[log] Did the devil say to you, you can make it through [closed]

[spoileralert]

Characters: Steph, Zach, Al, Church, Luna, Kesara, Watson, Quark, Tifa
Location Building 58 and environs
Date: Days 157/158
Summary: A meeting of many people
Warnings: In comment headers, please!

58: A simple single-story building, the snow weighs uneasily on it, and it creaks and groans under the strain at the best of times. It's very dark, and only the kitchen and living room are intact. The kitchen has a back door. Two snowmen have been built outside. A message has been written on the wall in blue ink: "Don't wreck the snowmen! That's super mean!" "ALPHONSE ELRIC, MAMI TOMOE, FREYA CRESCENT, GREED, EDWARD ELRIC, STEPHANIE BROWN, DAY FORTY ONE, TRAVELLING EAST." has been carved into one of the walls. The following has been written on the wall in blue pen: "This is Building 95 97 on the composite map. Contact @CaptSteveRogers for details." Underneath this is a fairly accurate map showing the house in relation to the school and buildings 29, 35, 35, 37, 40, 41, 47, 48, 50, 53. House 34 is labeled "Medical assistance; hot, clean water. Contact Dr. Epps @claytonator". The school is labeled "School. Food available in cafeteria; DO NOT STAY HERE OVERNIGHT." The shed is labeled "Shed".

Comments

[spoileralert]

[ Steph sees Kes and smiles and waves, but when Zach falls to the ground her first instinct is to pick him back up.

She figures out what's going on though, and lets go of him so that their only contact is a hand on his shoulder. She doesn't want to let go of him entirely, not when he can't see. ]

Kes! I wasn't sure you'd make it this early.

[heavensreader]

[No pack, no exhaustion, no short legs in the world could stop her from breaking into a run. It's a limping little lope, through the deep snow, but even when she stumbles it's very much like a pup tripping over her own feet in her dizzying excitement.

She launches herself into Zach's arms like a little cannonball, solid and warm in all her layers, sticking her mane of hair against his chest and face.]

And you're here! [Now she's crying. She hasn't in days. It froze in her. But now grief melts into joy with not as much as a breath in between and she bawls out both.] I had to go quickly. But I had to. Oah, Zach! How do you feel? Can you see yet? And Steph, I'm so glad you're here, I'm so glad you're all right!

[majorlazer]

[Zach laughs into her hair, the impact of her body launching into his almost sending him backwards into the snow, but he holds tight, wrapping his arms around her middle, his eyes stinging with tears.

He laughs harder, refusing to pull away even as one of his hands squeeze her shoulder, her arm.]

You okay? How's the elbow?

[He shakes his head at her questions, reaching up to brush a tear from the corner of his eye.]

No, still blind. But I'm okay. I'm fine. I got you guys back. [He reaches up, squeezing Steph's hand on his shoulder before turning his head, kissing the top of her hand, gloves be damned.]

[spoileralert]

[ Steph smiles at the little kiss, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Then she turns to Kes. ]

No place in the world I'd rather be.

[heavensreader]

[Now he's crying, too, which is a marvel to Kesara, Zach being a grown man and all. She almost wants to touch his face to see it's real, but can't quite bring herself. Instead she focuses on not quite squirming as he probes her wounded arm.] It doesn't hurt as bad. It's getting better for sure. Your eyes will get better too in a while, see if they don't.

[All good news on her end. She watches him take Steph's hand, and watches the kiss with eyes growing a little bit wider with fascination. It's the first time she gets to see courting quite so up close. She darts a small shy look at Steph that's almost questioning. What's it like, this hand-kissing business?]

I think you'd rather be with Zach in the house with the hot water, [she answers, a little sly. Testing.]

[majorlazer]

[Zach makes a noncommittal noise at her, but doesn't say anything about his eyes. He's still convinced he's to be stuck like this, never to see again. It's not a fun thought, but it's where he's at right now.

And then, she talks to Steph, and Zach chokes on a breath, laughing in the next.]

Kesara!

[spoileralert]

[ Steph makes a sound suspiciously like a cackle. ]

We're keeping her, right?

[heavensreader]

You have to keep me, I know a house where the heating sometimes works.

[She doesn't know it's a secret they've already discovered. Alas for her innocence.]

[majorlazer]

[Zach can't help but laugh, one of his hands tugging at the hair coming out of her hat lightly.]

Yeah, we know of one, too.

[The way he half pulls away from her is extremely reluctant, but. She's alive, she's okay, she's happy to see him, and they're keeping her. Things will be fine.]

We should get going.

[spoileralert]

[ Steph helps pull him up. Not because she thinks he needs it, just because it's weird to keep a hold of him and not help. ]

We should, before your legs freeze. Come on, hugs and kisses and making other people uncomfortable once we find shelter.

[heavensreader]

I could help if you're worried about making other people uncomfortable.

[Look, she knows this part, all right? The chaperon offer stands.]

I could sleep between you. Like the sword that Sigurd and Brunhilde had between them. Except soft and warm.