NOBODY'S PROMISED TOMORROW.

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

And of course, I won't let someone in need be alone. You need the company, and you most certainly deserve it.

Hmmh..

[ Jinn zipped away again, coming back with a wet washcloth- shivering slightly due to the chilled water on him. ]

do it yourself.

[ Jinn held out the washcloth, seemingly not perturbed by the violent reaction. ]

You need to clean yourself off a little.

[HE MULLED OVER IT FOR A MINUTE, VISIBLY CONSIDERING AS HIS MOUTH PULLED TO THE SIDE.]

[...BEFORE THE ANGER DISSOLVED, TAIL GOING LIMP AS HE SLUMPED OVER IN DEFEAT.]

. . . FUCK.

HHFF... FINE, FINE. GO AHEAD. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

[ Jinn gently cupped his face, tilting it upwards- dabbing at the build-up of grime and his under-eyes. Slowly, he fixed up his quills and had properly wiped him down. ]

[ Jinn put the washcloth away, producing a clean towel for Reactor to dab off any moist spots.. Unsure if he had sensory problems relating to that. ]

[ He rummaged around momentarily, pulling out a bar of chocolate- facial expression as sheepish as it could be. ]

[REACTOR'S TAIL BRUSHED AGAINST THE FLOOR, A WEAK ATTEMPT AT A WAG AS HIS LIP TREMBLED. HE REACHED FOR THE CHOCOLATE BAR, BLINKING HARD— TEARS STREAMING DOWN HIS CHEEKS AGAIN.]

...HE LOVED CHOCOLATE.

Do you need anything else?

[HE REACHED INTO HIS QUILLS, FISHING AROUND A BIT BEFORE WINCING AS HE PULLED OUT A QUILL AND OFFERED IT TO JINN.]

[HE SHOOK IT IN HIS HAND A LITTLE.]

I ONLY DO THIS... FOR PEOPLE I TRUST, ALRIGHT? Y'CAN RUB IT BETWEEN YER FINGERS WHENEVER YA NEED HELP, 'N I'LL BE THERE IN— IN A SPLIT.

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

And of course, I won't let someone in need be alone. You need the company, and you most certainly deserve it.

Hmmh..

[ Jinn zipped away again, coming back with a wet washcloth- shivering slightly due to the chilled water on him. ]

do it yourself.

[ Jinn held out the washcloth, seemingly not perturbed by the violent reaction. ]

You need to clean yourself off a little.

[HE MULLED OVER IT FOR A MINUTE, VISIBLY CONSIDERING AS HIS MOUTH PULLED TO THE SIDE.]

[...BEFORE THE ANGER DISSOLVED, TAIL GOING LIMP AS HE SLUMPED OVER IN DEFEAT.]

. . . FUCK.

HHFF... FINE, FINE. GO AHEAD. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

[ Jinn gently cupped his face, tilting it upwards- dabbing at the build-up of grime and his under-eyes. Slowly, he fixed up his quills and had properly wiped him down. ]

[ Jinn put the washcloth away, producing a clean towel for Reactor to dab off any moist spots.. Unsure if he had sensory problems relating to that. ]

[ He rummaged around momentarily, pulling out a bar of chocolate- facial expression as sheepish as it could be. ]

[REACTOR'S TAIL BRUSHED AGAINST THE FLOOR, A WEAK ATTEMPT AT A WAG AS HIS LIP TREMBLED. HE REACHED FOR THE CHOCOLATE BAR, BLINKING HARD— TEARS STREAMING DOWN HIS CHEEKS AGAIN.]

...HE LOVED CHOCOLATE.

Do you need anything else?

[HE REACHED INTO HIS QUILLS, FISHING AROUND A BIT BEFORE WINCING AS HE PULLED OUT A QUILL AND OFFERED IT TO JINN.]

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

And of course, I won't let someone in need be alone. You need the company, and you most certainly deserve it.

Hmmh..

[ Jinn zipped away again, coming back with a wet washcloth- shivering slightly due to the chilled water on him. ]

do it yourself.

[ Jinn held out the washcloth, seemingly not perturbed by the violent reaction. ]

You need to clean yourself off a little.

[HE MULLED OVER IT FOR A MINUTE, VISIBLY CONSIDERING AS HIS MOUTH PULLED TO THE SIDE.]

[...BEFORE THE ANGER DISSOLVED, TAIL GOING LIMP AS HE SLUMPED OVER IN DEFEAT.]

. . . FUCK.

HHFF... FINE, FINE. GO AHEAD. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

[ Jinn gently cupped his face, tilting it upwards- dabbing at the build-up of grime and his under-eyes. Slowly, he fixed up his quills and had properly wiped him down. ]

[ Jinn put the washcloth away, producing a clean towel for Reactor to dab off any moist spots.. Unsure if he had sensory problems relating to that. ]

[ He rummaged around momentarily, pulling out a bar of chocolate- facial expression as sheepish as it could be. ]

[REACTOR'S TAIL BRUSHED AGAINST THE FLOOR, A WEAK ATTEMPT AT A WAG AS HIS LIP TREMBLED. HE REACHED FOR THE CHOCOLATE BAR, BLINKING HARD— TEARS STREAMING DOWN HIS CHEEKS AGAIN.]

...HE LOVED CHOCOLATE.

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

And of course, I won't let someone in need be alone. You need the company, and you most certainly deserve it.

Hmmh..

[ Jinn zipped away again, coming back with a wet washcloth- shivering slightly due to the chilled water on him. ]

do it yourself.

[ Jinn held out the washcloth, seemingly not perturbed by the violent reaction. ]

You need to clean yourself off a little.

[HE MULLED OVER IT FOR A MINUTE, VISIBLY CONSIDERING AS HIS MOUTH PULLED TO THE SIDE.]

[...BEFORE THE ANGER DISSOLVED, TAIL GOING LIMP AS HE SLUMPED OVER IN DEFEAT.]

. . . FUCK.

HHFF... FINE, FINE. GO AHEAD. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

And of course, I won't let someone in need be alone. You need the company, and you most certainly deserve it.

Hmmh..

[ Jinn zipped away again, coming back with a wet washcloth- shivering slightly due to the chilled water on him. ]

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

[ Jinn zipped away and immediately appeared back in front of Reactor, holding a cup of tea out with one hand and clutching his thigh with gritted teeth. ]

[HE HADN'T LEFT THE CORPSE'S SIDE ONCE. HADN'T BOTHERED TO GET UP, OR TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. GAIA, HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.]

[HIS FUR WAS DULL, BAGS UNDER HIS EYES, QUILLS DROOPING.]

[THIS WASN'T THE REACTOR EVERYONE USED TO KNOW.]

HHHGH... MMMH... FUCK.

[HE JUST LOOKED... SAD.]

Prop up his head.. Would be more comfortable while nuzzling up on him.

I can't imagine how painful this is, but I want you to know-

You have everyone's deepest condolences and best wishes, including mine-

If you ever feel like you can't take it.. You can lean on me, or another one of your friends- yeah?

[ Jinn lifted up his cloak, pulling out a large blanket and holding it out. ]

..Not too sure what else to offer you- but..

Could use the comfort, maybe?

@shackledjinn

[HE SNIFFLED, WEAKLY RAISING HIS HEAD TO LOOK AT JINN. THE HAZARD SOMEHOW LOOKED WORSE THAN BEFORE, EYES BLOODSHOT AND SHAKY.]

[HE WHEEZED, ALMOST PAINFULLY. IT HAD BEEN HOURS THAT HE HAD BEEN CRYING LIKE THAT, AFTER ALL. THOUGH HE DID SHAKILY RAISE A HAND TO PAW AT THE PILLOW, EVENTUALLY DRAGGING IT OVER.]

. . .

[REACTOR LOOKED STRESSED AS ALL HELL, ANXIOUSLY FIXING THE PILLOW— IT HAD TO BE PERFECT. NOTHING LESS FOR HIS SLEEPING ANGEL.]

HHHHKK...

[HE TOOK THE BLANKET, TOO. NOT BOTHERING TO USE IT HIMSELF, HE WAS HOT ENOUGH. ONLY TENDERLY WRAPPING IT AROUND HIS DARLING.]

...THHANK... YOU.

[HIS VOICE WAS SHREDDED. ALTHOUGH...]

...YOU...

....YOU HHAVE TEA... DON'T YOU?

I... R-REMEMBHER...

@bisexualmazin

[HE BARELY UNFURLED HIMSELF FROM THE BALL HE HAD CURLED UP INTO. PEEKING HIS EYES OUT— THEY WERE REDDER THAN USUALLY, FACE SOAKED WITH TEARS.]

[HIS SPINES BRISTLED A BIT UPON HER APPROACH, A HALF-ASSED HISS DYING IN HIS THROAT FROM HER CALMING PRESENCE.]

( She.. Knew something wouldn't work right- that she wouldn't be able to bring Heresy back. So-)

( She could at least restore him to the best of her abilities- what she remembered from her most recent interaction with him. )

"..I can't do more- but.."

( Maizey moved her hands away from Heresy, showing she had properly formed him a new head- even fixing some of the decaying tissue. )

[SEEING HIS DARLING'S FACE AGAIN, HIS EYES WELLED UP WITH TEARS AGAIN. HE BURIED HIS FACE INTO THE BODY'S NECK, HOLDING IT CLOSE. SNIFFLING AND SOBBING, EVENTUALLY DISSOLVING INTO VIOLENT, PAINED WAILS.]

[HE'S SHAKING AGAIN.]

*[after reactor drags himself and his departed husband away from the blansion, a familiar voice calls out to him.]* *[it sounds of the manic glowing hedgehog that he encountered, but distinctly... calmer. cooler. even tired.]* *[you think it's a trick of the mind... until the owner of the voice runs up to meet you.]*

*[split.]*

you... hhah- y'alright, greenie?

@pangenderfleetway

[RAISING HIS HEAD FROM HIS DEARLY BELOVED'S BODY, HIS PUPILS SHRINK ALMOST INSTANTLY— LIKE A WILD ANIMAL HOMING IN ON A KILL.]

[HIS QUILLS STAND UP ON END, BACK ARCHING LIKE A CAT AS A LOUD, RATTLING HISS— GEIGER COUNTER AGAIN— ERUPTS FROM BEHIND GRITTED TEETH.]

*[split reacts the same, quills raising as a threatening chittering noise rattles from his mouth. but instead of arching or rearing towards him, hes holds his head as if enduring a headache. the reaction seems involuntary.]*

chchhchchch- nno- no, nnot t-the ttime... that's our friend-

wwhat-

[HE LOOKS MORE HOSTILE EVERY MINUTE THAT SPLIT ISN'T LEAVING. HIS CLAWS HAVE UNSHEATHED NOW, HAVING MOVED HIS ANGEL'S BODY BEHIND HIM TO PROTECT IT FROM A THREAT THAT ISN'T THERE...]

NOW.

BEFORE YOU GET HURT.

eeeasy, greenie g-guy... i-i only want to help... relax... please...

[HE'S STILL INCREDIBLY TENSE, GUARDING THE CORPSE LIKE IT'S THE ONE THING IN THE WORLD THAT MATTERS— TO BE FAIR, IT IS, TO HIM.]

[HE NARROWS HIS EYES AT SPLIT, BROWS FURROWED, TAIL FLICKING DANGEROUSLY. THE HAZARD DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE, JUST LOWLY GROWLS.]

listen- i kknow yer hurtin'- i can see i-it clear on y'face, but i'm only hhere t'help- we bboth are. pushin' people away's t'last thing you need- you'll oonly get worse'f nno one's around t'help...!

*[still trying to be the hero, eh split?]*

[A FLICKER OF WEAKNESS. PAIN. SADNESS, MAYBE.]

[BUT HE EVENTUALLY LETS UP, SIMPLY... COLLAPSING INTO A BALL NEXT TO THE BODY.]

[HIS SPINES JUT OUT— A HAZARDOUS BALL—HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE TOUCHED.]

[AND STARTS SHAKING.]

*[with soft, uneven steps, split hobbles towards reactor's side, and pops a squat next to him.]*

*[he doesn't move to touch the hazard. he only sits there, just trying to be a grounding presence there for him.]*

*[after reactor drags himself and his departed husband away from the blansion, a familiar voice calls out to him.]* *[it sounds of the manic glowing hedgehog that he encountered, but distinctly... calmer. cooler. even tired.]* *[you think it's a trick of the mind... until the owner of the voice runs up to meet you.]*

*[split.]*

you... hhah- y'alright, greenie?

@pangenderfleetway

[RAISING HIS HEAD FROM HIS DEARLY BELOVED'S BODY, HIS PUPILS SHRINK ALMOST INSTANTLY— LIKE A WILD ANIMAL HOMING IN ON A KILL.]

[HIS QUILLS STAND UP ON END, BACK ARCHING LIKE A CAT AS A LOUD, RATTLING HISS— GEIGER COUNTER AGAIN— ERUPTS FROM BEHIND GRITTED TEETH.]

*[split reacts the same, quills raising as a threatening chittering noise rattles from his mouth. but instead of arching or rearing towards him, hes holds his head as if enduring a headache. the reaction seems involuntary.]*

chchhchchch- nno- no, nnot t-the ttime... that's our friend-

wwhat-

[HE LOOKS MORE HOSTILE EVERY MINUTE THAT SPLIT ISN'T LEAVING. HIS CLAWS HAVE UNSHEATHED NOW, HAVING MOVED HIS ANGEL'S BODY BEHIND HIM TO PROTECT IT FROM A THREAT THAT ISN'T THERE...]

NOW.

BEFORE YOU GET HURT.

eeeasy, greenie g-guy... i-i only want to help... relax... please...

[HE'S STILL INCREDIBLY TENSE, GUARDING THE CORPSE LIKE IT'S THE ONE THING IN THE WORLD THAT MATTERS— TO BE FAIR, IT IS, TO HIM.]

[HE NARROWS HIS EYES AT SPLIT, BROWS FURROWED, TAIL FLICKING DANGEROUSLY. THE HAZARD DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE, JUST LOWLY GROWLS.]

listen- i kknow yer hurtin'- i can see i-it clear on y'face, but i'm only hhere t'help- we bboth are. pushin' people away's t'last thing you need- you'll oonly get worse'f nno one's around t'help...!

*[still trying to be the hero, eh split?]*

[A FLICKER OF WEAKNESS. PAIN. SADNESS, MAYBE.]

[BUT HE EVENTUALLY LETS UP, SIMPLY... COLLAPSING INTO A BALL NEXT TO THE BODY.]

[HIS SPINES JUT OUT— A HAZARDOUS BALL—HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE TOUCHED.]

[AND STARTS SHAKING.]

*[after reactor drags himself and his departed husband away from the blansion, a familiar voice calls out to him.]* *[it sounds of the manic glowing hedgehog that he encountered, but distinctly... calmer. cooler. even tired.]* *[you think it's a trick of the mind... until the owner of the voice runs up to meet you.]*

*[split.]*

you... hhah- y'alright, greenie?

@pangenderfleetway

[RAISING HIS HEAD FROM HIS DEARLY BELOVED'S BODY, HIS PUPILS SHRINK ALMOST INSTANTLY— LIKE A WILD ANIMAL HOMING IN ON A KILL.]

[HIS QUILLS STAND UP ON END, BACK ARCHING LIKE A CAT AS A LOUD, RATTLING HISS— GEIGER COUNTER AGAIN— ERUPTS FROM BEHIND GRITTED TEETH.]

*[split reacts the same, quills raising as a threatening chittering noise rattles from his mouth. but instead of arching or rearing towards him, hes holds his head as if enduring a headache. the reaction seems involuntary.]*

chchhchchch- nno- no, nnot t-the ttime... that's our friend-

wwhat-

[HE LOOKS MORE HOSTILE EVERY MINUTE THAT SPLIT ISN'T LEAVING. HIS CLAWS HAVE UNSHEATHED NOW, HAVING MOVED HIS ANGEL'S BODY BEHIND HIM TO PROTECT IT FROM A THREAT THAT ISN'T THERE...]

NOW.

BEFORE YOU GET HURT.

eeeasy, greenie g-guy... i-i only want to help... relax... please...

[HE'S STILL INCREDIBLY TENSE, GUARDING THE CORPSE LIKE IT'S THE ONE THING IN THE WORLD THAT MATTERS— TO BE FAIR, IT IS, TO HIM.]

[HE NARROWS HIS EYES AT SPLIT, BROWS FURROWED, TAIL FLICKING DANGEROUSLY. THE HAZARD DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ELSE, JUST LOWLY GROWLS.]

*[after reactor drags himself and his departed husband away from the blansion, a familiar voice calls out to him.]* *[it sounds of the manic glowing hedgehog that he encountered, but distinctly... calmer. cooler. even tired.]* *[you think it's a trick of the mind... until the owner of the voice runs up to meet you.]*

*[split.]*

you... hhah- y'alright, greenie?

@pangenderfleetway

[RAISING HIS HEAD FROM HIS DEARLY BELOVED'S BODY, HIS PUPILS SHRINK ALMOST INSTANTLY— LIKE A WILD ANIMAL HOMING IN ON A KILL.]

[HIS QUILLS STAND UP ON END, BACK ARCHING LIKE A CAT AS A LOUD, RATTLING HISS— GEIGER COUNTER AGAIN— ERUPTS FROM BEHIND GRITTED TEETH.]

*[split reacts the same, quills raising as a threatening chittering noise rattles from his mouth. but instead of arching or rearing towards him, hes holds his head as if enduring a headache. the reaction seems involuntary.]*

chchhchchch- nno- no, nnot t-the ttime... that's our friend-

wwhat-

[HE LOOKS MORE HOSTILE EVERY MINUTE THAT SPLIT ISN'T LEAVING. HIS CLAWS HAVE UNSHEATHED NOW, HAVING MOVED HIS ANGEL'S BODY BEHIND HIM TO PROTECT IT FROM A THREAT THAT ISN'T THERE...]

NOW.

BEFORE YOU GET HURT.