20. Fortitude

Amelia has always done everything to make sure that she remains strong. Even in the hardest of circumstances. In training, in combat, in war. In the face of adversity, she has always pushed herself. Always striving to be bold. Courageous. Fearless.

Not backing down from any challenge. Never giving up. No matter what.

She's climbed the ranks of the Royal Navy despite intense opposition. She's torn through fleets of enemies, charged forward into gunshots and cannon fire. She's spent countless nights reliving the terror and anguish of the cost of warfare.

But she always gets up again in the morning.

The mornings after Arrow's death are no different.

She often finds it difficult to sleep. Those times, she usually sits at her desk, looking at Arrow's cap that is placed at the corner. Smiling softly sometimes as she remembers the times they had shared. Frowning other times as she thinks of what she could have done better.

Sometimes the Doctor comes in on those nights when he's on watch. He sits with her, sometimes only saying a word or two, a feeble attempt at comfort. But sometimes just the presence of another mortal is enough.

Sometimes they talk about life. How short, how quick, how unpredictable it is.

Sometimes they talk about death. Pain. Loss.

Sometimes they talk about friends. Family.

Sometimes they sit in silence.

He looks away when she cries. Pretends he's busy looking at a book or the map of their voyage. It has only happened a couple times. But her momentary lapse of fortitude usually only last around thirty seconds or less.

Then she's back in character as though nothing transpired. As though proving to herself more than she is to him that she doesn't feel pain.

And he accepts her lies.

For now.

-o-

A/N: Sorry, I haven't forgotten about this, but I've been busy with another couple stories of mine. Trying to get back in the flow of this. Though it's hard when this fandom has a much smaller crowd. Doesn't mean that I enjoy TP any less though!

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