trans_9 | New and Old Wounds [Closed]

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New and Old Wounds [Closed]

Dani had an amazing ability to focus if she needed to. Just to focus on that one thing and let everything else take the back seat. However, she needed to HAVE that something that could be the focus without it just leading right back to what she was trying to ignore.

At the moment, she didn't really have it. All of it was too heavily connected to the problem she was having; namely that Jake had ordered, at some point in his timeline, for his cousin to kill his brother to get rid of Iniss. Dani could see his thinking of why he'd done it. While she didn't know EVERYTHING, she knew enough. She didn't think it was right or reasonable, but she understood the thinking well enough.

But that didn't change the situation. Tom was freaking out because Jake had ordered him killed and she was freaking out because she'd been reminded of old wounds and it was very hard to keep a level head.

She had gotten Iniss and Tom away from the situation. Phased them right away and had a blissful few minutes until she found an isolated corridor to finally stop in, well away from Rachel and Jake and all of them.

She pulled away from Iniss then, moving her hands to rub the heal of her palms to her forehead, trying to get herself under control. She DEALT with this. The wound was OLD. Tom was the one who needed help, not her. She just had to get herself to CALM DOWN.

((Bendy-time to after this.))

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"I never doubted you would." He sighed again, faintly, tilting his head and cupping Tom's hands. "I'll see you in a few days."

The shift was, as always noticeable. Perhaps more so, as the yeerk oozed out of his ear to drop into his palm and Tom slumped as though all the energy had just drained out of him.

Tom stared at the yeerk for a long moment, something odd on his face. Fingers twitching faintly against the impulse to just crush it and be done with this and never have to worry about it again. No more Jake having to suffer because he was trapped in some gray area between enemy and ally. No more suspicious looks from Marco. No more bears trying to eat him.

No more yeerks. Just the one in Sam's head who could be ignored and wasn't that bad of a guy after all.

He pressed his lips, looking up at Dani. 'Tired' was a gentle word for the look. 'Tired' didn't even come close to describing how exhausted he was.

"Take him." The words were soft, hand lifted to offer her the yeerk.

"See you in a few days," Dani said, watching as the change happened. She pulled out the zip-lock, opening it, being careful of the water. She gently took Iniss from Tom's hands, placing him in the bag and closing it again.

"Do you want me to call Jake now or do you want to call him later?"

That was quiet possibly the most difficult question Dani had even asked him and he looked away, staring at the wall for a long moment before he answered, chasing thoughts around in his head for awhile. He just wanted to sleep. Sleep alone and not dream until he could think again without everything spiraling out of control.

"...call him. He won't believe me."

Dani nodded. "All right."

< Jake, Tom is responding now. Iniss will be out for a few days, so you and Tom can talk. >

Tom sighed faintly, allowing his body to sink back on the bed. Wishing for a blanket to pull over his head and hide under. He just wanted to sleep for the next six months and not think about anything.

Such a weird wish, when for the next three days, he was going to be alone in his head.

He felt like a yo-yo. Just as soon as he got it all tied up and stable, someone threw him again.

Dani looked at Tom, silent for several moments. "...I am sorry. For everything that's happened."

"The amount of things I could blame you for are minute in comparison to everything that's happened, Dani." His voice was soft, back to her. "It's not your fault. I don't hold you or Jake or Rachel accountable for anything that's been done. You at least mean well, and you're trying to help. I'm just tired."

Dani was silent for several moments. She reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "It'l be better. Promise."

"Hope so. I don't see how it can get worse." He sighed, accepting the physical comfort and burrowing his face into his arm.

He wanted his mom.

Dani studied him before finally moving to hug him. She hated this. She hated, hated, hated it, but no matter what she did, she would.

He was quiet for a long moment under the gesture, almost forgetting he was supposed to return it.

But he did, giving her a small squeeze in return. One armed and uncertain, like he might be rejected if he clung too hard.

Don't make me be strong, don't make me be strong or I'll just break again and I can't break yet. Please don't make me be strong.

Dani didn't reject him, wouldn't reject him. Just a bit longer. Just a bit longer and it'll be fine. Everyone will be happy.

And if all she could do was hug him until then, then she would.

He closed his eyes, quiet and still against her, just wanting to rest and stay still for a little while. "Thank you, Dani."

"...don't. Everything I've done that might be thanked for is something you deserve anyway," she said softly.

"Even if that's true, no one else gave it to me. You were the only one that could."

Dani fell silent at that, choosing just to hug Tom for now, until she knew if Jake was on his way or not.

He kept an arm around her, accepting the presence of another person next to him without much problem. He may have even dozed off, comforted by the presence of another living being.

It was a long time before Jake finally responded to Dani's message. His answer came terse and - was that a touch of nervousness? <That's great, Dani. Does he... want to see me?>

< He does and doesn't. But that's kind of expected with this sort of thing, but you should be able to help him now, > Dani responded mentally.

And, of course, Tom could help him in return.

You should be able to help him now. Jake wasn't so sure. He didn't know what he could do for his brother, other than remind him that his own family had tried to kill him. Would try to kill him. Something.

But if nothing else, Jake wanted to apologize. <...Where are you?> he asked, still trying to decide whether he should go or not.

< He'll be in his room. > Dani responded. < I'll be leaving with Iniss, so you guys can talk alone, okay? >

<Wait,> said Jake quickly, already getting to his feet - that's not far, I can get there fast if I run - before he remembered he wasn't sure if he could face Tom yet, if it would be good for Tom to see him. <I want to... Can you wait there? Just so I can see... so I make sure?>

< ... >

< Jake, if you can think Iniss is there with how Tom is acting, you're too paranoid. > She said, glancing at Tom with a worried look.

< I wouldn't leave Tom alone if I didn't think it was better. I just...I really don't want you to be tempted to do something rash if I stick around. > There was worry in her tone. She really didn't want to have to keep Jake back if he did lose that admirable control of his.

The words stuck a chord with him, as he suddenly remembered his earlier thoughts. It wasn't like he was actually going to-- but the more he thought about it, the less certain he was. <All right,> he said finally. <That's reasonable. Just...>

Just what? The fact was that Jake wasn't at all sure if he should do this. If he could. He wanted to say, never mind, I'm not coming, just don't leave him alone. But he couldn't hide from this forever. <Okay, I'm leaving Cassie's house now. I'll be there soon.>

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New and Old Wounds [Closed]

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