[ 05 ] [ Commentlog | ATTN: Zachariah ]

[forthebothofus]

[It was rare for Abeni to sleep so soundly, and yet in the Stables loft, on the pile of straw she'd called her bed for the past few months, Abeni was having the best sleep she'd had in a long time.

Exhaustion was perhaps the reason, or maybe that she was finally starting to relax, even just a little. Knowing that her partner was right there beside her was a comfort in itself. Abeni didn't think she would rest even a quarter as well as she did without him around. Of course, she left him the option to go as he pleased, but was quietly grateful when he did not.

This night there were no nightmares, no sounds to wake her, and she would make the most of it.]

Comments

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[She manages not to laugh. His innocence is cute. Abeni takes care to keep the question tone casual.]

Since you were this close to a girl?

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

Oh...oh.

[And there went his face again. If she kept this up he was going to be redder than a tomato.]

I uh...a-about...seven years...

[Those were a long seven years too.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

...Oh. Well. I uh.

[Whoops. It's still a surprise to hear, though the more she thinks on it, the more sense it makes.]

I guess now you can restart at least one of those counters.

[She's not blushing. Not really. But Abeni does feel a hint of embarrassment for putting him on the spot like she has. After a pause, she continues.]

And uh, about three years. Just to even things out a bit.

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

Guess uh, guess I can.

[It was right about then it hit him. Abeni, his partner, his best friend, was a woman, and she was lying on his chest right now. Suddenly things were very confusing, and when things got confusing for Zachariah he tried not to think about them, so he decided to turn the attention on her.]

Three years since you've been this close to a woman?

[He finally looked down at her and smirked mischievously.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[She laughed at that, glancing up at him again to arch an eyebrow and smirk right back.]

Yes.

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[Zachariah's smug smirk disappeared pretty quickly when she said that and his eyes went wide.]

Wait really?

[And then he thought about what she had just said.]

Wait did you just call me a woman?

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[Aside from the small smirk that lingered on her lips, Abeni was the image of mock seriousness.]

No.

[Pause. She grinned, the action a rare thing in itself.]

And yes.

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[Zachariah tried to look annoyed but it wasn't happening. He was far too busy smiling at her to do so.]

I just can't win against you can I?

[That seemed to be a common theme in his life.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[He smile faded a little and Abeni flopped again.]

No. Someday though.

[It was Abeni's turn to shut off her brain and seek distraction. This whole moment was far too comfortable for what was happening. She couldn't remember the last time she felt as she did right now.]

Maybe.

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

Then I guess I'' just have to keep trying.

[As she flopped so did he. The more time they spent like this it became less awkward and more comfortable. As he relaxed with her his hand began absentmindedly stroking her hair again.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[When his hand moves to her hair again, Abeni doesn't argue. It's kinda nice, really. Her eyes close and she could almost drift off to sleep again.]

I like that.

[The words are quiet, almost shy.]

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[That's all the encouragement he needs to keep going.]

Really? There's something I never knew.

[Now that he thought about it he still didn't know much about her. Sure he knew her like the back of his hand but he never knew anything about her.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[Part of her wanted him to stop right then and there. It didn't feel right to be letting anything out on the line. But, it was Zachariah, and that alone set any worries aside and toned down her defenses.]

It's not exactly something that comes up. I haven't exactly been the most talkative person these last few years.

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[Zachariah smiled down at her.]

Really? Here I thought you were a complete chatterbox.

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you can't shut me up.

[She smiled in response and let her arm drape a little more around him.]

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

Surprised I can even get a word in anymore.

[Zachariah breathed a contented sigh. This was the most comfortable he had been in years.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[For a long while she was quiet, lost in thought and enjoying the moment. And then, she spoke.]

Ask me something. Anything you want to know.

[Anything he'd asked back in Deadworld had been quickly shut down. As they were, Abeni actually didn't mind talking a bit.]

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[Zachariah paused in surprise. He never expected her to ask him something like that. It took him a moment to think what to ask her.]

Where are you from?

[It seemed as good as any question to ask her.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[Abeni shifted a little, breathing a light sigh as she moved.]

Sector H.

[Her fingers toyed with the hem of his shirt.]

On the shittier side of town.

[A beat.]

You?

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[H? That would explain a lot actually. He was starting to wonder if she ever had a break in her life. It just didn't seem fair.]

I'm from F. Not a whole lot to speak of there.

[Nothing to go back to there anyway. His mother was gone. Everyone thought he was dead except for those in the resistance. Most of his life was spent in that workshop of his now.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

I've been there a few times.

[Abeni went where the work contracts sent her. She never lingered, and never looked around any more than she had to, but she still kept a keen sense of her surroundings.]

Know a good bar on the east side.

[Quiet, lesser known and entirely the place in her line of work hung out.]

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

Guess you'll have to show me sometime.

[Not that he would ever drink.

Zachariah had no reason to believe that she wouldn't be coming back with them. She was alive now so why wouldn't she? And even if there was the slim chance that she wouldn't well, Zachariah would fight to bring her back. By the Saints would he fight.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't reply right away. Abeni doesn't even move. Part of her wanted to hit him, the other to hug him. For a moment, Abeni rolled to faceplant against his chest and breath a heavy sigh.

Then she looked up.]

You don't give up, do you?

[helluvachin.livejournal.com]

[He looked down at her and smiled.]

Nope, never. Think you taught me that.

[Actually that hardheadedness of his had been with him since he was a child. When Zachariah decided something he stuck with it. That couldn't be more true with one of his friends. No matter the cost Abeni would come back again.]

[forthebothofus.livejournal.com]

[She smirked in response.]

I can't decide if I want to punch you or kiss you right now.

[Abeni would do neither, instead rolling again to put her back at his side. Head still on his shoulder, Abeni took a loose hold of his arm and fixed her gaze on the wall.

There was still a lot of doubt in her mind that she would survive at all. As far as Abeni was concerned, her time was done and gone. She loved and hated that he refused to accept the possibility that she wouldn't be there when he went home.]