R36

[with_my_teacup]

[Shortly after this thread, Riddick walks out of his breakfast shift and back to his room. He will not be answering network communication. His door is locked but his friends' access is still active.]

[OOC: drop me a line before coming in if we haven't discussed this on plurk or IM]

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

[Partner, too agitated to behave well, snaps at his hand.

Riddick shifts slightly, settles back into stillness.]

[darknessb4me]

[Not a coma, then.]

Stop that.

[This he hisses at Partner, then heads closer to the bed to peer into Riddick's face.]

[with_my_teacup]

[Riddick puts up only token resistance to having his face looked into, though once he's allowed he curls back up on his side, knees drawn towards his chest.

Partner grabs his shirt-- not for the first time, there are holes in it where he's obviously tried to get Riddick's attention already-- and gets growled at, then ignored.]

[darknessb4me]

[Arthas lets him go as soon as he ascertains that, yes, Riddick is awake and responding.]

You're scaring Partner.

[As if this wasn't obvious.]

It's not your fault. You can't... take personal responsibility every time something you love dies. "What if I was there, what if I was faster or more prepared?" It'll drive you over the edge.

[with_my_teacup]

[Riddick curls up a little tighter, not even bothering to grunt at him. That sounds like a lot of energy, grunting.]

cw suicide, arthas literally being the worst at comfort

[darknessb4me]

I traded my soul to become this. I thought the power would be enough. To protect my people. To avenge them. The first time I killed myself here, it was because I realized I'd gotten the opposite of what I'd paid for.

[Arthas carefully cups his hand over Riddick's shoulder - just to be comforting, not to try and roll him over.]

They didn't let me stay dead, because life isn't that easy. It's not that merciful. You can't just stop. Even if you're broken. You are forced to continue. I won't be the only person that refuses to leave you alone.

[If Riddick lets him, he'll start rubbing a line down and up his back. Maybe this isn't comfort, because comfort doesn't exist.]

[with_my_teacup]

Tired.

Just tired.

[He actually pats Arthas' hand when it's on his shoulder; his hand is sticky, stained with something pinkish-red. Not blood.

But wow that took a surprising amount of energy. It's like it's all just gone. He's really just... tired.]

[darknessb4me]

I know.

[It's not physical tiredness. It's deeper, and no amount of sleep helps.]

I can't cover your shifts. But I can check on your inmate. Walk the dog. Whatever.

[with_my_teacup]

[He gives a little nod. He'd been worried about that. He's grateful, even, but words are still dauntingly effort-intensive.

Partner having heard the w-word whines uneasily. Things don't seem right. He leans heavily against Arthas.]

[darknessb4me]

Yes, you.

[Then, to Riddick, serious but not harsh:]

How long?

[with_my_teacup]

[Riddick sighs. He doesn't know. Thinking about the trouble he's causing, the shift in the already volatile kitchen staff, is like having fiberglass under his skin. It itches, makes him feel more fatigued. Usually there'd be an adrenal kick to rip through his exhaustion-- but there isn't. He's out.

He shifts his shoulder. That rubbing Arthas is doing is kinda nice.]

[darknessb4me]

[More back-pets, then, as he waits to see if Riddick is going to answer.]

[with_my_teacup]

[He doesn't. He subsides into a drowse, closer to asleep than awake.]

[darknessb4me]

[Arthas' arm doesn't get tired - it can't - but he does get bored, and abandons petting to sit quietly on Riddick's bed, close enough for them to still have contact, back to back.

He'll wait.]