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[hostage]

SCI » 008 » 024

_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[kicktomorrow]

He's settled on both of us. It's not an either or proposition. But if he wanted to fool around with someone else, no, I wouldn't care. It's a free spaceship. I don't own him.

[jurisimpudent]

I...see.

[He doesn't.]

[kicktomorrow]

The same goes for me. If you want to...I don't mean sex. But you do know that psychologically speaking human beings need touch?

[jurisimpudent]

That sounds like some sort of...pop psychology. I have never known it to be necessary.

[kicktomorrow]

It's not. Trust me. I'm not touchy-feely either. But it's important for mental health. Not to be trite, here, but I think you need a hug.

[jurisimpudent]

I do not need a hug. I've never known anyone to die from lack of hugging, and I doubt I'll be the first.

[kicktomorrow]

No, you won't die. You'd be pretty goddamn miserable, though. Aren't you even a little curious?

[jurisimpudent]

I...Hardly. Perhaps that's the sort of thing needed by those who lack self-discipline, but I have no such lack. Indeed, I've moved quite beyond such petty needs.

[kicktomorrow]

You're sort of a mess, aren't you?

[jurisimpudent]

...Excuse me?

[kicktomorrow]

I know I don't know you. But I do know people you are wound too tight. And you're wound too tight.

[jurisimpudent]

I am...wound the appropriate amount.

[kicktomorrow]

I want to strike a plea bargain.

[jurisimpudent]

...With what terms.

[kicktomorrow]

You upset Lisbeth. I let you off the hook if you apologize to her and let me hold your hand.

[jurisimpudent]

What do you mean, I upset her?

[kicktomorrow]

[Go to space, become a therapist for people with the emotive capacity of bricks. Jane doesn't even know.]

I don't know what you talked about and it's none of my business, but she came back upset.

[jurisimpudent]

I just pointed out what she already knew.

[kicktomorrow]

I'm sure you did.

[She really doesn't know what to make of this nascent protectiveness for both of them. She's a sucker, she guesses. They're prickly and closed off, and it's almost painful how brittle they are.

Why not care? It's not going to hurt her any.]

But you still upset her, and Lisbeth is my girl. So do we have a deal?

[jurisimpudent]

...What is that supposed to mean? "Let me off the hook." You've no power to deliver punishment.

[kicktomorrow]

[She laughs, low and throaty.]

Hey, ask Jesse what happened to the last guy who crossed me. Come on. Forget punishment anyway. Do you want to do right by her or not?

[jurisimpudent]

[He frowns.]

"Hand-holding" isn't necessary for that.

[kicktomorrow]

You're giving her--us--something we want.

[jurisimpudent]

She wants you to hold my hand.

[kicktomorrow]

You got it.