SANCTUM INBOX

[pain_train]

To find out times for the next three station stops of the Pain Train, press 1.

For a list of stations serviced by the Pain Train, press 2.

To leave a message for the conductor of the Pain Train, press 3.

To purchase tickets on the Pain Train, pull some more of your stupid-ass shit.

Comments

[bothbarrels]

"Yeah, okay." He smiles gently to let her know it's okay. Honestly, he feels a bit the same way. It's just really nice being connected like that.

He slowly disentangles his hand from hers and it chills in the air—his palm must have been sweating when he blushed. He goes to the box and pulls out the second plate, unwraps the plastic. "This one's going to be sticky," he says, and gets the spoon to scoop up the first bite.

[pain_train]

Relief and happiness at that. She curls her fingers slowly in one bereft of his hand, trying to hold a bit of that warmth. She wants to remember that as well.

"Sticky's more fun," she says. With a straight face even, though there is something of a wicked gleam in her eye. "It smells really good." The caramel makes her mouth practically water.

[bothbarrels]

This time the innuendo passes him by. "At least it won't drip down your chin this time."

He brings the bite of pie to her lips. "Thanks, it's one of my favorites, so I think you'll like it."

[pain_train]

For someone missing the innuendo, that's a pretty fine unintentional return, North. Enough of one that it gets a little blush. "I don't mind."

She eats the first bite very slowly, just enjoying the hedonistic pleasure of being fed something that involves caramel. Then sighs, eyes half shut. "I think that might be one of my favorites too. Though I guess I have to try all your other pies first. Oh darn."

[bothbarrels]

He grins. "I'd call that a hint but it was pretty blatant. Sure, I can make you pie again. How do you like mixed berry?"

[pain_train]

"I'm very subtle. You noticed nothing." Have a grin back. "I like it a lot."

Actually she has no idea of she's even had it before. But if North makes it, she's pretty sure she will like it.

[bothbarrels]

"That's the next type I'll make then." Just like the last slice he lovingly places each bite against her lips and allows her to draw them into her mouth. "I'm going to have to get a wet nap to clean your face now, I think," he grins. There's a sheen of sticky caramel on her bottom lip.

[pain_train]

It's really happening. She's getting feed pie by a person she has a massive crush on, and he's going to make more for her. If she weren't in traction she'd think this was heaven.

And the pie is very, very good.

Wrath attempts to lick her lower lip clean, but it's not entirely successful. She could ask North--oh no. No no. She's not going to ruin this.

"Maybe," she agrees. Now that is kind of embarrassing. "I promise I'm a real adult and can normally do that for myself. Just. For the record."

More milk is going to be necessary too, she thinks as she savors the last traces of caramel she can reach.

[bothbarrels]

"It help when you can reach your own mouth." He calls then for a wet wipe and another carton of milk, which they seem happy to provide considering it's extra calcium. After she's clean and satisfied with a good drink of cold milk he sets the second carton aside and takes her hand again. This time there's no reticence at all—the precedence has been set. He threads their fingers together and squeezes.

[pain_train]

"What, you don't wash your face in the morning with the power of your mind?" She scoffs.

It's horribly embarrassing. Good thing she hasn't ever been that concerned with dignity. It's more that it's a little weird for North to be doing that than a nurse, which doesn't make much sense when she thinks about it. As if somehow it's better when someone who is practically a stranger wipes your face than sometime you know and like.

But he takes her hand again, and there's no hesitation. She offers him a brilliant smile in gratitude. "Maybe you should just quit the militia and open a bakery," she teases. His baking seems to be just as skilled in her (biased) opinion.

[bothbarrels]

He laughs at the former remark and shrugs at the latter. "Mm, for me it's one of those things where if I made it into a job it wouldn't be fun anymore, you know?"

/carefully twists knife in own character

[pain_train]

"Yeah, that makes sense. I think painting would be the same for me, maybe. I was made to be a soldier." She squeezes his hand, happy at the feel of that. "Same for you? Or did you really just want to be a plumber, maybe."

[bothbarrels]

"I didn't know it until I got started, but yes, being a soldier is what I'm best cut out for. Before my sister decided to enlist I'd never thought of it, so I owe her a lot." And he'd managed not to think about her for a little while. Not that it's bad to think about her, he just doesn't want to end up burdening Wrath with any more than he already has today. But it's surely going to show, the way his brow puckers a bit at the thought of South.

[pain_train]

To the left of the bed, one of the machines emits a quiet, electronic burble; a fresh dose of the drug cocktail she's been on for the last week. Wrath grimaces slightly, licking her lips again at the strange plastic taste that intrudes in the back of her throat.

"You must miss her a lot." She strokes North's thumb with hers. "I'm really sorry." She wishes she could smooth away those care lines just as easily. "Having a sister," she murmurs.

She's trying to fight it, because North's here. What if he never comes back? What if she wakes up and is a different person? But she can't help but blink sleepily anyway.

[bothbarrels]

"I do," he says. He can't say the same for some of his friends, but that's going to have to remain water under the bridge.

He can see the way her eyes are fluttering, the way she's forcing herself to keep them open. "It's all right," he says. "If you fall asleep. You need your rest."

[pain_train]

She tightens her grip on his hand for a moment. "Don't wanna," she murmurs. "What if I forget you?"

[bothbarrels]

"I'll remind you," he mutters back. "You don't need to worry."

[pain_train]

"...promise...?" However he might answer, she's already drifted off, her hand going slowly slack in his.

[bothbarrels]

"Promise," he says, in case it comes through anyway. He sighs and relaxes his hand out of her grip, turning to clean up the milk cartons and gather his plates and spoon to take back home. All of that accomplished he gives her a final look before heading out the door.

text, around bedtime

[pain_train]

[She slept for hours, she woke up, she messed around on the network. And now it's time to sleep again.]

goodnite, north

text

[bothbarrels]

It is indeed late when the glasses ping. He's already settled into bed with Theta and the small chime interrupts as he's beginning to doze off. He picks the glasses up and sees the message and smiles faintly. She hadn't forgotten him, as she'd feared. That ought to have been a reassurance for her.

He's sleepy and it's actually hard to control his selection of the letters to type out message in return, but he manages.

" Thanks. Good night to you, too. "