He rolled his eyes with a grin and carefully switched to the wheelchair. *** He sighed, closing his eyes. He was still rather sad. *** She gave him a quick, light kiss. "I love you too." *** She leaned into his touch. "Okay then."
She kissed the back of his head before gently pushing the wheelchair forward. "There! We're moving!" * * * She hadn't seen him as she came up to the roof, pulling her leg up behind her and stretching her muscle, rolling her neck to prepare. She seemed nervous and twitchy, unlike her usual calm self. * * * His hand slipped down to rest on her waist gently and he looked down. "Does it hurt terribly?" * * * He gave her a small grin. "Okay, then," he agreed, heading towards the kitchen.
"Wonderful! This is great." *** He opened his eyes, looking over with a frown. Slowly he sat up, feel nervous. *** "Sometimes," she admitted. "Not as much anymore." *** She took his arm, her eyes warm.
"You can wheel yourself too, eventually, but I got it for now," she said easily as they headed towards the first floor. "I'm tough." * * * She didn't notice him, pulling her hair back slowly. She wore an old, loose tank top and some simple black trousers, but she was barefoot and she considered the horizon with a frown, taking a deep breath and holding it for a long time before exhaling slowly. * * * "That's good," he told her, kissing her jawline gently. "I'm glad to hear it." * * * They got to the kitchen and he began opening cupboards. "Thank you for doing this with me. I'm sorry it's so boring."
"You take such good care of me," he said warmly. *** He decided not to say anything, lying back down with a frown. *** She tilted her head for him, her tone playful. "I can basically do everything but run." *** "I don't mind. There's always time for more fun activities."
“Only when you’re sick,” she teased. “When you’re better, watch out.” *** There was a silence before she spoke, her back to him. “You don’t normally sleep on this roof.” *** “And when you were well, you couldn’t run then either,” he teased. “So win-win.” *** “Oh? Like what?”
"That sounds like a threat." *** He sat up again. "I can leave if you want." *** She squinted at him. "I probably have more stamina than you. I don't have to excel in speed." *** She shrugged. "I dunno."
She gave him a wry smile. “Oh, it was. I thought that was obvious.” *** She shook her head slowly. “No, don’t bother. I’ll leave in a couple minutes.” *** “Stamina, huh?” he teased. “You’re awfully cocky.” *** “We should do something one of these days...”
"Yeah," he teased. "A bit." *** He didn't reply, turning away from her onto his side. *** She kissed his cheek. "I know." *** "Like what?"
She grinned at him as they arrived at the first floor. “Okay. What do I do?” *** She watched him for a moment before looking away, sitting on the edge of the building. There was a silence before she laughed to herself, a sad little chuckle that seemed halfway to a sob. *** He rolled his eyes before sitting up. “We should change your bandages.” *** “I’m not sure. Dancing or something.”
"Were gonna have to clean out the chimney. There's rags over there." *** He was quiet, the noise painful to him. He pulled his arms tighter around himself. *** "Sure. I have some new ones at my desk." *** She grinned at him. "Dancing? I've never danced in my life."
She nodded, hurrying over to the clothes and grabbing a few before approaching the fireplace with that determined glint in her eye. * * * She laid on her back, looking up at the stars for a moment, her throat tight. "I miss you, Dion," she said after a moment, standing up. * * * He got up and went over to grab them, returning to her side. "Alright. Let me see." * * * "It's not hard," he said to her affectionately. "I'll teach you tonight."
He watched her with a small smile. "I wish I could help.." *** He looked over at her. "I miss you too. But it hurts to think of that." *** She seemed somewhat embarrassed. "Are you sure you'd like to do it?" *** She nodded slowly, taking a seat. "Sounds good."
"Nah, babe," she said lightheartedly, approaching it with the clothes. "I got this." * * * She laughed breathily, looking down at the ground. "Yeah. It does. But it's what you want." * * * He blinked in surprise. "Why wouldn't I?" * * * He continued checking the storage, muttering under his breath before setting down the clipboard, turning to her. "Actually, I want to teach you now. Come here."
"Well.. I'm rooting for you." *** "What I want? What do you mean?" he asked curiously, sitting up. *** She shrugged before lifting her shirt slightly for him. *** She looked up in surprise before standing and approaching him.
"I know you are," she said cheerfully, slipping into the chimney and beginning to clean. * * * "You know. The 'alone' thing," she said, waving a hand vaguely. * * * He began to unwrap her bandages gently, his fingers quick and meticulous. * * * He took her hand and placed his other on her waist. "Okay. Put your hand on my shoulder here."
He looked around, trying to pick up what he could. *** He frowned. "I don't like to be alone. I told you that." *** She waited patiently, watching him thoughtfully. *** She did so, her head tilted slightly.
She emerged a while later, her face covered in soot. "I think I'm making progress." * * * "That's decidedly not what you told me." * * * His fingers brushed her skin gently before going to clean the wound. * * * "Good," he said approvingly, kissing her forehead. "Now just follow me, your right foot to my left."
He laughed. "You look great." *** "I told you I did not prefer to be alone." *** She brushed his hair back after a moment. "You're so cute." *** She nodded, watching their feet.
"I know," she replied smugly. "But I can't really breathe, so I'm going to stay down here for a while." * * * "You said "this is why I stay alone," she replied tiredly, frowning at him. "That implies that you prefer staying alone." * * * He blinked, looking up at her. "Pardon?" * * * He kissed her head gently, bringing her close to him. "There we go. Well done."
