[028]

[oliverplus]

[Four days later, and Oliver is still tied to the same tree. He is a mess, looking utterly exhausted; his expression is one of resignation, and he is hanging rather limply, as though too tired to try to hold himself up anymore]

[quietly] It's over, isn't it?

[pauses for a moment, swallowing hard and obviously struggling with something he wants

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[he'd been back every day since he tied Oliver to that tree all those days ago, but didn't dare approach. he'd seen the others come and go on the odd occasion he turned up, and stayed out of their way, not wanting to hurt them either, especially not the ones he had also 'questioned' that night.

he clutches a parcel in his hand filled with fruit, nuts, and a couple bottles of water he'd taken from their shelter a day or two ago, there's also a change of clothes inside too and once he gets close to the tree, he tosses it out in front of oliver, but remains behind the tree so he's hidden from view.

then he cuts the ropes with Oliver's knife and with that task done, he turns on his heel and begins to leave, not saying a single word.]

[oliverplus]

[is startled when the parcel lands in front of him--and even more surprised to see it contains his own clothing. that narrows down who might have brought it quite well]

[when the ropes are cut, he falls to the ground with a cry, his legs giving out at the unexpected weight, especially after so long]

Doctor!? [hears the retreating footsteps and panics, trying to scramble up, but his limbs are numb] Doctor, don't...don't leave me alone again...

[bit_impossible]

[he freezes, clenching his hands tight. he could easily walk away right now...]

[softly] Why would you want me to stay after what I did...?

[oliverplus]

I could ask you the same thing.

I've...you know. Missed you.

[bit_impossible]

[he did too, but he can't say it.]

Why would you? I nearly killed you!

[oliverplus]

[makes a face] Are you going to make me say it?

You kept your promise. Better than I can say.

[bit_impossible]

[he finally turns around and starts back towards the tree. seeing ollie still on the ground, makes him wince.]

Ollie...

[oliverplus]

[pushes himself up to a proper sitting position in front of the tree] You can't blame yourself for your actions without blaming us all...right?

[bit_impossible]

[when he's close, he stoops down, picking up the parcel and tosses it to Oliver.]

You don't know what I've done--and not just to you, but to so many others.

[oliverplus]

No. [catches the parcel awkwardly, extracting one of the bottles of water, and glances up at the Doctor as he replies] No, but...it doesn't matter.

[bit_impossible]

Doesn't matter?! What I did...they'll never forgive me. I had no right doing what I did.

[laughs bitterly] I've been evading Lara for days now. I can only imagine how the others must feel.

[oliverplus]

[sighs] Then we'll both have to work that out. But not with me, Doctor. I know it's selfish, but I...I can't fight with you right now.

[bit_impossible]

[sighs] I don't want to either. [he looks at Oliver wearily, his face is tired and pale.]

[oliverplus]

[smiles reassuringly] Then...that's something, at least.

[bit_impossible]

[he lets his body sink to the ground, so ready to let exhaustion sink in, but he smiles weakly at Oliver and remains upright.]

Yes. Better than arguing like we normally do.

[oliverplus]

Hah, yeah. More like old times, huh? [smiles thinly]