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[ she lies down on her back on the couch, letting out a sigh. ]

I know. He looks like old wax paper.

[ it's the yeurgh that really gets her. ]

Are you doing OK with all that, by the way? I started reading again so I could keep ahead of him, but I haven't got to anything yet.

I think so. I don't know.

[ he closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]

Not really. He's confused and I'm not much help, but I'm figuring it out.

[ there's a very brief pause, just the time of an intake of breath. ]

I can be there when you do, if you want. Or you could ask me to come over after.

I'm sorry. I wish I could help more.

[ more than the reading, but in an emotional sort of way. she worries about him. it's got to be rough. she knows it's rough for her being from a different time than peter, and they at least remember each other. ]

That might be nice. I'm not gonna - make you listen to any of the books. But after... Yeah.

[ he doesn't want her to think she doesn't help as much as anyone can. immediately, and insistently, he pipes in. ]

You do help, Gwen. You help more than anybody.

[ eddie doesn't like the thought of her alone with the books past a certain point. ]

Okay. After. Just say when and I'll run to your door. I don't want to leave you alone with all that.

Edited 2015-10-01 12:54 (UTC)

[ it does settle her a bit to hear that she helps. more than anything, that seems to be what she cares more and more about. she wants to be there for eddie, to give him something good in the face of all the crap he's had to deal with.

and she doesn't want him to be alone with the knowledge of his death. that alone seems unbearable. ]

Good. I want to. I mean, I'm here for you, Eddie. No matter what.

[ whatever the circumstances are and whatever they grow into in the future, she cares about him, and that isn't going to change. ]

You shouldn't have to worry about me like that.

[ she's only reading. but you'll note she's not actually telling him not to worry. ]

I know you are. Makes me feel like I'm not alone.

[ god, how is it that he's known her for such a short time and feels alright telling her everything? ]

I shouldn't, but I do. And I will.

That's good. Because - you know. You're not alone. Pretty much the opposite, actually. You're very much stuck with me.

[ gwen doesn't have any wisdom to offer on that front, other than that she's in love and would tell anything he felt like listening to. if he asked. ]

Well. [ her voice turns a little soft, affection warming her from within. ] I love you too.

Good.

[ it dawns on him that he needs her to stick around. not only because she helps just with her presence but because she puts things in perspective for him. gwen isn't like a blindfold, she's like a balm. ]

I know.

[ his turn to han solo her. he's smiling a she says it, and he hopes she can kind of hear that he's doing better already. he says the words to her anyway. ]

I love you. Sorry for dumping all of that one you in one go.

[ if she's a balm for him, then he's easily been that for her in return. gwen didn't even realize how lonely she was before they got together. even if they'd just been friends, that would've been fine too. but turning into more than that? it's been more than she ever could've asked for. ]

It's OK. You didn't dump anything on me. I'm here for you - no matter what. For anything. I'm glad to be the person you told about this. Honored, I guess.

Yeah, well. I trust you. And I know you're not going anywhere.

[ and gwen always seems to respond in the right way. she's never once made him feel stupid for getting upset, never once made him feel like a child throwing a fit. she doesn't leave any room for him to hate himself over it, either. ]

I'm definitely not going anywhere. Possibly ever. I'm gonna live in Eudio and make scientific innovations and - yeah. I'm set for life.

[ basically. is that weird? whatever. ]

You know...

[ he pauses at that, thoughtful. he doesn't think gwen wanting that is weird. he's been advised the same. ]

Had a friend tell me I should look into that.

[ but by his tone it's clear he's still unsure. seems right to bring it up, though, if it's something gwen has thought about herself. ]

Did you?

[ casual, so casual. ]

I guess - I mean, it'd kinda make sense. Or not. I mean, I wouldn't judge you either way.

[ nailed it. ]

I'm thinking about it.

[ his fingers catch on a lose thread of the couch, picking at it. eddie's not sure if he could settle down here guilt free. ]

Trying to see if I can twist it into not feeling like I'm giving up and running out.

[ and he'd miss the ka-tet. not that he would see them more if he went home, but there'd be nothing instead. ]

I get it.

[ she's never hidden anything from eddie before, but the favor she asked in changing her incentive for both of them still looms large in the back of her mind. ]

You don't have to make any decisions right now, though. It's not easy to think about, either way.

[ she reaches for one of her couch cushions, hugging it to her chest. ]

Yeah, I've got time.

[ factually, he does, since he could ask to extend his stay until he makes a decision if the reps come to him about completing his incentive, but... it's hard for him to really grasp that. time is already a loose concept to him, but more so knowing what's waiting for him at the end of his own. ]

If you stick around, Eudio's gonna be revolutionized. You're going to make so many discoveries they'll have to give you those fancy scientific awards.

[ she smiles a little to herself when he alludes to having plenty of time. at least they can be sure of that much. ]

I think I'll be sticking around for awhile now, but I can't say for certain it's the scientific discoveries keeping me around.

[ yes that is her version of flirting. they're pretty good at that. ]

Oh yeah? What's keeping you around?

[ and eddie loves playing along. she's making him smile, though, turning so he's lying on his back on the couch, staring up at his nondescript ceiling. ]

Mm. Well, I kinda met this great guy. Not that I'm the kinda girl who'd change her life around for a guy or anything. Or maybe I am. Who am I kidding? And what's so wrong about liking someone that much anyway?

[ they're doing the same thing, staring up at their respective ceilings, only gwen's got this pillow squashed in her arms. she loves it when he plays along too. ]

[ he laughs softly, back to feeling easy and good. it's great how she does that without even trying. ]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm sure this great guy would love hearing all that.

I dunno, he's kinda shy about his good qualities. [ she sighs dramatically, swinging her legs over the end of the couch. ]

Not that I let that stop me, of course. I'm kind of a jerk about it.

I think you might be helping him with that.

[ it's oddly sincere, for their kidding around, but then he goes back to that fake-pretend tone. ]

You know — and don't ask me how I know all this — but something tells me he doesn't think that's true.

I'd like to.

[ her own voice softens, letting the moment settle before she moves on. ]

I would hope not. I don't wanna be a jerk to him. He's kinda important to me.

[ eddie lets out a contented sigh, shaking his head even though she can't see. reflex. ]

You're not a jerk. Bet he thinks you know just what to say every time.

I apply scientific consideration to all my statements.

[ she's grinning, even though he can't see. ]

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