text; 3/11, evening

[phoenix_temple]

What do you think the percentage chance is that some of us are going to wind up in government basements getting experimented on?

I really want to know, I have to place my bets here and decide if I'm going to tell my mom about all this.

[There is one other thing she has to do though, and it's very important.

Very, very important.]

[Private to Marina; Audio]

I wanted to ask you a question. Can you meet me at [cafe] tonight?

Comments

[anequal]

Like what? Come on, join me.

[phoenix_temple]

Are you really going to invite your girlfriend into your bed, Anthony? You know I can only take that one way.

[SHE IS TEASING SHE IS TEASING AND SHE'S BAD AT IT.]

[anequal]

Who was the one that made me sleep in her bed with her again?

[phoenix_temple]

!! I was distressed!

[She'll sit down next to him, though.]

You really should sleep, though. Are you sure you're okay? You should be exhausted...

[anequal]

[He grins up at her, still lying down.]

I feel exhausted actually. I dunno why I did it. I was like, "what if I just watch all of the movies directed by this one guy," and then it was noon.

[phoenix_temple]

[She leans over and kisses him.] If I stay, will you sleep? Mom knows I'm here. I told her I was worried about you, so she's okay with me staying a while.

[anequal]

Yeah. Spend time with me.

How's your mom? ... And your dad?

[phoenix_temple]

Relieved. Mom's exhausted. She's probably sleeping--I think it's why she gave me the okay. I haven't talked to Dad yet, but Mom says he's okay. He was just really worried about me after all the stuff went down.

[anequal]

He seems like the sort to worry.

[He rolls over to make space for her. And throws her a pillow! It's shaped like a jellyfish.]

[phoenix_temple]

[Why do you have a jellyfish pillow...? She lies down next to him, on her side, watching him.]

He is. Way too much.

Can I ask something?

[anequal]

[Because it's cool. He has a ton of weird animal stuff.]

Of course. What is it?

[phoenix_temple]

What's it like to live in a house with a lot of people in it?

[anequal]

... Hm.

[He rolls over until he's lying against her, staring at the ceiling.]

My house is actually pretty quiet. There's five of us, but I'm the only kid. Just me, my parents, and my grandparents. Marzio used to come over when he lived here but now it's just really quiet.

But it's nice. Grandpa always comes to say hi when I get home.

[phoenix_temple]

Do you hear from him ever? Marzio, I mean. I can't imagine what it'd be like if my neighbors just... moved out.

[anequal]

Sometimes. But he doesn't remember... so there's not a lot I can talk to him about.

He's out of here and doesn't remember. That's all that matters.

[phoenix_temple]

[She reaches over to tug his hand into hers.]

I wish you were safe, too.

[Even if it meant he didn't even remember her. It would be better than him dying.]

[anequal]

[He squeezes that hand.]

Well, now that I'm here, I'd like to keep you safe.

[phoenix_temple]

I'm the one who swore on the sword, you know.

[anequal]

I don't need to swear on anything to want to protect my girlfriend I met through collision with a car?

[phoenix_temple]

You're never going to let me live that down, are you?

[anequal]

As long as you're not letting me live down the fact that you think I'm contagious.

[phoenix_temple]

But you are contagious. [She leans over and kisses his cheek.] Think of all the weird things I started doing since I met you. I tried making new friends, I started volunteering. I dated my first boyfriend, had my first kiss.

You made me crazy.

[anequal]

Yeah?

Well, how're you feeling about your new experience with insanity?

[phoenix_temple]

I kind of like it.

Minus the times I almost died. I can't count those on one hand anymore.

[anequal]

Can you still count on two hands?