missingthekeep | [for Meredith]

Now that Sean's pretty sure she isn't going anywhere, Meredith's continued concern comes as less of an annoyance. It's something of a comfort, really. Bad things happen to him when he doesn't have somebody at home to worry about him, somebody out there who cares.

"I c'n manage if ye can," he murmurs, tipping his head to press a soft kiss to her neck and ignoring the twinge of pain that comes with it.

Meredith turns her head away, not sure what she's saying exactly. Whatever condition he's in, it feels good, but she doesn't want to encourage him, not like this. "I don't know if I can," she says. "You're hurt. And you don't even care, not that you're hurt, not that you scared me."

"I care," Sean whispers against her neck, unrelenting as he drags his teeth lightly across her skin between quiet assurances. "Last thing I want ta do is worry ye. I jus' wasnae thinkin' right. Lost track o' the time."

"I can see that," Meredith says darkly, though her eyes are closed now. "Tell me it won't happen again." She doesn't know that she'll believe him even if he says it, but he made her promise. It's his turn, though she's not sure he's in any condition to be making promises she can hold him to. "Tell me you'll be careful. Promise."

"I promise," Sean says, entirely unthinking as he shifts position and leans in closer to suck at her throat. "I'll be careful, I promise."

"I'm still mad at you," Meredith says, but it's quiet, a last effort to say her piece as she brings her hand up to his neck, her head tipping back. As foolish as she feels even for what she knows is a valid concern, worrying about him just makes her want to keep him close. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Will be soon," Sean murmurs contentedly, the protests of his numerous bruises and cuts becoming less and less noticeable as he rests his hand against the bed on the other side of her to lean on while still mouthing against her throat. "'M positive."

Meredith sighs, stretching her legs so he can get closer. She should probably push him away, say no, but she's never quite been able to manage that. "This is a bad idea," she murmurs, and it's the best she can get out for now, more relieved he's home than mad again for the moment, though there's no telling how long that will last. "You really promise?"

"Ye kiddin'?" Sean slurs, chuckling quietly against her skin as he rests a hand against the curve of her waist. "Bes' idea I've e'er had. Course I promise."

"No," Meredith says, shifting back from him, though she doesn't get far, hardly even tries. "Sean, please, will you just take me seriously for one moment here?" It feels like a lost cause, though she tells herself that's mostly because he's been drinking, is drunk, and even if he makes a promise, even if he means it, he might not tomorrow. She's wound up enough not to care, to want him to keep going almost as much as she wants to make him listen to her anyway. "I want you to be safe and you're not, you're happy about it, you are, and I'm not okay with this. It's not okay. Don't promise me if you don't mean it. Don't lie to me."

Sean sighs impatiently, but he draws back enough to look at her through unfocused eyes. "'M nae lyin' t'ye. I couldn't."

It is the truth, even if there's a lot more that he could add to it which he isn't solely so they can get on with things, not wanting to dwell on the matter further.

Meredith looks back for a long moment, deliberating. There's no good that can come of pushing him now. She doubts it would accomplish anything and she believes him, at least on this. "Okay," she says, softer now, leaning forward to kiss him. "Okay. I'm sorry. I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Sean deepens the kiss as soon as he's able, shaking his head in what he hopes is a reassuring fashion a moment later. "Nothin's goin' ta happen t'me. Nae so long as I've got ye ta come home to. Quit fussin'."

Having him to come back to didn't keep her from getting hurt. Meredith's in no rush to mind him of that again, though, and there's nothing much she can say that she hasn't already. She might have to repeat it tomorrow to be sure, but for now, she loops her arms around his neck and leans back, pouting. "Fine," she says, "I'll let it go for now. But I hope you're planning on making this up to me." It's half a joke, but she doesn't want to talk again about how worried she was.

Sean chuckles again, moving to cover her body with his own as he kisses her again (it really does smart, though). "What d'ye think I've been tryin' ta do?"

"Get laid," Meredith says airily. "And avoid being in trouble. Which you are. Are you sure you're okay?" He doesn't show any sign of being seriously injured, but that doesn't mean he isn't badly banged up, and whatever he wants, she doesn't want him pushing himself too much.

Sean shrugs, stopping just sort of asking her if it's working. Just answering her question would probably go over better. "Sure as shootin'," he replies, grinning. "I know me limits."

"I know you do," Meredith says, "but that doesn't mean you stay within them." She can be nearly as bad, but that doesn't mean she won't call him on it. If she has any reason to suspect he's wrong, she tells herself, she can always tell him to stop. Easier though than done, but the option exists.

Sean can't think of anything to say to that, since really, she's got him dead to rights on that front. Instead, he musters up his best apologetic look, and shrugs again. "F'rgive me?"

Meredith bites her lip, glancing down. If she held it against him every time she got worried he was gone, they'd be screwed, but he doesn't usually go getting into fights either. She doesn't want to be a pushover on this, but she doesn't want to resent him just to resent him either. "Only because you apologized," she says when she looks up. "And you promised."

"Saints, 'm lucky t'have ye," Sean breathes before he smiles wider than ever. "Am I still in trouble?"

"So lucky," Meredith says, brow raising for emphasis, though she feels herself relaxing in spite of herself. "So, so very lucky, and yes, you are. I don't know what to do about it yet, but you are. You can't do these things to me."

Sean's still not convinced that he did anything to her, per se. He did something to himself that unfortunately affected her as well. Still, even he can tell that that isn't the point. The point is how lucky he is. "Mmm, 'm sure ye'll think o' somethin'," he says, stealing another kiss.

"You can count on that," Meredith says. Right now, though, it's an empty threat, her imagination blank of possibilities beyond lecturing him again. She's undermining herself, leaning up to kiss him, but that doesn't seem to matter. "But it can keep until tomorrow. As long as you're alright."

"'S long as ye're here, I am," Sean says, not concerned in the slightest. Not about whatever he's got coming to him in the morning, anyway. "Did I say that a'ready? Feels like I said that a'ready."

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