life and its complications.

[putrefaction]

[It is a laundry day in someone else's mind.

He took extra steps to leave her alone to her task. She has quite a task ahead of her, and Nigel would only be in the way. Thus, he kept to cat naps, to shifting between waking and sleeping states.

Eventually, his throat demands a trip, and he emerges from his room with the intent to go to the kitchen. An intent that cuts short inches from his destination, when he catches sight of white-gold in the laundry room. Of skin he shouldn't be catching, a floral shape etched against the pale. White with a blue edge. Maybe. It's hard to tell with his sight.

Nigel halts, caught in an emotion unnamed. And as with all his awkward steps, he begins with words.]

A tattoo?

Comments

[putrefaction]

[The look affects him beneath his skin, and he gently lets the hair go.]

I'd be sad if you wore your kid gloves around me.

[purificatio]

[ Aw, no more touching. She releases his arm and spins to walk backward in order to face him. ]

Well, then, neither of us should make each other sad, right?

[putrefaction]

[The release comes as relief. Nigel inhales shakily while keeping his pace.]

I don't know if I can promise that.

[He smiles, the expression strained.]

I'm terrible at promises.

[purificatio]

[ She stops for a beat, in order to reach to touch his shoulder. ]

Then don't promise me. Just don't become scared of me. I want to stay by you

[putrefaction]

[He pauses, then, at the hand. Reaches, in spite of himself, for it with his own, to close over her pale digits with a quiet desperation.]

Then stay by me.

[purificatio]

[ She squeezes his hand and gives a playful smile. ]

Of course. But I notice you didn't agree to my terms.

[putrefaction]

[The smile etched on his lips wavers. At the warmth of her hand, he wonders--

It's not important.]

Your terms are fair, mademoiselle, and yet, it still asks for a promise.

[He lessens his hold.]

I will agree, however.

[purificatio]

[ Her expression falls, though she doesn't know it. She lets him lessens the hold, and withdraws her hand. ]

Apologies, then. I don't mean to trap you.

[putrefaction]

[There is something ruining in this--the shift in her face.]

You didn't. Please don't apologize.

[purificatio]

[ She watches him, silent, something churning behind her eyes. ]

Come home. We can talk there.

[putrefaction]

[He realizes, then, the world around them, the thick fog of white noise. The man hangs his head, unable to meet the other's eyes.]

Alright.

[purificatio]

[ She leans in and bumps him with her shoulder. ]

[putrefaction]

[With such a simple gesture, she gains his full attention, as dwindling as it might be. He looks at her and sighs.]

Trying, Alan. [To regulate, he means.] Give me...a minute.

[purificatio]

[ The name draws her back; makes her blink up with large eyes. She has an urge to touch him suddenly, and it makes her takes a step back--to give him room. ]

...Okay.

[ He can take his minutes as they return back. ]

[putrefaction]

[There is room enough, and Nigel breathes. He tries to remember the ground beneath them as they walk back home.

His breaths become even, and the man now looks ahead.]

[purificatio]

[ It is a silent short walk back, and she remains the same as he unlocks the door. They shift inside and she pauses in the living room.

Cocks her head to look at him. ]

[putrefaction]

[He pockets his keys, in time to find her bright eyes settled on him.]

...Hi.

[purificatio]

[ Here, she cannot help it. She closes the distance between them and slips her arms around his waist. ]

...Hi.

[putrefaction]

[There is a petite form against him, her arms around him. Nigel gasps without wanting, suppressing a shudder.

He swallows.]

Did you enjoy our purposeless walk?

[purificatio]

[ She squeezes closer to him. There is something wrong with this scenario. ]

I enjoyed the time spent. What's wrong, Nigel?

[putrefaction]

[The proximity hurts. It heals. Her soul is ambiguous, but her body is not, and Nigel Kane does not rightfully know what to do.

A hand settles against his right eye.]

There's nothing... I'm...trying to be fine.

[purificatio]

[ She retreats from him, keeping her hands on his arms, and tries to draw him to sit on the couch. ]

...But what happened? What changed?

[putrefaction]

[He doesn't find the strength to resist and settles down hard against the couch.]

Don't worry about it. I just need... I just need to clear my head.

[purificatio]

[ There's a desperation growing in her. She doesn't know its name. ]

It's me.

[ It's small, those words, and she hears it. She stands in front of him, wanting to touch his hair. Inside, inside the sweatshirt sleeves, her fists ball, fighting something she doesn't know. ]

Talk to me.

[putrefaction]

[It's obvious. She is sad. On his behalf or something more--either way, she shouldn't have to suffer, wondering about why he is falling apart.

His hand drops, and he looks at her.]

Are you... Do you like being here?