[Game 21] Epilogue

[arsgoetia]

So, you get your Philly cheesesteak, and you head back on another train, returning to New York at fuck o'clock in the morning. Maybe you get a nap on the train, or maybe you're full of yawns and misery as you head back to Sariel's house at the crack of dawn. Paz went on her merry way with wonderful promises for the future, but Hale is with you, seeming remarkably energetic.

Madison is just barely held back by Kieran, it seems, from just sprinting out the door as soon as you get anywhere near the yard. As it stands, as soon as you all make your way past the gate, there's a redhead barreling down to greet you.

Comments

[psychopompous]

. . .

[looks incredulous]

I—seriously?

[innerdemon]

I mean I think it sums it up.

[psychopompous]

I've been . . . quite unkind and hard to deal with.

[. . . brushes her hair back from her face, very, very gently]

[innerdemon]

[looks up at him]

I mean, sometimes, at first? But... you're here right now. And I guess we like you.

[psychopompous]

You guess.

[innerdemon]

'I guess' as in I'm explaining that is part of why we're thanking you for being you.

[psychopompous]

I guess.

[innerdemon]

[laughs again]

[psychopompous]

[doesn't go reeling back this time, just smiles down at her]

[innerdemon]

You're very cute when you smile.

[psychopompous]

. . .

[did LUKA just say that to me]

[innerdemon]

Oh, there it went.

[psychopompous]

. . . don't make fun of me, Luka.

[innerdemon]

I didn't lie about anything. Okay. I'll give her back.

[psychopompous]

[whyyyyyyy]

You—no. Stay, stay there.

[innerdemon]

I don't... go anywhere...

[psychopompous]

You know what I meant.

[innerdemon]

Okay?

[psychopompous]

. . .

[drags a hand down over his own face]

You are so . . . hard to . . . understand.

[innerdemon]

...Yes?

I mean, you don't ask...?

[psychopompous]

I don't know what to ask.

[innerdemon]

Oh. That's fair.

[psychopompous]

[just sighs, closing his eyes and turning his face away]

I want to be close to both of you.

That's all.

[innerdemon]

[it's Elli speaking this time]

...We'd like that too. If it's okay.

[psychopompous]

[he seems genuinely startled by the lack of rejection]

Yes. I mean—yes?