dreadful sorry, clementine

[cibosity]

In more ways than one, Tabula Rasa was a surefire step up from the previous island. A simple look at the way that Sawyer occupied himself on most days was more than enough of an indication; whereas before, he'd spent his days lounging around, scavenging for materials and possessions, often causing factions of the camp to turn against one another,

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[hightail]

"You wanna settle here, Sawyer?" The tone of her voice gets away from her, painting it as more of a demand than a question. It comes out sharp and raw, an attempt to deflect that ultimately reveals more than she meant to. They're always reading one another, searching for some sign or indication of the things neither is willing to say aloud, and Kate has no question that Sawyer is doing exactly that now.

Desperate for something to do with herself, she slides off the counter and sets about fishing for a pair of mugs. They clatter loudly against the surface, and she sets about filling both, feigning some amount of focus while ever aware of Sawyer's gaze burning into her skin. It hurts more than she can say, to have finally settled and found that for the first time in her life she didn't feel compelled to run, only to be forced into it anyway. Even then, the satisfaction of finding Claire, bringing her back to her son, it might have been enough. But it's not an option any more, and despite knowing that, she can never let it go, so no, she doesn't want to settle here.

[cibosity]

No, the word is supposed to drop from his lips, hard and bitter, the act of pure rebellion against any roots that might hold him down. No, his answer is supposed to be, because men like him don't deserve happily after evers and never will. No, he's supposed to tell her, because Sawyer's already tried playing house with Kate, the only woman he's loved like that, and it all went to hell. There are a million reasons to say no, a million reasons to agree with Kate, but Sawyer just finds his jaw growing stiff as he presses the palm of his hand against his lips, thinking, another answer coming to him far too quickly.

"Yeah."

He doesn't entirely anticipate it, but it doesn't come as a complete surprise, either. It's not like he wants to hurt Kate, nor is it even like he's gonna pin her down and make sure she starts giving in, taking them back to whatever they had months (years, for her) ago. No. If she can hope, let her find that goddamned hope and hold onto it until her fingers are raw, because it's better to hurt than to let that flame die out in her altogether. Licking his lips, Sawyer shakes his head, the breath barely passing through his lips. "Yeah, I kinda do. Ain't nothin' back for me on that other island, ain't nothin' back for me in the States, and you know it well as I do."