darker_london | Saving Grace (Deirdre, Flynn)

Deirdre was curled up at Flynn's side, thankful that he had come to join her today. She had been hiding in his room for the past week and a half and when he was there she could at least forget she was hiding. When he was with Quinn, she was alone. It made the emptiness from losing Kait ever so much more obvious.

Delicately, Deirdre curled her fingers in Flynn's shirt and she looked up at him from her spot on his bed. "I could hide here forever."

"No." Flynn cast his grey eyes downwards, and he ran his fingers through her crimson hair. "Deirdre, no." Extricating himself from her grip was not easy. He was strong, but she was gifted with demonic strength and Flynn was a mere mortal. "Sweetheart, let me go."

"I can't!" Deirdre's voice was a desperate breath as her fingers curled tightly. She tucked her head into his side hoping he would stay. Instead, ever obstinate Flynn wriggled out of his shirt. He knew her well enough to know she would not claw at his skin to keep him still. "Traitor," Deirdre whispered to him, her lips curled downwards in a tiny pout.

Flynn gave her a triumphant grin and then he went to grab another shirt. As ever, he didn't really look at it before pulling it on and when Deirdre looked up at him, he was wearing a Spectre shirt. It was weird to see their friend and bandmate on Flynn, though she had seen the shirts at their concerts enough times. "Interesting wardrobe there."

"Huh? Oh." Flynn looked down at himself. "Whatever, maybe if anyone sees me wearing it they won't think I'm me!" Flynn looked pleased at the plan and then he held his hand out to her. "Come on."

"No! Sees you where! I'm not going anywhere!" Deirdre then pulled Flynn's blankets up over her head, sealing out her view of his bedroom.

"If you think that's going to work, you're really very silly, Deirdre-Rose." Flynn took two steps towards the bed and he yanked the covers off of her. She was left there, lying in the middle of his mattress, curled in a ball. Her hands rested on her stomach and she frowned.

"Flynn...please-"

Deirdre's voice was pleading, but Flynn couldn't stand to see her closing herself in anymore. It was what he had done for too many years. Deirdre was too beautiful to keep herself closed away. The world needed beautiful people like her in it. "Deirdre, please. Take my hand."

"Flynn-"

"Do you trust me?"

Standing in front of her was the man who had come to her rescue almost more than anyone else. More than anyone except Peter. Flynn had saved her in Paris and that one loving act had sealed them together in ways no one else would ever be able to understand. Now Kaitie was dead and Flynn was standing in front of her, his hand outstretched, trying to save her again. "I do." And Deirdre reached out to take his hand.

Flynn helped her off the bed and to her feet. It wasn't as easy for her as it had been six months ago, but that was what happened when you were pregnant. Once she was up, he smiled at her and kissed her forehead, standing on his tiptoes because she was so much taller than he was. "I want you to come with me."

"Where," she asked again. "Flynn, where are you taking me!?"

"You said you trusted me."

"I do, but-!" Deirdre whimpered then. "I look a mess!"

"No." Flynn ran his fingers through her hair again and he smiled at her. "Deirdre, you look incredible. And you're going to look in the mirror before we go anyway so you might as well do it now."

"Thank you!" Deirdre darted over to the mirror and she glanced into it so she could smoothe her hair down; make it obey. "Why are you doing this?"

"The world needs you, Babe." Flynn took her hand and he led her out of his room, down the stairs, out of his house. Together they crossed Prince Albert Road and headed into Regents Park. It was a cooler day, but neither of them were cold. They were both used to Ireland and they had each other for warmth when a gust of wind ripped by to chill them. Flynn led Deirdre down one of the dirt paths and she followed dutifully, knowing whatever he had to show her would be worthwhile.

They passed by the wilting flowers and shedding trees without notice. Rocks crunched under their feet and still they paid no mind. They were lost in their own little world where only they existed. They started there until it suited them and Flynn came to a stop. "Look."

Deirdre turned to face the small playground in front of her and then she gave Flynn a questioning glance. "W...wh..."

"Just watch." Flynn wrapped his arms around her and he kissed his shoulder. Deirdre did as he asked. She watched in silence as three children played on the playground equipment in front of them. They yelled and laughed, chasing each other in some kind of game only they understood. They climbed up ladders and shot down slides, darting in and out of obstacles made specifically for people their height. One of the children fell and the others immediately rushed to pick up the smaller boy and their game continued. Deirdre leaned her head against Flynn's and she smiled.

"I think I understand."

Flynn moved his hand to cover Deirdre's belly protectively. They weren't his children in there, but he was going to love them and protect them as if they were. He didn't need to be with Deirdre to do that. She was his best friend, and he already would do anything for her and her unborn twins. "I know you do."

"Can we keep walking? I don't want to go home yet."

Flynn took her hand and he gave it a gentle squeeze. "Deirdre, we can go anywhere."

"Then let's do that. Go anywhere. Yes please." Deirdre turned to him and she smiled widely. "I've never been on the London Eye. Will you take me? I want to see beauty. Life. Everything."

"Of course I will! I'll even buy you a hot dog. Because I'm classy like that." Flynn linked arms with her and he turned towards the nearest Underground station because he no longer owned a car. "I may even spring for a bottled water."

"Oh, I'm so lucky!" Deirdre laughed. But she knew she was.