An Awkward Moment
Title: An Awkard Moment
Fandom: The Painted Veil (2006)
Characters: Dr Walter Fane, Kitty Fane
Prompt: 080 - Why?
Word Count: 306
Rating: PG. Probably.
Summary: Walter hates himself.
“No.” Walter stared down at the small wooden pot he held, filled with shaving cream. “I despise myself.”
A sudden chill had come over the room, unusual in such a heated climate. Perhaps it was because he had disposed of his shirt and lab coat and only wore a lightweight vest. Or perhaps it was because Kitty stood behind him and her presence made him think of past events that made him so sad.
What had Charles Townsend had that he, Walter, didn’t? A handsome face? A charming manner? Good dress sense?
Walter knew he was socially awkward. Clumsy. Call it whatever you like. But he’d hoped…. Oh, he’d hoped that Kitty would see through that to what was inside. Walter had wanted to be a good husband.
Kitty drew a deep breath. He imagined how she looked behind him, in a pretty dress, her curly brown hair tousled attractively around her oval face with its smooth, porcelain-doll skin. “Why?”
He swirled the shaving brush around in the white cream, trying to focus on it, trying not to look at her. He didn’t want to see her, to see what was on her face, the disappointment. He knew she looked at him and, as her husband, found him lacking. Found him absent of all that she considered to be attractive in a man. “For allowing myself to love you once.”
He bit his lip, regretting the words once they had come out of his mouth. He turned. Kitty stared at him, her eyes wide and wet. He thought to speak again, to make up for it, to say something, speak man, for God’s sake-
But then stalked past him and slammed the door to her room. From inside, he heard a sound which could only be her grief.
And then he despised himself even more than previously.
Fandom: The Painted Veil (2006)
Characters: Dr Walter Fane, Kitty Fane
Prompt: 080 - Why?
Word Count: 306
Rating: PG. Probably.
Summary: Walter hates himself.
“No.” Walter stared down at the small wooden pot he held, filled with shaving cream. “I despise myself.”
A sudden chill had come over the room, unusual in such a heated climate. Perhaps it was because he had disposed of his shirt and lab coat and only wore a lightweight vest. Or perhaps it was because Kitty stood behind him and her presence made him think of past events that made him so sad.
What had Charles Townsend had that he, Walter, didn’t? A handsome face? A charming manner? Good dress sense?
Walter knew he was socially awkward. Clumsy. Call it whatever you like. But he’d hoped…. Oh, he’d hoped that Kitty would see through that to what was inside. Walter had wanted to be a good husband.
Kitty drew a deep breath. He imagined how she looked behind him, in a pretty dress, her curly brown hair tousled attractively around her oval face with its smooth, porcelain-doll skin. “Why?”
He swirled the shaving brush around in the white cream, trying to focus on it, trying not to look at her. He didn’t want to see her, to see what was on her face, the disappointment. He knew she looked at him and, as her husband, found him lacking. Found him absent of all that she considered to be attractive in a man. “For allowing myself to love you once.”
He bit his lip, regretting the words once they had come out of his mouth. He turned. Kitty stared at him, her eyes wide and wet. He thought to speak again, to make up for it, to say something, speak man, for God’s sake-
But then stalked past him and slammed the door to her room. From inside, he heard a sound which could only be her grief.
And then he despised himself even more than previously.