On a need to know basis (Leon/closed)

[Leon]

Leon would shake his head slowly.

"It is not something I could survive. I'm... Fractured as it is. Haunted by those I've failed, burdened with the memory of the things I did, those I've lost... I have to watch my son... The last of my family grow up, become old, and die while I stay 26. My heart will not take it... I'm not... Strong enough."

There was extra sparkle to his eyes.

[Stevie-Rae]

Stevie took a step toward him. She wanted to do something. Help somehow.

“I already told you, I’m not asking for forever. I’m just trying to figure things out. Leon. I-“

She gazed into his eyes. She longed to hold him and tell him it would be alright. But she knew it wouldn’t help.

“I’m willing to try. How about we just take it day by day?”

She tried not to hold her breath.

[Leon]

Leon took a step back, pulling away his face a mix of sadness and fear but his eyes turned steel as he looked at her. He straightened and found his center. He stared to the side watching something for a moment.

"It would be best to turn you away. I can't recipricate on the choice of giving it a try if it means I get attached. You end up like Athalia, Celeste, Hyunie..."

He turns his head to the side again.

"Because she is a girl dumb ass, why would I give her your name."

Leon reached up with both hands and scratched his head.

[Stevie-Rae]

Stevie felt like a bus had hit her. She had hoped he’d give it a try. Maybe call it off if it got too far. No. She was about to try one more time when she heard.

“A dumb ass girl? You could have started out with that.”

Stevie’s eyes stung. She couldn’t even fathom.

[Leon]

Leon would stare at Stevie then look to the side and point both arms at Stevie.

"See now she thinks I'm talking to her!"

He snapped his head to the other side.

"I'll yell at whoever I damn well please. All you do is bitch anyways, 'how come I don't get mentioned anymore? How come you let the person who dug me up and hung me in the cafeteria get away?' God I don't know, maybe let me look around the thousands of miles of dead nothing for someone who likely died YEARS ago!"

He was now bending slightly at the waste rubbing his head with both hands. He'd stop and look at Stevie.

"Not you. Having a... Friendly disagreement. With ghosts?"

[Stevie-Rae]

Stevie stared. She understood. She took the two steps forward and put her hands on either side of his face.

“If this is about keeping me safe, I don’t care. I’ll take all of you and everyone of you. If you don’t want me, it’s ok. I can deal with that. You don’t want forever? How about today. Right now.”

She was finally smiling again. It was a small smile, but she wasn’t about to cry and throw water on Leon now.

[Leon]

Leon would look at here and he would attempt to shake his head a bit.

"It's not about protecting you. It's selfish, but its about protecting me..."

Leon would back away and turn around.

He closed his eyes and looked away. Cringing at inaudible words being spoken to him. He would hold an arm out and blast lightning at the wall next to him.

"Enough, Jim..."

[Stevie-Rae]

Stevie let her hands drop and he backed and turned from her. The sting of tears threatened to return.

“I understand. If you need me, you know where I am, Mister Sudeki. Until then.”

She stifled the sob that tore at her throat and spoke in a low voice that was nearly a whisper.

“I thought I loved you and I hoped you felt the same. I’m sorry I’m just a stupid little girl.”

And left the room but stopped just out side the door. There she sank down into the floor and let herself cry. She didn’t even care about the kids watching her. After a few moments, she wiped her tears on her sleeves.

“Can I just go back to following him?”

Stevie asked no one in particular. She mused on this for a while until classes would start. She decided she wouldn’t be going to Mt Sudekis class today. Perhaps tomorrow.