Ficlet: Only Words

[bibliodragon]

For ar_drabbles Gratitude challenge.

Title: Only Words
Author: bibliodragon
Rating: Gen
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 200


Under electric lights day turned to night unannounced, with hours and minutes marked by each piece of paperwork practically indistinguishable from the last. Medicine lists (too low). Food amounts (too low). And always too many numbers to be subtracted from the whiteboard.

Laura Roslin no longer needed to watch as Billy rewrote the number, each figure drawn out in case another piece of paper brought another total while he was there. Removing her glasses she rubbed at her eyes. Back on and the pile was still there. Along with the pressure behind her eyes. She reached for another file.

The flash of red was bright against the dull grey folder underneath, even though closer inspection revealed the leather was old and faded. Indentations of letters with the occasional fleck of gold were all that remained of the title and author, still readable but only just.

She looked down at the folder still in her hand. More evidence that the end of the worlds had done nothing to halt military bureaucracy. Each word another throb of a headache. On the inside cover of the book she found the same handwriting.

The next paper she managed to meet with a soft smile.

Comments

[fragrantwoods.livejournal.com]

How sweet...the author of all those piles of dreary work has that other side that gets him to lend treasured books to the overwhelmed :-) I love how that tangible sign of his other side (and his recognition of her other side) eases her hard day, and gives her something to look forward to. Nice!

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That Bill, he's a big softy really.

[somadanne.livejournal.com]

You write with such wonderful details--this is wonderful:

Under electric lights day turned to night unannounced

I loved that the book was red and I could almost feel it in my hands reading this:

the leather was old and faded. Indentations of letters with the occasional fleck of gold were all that remained of the title and author, still readable but only just.

It's interesting to think that while they were still fleeing for their lives, there must have been so much time like this dealing with mundane, yet essential, details.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

I loved that the book was red
It's funny, that wasn't conscious of me, but looking back of course it should be.

It's interesting to think that while they were still fleeing for their lives, there must have been so much time like this dealing with mundane, yet essential, details.
Right up until the paper shortage, anyway. ;)

[sln1.livejournal.com]

You have captured a keen sense of the constant grind of work and loss, grim and grey and oppressive day after day, very effectively here and it makes that moment when Laura sees the book all the more startling and satisfying. There is a real sense of the relief it provides, a reminder of better times, better things, of what in all this toil and hardship they are seeking to preserve. A reminder that she isn't in this alone.

Beautifully done. Great work. Thank you.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Thank you for such kind words.

[bugsfic.livejournal.com]

A subtle, gentle romance, so the Bill I imagine, thinking of Laura, sending something frivolous and yet very important along with the files. And Laura giving that slight smile that somehow seems warmer than her grin.

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

And Laura giving that slight smile that somehow seems warmer than her grin.
That was all MM, I was just trying to write it down. God, that woman can emote with just the slightest facial flicker!

[redrockcan.livejournal.com]

Such a lovely and sweet scene. The day to day work Laura did must have been a grind, physically and emotinally, so nice how Bill gives her that little thought of sunshine and relief amongst her load of paperwork. Very nice!!

[bibliodragon.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So glad you liked it.