60 - [Voice/Text]

[asymmetriphobic]

...I guess zero is a symmetrical enough number. But it would have been nice if Patti stayed... She... and... Angel...

[He just goes silent. The private notes are Text.]

Comments

[Voice]

[loyal_inferno]

Hey, Kid...you alright?

[ Her voice is calm, but she's missing Patti too.]

[Voice]

[asymmetriphobic]

... [He doesn't want to lie...]

[Voice]

[loyal_inferno]

...

Would it be alright if I came over for a while?

[Voice]

[asymmetriphobic]

You don't need to ask. I'm in the living room.

[Voice]-->[Comment log]

[loyal_inferno]

[A pause.]

Alright.

[She enters the living room and takes a seat on the couch next to where Kid is sitting, staring at the ceiling, and leaning her head against the cushions. She doesn't say anything at first, because she isn't sure there's really anything to say, but still, she can't just not do anything.]

I don't think this really helps much but...they're safe now. At the very least...they're not stuck here anymore. In fact, Patti's probably off trying to explain to everyone where she's been...[A soft laugh here.]

[Comment log]

[asymmetriphobic]

[And he sits on an asymmetrical couch. It's still got the battle scars from when he and Kirika had a shoot-out, but the bullet-wounds which bothered him daily just don't have an effect.

He's silent for a long moment after she speaks. When he finally responds, his voice is soft and strained, face stony as he tries to sit on his emotions.]

...safer, yes. It's better this way. [Even though he really wishes it wasn't. He looks down at the floor absently.]

[Comment log]

[loyal_inferno]

[ She can't help it then, the look on his face makes her reach out her hand and place it on Kid's shoulder in what she hopes is a comforting manner. She squeezes his shoulder lightly, and smiles softly at him.]

This might sound stupid but, the distance doesn't change anything you know. Just because they're not here anymore, doesn't mean your feelings change. No matter where Nill is, she still cares about you.

I guess that...doesn't make things easier but...it matters.

[She grimaces at her words, because really, that can't be helping him at all. She wishes she had the right words, but they fail her, so instead she just holds tightly to that shoulder, a reassurance that at the very least, she was here for him if he needed it.]

[Comment log]

[asymmetriphobic]

[The feeling of the hand on his shoulder makes him look up, golden eyes glimmering dully in recognition of the feeling. She's trying to help, he knows.

It's working, a bit at a time. Her calming words comfort him and coax him away from the idea of crying. No, he can't cry. It really would solve nothing, especially not now. Not when Jackie was so upset, and her friends... no, someone had to be strong through this. Sure, they would all make it through, but Kid can't cry.

At least... not now. Not here. He just gives Jackie a quiet nod, eyes still downcast. His opposite arm reached up, hand gently landing over hers. He understands.]

Thank you. [His voice is barely above a whisper, and he tenses for a moment. It had cracked... That had been unexpected. Sighing shakily, he shuts his eyes. It will pass. Eventually. His hand tightens on hers. The closest thing he can hold onto at the moment... he's silently asking for her to stay.]

[Comment log]

[loyal_inferno]

[She's glad when her words don't upset him more, at least from what she can tell, and she moves her fingers so that they entwine with his, offering what little comfort she can. She squeezes his hand back just as tightly, and scoots a little closer to him so that she can lean her head against his shoulder.

Jackie closes her eyes as she rests there, and keeps her hand wrapped tightly around his, her thumb escaping the hold to trace soothing circles along the outside of his knuckles.

She doesn't say anything else, but she answers his silent plea for company, determined to stay with him for as long as it takes for him not to make that face anymore. It doesn't suit him, but for once, she's too tired to get angry at the scientists for the pain they continually cause.

Right now, she only has room to be there for Kid, and the anger can come later. This is more important. ]

[Comment log]

[asymmetriphobic]

[As their fingers connect, Kid sighs softly. Something to hold onto, something tangible and just in his reach. She's keeping him grounded, reminding him that he's not alone. After all, he has his friends...

The closeness is appreciated. Actually, Kid prefers it. It's almost like a hug, just someone being there for him. He hadn't realized it until she moved closer, and he's grateful. Jackie was an amazing friend; no wonder she and Kim were so close, he thought.

A few moments of silence pass before Kid brings himself to speak again. His voice shouldn't crack again, he's sure, if he changes the subject. So he does just that.]

I'm getting my chip removed tomorrow.

[Comment log]

[loyal_inferno]

[ The words catch her by surprise, and she has to keep herself from tensing up as the first images that pop into her mind are those of Zuko's disastrous attempt at chip removal. But supposedly the infection had passed, and who was she to stop Kid from doing something that she wanted desperately to do herself.

She waits a moment before nodding, and then speaks softly when she knows her voice won't betray any of the unreasonable fear that has made its way into her mind.]

Alright. Will you need someone to come and get you afterward?

[Comment log]

[asymmetriphobic]

[Kid looks over and nods slowly.] I will, actually, if you can.

[He sighs softly, looking over at her. He knows she's worried, especially after what happened with her last friend, but he's determined not to let it happen to him. He forces a small smile--but he's in far from a good enough mood to smile, and it falls quickly.]

...I'll be fine.