I don't want to wait 'til the next life
One glance and the avalanche drops
One look and my heartbeat stops
17 March, 1890 — Artifacts Incidents Ward, St. Mungo's — After this
Alfred could breath again. As he came back to consciousness he was very aware of his breath, in a way that didn't feel natural — even for someone who had just spent a significant portion of time struggling for each gasp. This felt like something beyond his control, in a strange way — like a spell actively pushing air into his lungs instead of his body doing the work itself. Which, given his recollection of the circumstances that had put him here, was probably not too far from the truth.
Was he still dying? He no longer felt as though he were dying. The numbness from his limbs had gone, and his mind was no longer a dizzy jumble of panicked thoughts. If he was right in assuming he was breathing with magical assistance, though, had he actually gotten any better, or was this only a temporary stop to keep him alive for now? If they hadn't figured out how to get rid of the curse, or at least draw it back to inactivity, he might still be dying... just slower and more comfortably, he supposed.
Alfred took a deep breath (which felt fantastic) and opened his eyes. His breath caught in his throat for a moment, but for a reason that had nothing to do with the curse. Zelda was here. He knew, of course, that she had brought him here, and that she had been there when he'd finally passed out — but he didn't know how long he had been out, or what might've happened in the meantime, and so it hadn't occurred to him that she might still be here. That she would've stayed.
He cleared his throat, wanting to speak but not sure what kind of vocal quality he would have after that entire ordeal. Clearing his throat didn't hurt, though, so he decided to chance it by simply saying: "Hey."
@"Zelda Fisk"
MJ made the most Alfredy of sets and then two years later she made it EVEN BETTER