Love's no good but it sure beats the hurt

[madgiganticfeelings]

[That was... Christine can only call it the most horrible thing she's seen so far, with that familiar dread that says something worse may come. Four people have died. Four friends Christine had trusted in and relied upon. And four more people she cares about have turned into memories and painful reminders of her failure to do anything meaningful here.

And Christine wallows in that. God, does she wallow. But she also knows that those painful ghosts of the people she loved relied on her to keep getting back up when the world knocked her down. And she has to keep going, if only to honour there memories.

The note she slides under each person's door is very simple, the bright orange gel pen somehow seeming duller in the wake of mourning:]

Food is in the dining hall.
Please come have something, or I'll track you down in an hour and force feed you.
If there's anything at all you need, please come talk to me. We shouldn't have to suffer alone.
-Christine

[There's a few dishes Christine knows how to make: lo mein and beef stew, some simple sandwiches as well. There are almond cookies after the more filling foods are prepared.

Off to the side is a plate with a few dumplings and... what looks like mashed turnips? An odd combination, but they were Angus' favourite.

And Christine is true to her word. If you don't come in an hour, she'll find you. In fact, she makes rounds around the opera house pretty much every hour, checking each room, and... maybe singing softly to herself as she goes.]

O god,
I can't stay, I won't stay for things left unseen
I can't stay, I won't stay, this end has no means
I can't stay, I won't stay, you were just a dream
A sweet sweet dream
You were a dream
But not my dream...

[Speaking of dreams, someone should convince her to go to bed.]

Comments

[37773972]

[It is enough.

After a moment, Stephen's own arm reaches out- he can't quite grasp Mephisto's hand, not with the bandages, but he can rest his in the angel's own.]

I would lie awake just to watch you breathe
Whether day or night- please don't ever leave.

[He looks at Mephisto's face, then, voice growing stronger- not desperate, but the emotion is clear in it.]

Please don't leave.

[heathencall]

I won't.

[This much he can force out. This much he can promise, even as his throat tightens. Some sinister part of his mind remembers, taunts him with every promise he made to Riley.

But this time will be different. It has to be.]

Promise me the same.

[37773972]

I promise. I...

[His throat closes up for a moment. Once again, he forces it clear.]

...I need you, Mephisto. [No. More than that.] I- want you. To stay. That's what changed with the deal. I'd stay even if we didn't have one.

[heathencall]

[This doesn't help. The knife presses ever tighter against him. His breath catches.

Turn back. No one could blame him if he closed himself off now.]

You're a fool. [He tightens his fingers around Stephen's, not tight enough to aggravate his injuries. An assurance.] And I have never been more grateful of that.

I will be here. There. Wherever you go.

[37773972]

Aston said as much. [But he cracks a smile, pressing his hand against Mephisto's. The most he can do right now, anyway.] And you have, too.

But maybe...we can be foolish together.

[heathencall]

Stephen Browning. [He... manages a laugh, tight though it is.]

There is no maybe about it.

[37773972]

I'd like that.

[...that...is the first real smile Stephen's given for a while.]

Help me up?

[heathencall]

[And he does. He scoops Stephen up, or at least as best as he can by tucking his arm beneath Stephen's own. He guides the other man to his feet.]

Ready?

[37773972]

[Stephen probably could have managed it on his own - with effort - but having Mephisto steady him is nice. It brings them close. And?

It also gives him an opportunity to lean in, fully believing Mephisto realized that half the reason he asked in the first place was so that he could get close enough to kiss the angel. Look, after the day, he- kind of needs it.]

[heathencall]

[It's not unexpected, no. And while Mephisto isn't in the mood to drag it out... He does return the kiss for a moment. It feels better than the others they've shared.

Each one more genuine than the last.]

Come now. We both need rest.

[37773972]

[That's fine. It doesn't need to be dragged out, he just...needed that for the moment.]

Lead the way.