Room 324, Sunday Evening

[vanillajello]

Kate felt weird. As if she... was supposed to feel kind of dizzy, but everything was completely clear instead. With a vague buzzing, somewhere in the background. It was probably shock.

She was just going to run with it, for as long as it lasted. Then collapse. Maybe cry. She wasn't thinking about any of that right now. Someone else was her priority.

And that someone was Bod, who'd been using her as a walking aid on their way up from the lobby.

"So, what do you need?" she asked when they'd made it to her room.

[ooc: For the poor, poor boyfriend.]

Comments

[vanillajello]

Honestly, she didn't really plan on sleeping yet, either. Last time she'd gone to sleep with him like this... Yeah. That had an effect.

"My schedule is flexible," she told him. "It can take it."

[therewaslife]

"I'll feel better in a few days," he said, trying to be hopeful even if he was uncertain. Some part of him was feeling slightly guilty that she was rearranging things because of him.

He couldn't help it, he felt strange things.

[vanillajello]

He was a strange thing.

"You'll feel better when you feel better," she replied softly. "You only just got back."

[therewaslife]

"I know," he said and took a ragged breath. His eyes felt hot and itchy from both the crying and the residual irritation from the ash. "I feel...cleaner."

[vanillajello]

"And you smell like exotic flowers," she noted, going for a light tone but failing a little. She moved a bit, getting her hand to the back of his neck. "Like me."

[therewaslife]

Bod smiled against her neck, a little sad that she couldn't see it but he was too comfortable to move right now.

"I smell better, then?"

[vanillajello]

"Much better," she confirmed with a slight nod. "Much, much better."

She'd take him smelling girly over him smelling like death and ashes, any time.

[therewaslife]

"I suppose it's nice to have one thing fall back into normalcy," he said and sighed quietly. "I hope the rest follows."

He really did.

[vanillajello]

"It will." There was no way she was saying it wouldn't. No way. "It always does, so it will."

Shame about having to say always, though.

[therewaslife]

"All right," he said, believing her easily enough. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do for you? I can apply bandages without walking."

[vanillajello]

"Nah, I don't need bandages," she said, and sighed. "It's all just... Minor cuts. Almost healed, mostly."

[therewaslife]

"All right," he said and pulled back some so he could see her face. He did rest his head near hers on one of the pillows, uncaring of his poor, red rimmed eyes.

He wanted to say something profound or comforting or even soothing but no words came out despite his mouth opening and closing like he'd expected words there.

[vanillajello]

She looked back at him, and almost quirked a brow, almost smiled. But it was all just subtle twitches, a vague hint of an amused expression. Not really there if he looked closely.

"You look like a fish that's been pulled out of water."

[therewaslife]

"I wanted to say something but I couldn't find the words," he explained, exhaling a quiet, quiet laugh. He hadn't expected to be compared to a fish today. "My mouth was too quick for my brain, I suppose."

[vanillajello]

"Well, your brain has probably had a harder time lately than your mouth," she remarked quietly, moving her hand to brush her fingertips softly against his cheek. "So maybe it's a little slow."

[therewaslife]

"Maybe," he said, falling quiet and looking down at her shirt while she touched him. He was having trouble finding any meaningful words that he hadn't said before.

"I didn't mean to make you wait," he finally mumbled, keeping his eyes downcast. "Again."

[vanillajello]

She shook her head while her fingers trailed down to the side of neck. She watched them move. "It's not your fault. It's no one's fault."

Except the island's, kind of, but she didn't have the energy to be too angry at it right now.

[therewaslife]

"You still waited," he pointed out gently, "and I'm still sorry it for me. I really am, Kate. I really am."

[vanillajello]

Now her eyes were downcast too. "It wasn't just for you."

As if that made anything better in any way. It didn't. And in a way, it wasn't even true. She'd worried about him most of all.

[therewaslife]

"I - I know," he said, now wincing at the stab of selfishness he'd just felt. He hadn't been the only one gone and thinking that way was ridiculous.

"Never mind," he added, bringing his hand up and rubbing his eyes. "I shouldn't be talking right now."

[vanillajello]

Kate sighed and shook her head, glancing up at him again.

"You can do whatever you feel like doing," she said quietly. "I'm so happy you're back."

[therewaslife]

Bod nodded though there was a lump in his throat and his stomach had knotted again. He didn't think he'd start crying but the precursors were there to be battled against.

He felt like doing a lot of things but he couldn't exactly do them for one reason or another. He rubbed his eyes again.

[vanillajello]

Kate wanted to say something, but... nothing was really coming out right now. So she moved closer, pressing her face against the crook of his neck, now.

She felt happy, but numbly, in a broken way.

[therewaslife]

Carefully, Bod slipped his arm around her back, trying to heed both his injuries and hers, minor or not. He was able to make soothing sounds, to try and settle her down even if that was futile right now.

He could be there and pull himself away from the terrible images in his mind to focus on her, to comfort her.

[vanillajello]

She didn't feel like she'd be really relaxed anytime soon, but she appreciated the effort, greedily accepting all the comfort he could provide.

She felt like her guard wasn't so much down as just torn into itty bitty shreds.

"Happy thoughts," she muttered against his neck.