Viper “That’s…like, th’opposite’a what I want!”
Jagal settled back against the pillows, almost looking… disappointed. Fine, whatever.
Viper “Jagal…I jus’… y’know. I feel bad.
Ah, yes. The usual reaction to knowing too much. Jagal prepared to tune out.
Viper It was my fault ya couldn’t take that book wit’ ya. Th’ thing for checkin’ it out… I had it, but it got ruined when we were washed up on th’ beach. I tried ta get’em ta let ya take it, but…”
He narrowed his eyes, trying to process. The slow but steady blood loss wasn’t helping. Nor was the quiet but persistent alarm that had started at some point after he’d removed the medical stuff. He kindly told it to shut up, accomplishing nothing, and turned back to Viper, still with questionable focus. Things and beaches and… Sort of gibberish, yet just familiar enough to sound right. Her fault, huh.
“Doesn’t matter. Wasn’t any point to leaving. Still don’t know how I…” Ugh, he was talking too much. Not that he planned on shutting up, but his throat was still too dry to keep this up forever.
Viper “Look. I know how much… she meant ta ya. I know… it must’a hurt so bad to lose all’a ’em. I’m tryin’ so hard ta be here for ya. Jagal, I care, an’ I know ya think that’s jus’ my bad judgement.”
Though he gripped the covers on the less bloody side, he just looked askance. He’s an EMO GUY, one does not simply understand him.
Viper “I jus’ wish ya could… realise I ain’t gonna judge ya for havin’ feelin’s, an’ I ain’t gonna jus’ up an’ run away. An’ I ain’t gonna die on ya. I’ve avoided it like, twice now. I ain’t gonna do it.”
He wheezed. “Oh, twice. You’re a real expert, huh.” Hands clenching and unclenching the sheet, he looked to the too-bright ceiling. “…Sorry. Just—don’t.” Don’t what? Die? Stay? Same difference.
Viper “I know… ya hesitated. On leavin’. I know that look when I see it, Jagal. Ya do remember. I jus’ wish ya could admit it even ta ya’self.”
He shut his eyes and let out a long breath—mostly in an attempt to stave off dizziness. Because that’s all that was going through his head.
“And?” he muttered. “That s’posed to matter?”
His eyes opened a slit. “I still didn’t choose you. I don’t belong with you, or anyone, and you thinking you’re gonna magically be the exception doesn’t mean anything you’re still going to die and I’m not doing this again.”
Breaths seething through his teeth, he reached to rub his face, whether it left behind some blood or not. What was he even saying? Ugh. He needed a drink.
