“what a crock of bullshit.”
mickey steeled himself against all of lux’s ammo– his armor took quite a few dents on this turn around, definitely, but he could examine the damage later. see about repairing whatever it was he could another time. right now, he must focus and stay on track. not let up on this woman because the moment he wavered and let a sliver of weakness through, she would be unstoppable. lux would completely disappear and there wouldn’t be a thing he could say or do to stop that.
“you’re talking about them like they’re fucking dead,” mickey returned, almost alarmed by this, which was evident in the way his tone had risen some. “they aren’t gone– they’re coming back,” he insisted, with more strength and conviction in these words than he actually felt. it was for her benefit alone, not his. it didn’t matter if he doubted these– he only needed lux to trust him one more time.
the male moved forward, his gait off over the rough ground until he was close enough to share her body heat. fighting back an urge to wrap his arms around her, as he suddenly desperately wanted to do. and that, dear friends, was not just for her benefit, either. yet mickey kept his hands to himself, only ducking his head forward a tad, his blue eyes seeking hers in earnest. voice lowering into an intimate space between them, words lingering there as he whispered, “it’s okay to be scared, lux.. we’re all scared. i’m scared.” tongue came out, wetting over his bottom lip as his head shook lightly. “but this isn’t the answer. don’t let your fear cloud everything else. you know it’s not.”
mickey swallowed a lump in his throat, his adam’s apple bobbing with the effort. “please stay.”
NO , YOU WON’T SMILE / BUT YOU’LL SHOW THEM YOUR TEETH . * head lifts only slightly , eyebrows pulling together as offense drowns previously hardened features away . ❛ excuse me ? ❜ it was a rare occurrence for someone to talk back to her , especially when she’s got venom spilling from her lips . and then he speaks again . there’s mention of death and hope all in one breath . it’s funny how he can speak so easily about a situation they all know absolutely nothing about at the end of the day . ❛ are they ? are they really coming back ? from where ? ❜ he wants to give her hope ? he better have answers . that’s the mindset lux put herself in and she’s sticking to it . and , though he doesn’t touch her , he strikes a nerve . she flinches when he’s close enough . forgive her ! that’s not his fault , that’s the world’s fault . it’s been so cruel , offered so many calloused hands just so they could wrap around her throat and suffocate her . maybe that’s why she hesitates to answer .
❛ i’m not scared . ❜ and maybe it’s only half of the truth ! eyes search his , but only momentarily . then , jaw is tightened and she’s taking a few steps back away from him . ❛ fine . you win . –––– happy ? ❜ a master manipulator , isn’t she ? arms cross and she heads back towards her house . when she turns again , though , eyebrows lift at mickey in expectance . ❛ you coming ? ❜ lux has no intentions on staying . she’ll entertain the idea for an hour or so , make him think she’ll stay . make him think that he’s actually done something there , but the woods go on forever . and the second he leaves , she’ll be out the door again . killing a few hours to convince mickey he’s right is only a small detour , isn’t it ?