She shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. He found out, though." * * * They closed up their stand for the day and Burke sighed. "Okay. We did well."
"But we'll... we'll be separated. If they find out, you'll be taken away from me." * * * He gave her a grin. "Care for a drink?"
"I don't know," she said uncertainly, sounding tired. "Everything is really fuzzy right now. Can we go home?" * * * He nodded, offering her his arm.
She took it, slipping her fingers in his. It had been a long time since he had felt human touch, especially one that was so familiar and comforting. Her fingers were so small and thin, and they laced perfectly with his, her thumb brushing the back of his hand, warmth spreading from the spot. Her shoulders brushed his and she exhaled slowly, leaning towards him. * * * (Zoop?)
She looked up at him, her eyes narrowed in sympathy. "I love you too. I'll make you feel better when you get back... how long have you been locked up?" * * * Burke was laughing deeply, his hand cupping the mug of beer in his hands. "So, I'm carryin' him, right? I'm carryin' him and he starts just peein'! Right in my arms, Scarlet!"
He laughed weakly. "Months..? A couple, I think." *** She was following along with his story, a wide grin on her face. "On you? What did you do then?"
She fell quiet, almost in dread. "Months?" she said, grimacing. "Oh, baby... I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." * * * "Well, you know, I've dealt with manure in the past, obviously, but he just pissed all over me. I was grossed out, so I tried to set him down, but... I mean, we're knee-deep in water! And he can't swim. He doesn't know how, silly thing. So I just kept walking while he kept peein' all over me. And then! We get to the land and it's like... this real muddy bay, yeah? So I kinda sludge through this grime and lean over to set him down, and god damn. Scarlet, he sees the land and he starts turning so quickly in my arms that he leaps out, and I topple face first into the mud bay. I'm covered in dog piss and swamp mud."
He looked over at her and kissed her cheek. "It's okay. I missed you." *** She laughed aloud, leaning back. "That's so bad!"
She watched him worriedly, her mouth tightening into a thin line. “I missed you too. Come on. Let’s get home.” — They arrived back into their room and Ellie went into the bathroom, running the bath water. “Here, Xav,” she said worriedly. “You should get cleaned up.” *** “It was terrible. And he was just sitting up on the bag watching me smugly.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, going into the bathroom. "Yeah. That sounds nice." *** She was grinning, watching. "So evil."
She watched him, her brows furrowed. “Would it bother you if I washed your hair?” *** “Anyway. That was the worst birthday I’ve ever had. Your turn.”
He tilted his head at her. "If you'd like to.." *** She hesitated, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Well.. I tried to make a cake on my birthday once and I set the oven on fire."
She eyed him worriedly before reaching up, cupping one side of his jaw gently and kissing his other cheek firmly. "Let me take care of you," she murmured quietly. "Okay?" * * * He jerked his head over to her. "Why were you making a cake for yourself on your birthday?"
She frowned but went to the bathroom door. “Get undressed and let me know when you’re in.” *** He sat up suddenly. “I am furious.”
