad to Roman. He just wanted to make sure the guy was focused on her sister and not trying anything he would have to be made to regret doing toward Jo. Even from behind the bars of his cage, when he was the one who needed protecting, he wanted to protect her and keep her safe from the cruelty of the world.