>>00110001 >> text

[hejhej]

With the ability to go back in time, isn't there a fear that someone will abuse it? These people put a lot of faith into human objectivity.

[oh, and....]

Where can I buy cigarettes?

Comments

[hostage]

Ummm, probably quit smoking and get real healthy and shit.

[He hops onto the bed beside her and goes in for a snuggle.]

[hejhej]

[Lisbeth slips an arm around him, pulling him in close.]

You better stick around, then, because that shit's boring.

[hostage]

Yeah, it is.

[He kisses her shoulder and cozies right in there, nuzzling into her neck. It does a good job of hiding the expression on his face, which is suddenly subdued and rueful.]

[hejhej]

[she's quiet as she traces the tattoo on his hand and wrist.]

Nill visited today.

[hostage]

[His face remains conveniently hidden, but his voice gets oh so slightly strained.]

Yeah? I know she missed you a lot.

[hejhej]

She seems different, more fragile than in Siren's.

[there's a pause.]

Angrier.

[hostage]

I noticed that, too.

[hejhej]

She seems very angry with you.

[hostage]

Yeah. She slapped me the second she saw me.

[hejhej]

Why?

[she shifts]

Jesse, look at me.

[hostage]

[He raises his eyes reluctantly.]

She was mad I left you.

[hejhej]

[she searches his face for some kind of deception, but she can't find it. or she doesn't want to. whichever it is, his answer satisfies her.]

Okay.

[she slips her hand up the back of his shirt and cuddles against his chest.]

[hostage]

[It isn't a lie. It's just not the whole truth. But Nill had no business digging into his head like that, and what good would it do, telling Lisbeth? It won't change anything. He doesn't get to magically go on and live a happy life and pretend he hasn't killed people just because he fell in love. All he gets to do is pretend for a while. And then it'll be over, he'll be gone, and she won't even know it.

He leans into her, arms drawing her closer. It has been bothering him, Nill's first reaction to him. While they're talking about it...]

Were you okay? After... I mean, without me.

[hejhej]

I would be lying if I said yes. I stayed inside alot. Saw no reason to go outside.

I was miserable.

[hostage]

I had all these dreams... I mean, I thought they were dreams. When I got back home. It was bad, you know. Things got real bad. But it got a little better when I was sleeping, like I was living somewhere else.

There was a long time, towards the end - all I had was that. Dreaming about you. Half the time I couldn't even tell if I was awake or asleep, but I was in it. Hallucinating, I guess. But that was nice. It's like I was still with you. I just didn't know it was real once.

I wish I coulda stayed with you. I never woulda left if I had a choice.

[hejhej]

[as she listens to him, she tenses, her fingertips digging into his back. she's never had someone want her around. she never thought she was worth to have around. part of her wants him to say it again just so she could hear it again.]

I wanted you to come home with me.

[hostage]

I wanted that more than anything.

[hejhej]

But we're here now and I still love you.

[hostage]

[He smiles at that, nudging her with his nose and burying his face against her neck once more.]

I love you, too.

Don't let me wake up.