Dead Reckoning: in the back private pod

[cuttingslack]

In the last private pod of the Reckoning trailer, there's a double bed with black sheets, whitewashed walls (this is the only room that has any white in it at all), a small table with a pot of freshly-woven roses (woven as Po made them for her, they can't be picked anywhere in the wastes), and an armoir with a mirror

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[ash__evildead]

There's a knock at the door.

There's probably only one other person she knows who'd be awake at this hour.

[cuttingslack]

Never hurts to check, though.

"... Yeah?" she whispers, sharply, leaning against the wall beside the door.

[ash__evildead]

"'S me."

His voice is barely louder than a whisper, partly to avoid waking anyone up and partly because... yeah.

[cuttingslack]

And so, she opens the door. Modesty is not something Slack has, so bra, pyjama shorts and dressing gown is dressed enough, comb still in her hand.

"What's up, then?"

She resists making jokes about prices. No, really.

[ash__evildead]

"Couldn't sleep."

Way to point out the obvious.

[cuttingslack]

"... No shit. C'mon in." She laughs.

[ash__evildead]

"Yeah, well. Had a nightmare."

He looks around, her lack of modesty not even registering on his mental radar.

"Nice place."

[cuttingslack]

Which is a sign that something's wrong with him.

"The smallest, but the only with colour. Sit down or something. Want to spill, or keep it in and change the subject?"

[ash__evildead]

He takes a seat on the currently unoccupied bed, looking as though he'd like to go for the second option.

"I dreamed I was back in the woods."

[cuttingslack]

She sits next to him, ruffling his hair a little.

(What? She even does it to Riley.)

"Sucks. Though I can imagine what brought it on."

[ash__evildead]

He flinches a bit as the hair-ruffling brings back memories he really doesn't know how to deal with.

"Sheila was there. And the kid. ... I couldn't get to them."

[cuttingslack]

"Maybe ... not so to do with the surroundings as I was thinkin'."

He gets a hug, then. She can do that.

"Y'want to stay the night with me? Best bed in the truck as I'm the only one who cares what my mattress is made of."

[ash__evildead]

"They needed me and I wasn't there. Story of my fuckin' life."

He leans against her, looking utterly and painfully lost.

"Yeah. Maybe."

[cuttingslack]

"Maybe," says Slack softly, kissing his forehead, "meaning yes. You need to sleep without thoughts plaguing you. I'm here if you need me, y'know."

She'd ask if he's ready to go back in the morning, but it's soon.

And that's pushing him.

So she won't.

[ash__evildead]

He sighs, a long shuddery sound, as long-hidden fear and grief forces its way to the surface. Almost before he realizes it, he's crying on her shoulder.

[cuttingslack]

That? That's weird, and for a minute she's not sure what to do.

Then she leans back against him, kissing his forehead softly.

"I know, hon," she says, voice muffled against his hair. "I know."