Abel Lazarus … “Viper. You have potential. Not. To say you’re squandering it-” He clarifies quickly- “But. You aren’t… a disappointment. You know? I remember you saying you were worried your parents would think that.”
“Yeah… it’s still… hard to conceptualise that they…. might not think that way. Not now.” Viper murmurs, but she seems… grateful for Abel’s words, as wordless as her own appreciation is of them. He understood her. So much better than most folks did.
Abel Lazarus “It’s… I collect typewriters. I like that- but.” He fiddles with a book for a moment. “I don’t know. It’s fun but it’s not… Fulfilling? I like them but it’s not… The most important thing to me. I do… Need to buy another one to replace the one Vinzent was holding onto for me, though…”
The sound of these books being shelved are SO satisfying. Maybe Jimithy won’t even have a job to not do by the time he’s done.
“It’s… Just less fun as I go on I think. It’s… Things just start to get boring.”
“Have y’ever tried goin’ inta restorin’ em? Like super old ones that don’t, like, work anymore? I’ve bought some, like, real vintage collector’s toys before an’ cleaned ’em up for m’displays. Things like… 90’s toys… kinda like that.” Viper shrugs. “Honestly, Abel. It’s jus’ good ta find th’ right thing ya enjoy. It’s okay if it’s not one thing. That’s normal.” She leans her head back on him. “I’m gonna force ya ta play so many games until we find one ya enjoy.” She’s not gonna let him take no for an answer. That would be shameful of her, of course. What kind of wife would she be then?
Abel Lazarus … “… I don’t know.” His voice is quiet. “It’s… Better than what my Mother always did about it. She just. Drank and gambled. It’s better to just work.” But why are these your only options, Abel?
You could like. Go to therapy? Take an anti depressant? You know! Take care of yourself?
“Be like you… What do you mean, Viper? You’re not… You’re not a Failure.” He turns to look at her finally. “I’m never going to think you’re a failure. It doesn’t… Matter if you’re not working. I don’t Care if you never left your house-” Okay so he cares a little but more so because he saw what her room looked like in her tape and that just… looked sad to live in. “I don’t think that means you’re a failure.”
“Ya saw my tape. What my room is like. That’s what I mean. I ain’t gonna let ya get ta that stage.” Viper reaches up. She loops her arms around his neck- mostly to keep him looking at her, but there’s always a degree of affection to it with her. “Abel. You gotta promise me. You’re gonna start takin’ care of yaself. Not just physically, but mentally too.” There’s a sternness to her gaze as she looks him dead in the eye.
“I ain’t no professional, but I can tell ya that ya need some, like, help. Mental health… support. That I’m not… able ta give ya outside of what I can give ya as a friend. But… absorbin’ yaself so much inta work ain’t good for ya. An’ I worry ’bout ya.” She leans up, to give him an affectionate little headbutt on the cheek. “I know it’s hard ta think ’bout, ta realise it’s not normal an’ that ya need ta do somethin’ bout it. But do it for me at first, if not for yaself. If, like, it helps.”
The ponytail flip catches her as off-guard as it always did and she squawked, before being unable to resist the giggles that escaped her. “Hey- no fair!” She tries to flip his ponytail somewhat in response but only really manages to swat him in the face with it. See, Viper, this is why Jagal suggested you should cut your hair! Less susceptible to flipping!
“Yeah. We’ll go to Disney. And ya will be so relaxed and enjoy it so much that ya gonna realise I was right and always will be.” Viper puffed, with that air of tomboyish arrogance that was so typical of her. But she simmered down at his second part. “…Yeah. Ya right. I’m ya wife and don’t ya go forgettin’ it. I’m gonna spend, like, all ya money.” She giggles, even going so far as to give him the very very lightest peck on the cheek for effect. “Not that I ain’t already pretty rich m’self.” Eh. Rich is pushing it but she’s got money.
“By… the way, Abes. I kinda.. wanted ta do somethin’. I wanted ta give ya a letter. For if I don’t get outta here. So ya can give it ta Kanna. Kinda… y’know. Last will an’ testament.” It’s morbid to bring up in context, but… it feels like the time.
