Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 60

Around an hour later, Milori found himself laying on his back and staring at the ceiling.
The nurse just finished the last stitch and said she hoped it wouldn't scar.
Mentally, Milori shrugged- as long as he was alive that was all that mattered.
Frowning as he fidgeted with the new sling cradling his shoulder, he let out a loud hiss.
Ok, no more frowning he thought as he relaxed his face which in turn loosened the sutures across his right eyebrow.
Slowly, he sat in an upright position on the exam table.
They had corrected his dislocated shoulder and given him medication for the pain, yet a dull throb seemed to linger.
He looked around as the nurse began putting her instruments away while also lecturing him on the importance of taking it easy the next few days. Like that would happen, he scoffed.
What was with hospital's and doctor's rooms being so bland and cold?
Logic should be that the room would have every color of the rainbow and happy pictures everywhere to make the injured or sick person feel better.
However this room was the complete opposite.
It only had the exact instruments and furniture a doctor would need- all in the lovely shades of beige, grey and white.
Milori shuddered to think of how scared a child alone in here must feel.
Just as that thought passed his mind however, his own child came through the doors and brightened his mood significantly.
In classic Avalon-style, she launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Grimacing in pain, Milori tried to smile and patted her back, knowing this must have been a little scary for her.
"I'm good baby girl."
He could tell she was about to respond but the sound of the door opening once more interrupted her.
He looked up as Clarion approached through the doorway, looking worried.
Breaking their brief eye contact, Clarion shifted her gaze to their daughter and moved behind her.
With a hand on her back, Clarion crouched lower and whispered into Avalon's ear.
Both were just a few feet away so Milori easily heard.
"Avie, Nurse Marin said she would love to take you out back to see the bunnies for a bit, why don't you go see them."
And as though he were akin to stinky beets, Avalon nodded and took off eagerly, not needing to be told twice.
She did stop shortly before leaving through the door to blow him a kiss however, and his heart nearly stopped at the adorable gesture.
His nurse- who he presumed to be the Nurse Marin, met Clarion's gaze and nodded silently at her Queen's request, leaving them alone.
Alone.
He was finally alone with Clarion for the first time in nearly 3 months.
For a reason he couldn't quite comprehend, he felt a shyness come over him.
He had dreamt of this moment and what he would say for a while yet the words seemed to be stuck in his throat.
In fact no words seemed sufficient now.
Thankfully, Clarion took the decision from him as she moved towards him and stopped just before his knees.
He was still sitting on the side of the examination table which meant they were now eye level.
As if speaking wasn't hard enough, so became breathing as she seemed to hesitate then reach her hand out towards him.
Speaking, breathing, swallowing- all of it was impossible and Milori wondered how he was still alive.
He realized then that he was literally kept alive only by the promise of her touch.
He would have given anything up in that moment to feel her skin against his once more, and finally his wait was over.
Gently, she laid a hand on his injured arm, using the soft pads of her fingertips to lightly run across the skin.
"How are you feeling?"
The sensations were too much, Milori fought to keep his eyes from rolling back into his head at how soothing she felt and focus on her question.
He noticed then that she was examining the dressings on his arm.
Clearing his throat, Milori began to shrug then winced.
"I'm fine. If pain is what I need to endure so you'll be near me again, then so be it."
However he knew that was the wrong thing to say as soon as the words left his mouth and she began to stiffen.
Too soon.
Quickly, before she could think about his response too much, he attempted to distract her.
"Who won?"
Clarion said a name he wasn't familiar with but it could only be one of those undeserving young men.
He muttered an audible curse under his breath.
Sighing, Clarion wiped her hands on her skirt and stepped back.
"Milori why are you here? What was the point of today?"
Rubbing a hand over his tired eyes, he replied without hesitation.
"Isn't it obvious? I want a do over. I need a do over. Please, Clarion."
Slowly shaking her head, Clarion took even another step back.
"Don't you see? It's too late for us. There's too much history."
Sensing she was about to just turn and leave after that statement, Milori reached out and grasped her hand with his good arm.
"That's exactly why you should give us another chance. Because our kingdoms, Avalon and our love have always been easy and natural things no matter what hardships we've faced. All of that history is why we should try to work things out." Looking into her eyes, he silently implored her to understand.
"You deserve someone who wants to work through things with you."
He tugged her closer, "And if I haven't made it clear yet, I desperately want to work through things with you."
Milori searched her eyes, hoping what he said resonated with her.
It was a positive sign that she was still standing before him at this point.
Dimly, he swore he could see a small amount of hope begin to kindle in her eyes, only for it to disappear just as quickly.
Sobering before him, he tried not to feel disappointed as she pulled away, hiding her gaze from his.
"How can you speak on what I deserve when you ignored exactly that for years? It's going to take a lot more than pretty words and fond memories to fix what you broke in our marriage."
Milori nodded gravely, "I understand."
Standing for a beat longer, Clarion left without looking back, leaving Milori in an eerie silence.
Letting his head fall, he began to think.