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[heliophilic]

This is M. I'm most likely out punching someone. Don't worry, they deserve it.

Probably.

I'll call you back later.

TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO

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[killtime]

[ It's comforting, that gesture. The human contact. For a moment, there's a subtle crack in the mask of her carefully crafted indifference — she instinctively leans towards him as he leans towards her, those dark eyebrows drawing together ever so slightly when he kisses the top of her head, something soft and a little sad in her face.

Her wryness is absent and quiet when she answers him: ]

You're lucky I'm that kind of wife.

[heliophilic]

[M's not the best at comforting people, but even he can see that what he's doing is making a difference, so he keeps it up, his hand rubbing small circles into Andy's upper back, and placing another kiss on top of her head before opting to just lean his head against hers instead.

He really is a dick sometimes, even when he doesn't want to be.]

I'm lucky you humored me with that HypeReader quiz all that time ago.

[killtime]

[ Gods, is she really that transparent? Is it really that obvious, how much she wants to feel connected to somebody else at moments like this? She should probably pull away. Say something dismissive, as if that would prove that she's fine. That the cracks aren't actually showing.

Instead, she just lets her head lean against his, some of the tension easing from her neck and letting her posture sink into something a little heavier.

In a low mutter: ]

I'm lucky you still wanted to be my friend after I made you kill me.

[heliophilic]

ImPort bullshit made me kill you.

[Despite the easiness of his words, he tenses somewhat at the thought. He doesn't like to remember it.

It's the first time he's killed someone that he actually felt something about... Felt something he didn't like.]

That wasn't how I wanted to check off "kill the unkillable" off my bucket list.

[killtime]

[ She doesn't really like to remember it either. Mostly because it had been too easy to give into the dying. The whole thing was all the worse for her relief. ]

I got better. [ A twinge of wryness: ] Learned a thing or two along the way.

[heliophilic]

That you don't come to me whenever you want to try again?

[killtime]

[ She looks at him then. Really looks at him.

Simply, at length: ]

I don't want to try again.

[heliophilic]

[M's fallen silent for a while, digesting what she just said. He gives her another kiss on the top of her head.]

I'm happy for you.

[Not that she doesn't want to die anymore. That she's found something worth living for.]

[killtime]

[ In that moment, all her sharp edges seem worn away. She just quietly tilts her head towards him, quietly accepting that kiss without trying to deflect or feign indifference. For a little while, she doesn't say anything back. Then finally, she reaches for his nearest hand, giving it a brief squeeze. ]

Happy for you too.

[ A bit wryly then: ]

Guess we should try not to fuck it up.

[heliophilic]

[He returns the squeeze, looking down at her with an uncharacteristic smile. Their friendship might not be orthodox, but at this moment all M can think of is how right it feels.]

Oh, we will. [It's a light, joking comment.]