The Lobby, Sunday Afternoon

[endsthegame]

A rip opened in the middle of the dorms lobby-- but it was unlike any void the island had seen before. It didn't precisely shine, but white light did filter out, almost tentatively, like the rays of the morning sun. It did not pull or pluck at anything, and when it vanished, it would leave the dorms exactly as it had found them.

It was not a rift that would take; it was a rift that would give.

Give back the people it had taken, that is.

[[ for those who were formerly strewn across the multiverse, after they touch their part! come home, folks ]]

Comments

[glacial_queen]

"I'm not sure I can even imagine," Karla said, stepping over a wicked-looking hook to keep cleaning him off. She kicked that away slightly, not wanting to ask. She dropped a kiss on his newly-cleaned cheek. "I'm mostly focused on how glad I am that you're home."

[wwiii]

He was leaning into her again. They were both going to be in desperate need of a change of clothes, at this rate.

At least most of the blood that was soaked into his clothing was from yesterday. Mostly.

"I could probably sleep for about a month, too," he whispered. "If I could close my eyes for more than a minute at a time."

[glacial_queen]

"I can help you with that," Karla offered immediately. She was a Healer, getting people to sleep was actually very easy. "And I have sleeping draughts that can keep dreams away."

Or, if that didn't work, she'd stand guard over his dreams for as long as he needed. She'd done it before, for Jaenelle.

Lacing her fingers through his, she added, "And I'll stay with you as long as you want. I don't want you to face the darkness alone."

[wwiii]

There were not words for how much he appreciated that, just then. He hadn't had a proper sleep since Thursday night. Without help, he doubted he was going to have one ever again.

"Thank you."

It was just a murmur, and he wasn't certain that he could even remember how to speak other words. But it was most definitely a 'thank you' and a 'yes, please,' all rolled into one.

[glacial_queen]

She reached up with the cloth again, turning the simple act of washing his face into a caress. "You're welcome," she said simply. "I'm being a bit selfish anyway. I want to keep you close."