Healing
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I own no one.
(This story is the original one I wrote about Sven's PTSD. Enjoy. It's short and sweet. Also for more fics on my account read: Zarcon File CTVF-008 and Candle Light. I will be writing more Sven/Romelle centric fics because Sven is why I love Voltron and Romelle is quite frankly AWESOME and I love her with Sven. You could almost say she's a girl crush.)
Two tears ran down Romelles cheeks as she heard his cries again. Ever since she'd brought Sven back to Polix the castle had been turned upside down. She was hoping it would be easy- just a quick trip back to recruit some help and go back to Planet Doom to free some slaves. So far it had been anything but.
He jumped at everything, thought everyone and anything could be Zarcon. What hurt her the most was he was afraid to be touched. He flinched each time she hugged him or touched him. Given they weren't dating- but still- it just...hurt.
She slid out of her bed pulling on her night robe and slippers and started down the hall. If the guards caught up with Sven first there would be mayhem. She opened his door quietly and peaked in. "Sven?"
"Go a-way." His accent was heavy and his voice hoarse. She could vaguely see his form in the darkness.
"It's me, Romelle." She pushed the door open a little more.
"I know who it 's. Now Go a-way!" He stood up and advanced on her. Her heart was pounding with fear of what he was going to do. She just froze. He growled and grabbed her wrists. "What did I say? Go a-way."
"Sven stop this now." She whispered. Romelle didn't fight his strength but didn't go limp either. She stood her ground and looked into his eyes. "Sven. Stop. You don't want to do this."
"You think you can read my mind? I'm crazy! I told you that before we came here." He responded.
"You're not crazy, Sven. We've been over this." Romelle's wrists were still in his grasp. "Lets talk it over- alright?"
The Space Explorer's eyes came back into focus and he dropped her wrists backing away. "What have I done?" Tears were streaming as he fell to his knees on the floor.
"You didn't do anything, Sven. It's ok." Romelle put a hand on his shoulder kneeling down. "Did you have a bad dream? A nightmare?"
"I don't know- maybe. I don't remember."
She lifted his chin and tried to smile. His tears were still falling and she sighed. "Lonely?"
"I don't belong here. I belong in da caves."
"No one belongs in the Caves, Sven." Romelle helped him stand and walked him back to his bed. "Especially not you."
"I am just pathetic." He whispered tiredly. She covered him up with a blanket and sat on the edge of the bed. "I need a Princess to look after me. Like I'm a child."
"No," She whispered, "Not a child- a strong space explorer who is still healing from an injury. How is that doing by the way? The Nurse told me it was healing pretty nicely. Does it hurt?"
"Ah bit. Not as bad as before." He replied just barely opening his eyes. He smiled at her when she smiled back- his smile warm like she'd always dreamed it to be.
"That's good." She went silent for a bit then smoothed out the sheets, "Would you mind if I looked at it and made sure? I'm worried something might sneak up on you." The foreign space explorer nodded weakly his eyes didn't open. Gently her hands unbuttoned his shirt and saw the bandages over one side of his chest. She undid the white cloth and pulled it away so she could see the wound. It was a deep slash red from the slight infections- probably from his time in the caves. It looked like it hurt. He winced as her hand hovered over it. She could feel the heat coming off it. "Oh Sven, it's infected."
"Not that bad." Sven replied catching her hand before she could leave. "It's alright, Romelle. Please. Do not worry yourself." He smiled weakly, "Just wrap it back up and it will be fine!"
"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm going to go get a cloth. We need to wash this out before it gets worse." The young princess pried her hand away and hurried off. When she came back Sven was half asleep- he hadn't moved much if at all. She sat back down on the edge of the bed and put the bowl of water on the table beside the bed. "This is going to sting I'm sure." His eyes didn't open. She dipped the cloth into the water then ringing it out. Romelle took a deep breath and put the cloth to the wound.
Sven's eyes flew open and on instinct he grabbed her wrist and grasped it tightly. "Stop! What do you think you are doing?"
This time her wrist twisted the wrong way. She winced dropping the cloth. "I'm sorry, Sven. Please let go." His grip was still tight, and it hurt. "Please." She whispered again. He was breathing hard- she felt sorry for him. That must have been so much pain. "I know it hurts, Sven. I'm sorry. Please let go."
"Look," She croaked, "The cloth, it's beside you. I won't pick it up again. Just let my wrist go." Her voice was surprisingly calm even with the searing pain going up her arm.
Sven's black eyes glanced down at the cloth and slowly released his grip lying back down breathing hard. His face drenched in sweat. He moaned pushing the cloth away. Romelle held her wrist to her chest breathing just as hard and tried not to let the tears of pain fall. It would just upset him more. Slowly and carefully she rewrapped the wound then taking a deep breath She placed her hand on his. "Shh, it's alright. Just sleep."
"Don't leave, please stay." He whispered. Sven sounded like a child calling for his mother. Romelle sighed and looked down at him stroking his hair from his face. "I want you here."
She smiled warmly, "I know you do, I'll stay."
"Thank you." Was his weak response. She smiled again and took her robe and slippers off. He moved slightly and she slid into bed with him. She curled as close as she could to the edge of the bed so as not to take up room and lasted all of a few seconds before his powerful arms wrapped around her. She felt safe.
"Sleep well, Sven." She whispered before drifting off herself.
End Chapter 1