[closed] Along for the Ride

[lotusmesenpai]

Who: Kanda, Lavi, & Steinbeck
Where: Traveling from Leith to Old Town
When: W3D6
Summary: Kanda and Lavi received a warrant to escort a scarback from Leith to Westerley, along with his supplies.
Restrictions/Warnings: Usual Kanda disclaimer - language.

Comments

[graftage]

He cares about you. That much is obvious.

[The very first time he met Kanda, it was obvious that he wasn't just some casual acquaintance. It must be nice, having someone so close - even now, Steinbeck can't say he's exactly close with anyone, even Lavi. There are still parts of himself he keeps hidden from everyone around him.]

Me, lying? [He lets out a laugh.] About what, being like this? Trust me, nothing compares to being hung from the ceiling from hooks in your body.

[Because that's a thing he willingly does, from time to time.]

Seriously, everyone keeps worrying about me. They need to worry about themselves.

[Just a pointed glance here at Lavi.]

[inksplashes]

[ In the same sense that a cactus cares about the sun, yes, that much is indeed obvious. Fever must be making the Scarback especially sentimental to say something so decidedly uncool casually like that.

But then he follows with an equally casual mention of that...particularly disturbing propensity to hang oneself from hooks like it’s comparable to whatever cold or flu they currently have.

It’s Lavi’s turn to laugh, warm and low. ]

Don’t remember anything in the scriptures about bearing fevers for your followers, Uncle. ‘Sides, I have extra worry to spare. Doesn’t cost me to spread it around.

[ Kind of like this infection… but that poor choice of wording isn’t caught until it’s too late, Lavi pressing the water bottle against his brow again and offering his own hand wave. ]

You know what I mean.

[graftage]

We bear what we need to. Fever, pain, whatever. It's-

[He's distracted again. There's a flash of green he sees, in the corner of his eye. Something writhing and smooth. His eyes flicker to the corner before he shakes his head. No, he's seeing things again.]

Anyways, it's part of our faith. I'll do what I can.

[He takes a sip of water, frowning slightly as he thinks.]

I know. But anyways, I guess it's natural to worry. I mean, I worry about you and him. I have friends at home I worry about. Family too. There's too much worry, going around.

[He laughs.]

It's enough to make a man sick.

[inksplashes]

[ This time he catches the moment of distraction, the way Steinbeck’s gaze seems to linger too long on a shadow. The worry clinches his stomach tighter, but he decides not to ask of it--not to argue it.

He would scarcely be able to convince Steinbeck of anything when his breath is short for every word spent. Instead, he offers a wavering smile, indicating the space beside him. ]

You’d alleviate some of my worry if you’d sit down. C’mon, we can cuddle up or I can poke you with needles to make it more comfortable. No believers need you to stay all the way over there.

[graftage]

Cuddle up? You don't think Kanda would disapprove?

[He says, cheekily - however, he takes the offer, walking over to sit where Lavi indicated, leaning back and just taking a moment to collect himself. He's been through worse, like he said, so really, he can get through this. He can survive. Nothing to worry about, he has to keep telling himself that.]

Maybe I should just fall asleep right here and now. [A chuckle, shifting closer as if he's going to teasingly lay his head down on Lavi's shoulder.] Use you as a pillow.

[inksplashes]

[ Lavi isn't really that fond of many people in this world, let alone enough to both realize and accept that he's worried about them, so he takes that tease with an ingratiating smile. Par for the course, he supposes. ]

It'll probably be fine. He's generous.

[ A breathless bit of laughter here, dying down as Steinbeck settles beside him. He spares a side glance at the monk, shaking his head as much as vertigo will allow. Shimmying his shoulder in a returned taunt, he murmurs: ]

I've been told I make a poor pillow. Too bony and I move around a lot, but if you wanna sleep, I can find you a blanket or something.