albinomilksnake | OPEN RP PART II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

You always had an abundance of it before, why stop now? [She doesn't. Whether that's for better or worse it's hard to say, because it keeps her focused on the bottom line of this conversation.

On him.]

Come on. You need to go.

Wish I could tell you, but I don't know.

[He ignores her insistance. Flying back to Moya now would just ensure more questions from the crew, considering recent events. He wasn't ready for unsolicited advice just yet.

He remains guarded, but the walls are peeling themselves down. He can't burn off the edge without help and she's right there.

With the image of Earth fresh in his mind, John misses beer quite suddenly.]

Puttin' me in the dog house? Ouch.

Never. But the longer you stay, the harder it's going to be to leave. [It's broken by a lengthy microt of silence before she adds, earnestly:] For both of us.

Well Dorothy, do you even know where you're supposed to be right now? Sounds like you're a long way from home, little lady.

[It takes some effort, but he turns on his side to look at her, eyelids half drawn. The color in his skin is beginning to return.]

Edited 2014-06-23 07:36 (UTC)

Not as far as you think. [The color is a welcome change. Aeryn slides the back of her knuckles across the underside of his jaw just before she reaches across him, tucking him well under the hotel's less-than-ideal blanket.] You don't need to worry about me.

Not as far as me.

[John manages a meager smile again, and chin tips just enough to rest his lips across her knuckles.]

You know how it is...human nature.

Never as far as you. [Blunt, and teasing despite that fact. Her thumb rides the contours of his lower lip, tracing it out without effort or thought.]

No, I don't know human nature - and as long as I've known you, John Crichton, I don't think I want to.

Well, lucky for you, there's no basing human nature off me.

[Its hard to forget what happened when his friends were brought to Earth, with the images so fresh in his mind. Part of him is still disappointed that America didn't want to share his discovery with the rest of the planet...that they would willingly plunge everyone into ignorance.

It was all he could do to pray that the Scarrans nor the Peacekeepers would ever find that wormhole.]

Turns out I'm less like the rest of my species than I thought.

Credit to them, then. [Zing. No rest for the weary, you broken-down human, you.]

No no, you've got it backwards.

[It works a more genuine chuckle out of him anyway.]

I like to think I'm the ideal image. Don't you?

Are you sure you want me to answer that?

Edited 2014-06-23 10:19 (UTC)

Maybe if I had a shot or two in me, I'd be more prepared.

You're out of luck, then: I'm not making a run for any. [And at that she pulls away from the scuff of his mouth, patting his chest once for good measure.]

See? Told you. Lousy luck.

[His head sinks into the mattress when she pulls her hand away, but he doesn't chase her.]

I paid for the night. I'll leave tomorrow.

I should go, then. [Her fingers curl in against the blanket. It's not reluctance-- she's not reluctant. never has been-- but the thought of leaving isn't pleasant no matter how she justifies it.

No matter how she knows he needs it.]

I'm not kickin' you out.

[He won't ask her to stay -- not unless...]

But if you're takin' off, pomise me you'll fly back to somewhere safe.

[There's a tug at the edge of her mouth, something too sober, to open to be a smile regardless of how it sinks and settles.]

Don't ask me for promises I can't keep, Crichton.

[The answer doesn't hold his smile in place. John reaches for her hand, pulling it free from the blanket to try and clasp her's before she can pull it away from him.]

Then stay. Its unsafe enough here for both of us.

I'll be fine. [But despite that, despite the way she hardens with resolve, she lets him catch her hand and keep it close. As much as she's ever tried to keep up her defenses when it comes to John Crichton, Aeryn Sun has yet to succeed.]

Aeryn.

[He tugs on her hand to try and get her to come back to him briefly before letting her go.]

How much longer are you going to run away from me?

I'm not-- [It's cut off abruptly, her fingers curling in against the edge of the blanket. She corrects herself. Has to correct herself:] I'm trying to protect you.

From what? From you?

[His eyes flick upward expectantly for a microt before they lay back down to stare at the wall.]

You're a little late.

[It cuts deep, that remark. Deeper than Aeryn's willing to admit, though the slight recoil on her end spells out out easily-- provided he's paying close enough attention to see it.

It's a long, long beat before she speaks up again, voice weaker than usual. Thinner. Pained.]

I um... no. [Aeryn taps a knuckle against his chest. Swallows thickly.] No, not from me. Not exactly.

I'm listening, Aeryn.

[He doesn't look at her, though. John has already been through this song and dance -- reliving it isn't high on his list of priorities, and he's out of escape mechanisms.

He had been trying so hard not to take his frustration out on an Aeryn who hasn't gone through that life yet, but history had an uncanny way of repeating itself.]

What are you protecting me from?

I wasn't lying when I said I'd been following you. Just-- not here. [It's not an easy subject to broach, and the fact that he isn't looking at her doesn't help as much as she'd hoped it might.

He's locking himself up. The truth won't change that.

But she can't leave him in the dark like this, either.] I was in my prowler.

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