[The Company]

[morelikeasponge]

Fours days've gone by since he stopped taking the meds. On the second day he scraped his finger and watched, disappointed, as it bled sluggishly down the side of his hand; on the third day he tried to make his foot invisible, and only succeeded in straining his eyes (and, somehow, pulling a muscle in his toe).

Today is day five.

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[morelikeasponge]

Peter swings his legs over the side of the bed and sits upright, glancing from her to the tray. She didn't stick around the first four times; for a moment he considers just taking today's dose. It's not like going cold turkey's been working well so far.

But --

"You're not gonna give me a little jolt?"

[morelikeasponge]

As she gets closer, he reaches out to pull her down next to him on the cot.

"Like you said." Peter has always been a good liar. "I'm starting to like 'em." He cants his head, eyes on hers. "Starting to like you."

[morelikeasponge]

All things considered, Elle's an easier mark than anyone in his family.

Which may not be the greatest comparison to draw, since the next thing he does is lean in to kiss her, hand lifted to mirror hers, fingertips nearly brushing.

[morelikeasponge]

" -- Ah," he gasps, jerking backwards, startled despite everything.

As usual, it stings like hell -- but unlike usual, after the first few seconds pass he feels the weird ticklish sensation of his own cells beginning to regenerate, the skin on his mildly-burned index finger remaking itself.

Not so bad.

He moves around her carefully, face still near hers, and then toward the table. He keeps his back facing the cot; if she doesn't get up --

[morelikeasponge]

Peter catches the pills under his tongue, and lets the water run around them, down his throat.

-- And just smiles, in answer.

He offers the cup to her, still wordless, and tries to slow his breathing.

[morelikeasponge]

And once she's past the window, he spits the pills out into his palm.

Day five. And -- he thinks -- he healed. He can heal.

(And he kissed Elle.)

The pills go down the toilet, and Peter moves toward the wall separating his room from Adam's.

"Day number five without the meds," he says quietly, and waits to hear Adam's answer.