Farm Boy Down

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie gave a small nod to Mrs. Buckles as she left the room. Turning back to Richard, she removed her hand from his head, not wanting to disturb him. Although he had been fine so far, it was more so if he woke up she wouldn't be caught petting his head. She remained still, certain that if she moved it would wake him, although, she was tempted to lay down next to him she refrained. It wasn't the time or place for that. As her blue eyes glanced over Richard's sleeping face, she couldn't help but wonder who else might show up.

The blonde was lost in her own thoughts, lost in that night a few months ago. She was snapped out of it when she heard Richard making some noise. She felt his hand slide down her leg as he pushed himself back. A smile grew on her face when she saw him open his eyes. "Hello." She said softly. He seemed a bit off still, but more like himself compared to when she had first arrived.

She crinkled her nose a bit when she saw him wince as he tried to move, she reached her arms out as if to stop him somehow. "No no. Don't move." She said recalling what his mother had told her. Claws. Ouch. Callie shook her head slowly and gave a shrug, "I ain't really sure. I've kinda lost track of time myself." She admitted, twisting her mouth and looking away briefly. She looked back at him, smile fading. "I got a text from your mama. I came as soon as I could. Had ta make sure you were okay." Her voice soft, her mind recalling the moment. She felt her heart sink again, trying to hold back tears from showing. Her eyes darted to the hand that was on her leg, and she smiled as he recoiled it back to himself. Part of her disappointed he did. What was wrong with her?

Callie stood up and made her way over to the tray of food his mother had brought a while back. It was when she got up that she realized how long she had been sitting in the same position. Her legs felt stiff and she was glad to be moving around. She brought the tray back over to Richard and gently placed it down. "Thirsty or hungry?" She asked, she didn't want him to moved at all, even though she knew he was more than capable of moving his arms at the very least.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He of course had halted right when she said something because he naturally wanted to stop but her reaffirmation he should move just cemented not wanting to try that again. Normally he wouldn't hesitate to push but he knew that cat sunk its claws in pretty good. He felt a searing pain in his back though Richard didn't realize just how dulled it still was from the pain killers. Normally he wouldn't even be able to think coherently if not for the marvel of modern medicine.

"Well I just hope I didn't tangle you up to much there." he said as he cleared his throat. He watched her come around and move the table arm closer to him and he nodded "Yeah just a little. Feels like I havnt eaten in days. My mouth is so dry too." He blink and when he did he decided to close his eyes for a moment longer as he liked the lower light when his eyes closed better. "Think you could turn the light off too? Feels so bright for some reason."

He hated to ask her to do so many things for him but he didn't feel like he could himself. He was wondering just how back the damage was that he felt so weird as well as in pain. His eyes opened up and looked in the general direction of the covered tray and wondered what it was exactly. "I could have swore I saw my mother earlier. Was I really that out of it?" he asked. He knew his mother would come hearing about this but was surprised when he woke up and she wasn't there.

He had to wonder why she didn't move his hand from her leg the whole time. He did have it in a rather intimate area he thought. Then again his face was pressed into her hips so that was also a bit up close. She didn't seem bothered by it though, then again it did feel familiar and then his mind drifted to that night they spent together in bed. "How come we never talk about it?" he said finishing his thought out loud then.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie lowered her hands when he stopped moving. Glad he had listened, although she had a feeling that wasn’t the real reason why. It probably hurt too much, even with the pain medication they had been pumping into him. She was only glad that he seemed to be more lucid than earlier. She couldn’t help but wonder if he remembered that either. She hoped not.

“No of course not.” She reassured him, giving a smile. She held back from saying more. Why? She didn’t know. She wanted to tell him that’s what friends are for and that she knew he’d do the same thing. Yet she remained silent. It was unlike her.

Callie picked up the glass of water and put a straw in it. She held it closer to Richard so he could have a few sips without straining himself too much. Placing the cup back down on the tray she gave a nod and walked over to the door where the light switch was. As the lights went off, she closed the door a bit too, not wanting too much of the light from the hall and the busy sounds of various nurses and doctors to be bothersome as well.

She made her way back to his bedside, taking a seat in the chair next to the bed where his mother had been. Leaning forward she rested her elbows on her knees and propped her head up with her hands. “Please let me know if you need anythin’. Okay? I don’t needja hurtin’ yourself anymore.” She informed him, voice rather stern. But she was serious. She let the silence linger for a bit before smiling again. “Ya. She was here. Worried sick. She went to go rest a bit. She’ll be back.” She said, shifting in her chair a bit. She had been more comfortable on the edge of the bed. She got up, irritated with the chair, but more so herself. She wanted to remain positive and cheerful, but she was having a hard time doing so. She gave another smile, more for herself at this point, “Ya you were kinda out of it. Can’t blame ya though. It’s the medication.”

Callie moved closer to his side, curious to what ‘delicious’ food the hospital had manage to cook up. As she went to lift the lid from the tray he spoke and immediately she dropped in back on the plate. She turned to face him, a bit confused. “Never talk ‘bout what?”

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He couldn't help but see how Callie was sort of waiting on him caring for him. Was a mice feeling being fawned over a bit rather than being neglected. Its not that Elsa didn't care for him or what he wanted but she was so consumed with her work and her family's held responsibility of politically maintaining relations between the public and mutants. He understood why things were this way intellectually that didn't make the emotional backlash any less present.

He watched her literally waiting on him as she brought over a cup with a straw. He gripped it between his lips and sucked on the straw slowly and swallowing then a little more. Felt so good hydrating his throat, he didn't feel dehydrated because of the IV fluid. "Sorry to put you in this position." he said to her. He nodded when she said where his mom went "Well I am just glad you came." he said smiling at her weakly.

Under the tray cover was a cold cut sandwich, a jello cup, and some carrots. He hadn't really thought about how he was thinking the start of the question in his head. It was the similarity that was jarring his memories loose as he remembered more vividly what had happened and began to question if it was just a dream or not. "We kissed. How come you just acted like it never happened?" he asked her looking over at her. "I thought maybe I just dreamed it in a weird drunken stupor but....no I remember. It felt warm in the morning where you had been. Why did you just leave and never talk about it?"

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie waved her hand dismissively, “You ain’t puttin’ me in any situation. I’m ‘ere willingly ain’t I?” She said, trying to reassure him in anyway. He wasn’t a bother, it wasn’t a big deal. It’s not like she didn’t have other things to do, she did of course. But those things could wait, this took precedent, as it should.

She gave a smile. “Me too.” She said simply. Holding back more than she wanted to. But then again he didn’t need to know everything. He especially didn’t need to know that she dropped everything she was doing – which wasn’t much – to get here. She ran, like literally ran. Fought tears and got here as fast as she could with a sinking heart. But he didn’t need to know that. Was it lying? No, not technically. Was it unlike her to keep things to herself? Absolutely. She prided herself on being an open book, letting her thoughts and life known to anyone who wanted to know. She wasn’t a fan of people who were closed off, it had always rubbed her the wrong way. It was like they were hiding something, and yet here she was. Hiding something from someone she considered one of her closest friends. It was one of the many things that drew her to him when they first met. He was so…open. She smiled at the thought. He told her his entire life story practically within minutes of meeting her. She admired that about him.

Her head was tilted slightly to the side. Curious to what he meant by his random question. In the moment that it took for him to speak again she felt herself becoming…anxious. Almost as if her body knew something before her mind figured it out. Her blue eyes were locked on his, waiting for his response, genuinely lost by the statement.

There it was. It hit her hard. Almost as if she had just been punched in the stomach. He remembered. Everything began feeling surreal. Like time was frozen in the moment. She wasn’t able to hide her expression, a mixture of shock and embarrassment. Her stomach was in a knot as she felt the heat on her red cheeks. Her eyes went wide in panic, like a little kid getting caught doing something bad. All of her fears were coming true. It was happening, and there was no stopping it. It was like a runaway train coming full force to knock her down.

She turned her head away from him, not being able to look at him in that moment. Her hand was placed over her mouth as her cheeks slowly got their natural color back. Her eyes were darting everywhere as if by some miracle something in the room would help her. She had almost wished someone would come in at any moment to spare her from this humiliation. Trying to compose her thoughts and she took in a deep breath, knowing full well she could not lie to him. Why did he have to bring it up? Now of all times too? She couldn’t leave, she had promised his mother that. Darn.

Reluctantly she looked back at him, lowering her hand she placed it on her side. “W- We did. I- I did. I don’t know.” She said, voice shaky. Her hand came back up to cover the side of her face. “It wasn’t right.” She wasn’t making sense. She knew that.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He knew full well if she were in this situation he would've right here by her side as well so was far from a far fetched notion. He just hated still putting her in this position even if she didn't seem to mind at all. Of course he had no idea the panic that struck her on reception of the news. He was still just to groggy still from the drugs for during his surgery and after.

He looked down and saw a little button device and decided to reach it and give it a small squeeze and he could feel some of his pain subsiding in a rather pleasant warm flourish.
That easing of his pain and slight rush to his head was what made him forwards enough to ask and absent minded enough of his girlfriend to press it forwards. He watched her complex reaction to his question and wasnt are what to make of it at all.

He knew she didn't respond that way at all when he was buried face first part way lap and hand on her leg. "You know first time I saw you I thought you looked beautiful. You always been pretty Callie. Sweet and attentive." He reached his hand out tongue right side of the bed even though she was on the left "Come over here for a moment." Bye had pressed the button again before dropping the device.

She was right the kiss and spending the night together wasn't. She might of clustering my sputtered her answer but she was correct. Richard was not the kind of guy to cheat and he was certainly not the sort of guy to string someone along. But he felt rather alone lately with the flurry of things happening and when Callie was there he didn't feel that loneliness. He gave of his time to the point of havnt next to no personal time. When he did usually it was Callie there.

He could feel a warmth in hi chest thinking about their kiss. It was the same thing he felt sleeping besides her. Something Elsa had made him feel once upon a time but their respective life choices brought them to a place where they were so far away even on the same campus.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie remained silent. Unsure of what else to say. Her mind was flooding with a variety of thoughts. They were all conflicting. What to do, what not to do. What to say, what not to say. Everything was just so…so confusing. And there Richard was, in pain, staring at her with those eyes, wanting answers, wanting clarification, and she just sat there completely dumbstruck.

She let out a deep breath of air when he spoke, partially relived that he was the one to break the silence. But as the words came out, she slowly felt her cheeks becoming ever so red again. She took her other hand and covered the remainder of her face. Her face fully buried in her hands, she felt the heat radiate off of her rosy cheeks, and the biggest smile was forming. She recalled the first time they met. She had most of their encounter on video. She had watched that a million and one times. It was one of her favorites.

“I can stay here.” She said, voice muffled by her hands, struggling to compose herself.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Richard was saying some things maybe he shouldn't at the moment. But the combination of drugs confusing feelings was making him spill forth his inner thoughts. He was not one to hold back what was on his mind for the most part but any feelings he had for Callie would be one those rare things he knew he should keep to himself without question.

Yet here he was propelled to tell her the truth for some reason. He couldn't tell how exactly she was handling what he was saying. She was blushing but that could have been any number of reasons. Her smile made him feel at ease more about his choice to speak. "Callie come over here or I am coming over there." he threatened.

It was t so much a threat of his proximate as much as he felt terrible and did t want to get up. He knew she wouldn't want him moving around either the way she acted before. He had it in his mind that he needed to do something. He basically had a brush with death and that made him consider things differently.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie's breathing was slow and deep in an attempt to calm herself. She had never felt more embarrassed before this moment. The real question was, why was she embarrassed? He had simply asked a question. He didn't seem mad about the whole thing. He wasn't making her feel bad about it. Yet, she couldn't help but feel ashamed. Her eyes were closed, hidden behind the her hands still covering he face. She couldn't move. She could feel his eyes on her.

Her stomached twisted some more as he spoke again. Her eyes shot open at his intimidate her with a threat. Part of her knew he was being serious. She didn't want him to move. It was the last thing she wanted; to cause him pain due to her stubbornness. Callie lowered her hands slowly, avoiding eye contact with him. She bit her lower lips as her cheeks still had a pinkish hue to them. She was grateful they were no longer bright red.

Steadily, she moved over to the right side of the bed where he had wanted her. She took her place next to him, allowing herself to adjust accordingly. The blonde's blue eyes met his, she felt like she wanted to smile, but at the same time she couldn't. Her stomach was still in a knot. "I'm 'ere."

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

She was lost in an unseen void of emotional turmoil. Something Richard couldn't understand not that he didn't have his own conflictions over her. He felt a bit bad badgering her into doing what he wanted with a threat. But he wanted her to come be in arms reach and the arm he could actually reach out with at that.

She avoided looking at him as she came around. He didn't think she would react this strongly to him bringing up the incident. Still couldn't tell if her reactions were good or bad. He was not known for his intuition and she was acting differently than what he was used to from girls. So much more shy and demure than any of the ladies that were befriended to him on campus.

He nodded at her response "I can see that." he had asked for the lights off but until she was closer did make it hard to see her face very well. He could see the pink in her cheeks. He reached out with his right hand and took hold of hers. His thumb brushed the back of hand as he looked at her "Are you regretful for doing it?" he asked her "Not for any reason just were you sorry you kissed me specifically because it was me?"

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie was lost. Utterly lost. She had a hard time understanding what she was feeling, what she was thinking. More importantly she had a hard time understanding Richard. Everything he had been saying since she got here had been confusing. She couldn't tell what was him or what was the medication. She was aware that he was much more himself now than before, but she still couldn't figure out why of all times was he bringing this up now.

She couldn't help but be a little mad at herself, the way she was, the way she was behaving. It was so unlike her. All shy and closed off. Why? Why was all she wanted to know. She tried to slow her thoughts a bit. What did the kiss and not talking about it have to do with what he thought when he first met her? She tried sorting her thoughts. Trying to truly take in and understand everything that he had said to her.

The blonde gave a soft smile to his response. She was grateful for the lights being off. Perhaps it would hinder his ability to see her red cheeks. Although, she hoped that didn't happen anymore. Her eyes remained on him, holding herself back from re-living that moment. She felt her stomach flutter as he grabbed her hand. That was...new.

Richard's question surprised her which was evident from her facial expression. She furrowed her brows and found herself shaking her head subconsciously. Her body clearly more ahead of her mind. Her stomach felt like there were a million butterflies flying around in it. Her eyes glanced at their hands. It was odd. She felt...better.

"I wouldn't say I regret it. I only regret stuff I don't do." She said honestly, her accent followed each word she spoke. Her voice was no longer shaky. Her eyes looked back at Richard. "I am sorry for not bringin' it up though." She looked away for a moment before continuing, "I-I just thought. I don't know." She lowered her head. Her mind wandered back to that night. She had no idea what was going to happen when she had gotten to his room. She went to comfort a friend. Like she wanted to do now.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He held her hand firmly as his thumb continued stroking the back of her hand. He sat himself up as he looked into her eyes directly as he could. He turned to face her and took her hand into his left. He turned to be on the edge of the bed. He sighed as he reached up with his right hand and stroked her cheek tenderly.

He reached was slowly drawing her in with a guiding touch on her face as his eyes remained on hers. He didn't blink at all as he leaned forwards a bit. Their faces coming closer together till their lips almost touched. "Thank you for always being by my side." he whispered before he pressed forwards to kissing her.

He held the kiss for longer than 30 seconds. When the passionate kiss subsided Richard tried to stand up slowly. That would be a mistake that would snap then pair from their kids and back to the reality of where he was. As his feet touched the ground his legs buckled and Richard went down onto the ground hard.

[Callie Montgomery]

Her head remained lower. Feeling a bit reluctant to look at him her blue eyes just starred at his hand in hers. The calming effect of his thumb rubbing on the back of her hand was felt throughout her body. Her head raised slowly when she heard him moving. She looked at him, but her eyes skirted away when she felt his hand on her cheeks. “Richard, you shouldn’t be movin’.” She said softly, voice relaxed.

There was no point in her trying to stop him. She felt herself being drawn closer to him. Her eyes met his. There were barley an each away from each other when he spoke. Before she could even respond she felt his lips on hers. She pressed back, her mind free of all thoughts and cares. In that moment, she was at peace.

Callie was wrapped up in the moment, in the kiss. She hadn’t realized how much he had been moving. When he made it to his feet it was already too late. She pulled away from him, her eyes still closed savoring the moment. Her eyes snapped open as she felt him slip through her arms and make a loud thud on the floor. “Richard!” Immediately she was down on the floor, trying to figure out the best way to go about helping him. She didn’t want to touch his back or his arm. Should she get a nurse? She didn’t want to leave him.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He of course was drawn into the moment so her warning about not moving didn't really register. When he kissed her he felt all warm inside the way he hadn't felt in a little bit. He knew it was wrong with Elsa but he had to know what it felt like. Whether it would lead into something worth pursuing or whether his odd half drunken dream of reality was not something to worry a about.

And the kiss showed him that he indeed had the feelings for Callie he speculated. He was so in the moment he didn't pay attention to the fact that his legs were like rubber. So he went down towards his right side yelling out in pain. Though it was not on his wound the motion transferred energy through to his back causing him a sharp shot of pain.

As Callie panicked in the moment seeing Richard in pain it didn't take long for someone to check on him based on the noise he made. Nurse ducked in then leaned out the door "Can I get some help in here." In came now two nurses and an orderly. "Step back Miss." Was announced before they turned him on his stomach and then the three of them lifted Richard up.

They payed him into the bed facing down and then the nurse fiddled with one of the machines. Richard was gritting his teeth and groaning in pain. Trying his best to hold it in and then after a few moments he loosened and he groaned softly before he stopped making any noises. He's breathed out slowly and heavily. One of the nurses turned to Callie "We are calling a doctor to check his wound. You have to be sure he stays in bed and with as little motion as possible."

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie's hands were over her mouth, horrified. She felt so useless as the nurses pushed past her to get to Richard. His yelp sent a shiver through her body. If only should could heal him, if only she could make him feel better. Everything that had just happened had left her mind. She was again concerned with him. Nothing else mattered in that moment.

Her blue eyes were wide with fear. She stepped aside and let the nurses do their job. As they placed him on the bed face down, she moved around trying to get closer without actually being in the way. She could tell he was in pain. Callie's eyes were fixed on him, even as the nurse spoke to her. "O-Okay. But I don't think he's gonna listen to me." She said, turning to face the nurse. "Can you do somethin' about the pain?" She asked hopeful. There had to be something they could do.

Callie swiftly moved to Richard's side. "Did you 'ear that? You can't be movin' around." She said as she threw her arms up in the air dramatically. Her voice stern. She couldn't help but feel partially responsible.

She slowly began rubbing the back of his head. Hoping to relax him a bit. As the movement died down and they waited for the arrival of the doctor Callie's thoughts back rushing back to the forefront of her mind. She still hadn't been able to ask him any questions about the attack to begin with. And now, she wanted to know a whole bunch of other questions.

She sat carefully on the edge of the bed once again. Her hand was still stroking his head, allowing her fingers to brush through his hair. With his head face down she leaned closer to his ear. She looked briefly over at the nurses by the door not wanting them to listen to their conversation, she spoke quietly. "Why Richard? Why?" She asked, well aware that she wasn't being specific enough.

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Tag: Richard Buckles