[OOM: Up on the roof]

[mnt_raph]

*Raph had forgotten how much of a pain in the ass the tent was to set up by himself. He'd had Andrew to help with the set up and break down on their trip, and Death was there the last time he needed to put it on the roof.

Death.
He misses her so much.

He wipes at the sweat beading on his forehead, and is greeted in turn by the stinging, burning sensation that comes with having a quickly developing sunburn.*

Great. Just great.

Comments

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

I think too much.

April shifted her weight awkwardly, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Everything that she had thought to say seemed utterly wrong now that she was in the moment.

[mnt_raph]

we don't gotta say anythin', you know.

*He slides the fiberglass poles through the canvas. Magic crackles like static.*

could just....move on.

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

Things have changed.

April made a small noise and turned so that her back was to him, her hand pressed against her mouth, eyes closed.

[mnt_raph]

*Again, Raph doesn't have to look up. That was the wrong remark.
His head falls forward, and his shoulders slump.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

April stood in silence for a long moment, her impulses doing internal battle with her better sense. She heard him still behind her, and she knew without even looking precisely what he looked like.

In the end, she went against her better judgement.

Turning, April crossed the short distance, her body instantly warm and familiar against his, cheek pressed in against his neck.

"Hey, Mister," she whispered, nothing more.

[mnt_raph]

*At first he doesn't move, but then finds himself wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight.*

How's it goin', Lady?

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"Missed you," she whispered.

[mnt_raph]

Had to get away. Got too cramped here.

*Which is a funny thing to say when you're standing on the roof of the only building besides a lake of indeterminate size.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"I know. Didn't expect you back so soon." She hesitated, nuzzling against his neck a bit, just breathing in the scent of him. "Thanks for the note."

[mnt_raph]

It was Large's idea.

*He feels her move closer, and freezes.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

April winced, her breath catching in her throat.

Everything's wrong, I've ruined everything, it will never be the same again, I just want to love you.

The last thought made her go still as well, echoing in her mind like some great proclaimation issued from on high.

She'd not known, not really, not until that moment. Her fingers curled in against the fabric of his shirt, searching for something tangible, something real.

"Don't."

[mnt_raph]

I'm not doin' nothin'.

*Raph has no idea what to say or do, and most worrisome to him, no idea what will happen next.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"I know." She turned her face up to his, looking at him in the eyes for the first time since It, her heart thrumming fast against her ribcage.

[mnt_raph]

*He looks back at her. Familar brown eyes in an oh so foreign face. An expression oh so hard to pin down.*

I didn't mean for you to worry.

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"I didn't. Not about normal stuff. Not about anything I wouldn't be worrying about anyway."

She held his gaze, her own eyes calm, true. Not looking for answers, but just for him.

[mnt_raph]

Yeah well, I didn't mean for that either.

*Raph peers back at her, with a calm detatchment.*

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

"It's not your fault."

Part of her wants to just linger in the aloof familiarity of it all. Part of her wants to shake him until his teeth rattle, just to ellict some emotion.

"It's mine."

[mnt_raph]

There doesn't have to be fault or blame. It just...it's fine. Really.

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

Quietly, yet not turning her gaze, "No, it's not."

It's pretty fucking far from fine, actually.

[mnt_raph]

*His head slumps forward. Forehead resting on her shoulder.
He sighs.*

there ain't no way to breeze past this, is there?

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

April leaned her head gently against his, breathing warm across his temple.

"No," she answered, voice meek and almost inaudible.

[mnt_raph]

april...i can't. it ain't....it ain't right.

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

April's eyes fell closed, a long, low sigh escaping her lips. In the back of her mind, she wondered why this hurt so much. She turned her head away, swallowing hard.

"I shouldn't have come."

Well, at least they agreed on that, now.

[mnt_raph]

*He's silent for far too long.*

what is it you want from me?

[the-damsel.livejournal.com]

To know if you think I'm crazy.
To know if you feel something, too.
To hold me.
To keep me safe, like always.

"I don't know."