Ficlet meme response # 2 - Something in Mind

[vilakins]

Here's my response to astrogirl2's second challenge in the ficlet meme:

Characters: Vila/Cally
Title: Something in Mind
Dialogue: "There are a few things I should tell you..."

It's set during 'Redemption', 500 words.


Something in Mind

Cally was relieved to find Vila and Gan in her cell. Gan was unconscious on the bench, and Vila was huddled on the end, his head and hands covered in blood.

"Vila! Are you all right?"

"Cally! So they got you too." His eyes were huge and worried in his pale face. "They said we're going to be ex--"

"Yes." Cally sat beside him. "What happened to you?"

"I didn't fancy their invitation." Vila grinned, then shivered. "Looks like they had to knock poor old Gan out to get him here. Don't think they liked me much either." He looked at his hands and his trembling increased. "They threw me against the wall. There was so much blood ... hate the sight of blood. Especially when it's my own." He looked up. "Wouldn't stop bleeding."

"Head wounds do that." Cally went to the ablutions unit and wetted the small towel she found there. "Let me see." She gently cleaned Vila's head, then his hands. "It's not so bad."

Vila's smile didn't quite reach his anxious eyes. He looked so vulnerable and trusting, she was suddenly overcome by a rush of protectiveness and impulsively embraced him. He gasped in surprise, then hugged her back. Cally stiffened, mentally running through various moves to throw and disable him, but he just snuggled against her, his head on her shoulder. Hesitantly, she stroked his damp hair and held him until his shivering stopped. It made sense. It was cold here and their future did not look good.

And it was surprisingly comforting.

As if Vila heard that thought, he pulled back and lightly touched his fingers to her cheek, his face quizzical.

She caught his hand firmly in hers. "No, Vila."

He sighed and looked away.

He was the only one whose emotions she could sometimes feel, and she could now--not just the need and longing he had projected earlier, but also affection. Perhaps more. "There are a few things I should tell you."

"Oh?"

"Firstly, I'm about fifty years older than you."

Vila blinked, then smiled. "I don’t mind."

"Secondly, we Auronar choose our mates for life."

Vila thought about this, then sat up straight and took her hands in his. "All right then."

It was Cally's turn to be surprised, but then she recalled he thought they only had a few hours to live. "Thirdly," she said gently, "I never really wanted children."

Vila's face fell, but he rallied. "I always fancied a big family, but I don't care if I have y--" He stopped at the look on her face. "Oh. You meant me, didn't you."

"Vila." Cally put an arm across his shoulders. "It doesn't mean I don't like you. Very much."

Vila looked at her searchingly, then grinned. "It's all right. Never had much, so I'm always happy with what I can get."

They held each other until Gan stirred and opened his eyes.

"Right." Vila stood up. "I suppose I'd better get that door open."

Comments

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

WAH!:(( Poor Vila. Yet, this is very believeable. Sniffle. *cuddles Vila lots*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

He's all right. He knows Cally likes him and that counts for a lot.

But I'm always up for cuddles with Vila.

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

*cuddles Vila some more*

Mr. Moley was reading this over my shoulder and says he wants to cuddle poor Vilaman too.

*grousemolehugs*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Cally cuddled him too. That's why he took so long to let Avon and Jenna out (he lied; the magno-lock was a doddle).

[snowgrouse.livejournal.com]

*grin:)* and all that extra time *still* didn't warm Avon up to Jenna, despite all the laying of heads on shoulders... poor gal. :D

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Yep, she should have stuck with Vila. ;-)

G'night!

[hafren.livejournal.com]

He's all right. He knows Cally likes him and that counts for a lot.


In a way that's the trouble - he's so easily satisfied and I feel frustrated about that on his behalf. Waahhh...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Well, if I gave him more, it'd be an AU, and I didn't want to make him too unhappy.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

::vague distress::

Well done, but ouch!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I didn't think I was being that mean. I see it as canonical anyway: Vila obviously has a thing for Cally which she doesn't return. In fact she usually only shows how much she likes him when he's been in danger as in 'Powerplay' and 'City'.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Aww, can I cuddle him, too?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Hey, I thought you liked angst! You've done much crueller things to him!

I wasn't being deliberately mean to Vila--how could I?--it was something that seemed to fit your requirements. I did have Cally comfort him and tell him she likes him.

This was the hardest one for me to write as nothing presented itself readily. I had the plot of the last one and your next one straight away.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

I do! And that barely even qualifies as angst. But I still wanna cuddle him. :)

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

Stop looking like Nico, dammit! :)

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

But I think Vila's more likely to cuddle me if he thinks I'm Nico!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

The poor guy's beside himself with confusion!

[kerravonsen]

ROTFL!

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

ahh, that was so sweet. Sigh

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-D

[kernezelda]

May I give Vila a hug, too?

Cally's subtle humor is very comforting. It's a sweet moment between them.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Of course you can!

[jekesta]

*cuddles Vila* *loves fic*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Oh, and a happy belated birthday to you!

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Awww, and a nice take on Cally's alienness.

Gina

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

Hee hee, I like. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Give Vila an inch and he'll dream about the mile.

[kerravonsen]

Aw, beautiful.

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Awww... that's so sweet. *sniff*. Poor Vila...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know. But knowing she cares about him still counts for a lot. :-)

Thanks!

[vandonovan.livejournal.com]

Silly Cally. You don't know what you're missing. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

He keeps on wanting her though. And he misses her so much in S4, one wonders if he did get through to her eventually.