That was enough to make the Doctor pale considerably, lips parting, though he failed at first to think of just what to say. Please not. Not another instance of helplessness, not more people dying when all he could do was watch. He had failed so much recently, this was like the culmination of all of it. A fitting punishment, but others had to suffer for it and that was what made it horrifying.
"You make me feel better very often, Master. When we talk like this. Especially when I'm not in pain."
"Sometimes pain is important," Marcus insisted as the servant began to bandage the Doctor. With a small frown, Marcus grasped the Doctor's chin and forced him to look at his master head on. Why did he suddenly seem so sad? He had a reward coming, that was a good thing! Marcus was only trying to thank him, why would he be sad over that? "Most people I know get excited over rewards, especially ones I put together. Given that I am the lord and Master of this kingdom, surely you should be thrilled."
Not everyone had the kind of power that Marcus had. He had put a lot of thought into this reward too. "Don't you like my gifts?"
"You know what I like." It was a neutral enough statement and he met and held the Master's gaze, unwavering, but not quite challenging either. A statement, simple as that, which could be interpreted as both a yes or a no in answer to the question. However, if the Master should choose to see it as a no, at least he'd also admit, even if in a roundabout way, that he did know what the Doctor wanted and that he knowingly went against it. Not an admission that was much of a triumph, but this was a slow process. Two steps forward, five back.
With an annoyed look, Marcus was swiftly on his feet, leaving the servant to finish attending to John. He didn't want to be here when his generosity was being questioned like this. He tried to do so many nice things for his doctor, why didn't he appreciate them? What was he doing wrong? "Tell me when he's all bandaged up. Actually, no, just send him to my room," Marcus muttered dejectedly, clearly not happy at the reception he was getting. Now he had to rethink his gift and everything. As he took his leave, he debated the best thing he could do just to prove to John that he could do these kind of things well.
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"You make me feel better very often, Master. When we talk like this. Especially when I'm not in pain."
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Not everyone had the kind of power that Marcus had. He had put a lot of thought into this reward too. "Don't you like my gifts?"
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