(Untitled)

[callitavesper]

James is what we'll call restlessHe may not look it, as he's staring directly out the Observation Window without moving a muscle, but then staring at a perpetually moving light display is one of the last refuges of boredom, isn't it? So he's at the table by the Observation Window, the one he hasn't sat in for a while, the one he used to smoke at

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[his_sarah_jane]

"As lovely as the view is outside, there are so many better things you can be doing with your time right now."

Sarah Jane plops into a seat across from him, notebook and Say True issue in hand.

[callitavesper]

He caresses her cheek with his hand, grinning reassuringly at her. “Then the article will be a good one, I hope.”

[his_sarah_jane]

"If you ever come back to read it," she says softly.

That pessimism is contagious after all.

[callitavesper]

“I hope that I will be back to read it, Sarah. I very much would like to read what you’ve written. Anything that you’ve written.”

And now he wishes he hadn’t told her anything of his fears. It was all right for him to have them. They’re what kept him from a damaging false sense of hope. It wasn’t right to pass it on to Sarah.

[his_sarah_jane]

"You can ask Bar for articles. Barbara did," Sarah mutters, still looking rather upset. "Take one with you?"

[callitavesper]

“I will.”

[his_sarah_jane]

"Good," she whispers before hugging him tightly again.

Public displays of affection really should be flipping well damned tonight.

[callitavesper]

For serious.

He hugs her tightly in return, feeling a little bit better than he did before. He’s still not sure if he’ll ever be back. But, at least, he’ll have a reminder of this place, and of Sarah.

[his_sarah_jane]

"When are you leaving?" Sarah asks into his shirt, rubbing her head against the fabric.

She doesn't want him to leave just yet.

[callitavesper]

“I don’t know. Soon. Doesn’t have to be tonight.” He bends his head down, resting his cheek against her temple.

[his_sarah_jane]

"In the morning?"

[callitavesper]

“I can do that.”

[his_sarah_jane]

"Then can we go upstairs?" Sarah asks quietly, moving her head back up so she can see him more clearly. "I want as many memories of you as I can get before we say goodbye."

[callitavesper]

“Of course.”

[his_sarah_jane]

Sarah tries to smile again, holding his hand tightly as she stands.

[callitavesper]

He rises to his feet and starts to walk away from the table, hand grasped around hers as tightly as hers is around his.