At the sound of his name said so urgently from that lovely, tinkling voice again, the brunette held back a twist of longing. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking like that anymore. He wasn’t supposed to care that she seemed concerned for him, even if it did prickle determinedly at the base of his spine. “I’m quite alright,”Anthony reassured her again, more gently this time. “If you’d like, you can even examine me fully once we’re out of here but for now, please don’t worry. I’ve survived bumps and scrapes before.” He tossed her a lopsided little grin, hoping that it was easing but the expression didn’t last long. Ms. Victoire herself made to stand, wobbling on that leg, and Anthony’s eyes grew wide as he stepped forward, determined to catch her if she fell. The gesture brought them practically nose to nose but she managed and he just lingered, awkwardly, unneeded.
For a long moment he stared right into her pretty face, all his pain and obvious regret over the situation bared for her to see. Anthony didn’t know what use it was to either of them now. He cleared his throat and took a step back, warm under the collar. “Apologies,” he mumbled before turning to look out over the bank.
This was a familiar spot he realized just then. There was a hunting cabin not too far up the almost dried riverbed. He and Atticus had used to hide there when they were escaping their respective governesses or siblings. From there the rocks evened out and the grassy slope was much easier to climb, if only they made it that far. Anthony sucked in a deep breath. “There’s a slightly easier slope that way to climb out of here,” he said gesturing in the direction the water was coming from. A sheepish gaze broke his concentration as it turned back to the lady. “I can carry you if you’ll let me,” he offered chivalrously. “It’s better you don’t put pressure on that ankle. It might not heal properly if you do.” The odds of her letting him seemed slim to none, but it was damn well better than her having a limp the rest of her days because of pure stubborn pride.
Victoire Malfoy & muse song (it's especially fitting because tombé means fall lol)