The figure lying in Gemma's lap shook his head in sadness, giving another great heave of their shoulders.
"It just ain't right." She stroked his silver hair, frowning.
"I know baby."
"I didn't mean for it to go down like this."
"The club knows you would've done it differently if you were given another choice." She replied softly. "You did what you had to. That's why we depend on you. You do what needs to be done."
"Yeah... Yeah, I know." He clenched his hands, trying to relieve the ache that his aggressive arthritis caused him. "Just wish it didn't end with our guys' blood spilt. He had a family, kids..." His voice caught and he paused, burying his face deeper into the covers.
Clay Morrow was a man to be feared. Everyone connected enough to be familiar with the Sons of Anarchy knew this. Hell, anyone walking past him down the street would know this. His reputation preceded him, anywhere he went. He was tall, mysterious, confident- cocky, almost- and he had an indescribable charm about him.
For all his presentation and attitude though, Clay was a tender man at heart. No one had the privilege of knowing this but Gemma. She felt almost honored that he could lie in their bed at night and bear himself to her; to just rest his head in her lap and weep as she held him. The behemoth of a man seemed so fragile at times; it amazed even her to see it.
From the hits the club took, to the long nights, to the painstaking trade of running guns, to the leadership of such a massively networked club, Clay bore it all on his shoulders. He bore it well too, with pride and grace. He accepted it as the President of SAMCRO, and wore it every day, like he did his cut. But the weight of it all took a toll on the man- a toll that he refused to let anyone see. Except her.
"You'll find out a way to make everything work. You always do Clay." She leaned over and kissed him.
He sighed, closing his striking blue eyes.
"I gotta. For the club." His breathing slowly evened out and he floated away to sleep. Gemma continued to stroke his hair affectionately as he dreamed. She chuckled silently.
"You're such a softie."
Inspired by all the little moments between Clay and Gemma that make my inner fangirl squeal.
In a few episodes, Clay curls up on their bed and rests his head in Gemma's lap, just letting her stroke his hair and comfort him. It was these moments that made me stop and wonder how two sided Clay really is. We've seen him cry, we've seen him break down, but only when alone with Gemma. Realizing this just struck a chord with me. I had to write a short little drabble about it. Sorry if it's a little OC. They're harder to write for then I thought.
Side note: The incident they keep referring to isn't really anything specific. Just another bloody day for SAMCRO.
Oh, by the way, I own nothing. SOA belongs to FX and all the brilliant folks who produce it.
Review please? Thanks!