AQUA

[richesse]

Comments

[selfreliar]

[He knows that. He knows it's a lie. But idol fans are fans who beg to be lied to. For them, lies are the most exquisite kind of love.

Holding her hand still, Aqua takes a deep, shuddering breath, and nods.

After a while, he gathers himself enough to admit quietly:]

I saw my mother murdered. That's... part of why this is hitting me so hard.

[That and the blot. Thanks for NOTHING, Kingscholar.]

[richesse]

… I didn’t see it happen, but my parents were killed when I was young.

Hah. I don’t even know why I’m telling you that. It’s …

[ … ]

You don’t need to be excused, [ she explains. He doesn’t have to share, if he doesn’t want. ]

[selfreliar]

[It's a terrible thing to have in common. Still, having said it and heard her reply, Aqua eventually starts to breathe a little easier.

Finally, he murmurs:]

I'm all right now.

[As all right as either of them can be, really.]

[richesse]

[ softly: ] I don’t believe you.

… but what can any of us do except act? [ this is more musing, almost as if to herself. ]

[selfreliar]

[He considers that for a moment, then nods, conceding, agreeing.]

We survive on pretty fictions just like that.

[He still has her hand. He gives her fingers a small squeeze and then loosens his grip so she can pull free.]

I'll be all right.

[Even that's a lie--but if he's lying, that means he's willing to try to live by it.]

[richesse]

[ when he squeezes her fingers her heart skips a beat. Gahhhhh. She’s supposed to be taking advantage of him, not developing… feelings! ]

… I’ll hold you to that, you know.

[selfreliar]

[A small, tired laugh escapes him into the blankets.]

Fine. Keep me honest, Lortel.

[richesse]

[ … ]

Mm. I’ll do my best.