[log] Screw up to the beat of my own drum [closed]

[spoileralert]

Characters: Stephanie Brown, Stephen Strange, Alphonse Elric, Hugo Vasquez
Location: AAB8 - 271
Date: Day 229
Summary: Event Shenanigans and a Reunion
Warnings: In comment subjects, please!

271: A small, enclosed bus stop that probably serviced the building inside the fence back when things weren't abandoned. The bus stop is enclosed completely in glass, making it possible to spend the night here, though the benches are a little uncomfortable to sleep on. Interestingly, the lights here still work, on and off--at night, the lights flicker on and off at random, which may also make it difficult to sleep. The vending machines here are smashed open, but food and drinks are still placed inside them. They do not restock when people are staying here, so make sure you don't run yourself out of food! "ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN, FOR ANY ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT @LELRIC." is written on a wall.

Comments

[spoileralert]

[ She looks up at him, desperation in her eyes. If he's really dead, if she lets herself feel that pain, she can't imagine how she'll ever pick herself up again.

She isn't given a choice. Grief breaks over her like a wave, and she buries her face against his armor as sobs wrack her body. ]

[armoured]

[He knows it's not going to be easy.

He's been through it before, more times than he'd like to count, both back home and here. It never gets easier, it never stops feeling like being torn apart, but it does pass. So he does the only thing that he can do, and holds her for as long as she needs to cry.]

[spoileralert]

[ She cries for a long time, but at some point remembers that Stephen and Hugo are here too and pulls herself together enough to stop sobbing uncontrollably. This is not the time, this is not the place.

She's exhausted and feeling more than a little hollow when she finally manages to dry her very red face completely. ]

Sorry. It's been that kind of day.

[armoured]

You don't ever have to apologise to me.

[He hopes that she feels a bit better for crying. It's not a cure-all, but it can be like expunging poison from a wound. Grief is better out than in.]

You're my best friend, I'm always going to want to be here for you.

[spoileralert]

[ She'll always feel like she needs to apologize, though. She doesn't ever want to take his friendship for granted, however absolute it may seem. ]

I'm really glad you're here.

[armoured]

Me too, I think we should make an effort to stick together from now on.

[She always seems to get hurt when they're apart.]

Now-- come on, you should eat something, it'll make you feel better. I promise.

[spoileralert]

[ She nods sullenly. ]

I don't want to be alone. [ That's not entirely true - she kind of wants to be alone, but she definitely doesn't trust herself to be alone. ] And I don't know how much longer Vasquez is going to want to put up with me. I've been kind of a sad sack.

[ She reaches for her bag robotically. Zach was so good about making her eat that it's habit now to obey, even when she isn't hungry. ]

[armoured]

Then he's a dummy, you're worth travelling with even if you're not doing well. Besides, we're going to work on that, because Zack and Ed would kick both of our asses if we moped over them.

[He puts a hand on her shoulder as she eats.]

Trust me, you're going to get through this.

[spoileralert]

I guess.

[ Zach would understand, she thinks. But it would kill him (again) to see her like this. He would do everything he could to cheer her up.

Once she's done with her package of rations, she pulls out the Zach and Kesara dolls out of her utility belt without even looking at them. It's become habit to keep them with her, never put away in her bag. ]

I trust you. It just... feels kinda impossible, right now.

[armoured]

I know, I've felt that way.

[He's not trying to take away from it, more let her know that there is another side to this dark tunnel.]

I'm with you until you feel stronger too. It really does get easier, you just have to find something to fight for.

[spoileralert]

[ She sighs, but this time it's because her breath is slowing and she needs the oxygen. ]

Think I can wait a few days before I have to be a human being again?

[armoured]

I think you need to start fighting as soon as you can, but that doesn't mean you're going to be okay right away.

[He just doesn't want her to stagnate and fall ever deeper into depression.]

[spoileralert]

Okay but define can.

[ She cannot. ]

[armoured]

You're breathing, Steph, you're alive. That means that no matter how much it hurts, you can, because you're still carrying on.

[spoileralert]

Still working on the breathing thing.

[ She's joking... partly. ]

[armoured]

But you're doing it.

[He's getting firmer now, he's not going to let her wallow.]

[spoileralert]

[ She pouts at him, and refuses to inhale again until she absolutely has to. ]

[armoured]

[He snorts quietly.]

See, you can still joke about. You're still under the grief, you just have to realise that.

[spoileralert]

[ She gasps a deep breath and huffs at him, still pouting. ]

God, I'm tired. I want to sleep for a week.

[armoured]

Maybe not for a week, but you should sleep. You'll feel better in the morning.

[He hopes so, at least. She's cried a lot, let her grief out, maybe that will help her start to heal.]

[spoileralert]

Maybe.

[ She's not convinced. But sleeping will be good. And if she can get away with sleeping more than necessary she totally will. ]

Guess I should take my pills.

[armoured]

Mm. Sleep well, Steph, I'm glad that you're here.

[No matter the circumstances.]

[spoileralert]

You too.

[ She gets up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek before taking out her water bottle and sleeping pills. ]