(Untitled)

[uncommongardenr]

There's something that's been on Dickon's mind for a while, and it's after one of the "Magic" ceremonies that he decides to bring it up. It seems the best time; for all that Colin still has to lean on his arm while they make their way around the garden, it's moments like this when he seems most happy and hopeful--and, consequently, most likely to

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[outta_a_chair]

He looks a combination of proud and nervous at that.

"Do you really think so?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"Of course you shall," Mary says, stoutly, and glances down at her own ankle - it's mostly healed, but she still keeps a bandage wrapped around it.

"You shall be faster than me."

[uncommongardenr]

Dickon nods firmly, grinning.

"Tha's got a ways t' go yet, but tha's come a long way already."

[outta_a_chair]

"I have," he agrees, without modesty, for all his legs are still skinnier than they should be and shake a bit if he stands too long.

"And of course I will be. I will not hurt my ankles." He is Very Confident of this fact, but Mary is smiled at, a bit, after a moment.

Could Colin...be kidding?!

...No.

Probably not, really.

But he's still smiling.

[mmquitecontrary]

"You will once you have been running," Mary retorts; it's good-natured, for Mary.

"It is much easier to hurt your ankles once you have been using them."

[uncommongardenr]

"I think runnin's a ways off, yet," Dickon points out, less in a reminding-Colin-of-what-he-still-can't-do way than a not-wanting-Coling-to-try-running-before-he's-ready way.

[outta_a_chair]

Colin may sulk anyway.

A bit.

Well, scowl in the direction of a rose bush.

"Not a very long ways, though."

[mmquitecontrary]

Encouragingly: "Running is not much harder than walking. It is only you cannot do it for so long until you have practiced, because you run short of breath."

[uncommongardenr]

"Not very long, no," Dickon agrees placidly.

He pauses for a moment, then says, in a slightly different tone, "Does tha still want thy father t' be th' first that sees thee?"

[outta_a_chair]

"Yes."

It is not exactly short, but there is nothing beyond it except the word and a stubborn set to his jaw.

Colin is self-absorbed, but he is getting better, and he does notice that the tone changes, a little. "Why?"

[uncommongardenr]

He is getting better, and Dickon keeps this in mind and doesn't let the almost-shortness put him off.

"I've been thinkin'--I could keep on as we 'ave if tha'd rather I not tell 'er, but...I don' like keepin' th' garden an' all a secret from Mother."

[mmquitecontrary]

"I should like to meet her," Mary puts in, eagerly.

"And she would keep it secret, she would - I know she would."

[outta_a_chair]

He is frowning.

Rather a lot.

This does not meant no, it means that he is frowning and thinking.

"But what if she did not?"

[uncommongardenr]

Rather than simply avowing that he's sure Mrs. Sowerby would keep the secret, Dickon gives this due consideration.

"If she did, it'd be 'ard for me t' trust 'er with any important secrets again. An' she'd know that."

[outta_a_chair]

"I do not," flatly, "like it. But...but if she does not see me walk. Then she may."

[mmquitecontrary]

Cunningly: "She will likely bring us food if she comes."

Colin always eats more of his breakfast than he means to.

(Mary thinks she is being very clever.)