trans_9 | Things gone by [Open]

Fletcher should have known that it couldn't last. They'd actually been happy, relaxed, and enjoying themselves for once; of course it had come to an end. Everything had come crashing down around them. He should have predicted it. And Fletcher had spend the entire fight cowering, hiding, and clinging to his brother.

And now he was back on the ship again. He could have gone back to the science labs and picked up his plantsuit research again, or over to Hydroponics to do some work there, but right now he just felt lost. Again. As usual. He was ten years old; what could he do when a crisis like that came up?

Instead of doing something productive, Fletcher had run off to the Sensoriums. Right now, he was lying on his back in the garden at Belshio's house. Resting on his chest was a copy of the hologram picture Edward had taken back on shore leave: Fletcher and Russel standing in front of the line of statues that the two older brothers had transmuted. He wasn't looking at that right now, though; he was staring up at the bright blue simulated sky, watching the clouds float by.

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Vivio looked down, noticing Fletcher's glancing briefly. She let out a sigh as she spoke.

"I... I was fighting the Ohm with everyone. One of them... got me." she said, clutching her slung up arm. It still stung where the Shrike got her.

He sat up again -- maybe he should just stay sitting up, he figured -- and finally, for the first time since he'd returned to the ship, burst into tears.

"I'm-- I'm sorry..."

Vivio let out a gasp as Fletcher started crying. She pushed herself over to where Fletcher was.

"No! No, don't be, please!" Vivio said. "I... If I had to, I'd do it again! Don't apologize for what happened!"

Now she was feeling bad for what happened... which is probably why she was reaching out to hug Fletcher, tears welling up in her own eyes.

The tears kept falling, but he pushed himself to his feet and rubbed at his eyes with his sleeve. "But you're hurt, and Edward and Kang... everyone got hurt, and I just... I just hid the whole time, Vivio. I'm sorry!"

Tears streaked down Vivio's cheeks as the girl found the strength to push herself up then wrap her uninjured arm around Fletcher. He needed to be reassured and this was the only way she could think of.

"It's okay, Fletcher... shhh, it's okay." Vivio whispered. "A lot of people couldn't fight... I... if it makes you feel better... I fought for you. I fought for those who couldn't..."

A small comfort, yes, but it was the truth - she'd fight for those who couldn't. That's what her parents would do, right?

It made him feel worse, really. He wrapped his arms around her and shook his head. She'd gotten hurt for his sake. He hated that. Why should anyone risk themselves for him like that?

"But... but now you're..."

"I know..." Vivio said, pulling back so she can look at Fletcher. "...but I only got hurt because I didn't watch where I was going." At least, that's what she thought. She still wasn't sure on the whole thing.

"Besides, I'd do it again, if I have... especially for you..." she blinked and looked away as she said that bit. Did she mean it?

When she pulled back, he went back to wiping his eyes with his sleeve. He didn't want to cry all over Vivio, after all.

"E-especially for me?" What did she mean by that? And why was she looking away all of a sudden? He was the one who should be averting his eyes; she was a fighter, someone who hadn't run away, and he was a coward. "Vivio?"

"I..." Vivio stammered. She couldn't believe she said what she did. Now, what could she do? She pulled her arm away from Fletcher and fidgeted.

"I... I think I... like you..."

She cheeks turned red. She just admitted it...

...now what?

She liked him? Of course she liked him; he liked her; they were friends, just two kids among a crew of mostly grown-ups.

Wait. No, she was blushing. After a moment, it hit him, and he stumbled backward, red as a tomato. "Ah! You-- I, um..."

She was a nice person, yes, but he'd honestly never thought of her that way. (No surprise, really, when he spent most of his time moping and sulking...) He didn't know how to react. Was he supposed to like her back, or what?

Well, he could try being honest. "Um-- I like you too, Vivio..." He did, anyway, as a friend.

If Vivio was in any pain, she couldn't feel it - right now, she was on top of the world. Fletcher liked her, too! At least, that's what she thought. She had the biggest grin on her face as she tried not to jump around... only for her to flop back onto her seat and throw her uninjured arm into the air in victory.

"Fletcher-kun likes me, too! He really does!" Vivio said, laughing.

"Ah, be careful! You're still hurt!" Had he said the right thing? Had she misunderstood? If so, it was probably too late to clarify right now. But maybe he'd misunderstood.

Fletcher was so confused right now.

"Um, don't jump around, Vivio." He tried to smile.

"I-I'm sorry...!" Vivio said, calming down. "I-I just... well..." She let out a giggle of excitement.

It took her awhile to calm down, though. "Sorry, Fletcher-kun..."

Fletcher laughed a little, mostly from relief. "That's okay. I mean, you didn't do anything." Awkwardness, thy name is Fletcher. "Um, but... how long do you think it'll be until you're better? Did they say?"

Things gone by [Open]

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