He grinned down at her. "I love you too." *** "I only agreed because I had the safest job! I promise!" *** She paused before nodding slowly. "That's fair. It was stupid of us, I know. You're free to tell me all you want." *** There were tears in her eyes, which she squeezed shut when he pulled her hands away, and she looked stressed.
She kissed him lightly, her hand coming up to cup her jaw. "That's a new development, huh?" * * * This seemed to make her angrier and she tilted her head sharply. "So you agreed to it even though everyone else in the party might get hurt? Just so long as you probably wouldn't get hurt? Who are you?" * * * "I'll tell you later," he said, kissing her jaw gently. "For now, let's just sleep." * * * He sighed before hugging her, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her close, kissing her hair. "I was so scared," he said quietly after a moment, holding her tightly. "I was so scared when I woke up and you weren't there."
"Newly spoken," he said, watching her adoringly. *** He looked startled. "What?! No! I was protecting the others! That was my job!" *** She nodded, lying back. "I like that idea." *** She was tense before hugging him back, her hands on his back as they held his shirt. Her arms were shaking slightly. "I'm sorry."
She laughed lightly, raising one eyebrow. "But not newly felt?" * * * "You just said," she said, raising one finger, her voice low and rough, "that you only did it because you had the safest job. You let your own sister do a more dangerous job, and the only reason you didn't object was that you were safe. It's... it's disappointing and cowardly, Dion." * * * He laid next to her, wrapping his arms around her. "You should sleep." * * * He exhaled slowly, kissing the top of her head. "You can't do something like that again. I... I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
He smiled brightly. "Right." *** He looked upset now, watching her angrily. "The whole thing was her idea! She's the one who assigned the jobs!" He turned away sharply. "This is why I stay alone," he muttered. "Jesus." He promptly went back to the door to leave. *** She nodded, reaching up and kissing his cheek. "Okay. I love you." *** "They told me how wonderful it was there, and.. And it was your home. I wanted you to be happy."
She rolled her eyes, kissing his cheek gently before standing up. "You should get some sleep," she said reluctantly. "Relax. Rory's a miracle worker, but she can't help you if you're not on bedrest." * * * Something caught in her chest at his words and tears filled her eyes as she looked at his back. "*squee!* you," she said hoarsely, hurriedly going over and gathering her things, hiding her face as best she could. "Seriously. Go *squee!* yourself." * * * "I love you too," he told her gently, brushing his fingers through her hair gently. * * * "Rory," he said, sighing with exasperation. "You're my home now, don't you get that? I would be devastated if you had gotten hurt. I am happy as long as you're around."
He frowned slightly, looking up at her. "But I want to stay with you." *** He paused at the door, frowning at her. "Why are you crying..?" *** She closed her eyes, slowly drifting off. *** She pulled away to look at him, her brows furrowed before she took his face in her hands and kissed him. "I love you."
She brushed her fingers through his hair gently, leaning down and kissing him lightly. "I gotta go help Paul with the building anyway," she said with a small shrug. "You need to sleep." * * * She wiped at her tears angrily, hugging her clothes to her chest. "I'm not," she replied sharply. "If you like to be alone, stay alone. *squee!* you." She began to walk hurriedly away from him, heading for the edge of the building. * * * He sighed, kissing her back. "I love you too. Please... don't do anything like that again, okay?"
He sighed, watching her. "Okay.. Be safe." *** He started toward her, looking slightly hurt. "Aisling, wait.." *** She nodded in agreement before hugging him again, her arms over his shoulders. "I won't.." She paused, turning her head slightly. "Can I sleep in your room?"
She cracked a smile. "I don't think you have the right to request that of me," she teased, straightening up. "But I will. For you." * * * She didn't even look at him over her shoulder, instead breaking out in a run and leaping over the gap between this building and the next, hurrying away from him before turning a corner and disappearing from sight. * * * He looked confused. "In mine? I mean... sure, if you'd like."
"Listen," he teased, "we both know I did a great job protecting myself. No one could have guessed that would have happened." *** He frowned, watching her go before sitting down with a heavy sigh.
"I mean... you could have not had it happen if only you had gotten all the bad guys," she replied. "But don't worry, babe. I got you covered."
"We must have gone off to do something! Not my fault at all." *** "Good.. Because I'm tired but I really want to be near you right now."
"Uh huh," she said, sounding unconvinced. "Okay. Well, I gotta go, but I love you." * * * "What a good combination. Come on, let's go."
She grinned at him before leaving, closing the door behind him. * * * They returned to his room and he looked down at her. "You should sleep."
