Epsilon - Church

nightmare

• You know you don't have to keep checking on me, right? I'm fine. • How are you? Wait, did I ask that already? • I don't know what I'd do without you. I mean that. • Oh, God. I thought something happened to you. Don't scare me like that. • You're not alone in this. You know that, right? • We're family. That's what we do. We show up. • Make yourself at home, okay? This is your place too now. • Get out of here with that. You're not a burden. Don't ever say that again. • Is there anything you need? Food? A blanket? Someone to just sit with you? • So, what's next for us? • I have to admit there's a small part of me that's terrified you'll wake up one day and realize you don't need me anymore... that you'll leave. • It's just... I've never had this before. People who stay. • Why are you still here? I mean, you could go anywhere. Be with anyone. • I know I'm not easy to deal with. But thank you. For staying anyway. • [Name], I don't know what I'm doing half the time, okay? But I know I'm not doing it without you. • I don't really know where else I'd want to be, except right here. • You're the best thing that ever happened to me, you know that? • I really think you saved my life. Not dramatically. Just... by being here. • Hey. Bad dream? Come here. I've got you. • You don't owe me anything. This is what family does • Stop apologizing. You're allowed to need help. • I made your favorite. Thought you could use some comfort food today. • You look exhausted. When's the last time you actually slept? • I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, remember? • We've been through worse. We'll get through this too. • You don't have to be strong all the time. Not with me. • I brought you something. It's stupid, but it made me think of you. • Come on. Let's get you home. • You matter to me. More than you know. • I've got your back. Always have, always will. • You're shaking. Here, take my jacket. • I know you're scared. It's okay to be scared. • You did good today. Really good. • I'm proud of you. I don't say that enough. • Stop pushing me away. I'm not leaving. • You think I'd let you face this alone? Not a chance. • I'll stay up with you. I don't mind. • You're safe here. I promise. • Tell me what you need. Anything. • You don't have to pretend with me. • I trust you. Completely. • You've got this. And if you don't, we've got this. • I'd do anything for you. You know that, right? • You're not too much. You're never too much. • This is your home now. For as long as you want it. • I'll fight for you if you can't fight for yourself right now. • You make me want to be better. A better person. • I chose you. I keep choosing you. Every day. • You're allowed to fall apart. I'll hold the pieces until you're ready.

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Dun DUN dunnnnnnnnnn….

Turning, he continued the walk that Church had interrupted- the migration to the spring that had become a bit of a community spot, for better or worse. At least the people here were generally kind; rough around the edges, maybe a little rowdy for his tastes, but generally not mean-spirited. It did make the public space more palatable.

"Whew, okay, I'm here," he announced, trotting over to Delta--or the edge of the spring, if he was already swimming. "That was a hell of a walk, Christ..."

"I can wait nearby if you need to retrieve proper swim attire." Delta was actually... Already in his. It's just that he'd made sure to get a good shirt that could pass casually, if you didn't look too closely. Surprise.

"Yeah, uh, I should probably... deal with that. I'll meet you there?"

"Though I have found orientation underwater to be more difficult than I would have initially assumed." Something about the liquid messing with the inner ear...? He wasn't entirely certain that that's how his own balance worked, but that was his understanding of the human confusion on the matter, so it was likely a similar enough phenomenon.

"I'm gonna go ahead and assume that's not your plan, though. Is there even a pool around here?"

"... Would you like to join me? I've recently opted to learn how to swim." Really, that just seemed like a useful skill, more than anything- but he found boredom was prone to get to him faster than anything else, without the constant risk of danger. AI are optimized for high activity- and, frankly, he was struggling for that constant stimulation. It wasn't a problem he'd imagined himself having, but, in retrospect, it made sense.

"Sure, why not? That's probably a good life skill to have now that you have lungs." Or a close enough equivalent. "Are you, like... just starting, or have you had some practice already? Do I need to play lifeguard?"

"I am beginning to believe that you are holding me here for a more insidious reason than communication, however. I do have a very skilled former intelligence officer to avoid."

"I promise I don't have any ulterior motives beyond what I've already told you," he insisted, raising his hands. "I mean... well, shit, I guess York could have followed me?"

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, KID, THIS AIN'T YOUR FIGHT!"

He could only assume as much, because the alternative--that she was going after some mysterious Rider's monstie for no reason--was much worse.

"What about my countenance purveys an inclination toward the arts, dare I ask?"

"Also, very good use of the word 'countenance,' dude."