⊗░ DON'T FALL

  “ i can help with the nightmares, you know that, “ she reminded him, looking up to him.  for now, just to be held by him again when it was not something in a dream or an astral projection, it was almost too much.  but she would be damned if she passed it up.  “ warren worthington, you naive fool, you deserve a new chance at life and you’ve got it.  if you don’t want to be a shepherd to a flock, a guard dog, as you said, why not come with me?  i’m planning to run away to london and just lay low for a while.  no x-men, no world ending drama, just some peace and quiet. “

 “ That sounds amazing, Betsy. I hope you can get some peace of mind. “ He was very well aware that she meant to take him with her. They had ran away together many times before, it was kind of their thing. That and death. As such, he pretended like he didn’t hear her question. “ I’m a big boy, love. I can handle my own nightmares. For now. “

a coy little smile formed when he drew her closer and her arm wrapped around his waist in kind.  oh how long had it been since she had waited for even such a little thing from him like this, he looked at her with recognition and they had moments that felt like memories of better days.  betsy shrugged slightly, her free hand finding his own to loosely tangle their fingers together.  “you’re doing brilliantly, warren.  i thought i’d lost you forever and now … you’re back, more or less.  i see the man i knew, to say the least. “

“ he’s dead, so … “ she shrugged a shoulder and took a half step closer before tipping her head to the side to rest her cheek on the outer curve of his shoulder.  it was at least a way to test the waters.  “ i never aligned with his thoughts or methods, only joined up because he had you.  he lost his bargaining chip when you humpty-dumpty’d yourself back together.  i warned him and he ignored it, so i made good on my word. “

   ❛  i can wait all day, pal. i’m kinda stubborn like that.  ❜

 “ you know we could end up going in circles the rest of the night insisting the other is more attractive, we’re stubborn enough to do it, “ she chuckled.  for a moment she watched him even after he looked away before she followed his line of sight, content to stand at his side for now. “ well, now that erik isn’t an issue, you’ll likely have some of that for yourself while you watch your flock. “

   “ i handled my business, found myself with a potential abundance of free time and nowhere to go for it, “ she admitted.  there was a palpable relief to see him without the all too common blue skin and metallic wings ( not that she cared for it any less, but the mood was pleasant ).  she would always be a sucker for those feathers.

“ hope you don’t mind me dropping by uninterrupted like this.  from the looks of it, things are going well here … and you’re looking well, too. “

  “ Nah, I look like hell. You’re the one with all the looks. ---And you’re not interrupting anything. I’m glad you came. “ He met her eyes momentarily before turning away, breaking the tension. “ Free time, eh ? Sounds like a luxury. “

❛  actually i was talking to warren. and you’re not my warren. ❜

“Oh. Uh, yeah, I guess that works.”