FIC: Silence
Title: Silence
Fandom: That '70s Show
Rating: G
Word Count: 242
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Jackie Burkhart, Steven Hyde; Jackie/Hyde
Summary: Sometimes silence is enough. And sometimes it needs to be broken. Jackie and Hyde deal with the silences-- and the words that break them.
Disclaimer: Characters mentioned are used without permission and are trademarks of Fox; I am simply borrowing them for my purposes. Please don't sue.
(x-posted to _fanfics_ and zenmasters)
"What if..." A small voice broke through the room. Searching, questioning, pleading. Needing an answer. Answers never found. Can't be found. Not now. "What if I don't know how to love?"
Silence. Stretching like the great expanse. Blank. Empty.
"Is that," Voice hitching, eyes watering, heart breaking, "I mean... is that even possible?" Pleading. Pleading. Please.
Silence. Unwavering as it devours the room. Unbreakable. Undeniable.
Laugh. Short. Humorless. Heartbreaking. "How can I know something I've never experienced?" Words dripping with irony. Low. Like it hurt, just to say the words.
Silence. Leaving nothing in its wake. Immobile. Inflexible.
"You're right..." Sniff. Walls crumbling. Outside and in. Seeking escape from the pain. "And who would love someone who can't… can't even…"
Silence. Refusing to allow a single comfort. Cold. Lonely.
Small. Alone. In need of protection. Unable to find it. "Who can't even love." A whisper. Nearly lost in the wind but ringing all too true.
Silence. Reminding them of the truth. Hard. Heartless.
A kiss. Soft. On the lips. Touch to remind that it's real. This is real. The hurt is always real. Always. No more words. No more truth. No more lies.
Silence. Protecting what is. Sorrow. Fear.
Silence. Ignoring everything it can. Loss. Failure.
Silence. Going on too long. Time. Time to break it. "I love you." A whisper. Never lost. And a kiss. Because it is real. In that moment, they are real. Truth. Not lies.
No silence anymore.
Note: Just to clarify-- I envision this happening during the time Jackie is sleeping in Hyde's room. And, I see her talking to him while he sleeps (or pretends to sleep) and then he responds after she's drifted off. That said, I purposely left it vague, so each reader could interpret the story in their own way.