Chapter Text
Grace was having a great day, roughhousing out in the garden with Victor. The burly man had decided to drag her outside for some sunshine, complaining that Elijah kept her inside too much. Feeling the sunlight on her pale skin, she felt a little guilty for agreeing with him. As they playfully ran around the garden, Grace stumbled and fell headfirst into some rose bushes. Devil knew the damned things were everywhere - it was Bellerose Manor after all. What kind of manor named Bellerose wouldn’t have a garden with roses?
“Are ye alright, pup?” Victor worried, Irish accent thick as he raised his voice. His rough hands easily pushed aside the thorny stems.
“I’m fine!” Grace protested, puffing a strand of her brown hair off her face as Victor caught sight of her.
“I smell blood. Here-” He reached toward her and helped her up. “Where are ye hurt?”
“I’m not hurt! I’m just a little scratched because of the thorns.” She shook her head in frustration. “Don’t tell Elijah, okay? I don’t want him upset right before his trip.”
“Oh?” Victor tilted his head. “Did he say where he was going?” Gently, he started dusting her down.
Grace shrugged “No, he was very vague. Something about investments and research funding? Probably his vaccine research stuff. He said he didn’t want to bring work home.” She caught herself rolling her eyes “Makes me feel like he thinks I’m dumb or something.”
“Not at all, pup,” Victor corrected. “He doesn’t want to bore you, is all.”
“If you say so.” Grace rubbed at her side, hissing when she felt a deep scratch. “Fuck, he’s gonna kill me” She grumbled under her breath.
“Come on, let's get ye inside. I’ll get the first aid kit down and help clean it all up. I’m sorry,” He sighed “I should have been more cautious.”
“No no, you don’t need to handle me like fine china. I’m a big girl, I was having fun before I tripped on my own feet,” she sighed and headed toward the manor.
Once they reached the kitchen, Victor got the first aid kit down. “I got wrapped up in the chase, I should have been more aware of our surroundings. Here, let me help.” He carefully started putting antiseptic and band aids on some of the shallow cuts on Grace’s arms and hands.
She groaned quietly again. “I’m fine, really,” she protested “We’re gonna disturb Elijah…”
“Well, I’ll deal with that,” Victor snorted. “Lets just get your cuts clean, yeah?” He kept working on her injuries, before heading back into the woods to check on his pack.
Grace sat with a cup of fruit tea in her hand and a ball of anxiety in her gut as she waited for 5pm. Elijah usually came to feed at that time, and he probably heard everything that had happened in the kitchen. She didn’t want to concern him, not with him already packing for a trip away from the manor. He was stressed about leaving her, even if he would never admit it. She could see it in how he double checked the grocery list, the emergency number by the phone, and various other safety precautions he had put in place. She rubbed her aching side, before hearing his nearly silent steps coming down the stairs.
“Pet? Are you in the kitchen?” he asked, with his velvet voice.
“Yeah, I’m here” She answered, sipping her tea.
“Ah, there you are, little mortal. How was your day? I could hear you and Victor wrestling in the yard this morning. You sounded very happy.” He moved behind her and kissed her temple, as she leaned back to look into his golden eyes.
“It was fun” Grace nodded “But I think I got a little sunburned, on my cheeks.” She was determined not to mention the wounds she had gotten, hoping to keep Elijah in the dark for as long as possible.
“Oh, your poor skin,” Elijah chuckled. “And here I thought you were blushing just for me.” He brushed her hair clear from her shoulder. “You smell like sunscreen and… antiseptic? What happened?” he asked quietly.
“I had a small tumble, that’s all. Victor helped clean me up, it’s just a couple scrapes because I was clumsy.”
Elijah bent down to examine the wounds on her hand, before kissing her knuckles. “Are you sure you don’t want to come on the trip with me?” he asked quietly. “I know it will be boring, but-”
“No.” Grace told him firmly. “You need to get out without worrying about me. Go talk to your research crew, I’m perfectly fine spending a night or two alone.” She cupped his cheek with one hand, the way that usually got him to do what she wanted. "It will be good for both of us."
With a small smile, he nodded “Alright. One last drink, for the road?” he asked her permission.
“Of course, Elijah,” She smiled and stood up, so he could get access to her neck. The night continued as usual, with Grace helping Elijah pack. She made him promise to send her a message or call her when he arrived at his meeting, before letting him go with a kiss on the cheek.
By the next night, she found herself alone in the manor. Her side was still bothering her a little, so she went to investigate. When she lifted her shirt in the bathroom, she grimaced. She knew a branch had thudded into her side when she had fallen, but she didn’t realize that her ribs would be so bruised. One hand touched the blue and purple skin gingerly, trying to determine if her ribs were okay. She hissed as her fingers found a split in the skin, blood flaking off onto the pristine countertop. She groaned again before grabbing the gauze to cover it. There was no antiseptic in the kit. Victor had probably set it down and forgotten to put it back. Water and soap should be fine, she thought, dabbing at the wound with a washcloth. Grace settled her shirt back into place and wandered down to the library to read and nap among the shelves.