Kiss With A Fist

"... No. She didn't." He slowly puts his hand on her wrist, putting her hand to the back of his neck, where the Contract bulges and wriggles.

 

Her eyes go wide, and she settles her fingers on his skin, light and careful, trying not to show fear. "Is...is that-?"

 

He closes his eyes, trying to steel himself, but his hands are shaking. "Some kind of... supernatural entity. She called it a Contract Worm."

"It... seems to be... penetrating the spinal column. Attaching."

 

"...god...I... we're going to go through it, too, aren't we?" She asks hesitantly.

 

"... that's the plan," he says quietly. "You know they'll hunt you if you run."

"... I won't stop you. But I don't want you dead, Abigail."

 

"....I. When I took that. That. I told you all I was going on vacation. In February," her voice is slow, halting, as she pulls her hand away. "...I. I was. I was making funeral arrangements. T...tidying up everything. My brother... he. He had...."


Her fingers curl in her lap. "....my parents died of cancer while I was in college. He had the same... the same kind. I. There's nowhere to run, even if I wanted to."

 

He hesitates for a few long seconds, before leaning in, pressing his lips to her forehead. "You've got us."

 

She hiccups, then nods. "I. I. I know. That's why I'm staying. I. You and Sakach and Bashian are all I've got."

 

He puts his hands on her shoulders, leaning his forehead against hers, for a few long seconds. "We'll get through this. I've got you."

 

She hugs him and the dam bursts, big, wrenching sobs shaking her shoulders as she clings.

 

He freezes at the touch, before wrapping his arms around her uncertainly, holding her close as she sobs.

 

She cries for a long time, then rubs at her eyes, whispering unsteady apologies

 

"... it's alright. It's alright." He stays close for a few more seconds, before pulling away. "We should go."

 

She nods, pulling her glasses off and rubbing at her eyes. "T...thank you."

 

"... You're still my assistants," he says softly, as he starts the car. "You don't deserve this."

 

"...neither do you."

 

He smiles, slow and dark. It doesn't reach his eyes. "... Fillar, you don't know what I deserve."

 

"...I still don't think you deserve this. No matter what."

 

He nods slowly, pulling his car out. "... I appreciate it."

 

She's quiet for the rest of the drive.