(no subject)

[mnt_mike]

Mike falls back onto the couch.

"Okay, who knew that kids were that exhausting? Not me, that's for sure."

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[slayer_fray]

Mel perches on the back of the couch, a leg either side of him, and uses her hand to rub his shoulders affectionately.

"Aw, you tired of fatherhood already?"

[mnt_mike]

"Would you be embarassed to know me if I said yes?"

[slayer_fray]

Mel shrugs.

"Nah, course not. Not everyone's cut out for it, after all."

[mnt_mike]

"I think I like being the cool uncle. All the presents and spoiling, but they go home afterwards. And their home isn't mine.

Of course, I bet it's different when they're yours."

He kisses her knee before resting his head on it.

[slayer_fray]

"I'm sure it is," Mel agrees cheerfully. "S'not like I'm gonna find out. I just like kids generally.

The rubbing of his shoulders continues thoughtfully.

[mnt_mike]

Mike nods.

"Me too. They're like, little tiny copies of people. I just get a kick out of watching them move. Especially the real tiny ones who don't realize they have knees yet. It's all Frankenstein."

[slayer_fray]

Mel giggles at that, and has to agree. She runs her fingers of one hand through the hair on top of his head.

Gotta have this conversation.

"Have ya seen Ace recently?"

Yeah, she's stalling for time.

[mnt_mike]

He sighs happily, and leans into her hand.

"I have. Spoke to her...what? Last night? Yeah, last night. Things seem back to normal."

[slayer_fray]

Mel grins.

"Rocketship. She say what happened?"

[mnt_mike]

"She didn't, and I didn't ask. I figure if she wanted to talk about it, she would have. Everything in it's time, you know how it goes."

And with that he turns his head slightly, giving her a very pointed, yet supportive look.

[slayer_fray]

Mel sighs, and slides down onto the couch, twisting to sit next to him with one leg in front and behind him.

"OK. So, I uh, spoke to Xander. He he pointed out something that I didn't even think of."

She's desparately trying to maintain eye contact. and takes one of his hands in hers.

Oh god, I'm really doing this.

[mnt_mike]

Mike nods.

"Which is?"

[slayer_fray]

Mel doesn't sigh. She does, however, take a slow, deep breath.
Too proud to be sad.
Her gaze had shifted down despite her efforts, but now she focuses straight on him.
Too proud to be sad. You promised...
"Asar-Suti... says there might be a chance... he can send me home."

[mnt_mike]

"And...that's your wish?"

He knows it is, but for some reason he needs to hear her say it.

[slayer_fray]

It isn't. She doesn't want to. She wants to stay here, in his arms and forget about Duty, about Slaying, about Harth.
Two halves of the same person.
"I have to."
"There is no harmony to her song."

[mnt_mike]

Again, Mike nods.
He moves forward slightly, and turns, resting his head upon her chest. Partly to hear her heart beat, and partly to hide the fact that he can't hide.

"when?"

[slayer_fray]

She wraps her arms around him, holding him as close as she dares. Soon. It'll have to be soon, because the longer she stays here, the longer she can see him, feel him, the harder it'll be to tear herself away from it all.

"I don't know."

[mnt_mike]

His breath doesn't hitch. It doesn't.

"part of me wants you not to tell me, so we don't make a scene.
but this other part of me really really really wants that scene."

[slayer_fray]

She rests her face on top of his head, and blinks several times to keep the tears back. She's losing.

"I... it's up to you. If you wanna be there to say..."

She can't say the word. How hard is it going to be when she has to mean it?

Be there for me, please...

[mnt_mike]

He looks up at her.

"you let me know where you want me to be, and I'll be there will bells on."

[slayer_fray]

Mel chokes back a sob.

"It'll have to be soon," she manages. "It's gonna get too hard otherwise.

"I'll just ask Asar-Suti. We'll find him. Next time we see him."

[mnt_mike]

Mike nods.
Reaching out a hand to wipe away her tears, he makes a decision.

"But not today."

[slayer_fray]

Leaning into his had, she actually smiles.

"Not today," she agrees.