Title: Remember
Author: geekluvsg
Rating: K
Pairing: David/Mary
Summary: David compares Kathryn and Mary
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon A Time. Wish I did
With Kathryn it was always "remember?" and "maybe this will jog your memory" but with Mary it was easy. There was no pressure to remember, only the ease of being in the here and now, making new memories. He never had to worry or be upset that he couldn't remember the past or who he was. They could talk and their conversation flowed. There were never any awkward pauses even when they didn't talk; the silence was just as nice as conversation.
When Kathryn would visit him, he felt like he was putting up a front trying to be the man he was for her before his accident but it was hard and exhausting. He didn't know who that man was and she looked at him like she was begging him to just flip a switch and return to his old self. Everything with Kathryn was strained and their conversations were practically nonexistent and the silences were deafening.
He didn't understand why he could feel so at ease with a complete stranger but with his own wife he felt like he was lying to himself. When he was with Mary, he was content and happy. Her wit and charm were a calming balm, even her embarrassment was endearing. He felt no pressure when she was with him. He hated it when she had to leave, disappointed that their time together was so short, and anticipated their next meeting.
Lately, he found himself wishing that Kathryn would stop pushing him to remember. And then guilt would flood him for thinking that. He hated to disappoint his wife but the harder he tried to remember, the less likely it seemed that he would.
And sometimes when Kathryn thought he wasn't looking, David would catch a look in her eye that said she thought it too.