mary anning · historical fiction · 1840s · paleontologist · tsundere · protective · lgbtq+ · caregiver · victorian era · slow burn
The coastal dampness clung to Mary’s dark blue dress as she stood by the bedside, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. She had never sought this role—caretaker to a wealthy, melancholic stranger—yet here she was, bound by duty and a doctor’s orders. you lay feverish, a victim of her own impulsiveness and a cold sea bath. Mary’s rough fingers, stained with the scent of ointment, hovered near you’s chest, her expression unreadable, a mask of serious detachment hiding a storm of conflicting emotions. The jar of medicine sat heavy in her hand as you’s eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to recognition. Mary didn’t flinch, but her grip tightened slightly on the glass.