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[flybywash]

You know, with the way the bad goes in constant cycles around here, Wash is mildly surprised it hasn't overlapped before now.

It's as good a reason as any why it's taken this long to visit.

Naomi's nestled in her sling; a box under one arm and his cane in the other hand, Wash scrambles and juggles for a couple of seconds before he knocks on the door of the Tonks-Wrangle flat.

"Anybody home?" he calls.

Comments

[flybywash]

Wash puffs out a breath, considering. "She had to bring Naomi into the bar for a little while when we went to get Simon and River back, which was...it ain't something she's crazy about, sitting out like that. But she did it."

And not once did Wash ever doubt that she would; they both knew the risks and sacrifices going into this. It's a gesture that speaks volumes anyway.

[clumsy_auror]

"Hm."

The hand that's not tucked around the box is shoved into her pocket, and Nymphadora walks along consideringly, directing Wash around the corner to the side street St. Mungo's is on.

"Had to do that a while back. Went to the House of Arch to stay. Hated it. But in the end I knew it was the only reasonable choice, and Bernard knew it too. So we dealt. Anyway. Glad you're doing all right with it, so far. And..."

She glances up to look Wash in the eye, dead serious.

"If you ever run into a spot where you need a safe place for Naomi to be for a bit, you know where we are."

[flybywash]

Wash nods.

He's hoping things will get a little easier, with River and Simon no longer wanted fugitives -- ain't like they were easy before, but things took on a special brand of not-easy when the Tams boarded.

No way is he going to say that out loud and jinx it, though.

So instead he says, with full sincerity, "Thank you. I mean it. Knowing that is really, really good."

[clumsy_auror]

"'S all right. You'd do the same, I know."

'Dora reaches out to touch Wash's arm, slowing him to a stop.

"Here we are, then."

They're standing in front of an old, run-down department store -- Purge and Dowse -- the front window of which features an exceptionally ugly mannequin.

[flybywash]

Wash stops.

Blinks.

Absently bounces Naomi a little as she makes a fussy noise.

"Please tell me this is a fiendish and clever disguise for the entire hospital and Bernard isn't, you know, actually that mannequin or anything."

[clumsy_auror]

Giggling, Nymphadora jostles Wash's shoulder a bit. "Silly. Yeah, it's a disguise. Can't have the Muggles just wandering in off the street, now can we? Present company excluded, of course."

The witch leans forward and addresses the nearest mannequin.

"We're here for Bernard Wrangle," she whispers, and the mannequin nods very slightly.

[flybywash]

"Hi. I was just kidding about you being Bernard," Wash adds, also in an undertone, to the mannequin. He scratches the back of his head.

(What? It's alive, apparently. And maybe he just grieviously insulted it and might get smited by its plastic-y hands of justice. He's just covering all his bases.)

[clumsy_auror]

The mannequin appears to smirk, ever so slightly, and Nymphadora takes Wash by the elbow. "Right, so. Just... sort of ignore the fact that this is a glass window, and walk straight ahead."

[flybywash]

"Shiny. Ignoring the window. Got it."

This does not stop him from putting a protective arm around Naomi as she shuts his eyes, takes a deep breath, and starts walking forward.

[clumsy_auror]

And just like that, they're in the lobby.

It looks rather a lot like any other hospital, really; probably more like what Wash might see in a Core hospital, though, than anywhere else in Nymphadora's London.

"Wotcher, Betina!" 'Dora calls to the witch on duty at the desk, and the elderly lady gives her a friendly wave back as Nymphadora, Wash, and Naomi head in the direction of the private rooms.

[flybywash]

Wash peeks an eye open once the hospital sounds (and smells) hit him. His arm relaxes, and he opens the other eye as well with a tiny grin, following Tonks.

The last time he was in a hospital was just before New Year's; it's bizarre how much this place looks like Marcus Medical Center.

"Am I supposed to be this disappointed that this looks so normal?" he murmurs to her. "I don't think I am."

[clumsy_auror]

"It is normal! Well, for me anyway-- oh, watch your head, there."

A memo in the form of a paper airplane whizzes overhead.

[flybywash]

Wash ducks, then twists around to follow the plane's progress, all but beaming.

"See, that's more like it," he declares.

[clumsy_auror]

"You should come to the Ministry," Tonks replies, directing him down a side corridor, and nodding to one of the Healers passing by. "Bloody things're everywhere... ah, here we are."

She raps lightly on the door before sticking her head inside.

"Are you decent, love?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

There is a pause.

Then, "Am I ever?"

[flybywash]

Wash snorts, amused.

(And not looking in the room yet.)

"If decency ever happens, send me evidence, I've got a blackmail portfolio on everybody except you so far," he calls.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

There is a rustle from the room which somehow manages to convey surprise. Then, "Ow. Wash?"

[flybywash]

"The one and only. And..."

He takes a moment to readjust the sling, sneaking a fond smile, bright for all its quickness, at Naomi.

"I have company of the small human and adorable variety. Some slightly less adorable gifts, too."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

It takes Bernard a second to process what tha means, and then he twitches all over again.

"Goddammit. You keep surprising me, and I keep jumping and it keeps hurting, so come on in and cut it out."

[flybywash]

Wash manages to smother a snicker, but only just. "Duìbùqĭ."

That sentiment becomes rather more sincere when he edges in and actually gets a look at Bernard. Saying you look like hell would be redundant, so he doesn't, but that really doesn't make it any less true.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora hefts the box onto the bedside table, and then bends over to kiss her husband. "Hi, sweetheart." And then again.

Hey. She's entitled. On a number of levels.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Softly, "Hey." Once properly kissed, Bernard smiles at Wash, his eyes flickering to the tiny hand peeking over the edge of the sling.

"I'm good. Better, now that I have visitors." He grins, a little more color coming to his face. "Who's this, then?"

[flybywash]

"This..."

Wash takes a seat and puts his cane aside, lifting Naomi out of her sling. She makes a tiny noise of protest -- "Hey, it's okay, băobèi, shh," he whispers, kissing the top of her head as he rests her against his chest. "This is Naomi Warren-Washburne. Naomi, this is Bernard. Wanna say hi?"

'Hi,' in this case, is a solemn and marginally sleepy blink.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard beams at her. "Well." His voice is a little hoarse. Pay no mind. "Already giving Sunny a run for her money as the prettiest princess in all the universes, I see."

[clumsy_auror]

"Isn't she beautiful?" 'Dora's settled herself next to the bed, as well, and takes Bernard's hand. "Takes after Zoe's side of the family, clearly."