Kiss With A Fist

He nods, slowly. "... You shouldn't stay too close to me. You'll make yourself a target."

 

"...we're already targets."

 

"... You're an asset. I'm a toy. I don't want her doing this to you."

 

Abigail bites her lip. "....she won't. I. I promise."

 

He smiles, just a little. "Don't make promises you can't keep. But... Try to stay safe."

 

"I'll do my best," she smiles.

 

He puts a hand to the back of his neck. Then his knees buckle.

 

She moves to catch him with a startled gasp. "Yosef?"

 

He gags, dry heaving with his hand over his mouth. "It's. It's fine." He tries to stand, shakily, when he can get control over himself again.

 

She holds his arm and back, expression bright with concern.

 

"... it's not... a pleasant feeling," he says quietly.

 

She nods, slowly. "...well. we'll be with you, too?"

 

"... it's appreciated," he whispers.

 

"...does it hurt, when it moves?"

 

"Yes," he says. "Like a lumbar puncture. I... I hope that's because of the open wound. Douglas seems... unbothered."

He closes his eyes. "It's hard to ignore. It... purrs. I can feel its heartbeat in the disks of my spine."

 

"...that... it sounds. It sounds awful, but. Almost. It might be nice not to be alone..." she hesitates, face flushing. "Uhm. I. I guess. I'll. I'll find out."

 

"... Alone in your spine? Or alone in... Insane corporate experimentation?"

 

"I... in general. I'm.. maybe. Maybe I can pretend it's like a creepy pet. In my skin."

 

"... They're... Cute. In a way. You can touch it if you want to."

You're that lonely? That's... That's worrisome.

"... Perhaps we should get dinner more often. As a team. Without Douglas."

 

Abigail brightens. "I. I'd. I'd really like that."