Too Close To Home (Connor)

[bix]

Terror
&& Worry

Suichi. Had called. Bix. Had been at work. As much. As she had. Wanted to. Be there. The moment. She had. Found out. She could not. Close the store. No one. Was able. To come work. For her shift. She had tried. She had tried so many times. Over and over again. Trying to find someone. That could come in. That she had. An emergency. Yet no one. Seemed. To care. Still though. She found that finally. She was off. Of work. Locking the door. Behind her. Bix decided. To splurge. Normally. She walked. Everywhere. That she went. But she decided. Instead. To hail a cab. She had. No time to waste. Suichi. Had called. When he left. And told her. Many friends. Had come. To visit. That Connor. Had not. Been alone. And yet. She had not. Been there. And that. For her. Was the hardest. Part of it all.

The taxi. Driver. Tried. To make conversation. But Bix. Was cruel. For one of. The few times. Recently. And shut him. Up quickly. While in the cab. She texted Pine. To let him know. Where she was. That Connor. Was in the hospital. And she. Was headed there now. This way. He would not. Worry about her. And if. He wanted. To stop off. He certainly. Could. She looked over. The city. As they went. And finally. They were in front. Of the hospital. That was. The one. Connor. Had been. Taken to. Getting out. Of course. She looked strange. Today. She was wearing. A pleated skirt. Of black. With silver netting. Shirt. Was a blue shirt. Black vest. Buttoned. Down the front. Seven bracelets. On her left arm. Three necklaces. Her hair. Pulled up. In a french twist. Held up. By two rods. Through her hair. Of silver. The tips. Were blue gems. On the tips.

In the lobby. Everyone stared. Yet she. Did not. Seem to care. She knew. What room. Already. Checking the message. On her phone. Quickly. Just to make sure. She went. Into the elevator. Once there. On the way. Up to his floor. She took out. A cystal. Holding it. Over her chest. She began to chant. Caring not. Of the others. On the elevator. Nor the fact. That some. Would believe. She was strange. Tainted. Devil bound. Whatever. She summoned the protection. The healing. Into the crystal. She had created. At work. With her time. Being held prisoner. At her job. The doors opened. On the floor. And she tore off. In the proper direction. Heading to him. The room was. Closed. Opening the door. Cautiously. Suichi was there. Looking up. He gave the girl. A big hug. And told her. He was going to. Go get some drinks. And food. Bix nodded. Tossing her bag. To the floor. She came. Over to Connor. Placing the crystal. Around his neck. The runes. Lovingly carved. Into it's. Opaque. Surface. He should. By now. In his training. Know them. She sat down. In the chair. Close to the bed.

She took. His hand. Kissing. The back. Of his fingers. Tears. Welled up. In seconds. And fell. Down her cheeks. She held his hand. In between. Her own. And she placed. All three. On her forehead. As she cried. Shoulders shaking. Soft sobs. Clenching. HIs hand. Wanting. Him to know. That she was hear. And that. She was sorry. For not telling him. About Pine. He had not. Spoken to her. In days. Almost a week. Now since. He had spoken to her. Even though. She had tried.

"Sorry. I .. I am so sorry. You deserved.. none of this.... you deserved... no pain.. inside and out.. and I .. I am such a fool... I am.. so sorry."

[Connor Dwyre]

He had been sleeping. However, he was riddled with nightmares. Of the incident, of his personal stress, of everything. He had been having trouble sleeping in the hospital. At least, until the day all his friends had shown up. Well, most of them. One had brought him to the hospital, the others had come to see if he was well, and offer caring.

Bix had not come. Connor had understood, at least on a subconscious level. She wasn't into crowds, and that was not what he was holding against her. He had avoided talking to her. Her camping trip had made part of that easy. When she returned, his days were spent away from the house, and avoiding her. Part of him regretted it. He wanted her close, and now being here, part of him needed her here. But, he had felt hurt by her, even thought it had not been her intention to do so.

He was having a dreamless sleep when she entered. Considering the choice was between bad dreams or none at all, he was happy fro the latter. Sleep would be peaceful. However, Connor felt her come in. Heard her footsteps. He awoke, but remained still. As much as he had missed her, he still couldn't bring himself to show her. Pride? Maybe. Hurt? Still, yes. She hadn't apologized nor explained. But, he really hadn't given her a chance to, either. So, he was just as much at fault.

He felt the crystal go around his neck. He would feel the inscription later. He felt her take his hands. Something she had done a few times. The thing that caused him to be in shock was the tears. He heard her sobbing, felt the drops hit him. Her lips touched the back of his hand. When she spoke, it was still Bix. But, she was... showing emotion.

She apologized. For what? She knew she hurt him, he supposed. But, she was always cold. Less to him than others, but still, she was never this open. Maybe Liberty was out? No. At least, not fully. There was a great deal of her energy in there, but he could feel the difference with them by now. It was almost as if they were one in the same. Not completely, but really close. Her speech was more fluid, and she was opening weeping. For him? But... well lets just say he was a bit confused.

But, her display had done two things. One, Suichi had placed the drinks on the table closest to the door, and then took to being outside the room. He figured Box and Connor, should he wake up, would have a bit to talk about, and he gave them their privacy, closing the door behind him, letting them be alone. Two, Connor had lost being mad at her. At least, for the moment.

His first move was simple. His hand squeezed hers. Gently. The next was more difficult. He was still in a great deal of pain. He moved a bit, and faced her. His shades were off his face, and his eyes, though blank, met hers once she looked up. Then, he did something he had not done since she had come back from her trip.

He smiled at her.

It was the warm smile, the one that he had with her, the one that showed his affection and caring for her. "You know, when the nurse told me I had visitors, the first person I thought was here was you." He winced as he shifted a bit more, trying to turn more towards her. His ribs were still more than tender, and it was painful. He managed a little bit. "I've... really missed you." He struggled to smile, though his physical pain was obvious in his face. He had to return to his back, though his face remained aimed at her.

"I'm hurt. But... your apology is more than accepted. Honestly, I don't think I gave you much of a chance to say it any sooner. I'm not exactly above being a fool, either." He gave her hand another squeeze. "I can't say I'm not still hurt." By that, she would know he meant what was going on between them. "But, I don't want to avoid you anymore, either."

He took a deeper breath then normal, tried not to hurt his chest by doing so (which failed), and let it out before speaking. "Honestly, I still care about you, even though I understand now all the reasons it can't be returned." His face showed he had gained a bit more wisdom in the past few days. He knew. He understood now. But, it still couldn't change his heart.

He hoped still for some explanation from her. Still, her hands on his, those silky hands and her lips having been there as well... it had felt good. He had missed that contact with her, and only now realized just how much. "Thanks for finally coming. I means the world to me."

[bix]

Gentle
Forgiveness

His hand. It moved. And squeezed. Her own. She bit her lower lip. As she looked up. Looking at him. He rolled. Over gently. And she looked. Right into. Her eyes. She reached over. With one. Of her hands. And she stroked. Over his cheek. He was hurt. and she could tell. That he was. In pain. And yet. At the same time. He was. making time. and an effort. To connect with her. She looked up. At him. Listening. As he told her. That it was alright. And that he had missed her. And that he. Had wanted. to talk to her. That he was. As much at fault. As she was. And that not. He was accepting her appology. At least. For the time being. She was forgiven. Which meant. So very much. To her. She leaned into his hand. Putting his hand. On her cheek. So that it was cupping her cheek. Gently feeling. The tears falling. Down her cheeks. And into his palm. As she looked. At him listening. To what. He had to say.

But the fact. That he had. Forgiven her. That he had. Smiled at her. Which of course. Meant so much. To the small. Blue haired girl. She moved. Getting up. And she got up. On the bed. So that she was. Perched. On the edge. Of the bed. He turned. Back over. Onto his back. And she leaned in. Hugging him. She did not. Want him. To be hurt. Especially. Not now. She wanted. Him to know. HOw much. His forgiveness. Meant to her. Because it really. Did mean a lot. He was someone. That she cared. About a great deal. He made her. so happy.

"I.. I am so happy.. that you.. that you forgive me I .. I've been trying to talk to you for so long but.. but you're always gone, or just leaving, or .. I don't know your room is closed and I .. feel like I'm intruding and you doni't answer my knocks and.. and I ..."

When he. Calmed her down. She looked. Into his eyes. And then she leaned down. And she kissed. The corner. Of his lips. A small. Peck, but not one. She leaned over. and caught. The other corner. As well. Blushing. She burried. Her face. In his neck. Just leaning there. Knowing that. She was. Reunited. Now with. Her best friend. Someone that. She truly. Adored. he was. Her first friend. Her only friend. And were it not. For meeting Pine. First. she might. Have ended up. With Connor instead.

"I"m sorry... I just.. I have been so afraid I had lost you as a friend, that I have always held so dear. I was so afraid you would never forgive me for being such a horrible friend."

[Connor Dwyre]

The kisses were very much wanted, though it confused the poor boy even more. She was showing so much emotion, so much that he had wanted for so long, yet she had denied him. No, no denied maliciously. More that she just couldn't. But, she had told him she was incapable. Now, here she was, breaking down, showing how scared she had been to think he was no longer her friend. Then the kisses. He was confused.

Were she and Pine together? Or, was she coming to him now? He wasn't sure what was going on. He hoped she would explain, though he had a feeling it would come. Her hug, though feeling good, caused him a small amount of pain. He gasped, but his arm would come around her and keep her there. Not against her will, but to show he wanted her their more than he cared about any pain. He liked the feel of her close. Her head buried in his neck.

"Friend you are, and always will be. Lose me so easily you will not." He repeated the same words she had spoken to him after the meeting which seemed so long ago now. He knew she'd remember, and when she looked into his unseeing eyes, he would smile. And, for the first time ever, she would hear something no other human being had ever heard.

Connor started singing.

It was soft, but he loved the music from the Tim Burton movie. Though he would never see it, he enjoyed the story conveyed through the songs.

My dearest friend,
If you don't mind
I'd like to have you by my side
Where we could walk beneath the stars
And sit together
Now and forever
For it is plain, as anyone could see
My friendship lies with thee

The key was pitch perfect. Connor had a talent almost comparable to Victor's singing. He modified the song a bit, to suit the situation. But, the words were true. Though, he would have liked to sing the correct lyrics, to convey his still deep affection for her, he figured it might be a bit much. After all, he assumed she was still with another.

He smiled at her once he finished. "You are the only one who has ever heard me sing." He blushed, still unsure if his singing was even any good. He hadn't exactly had anyone listen to him.

But, he wanted at least for his confusion to end. "Bix, I have to admit. As much as this is wanted, and always was, I am a bit confused by it all. You told me you couldn't understand or even had emotion. But, now you are more open and caring then I've ever known you to be." He smiled, though the confusion was still there. "Please don't misunderstand. I... really like this." He was blushing, which showed how sincere he was.

"I am just a bit confused. That and the kisses... Liberty is still with Pine, right?" His tone was gentle, the anger or hurt he had felt with her absent from his speech. "I guess... I would like to know what's going on." He was still in contact with her, his thumb rubbing the backside of her hand. He didn't want to let her go. He wanted to hold her, and everything about him told her so.

If this were a movie, this would be the point where Connor would say 'I love you.' However, this was no movie, and those words would remain tucked away.

[bix]

Confessions
&& Answers

He quoted. Her words. Back at her. And she. Could. Only smile. Right now. Because. It was nice. To hear them. And to know. That he listened. And that he rememberd. What she said. And how she felt. When she was with him. And around him. When she pulled back. Just enough. To look. Into his eyes. He gave her. Another. One of those smiles. She felt. As though. Everything was. Alright now. That she could. Be with Connor again. Her very. Best friend. The one. That she did not. Want to be away. From and. The one. that she had wanted. To reconcile with. For so very long. He meant. The world to her. And he meant. So much. It was hard. To live in a house. That had a rift. Through the center. But now. She felt. It was finally. Mending.

Then. He began to sing. Even Bix. Blushed as he did so. Laying there. Letting him hold her. His arm. Was around her. And while. She would have moved. With him gasping. In pain. As she hugged him. Lightly as possible. His arm. Had come. To hold her down. Apparently. He wanted. To be there. Holding her. Right now. And Bix herself. Had no reason. Not to let him. So she lay there. Listening. To his voice. To the words. And to the hum. Inside his chest. Where the sounds. And perfect pitch. Had come from. Connor and Suichi. For some reason. Loved that movie. And thus. Bix. The girl who never. Watched TV and movies. Had seen it. And she. Remembered. The song. Though he had. Changed it. For them. To be friends. Instead. Of lovers. She knew. That he wished. That they could. Be lovers. But for now. That was impossible.

"Lovely, your singing is for sure."

Bix had. Always been rather formal. In her speech. It had. Become. More severe. When Liberty. Had become. Two entities. But even now. When they were. Temporarily. Merged together. It was formal. He went on. To ask her about. The kisses. That he was confused. Liberty was already. Berating her. In her mind. For what she had done. to get the boys hopes up. To make him. Think that. There was hope. But thing was. Both Liberty. And Bix. Cared for the boy. And thus. They wanted. Him to be alright. Which was why. They merged. Into the whole girl. Once more. For just. A brief time. They were both. Very safe around Connor. Bix's Conrad.

"I am sorry, for that. My .. new emotions got carried away. I was.. afraid that you would never let our friendship remain. Scared, I was, to believe that I had lost my very best friend. When Suichi phoned me, I wished to leave work as soon as humanly possible. However, relief, I could not find to help me. Thus, I had to stay and finish out my shift. Closing the store, I took a cab here, for the sake of getting to you that much quicker. Feared, I did that you would believe I did not care, yet I did, very much so, and was frustrated I could not be here."

Bix looked. Down at Connor. His eyes. Focused on her. To the point. That sometimes. She swore he could see. She knew he could. In the rain. And whenever. It rained. Suichi. Would find the pair. Outisde. In the yard. Just talking. As though. It was not. Pelting the teens. With rain. But instead. AS though. It was a warm sunny day. But she knew. Connor loved. To be able to see. And she loved it. When he complimented. Her in the rain. Though she could not. Figure out why.

"The kisses.. I appologize... if they left the wrong impression. I am both relieved to be able to retain your friendship as well as I am elated you are alright. I was worried, Suichi said, your wounds were very dire indeed. Feared I did for the worst. I am glad, to see that my fears were not quite justified, in both aspects and that you, my best friend, are fine."

[Connor Dwyre]

Ah. The explanation made sense. He held her no ill will, though he did let her adjust so that his tender ribs were not with added pressure. The burns had left new scaring, which after he would feel them would be another thing he would be self conscious about. More scars that at least would be easy enough to conceal. However, even his pain felt like it had lessened. All because his dearest and closest friend had come to see him.

She told how she wished to have been here sooner, but try as she might, she couldn't make it. Honestly, he had thought she might not care, maybe due to his lack of speaking to her. Or, that she might have thought he didn't want her there. However, relief was with him now that she had shown up.

He shook his head to negate her feeling like she had to apologize. "No, it's alright. I understand." He smiled. "At least right at this moment, I got to enjoy it, right?" He was happy right now, and nothing was going to ruin it. Yes, he was in pain. Yes, he did wish for more with her. But, he knew at this point, it was pointless to pursue it. He had her as his friend, and with that, he was content.

"I was confused, but you explained everything. I like that you are open with me." His smile was warm as ever. His eyes welled up. Happiness was funny that way. "You finally really showed me... you really care." He took another semi-deep breath. "Best medicine I could have gotten."

He knew he couldn't be with her. At least, not right now. But, as long as they were together in friendship, he felt stronger. He understood more now. On top of that, there was no more need for avoiding her. The pain would only eat at him on the inside. He let it all go. She was already in a difficult position. There was no sense in being angry. Not anymore.

You'll always be special to me. Always.