Deerington Inbox

[almightythirst]

Hey there, stranger. Don't think I gotta explain the situation: you called, I didn't pick up. Leave me a message and maybe I'll get back to you.

[ Audio / Video / Text ]

Comments

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse’s fingers close around hers, his thumb moving soothingly over the back of her hand. He frowns at the question, though not with distaste. He’s merely giving it some thought. ]

… Can’t say I’d like it. I don’t want to leave and lose all my memories of what happened here, but I don’t want to be under the thumb of whatever runs this place either. We’re prisoners, even if sometimes we forget. Never been good behind bars.

[cashe]

[ It does relax her and she watches him with a certain calmness. It's still hard to believe that he's her guy and that they are dating; quite seriously dating too. That's what makes the thought of going home so difficult. She doesn't want to lose this. ]

Can't say I'm real good at it myself. But for a prison it's got pretty much everythin' I like. Plenty of people to boss around, crime, and enough chaos to keep it interestin'. Most of the creepy things don't bother me. And I have you. Things are fine back home, but I've really lost sight of some things. This place has cleared my head, and I feel more like myself back in the ol' days.

[almightythirst]

[ It's not that Jesse hasn't thought of it too. They've both changed so much here. Worked through things, both together and on their own. Going back would mean losing that. Starting back at zero.

Moira had once confided in him that she'd thought about it too, with her and Angie. He imagines the anxiety that twists his heart into knots is the same as what he'd seen on her face as she'd talked about it. And knowing that it had come to pass breaks his heart. ]

... I know. I wouldn't want to lose all the good here. Any of it.

[ His half-hearted attempt at a smile barely lasts a few seconds. ]

But this is still a prison. I don't think I'll ever stop tryin' to get out... but only if it's on our terms. There's got to be a way to take our memories with us when we go.

[cashe]

[ The idea of it still scares her. The risk is too great. Ashe couldn't help but be afraid that she might once again experience the loss of him and all they've built. If they lost their memories, she supposed that she wouldn't remember it. It's not a lot of comfort. ]

I don't disagree. It's just...I've made it a pretty comfortable one. It's been nice to have new things keepin' me on my toes. Been doin' the same thing for so long.

[ But he wasn't wrong. At least one of her better skills was refusing to let the risk of things get in her way. ]

I'm holdin' out hope for the same. Besides, if it's a dream, maybe we'll wake up thinkin' about each other. [ She gave a small chuckle, suddenly finding a chicken wing very interesting. ] Wouldn't be the first time for me.

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse's smile comes easily then, his hand squeezing hers a bit tighter again. ]

Wouldn't be the first time for me either.

[ He looks down at their hands, and once again curses this place. No doubt the little good here is purposeful somehow. There to keep them complacent. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want a life something like this: with her, both of them forging a new path together. ]

I do get what you mean. Before comin' here, I was usually on my own. I was back with Overwatch, but I didn't know how I felt about it. Things are different here. I've got a purpose. And friends. Hadn't had those in a good while. [ He turns his smile back up at her. ] And then there's you.

[cashe]

[ There's a flood of emotions that she is growing familiar with when he says that. She purses her lips to keep the grin at least somewhat under control. So he'd dreamt about her? That was reassuring to hear and it makes her wonder how many nights that she'd been thinking about him, had he been thinking about her. It had lessened over time, but it all came back to her when they'd cross paths again; no matter the circumstances.

Her hand feels safe in his and it's one more moment she doesn't want to lose.

She'd known he was back with Overwatch, but not that he was ambivalent about it. ]

It makes you wonder what kind of life we could have at home, if we could find a way to swallow our pride there too. If you could forgive some of the things I do, and if I could maybe change some of what I do.

[almightythirst]

[ Ashe might be trying to hide it, but Jesse notices the barely-suppressed grin. His answering smile is knowing and playful. Yeah yeah, don’t let it go to your head Liz. ]

I’ve thought about that too. If we can make it work here, stands to reason we could make it work back home. Even if we don’t remember all the progress we made on the surface…

[ He really, really hates having to say that. ]

… I like to think there’s part of us that doesn’t forget.