PSL

[iminfectedbygenetics]

Shilo wasn't sure how long she had been wandering the streets after the Opera was over and she had walked out covered in blood. She was still very much in shock, looking lost as she continued to wander. She didn't want to go home now, not to that big house that would be so much more empty. It would feel like a tomb.

So she just kept walking, wishing she could take a hot shower and eat, but she didn't know how to get food and well, again, she wasn't about to go home to clean up. She stopped for a moment, swaying a bit on her feet as she leaned against the wall of an alley way, letting her head press against the brick while she shut her eyes for just a moment. She didn't see that she wasn't alone there.

Then again, she hadn't really seen anything for the last few hours at least. She'd been running on autopilot just trying to process everything that had happened that night. She was 100% alone now. And she knew absolutely nothing about the world beyond what she had seen out her window. What was she going to do now?

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[robberofgraves]

She had left him there, hanging! Hanging a few feet off the floor before a body. A body he was pretty sure he knew the face of but hoped it wasn't so. Poor kid. He could forgive her for not letting him down, and thankfully one of Rotti's goons came in and dropped him on his head to let him go.

Making his way out of the tower, he had caught the commotion of the Opera but not quite first hand. It wasn't a show he really wanted to see anyhow. Rumors flew about Shilo Wallace though, and he had got enough information to know what was going on. Repeating the story to a few people around a fire, he shook his head, tossing the paper away and moving to warm up a bit.

The whole thing was a mess. Just another story for the papers now. Poor Kid lost everyone all in one go, and now no one knew where she was. There had been just enough time for the papers to hit the press, but then again EPIC NEWS like that could be printed and distributed in a matter of hours. After all, everyone loved a good story~

While others wandered to huddle in corners or on cardboard, he stood near the fire barrel, warming his hands still, pressing the warmed hand into his sore shoulder and neck. The drop earlier really smarted. As he rolled his shoulder he caught a glimpse of a girl. Pretty black dress with red--blood? His head turned to her, brows shooting up, before he suddenly moved.

He let his boot scrap a bit on the ground, to see if she noticed his approach. "Kid? That you?" Of course it was, but he was surprised to see her there.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

Even the scrape of his boot didn't seem to faze her, but when she heard his voice her brows furrowed and she slowly opened her eyes. Graverobber. She had never even found out what his name was but somehow he was always there when she needed him. Or just there. Mostly when she needed him and at that moment? She needed someone more than anything else.

So there she stood, staring at him for a long moment before suddenly it was like everything really, really hit her and she burst into tears, stepping close to him and grabbing the lapels of his dirty jacket. She just leaned into him, letting her head fall to his chest. Later, she would probably apologize for getting blood on him, probably even try to clean it somehow, but at the current moment? She could care less. She was distraught and she just needed to be comforted by someone she felt she had come to trust and even like a bit.

"Everyone...everyone I had is dead!" She sobbed against his shirt, fingers tightening like she was afraid if she loosened her grip even he would disappear.

[robberofgraves]

He looked so surprised at first, eyes going a bit wide as she burst into tears and moved towards him. the surprise didn't last long though and as she leaned into him, blood and tears and all, he carefully moved to wrap his arms around her slender shoulders and back.

The blood wouldn't bother him. By not most of it must have been dry anyhow, though he could feel it as he held her. His arms tightening around her as she sobbed. Everyone was dead. He could list how many people she just lost. He'd been following her through all of this it seemed. Keeping an eye on her when he could.

He should have done more.

"I know." His deep voice spoke softly into the top of her head. "I know..." arms tightening around her and just letting her have a moment. No one cared that a crying girl was there at all. Nothing like that bothered them. It didn't bother him either, other than he didn't like seeing her in this kind of pain.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

It took a little time but finally she quieted down, sniffling and hiccuping a few times, though she didn't pull away. She stayed leaned against him, taking comfort in him holding her. He cared. She didn't think he would do this for just anyone.

"Do you know someplace I can...take a shower?" She asked, swallowing a bit before looking down at herself. "I don't...I can't go home. I can't go back to that house." She almost started crying again but managed to stop herself while scrubbing at her eyes. Her wrist communicator beeped at her, but she ignored it for the moment, shutting off the medication alert. And then, within moments, her stomach started growling and she winced, blushing.

"Sorry. I...I haven't eaten since before the Opera." She explained, looking up at him. "Can I stay with you for a little while?"

[robberofgraves]

A lot of people would beg to differ. They'd say he'd do it for anyone, so long as they could pay. So long as he got something out of it. Sure, maybe that was the image he put off sometimes, but mostly just to keep people away from him.

When it was someone he had taken an interest in, something as simple as a hug or a shoulder to cry on wasn't hard, or unheard of. Then again he didn't take an interest in people often. Most people were terrible anyhow.

Shilo was different.

he leaned back as she drew back, scrubbing at her eyes as asking about a shower. He didn't blame her for not wanting to go home. "Hmmm~" He hummed, taking a glance right down the alley, then left. After a moment he nodded.

"Yeah, I think I know a place." He rubbed at her upper arms a moment, trying to look her over. He heard about what happened, but damn he hoped none of this was her blood. Asking if she was 'okay' would be a dumb question right now. No, she wasn't okay. How could she be.

He drew away, pulling his coat off, whirling it around to pull over her shoulders. It'd be big on her, but it was surprisingly warm. He hefted the leather tool kit back onto his back and nodded to her.

"Come on. Shower and food, coming right up." He said in an almost sing song kind of voice, leading her to the street. The apartment wasn't more than three blocks away.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She actually flinched when he whirled the coat around, staying a bit tense when it settled around her. Then she slowly looked down at it, gripping the edges and pulling it close. It was really warm. She hadn't even realized she'd been cold until just then.

It was easy to follow him, chewing on her lip as they went before she reached out after slipping her arms into the sleeves of the coat, grasping his hand suddenly. It was that need for reassurance again and it was probably something she was going to need a lot of from him. She just held onto him for now. She was sure he wouldn't want to stick around her for long, but maybe just long enough for her to talk herself into going home. What was she even going to do with a place that big?

She closed her eyes for a moment, making a sound as she stumbled just a bit. She'd been walking for so long, getting lost in the city and around the many graveyards that her legs were ready to give out on her.

[robberofgraves]

He didn't say much as they started off, looking this way and that for problems or not. His normal street smarts was one thing, but this was going to be different. This was going to need him to be more on his toes to not only keep the scalpel whores away from him but also from her.

He blinked, surprised by the sudden hand grab, but he tightened his hand around hers, looking back to her and giving a reassuring smile. He wasn't even sure if she'd notice, but it couldn't hurt.

That was when he caught that little stumble. The smile fell and he looked at her a bit worried. A few more steps and he just stopped, looked her over again, then shook his head.

"Come here." He said, and unless she protested, he moved to scoop her up, as light as a feather, wasn't she? "Hang on." And if she didn't fight it, he'd have his arm under her legs and other arm around her back, looking down at her. "You're not hurt, are you?" His voice might be deep but it was soft and worried as well.

After all, the only 'good' Doctor he knew was dead now.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

When he stopped moving she looked up at him, her eyes widening a bit in confusion. "What..." She started to ask, but she stopped when he scooped her up into his arms. Automatically her arms wrapped around his neck and she looked around. The only person who had ever carried her like that was her dad, but she'd been much younger.

"Hurt? Oh, no. No. Tired. My legs hurt. And my feet." She said, blushing brightly before she hesitated, finally laying her head down on his shoulder as she was carried. Honestly, it was nice. He was nice. She was glad she had accidentally found him.

"Thank you, Gra..." She stopped herself, tilting her head to look at him. "Will you tell me your name? I know...everyone else calls you Graverobber, but I...I don't want to."

[robberofgraves]

He held her there easy enough. He wasn't the strongest man, nor the stockiest? But when you lived your life for as long as you could remember on the streets, you were fairly in shape. His coat draped over his arm and under her legs, and it should keep her warm as well as covered.

"Goooood." He said, word almost purred out as he started to walk again. "I'd hate to have to stitch you up. My needle work is good, but not that good." He said with a wink, feeling her relax into him.

As he headed down the side walk, past a pair of sleeping old men under papers, he raised a brow at the question. He wasn't even sure how to answer that one right away. He pursed his lips a moment, watching the side walk past them as he went. "Would 'Graves' be better?" How asked, not quite answering, but giving her a better choice at least?

[iminfectedbygenetics]

"I don't think I'd particularly want to be stitched up either." She said, making a bit of a face but finally smiling for the first time since he'd seen her...and honestly, probably the first time since before the Opera began.

She made another face at the nickname, giving him a look before sighing. "I don't like it...but if you don't want to tell me, then Graves it is." She said softly before laying her head down. It seemed that everything was finally catching up to her because within moments she was asleep, lulled by his breathing and the way he rocked her as he walked without even meaning to.

Her body went even more limp in his arms, arms slipping just a bit from around his neck, though one hand ended up tangling slightly in his hair, her fingers curling the strands around them.

[robberofgraves]

"Ah, there we go." He said with a smirk when he saw the small smile. "Beautiful." He chuckled, a deep rumbling sound so close to his chest. But he hefted her a bit closer, and as she gave her soft protect to his nickname, his smile faded just a bit. Still there, but less.

"It's just..." He started, and paused, trying to find the words, only to realize she had nodded off in his arms. He gave a small heh, amused in one way, and sad in another. Holding her close he kept going another block, double checking to make sure this was the right place. Carefully, so not to wake her, he made his way to the main door, reaching a finger out to buzz one number and hold it, in that most annoying kind of way. The speaker on this door was mostly broken, so when a man started to bitch at the box, it was fuzzy. He held the button still, just to be annoying.

And then the click.

He looked smug as he opened the door and stepped in with her, moving past mail boxes brimming with old mail no one checked. Slipping into a hall way and waiting. He could hear someone at the top floor come out to look down, cussing him out, but not seeing them. He waited a moment longer before he heard the door slam. After that he moved to head up one flight of steps, coming to Gena's door. "Psst, Kid." He said, giving her a small shake.

"Don't sleep yet. Shower and food first." He said, and if she started to wake, he'd carefully put her to her feet. After all, he as about to pick a lock to get in. He was going to need both his hands.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She took a deep breath as she woke, blinking her eyes before looking at him. "Wha..." She realized she'd fallen asleep and she blushed yet again before smiling. "Sorry. Didn't realize I was that tired." She said, letting him set her down before leaning against the wall next to the door, watching him.

"Why do you have to pick the lock?" She was curious, tilting her head a bit. "Is your friend gonna care because I don't want you to get in trouble over me." She said, reaching out and touching his arm. Though its not like it mattered because he had the lock picked in record time and she peeked inside once the door was opened, looking around at everything she could from the angle she was at.

After a moment she did step inside, the draw of a shower and food more than her own hesitance.

[robberofgraves]

"You've had a rather long day. I think 'tired' isn't much of an exaggeration in this case." He hummed, indeed picking the lock in record time. He stood and put the picks away before opening the door for her, waving a hand and giving a bow of his head, as if to say 'please, enter my current new home.'

Because he had no home of his own. He reached over and flicked a light on before closing the door behind them. She's a good kid.

Kid. Ha. After all she just went through she was basically a grown up.

"Gena. She won't mind. She's in having new Top surgery. She'll be out a few days. Someones gotta water her plants, yeah?" There was one plant. It was dead and dried up, month ago. "Don't worry about it. I've stayed here before. Showers back there beyond her bedroom." He pointed, moving towards the kitchen, himself.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She watched him for a moment before going off to find the shower. And it was a long one. She stayed in until the water started to run cold, washing every inch of her skin and scrubbing it all down until she was red. She looked at the wig she had with her, stroking her fingers through it before sighing and setting it aside. She didn't think there was any salvaging it. Not with how caked it was with blood.

When she finished she dried off, hesitating before wrapping the towel around herself, feeling self conscious as it was because it was a small towel. She exited the bathroom, bouncing a bit nervously before calling out to him. "Graves?" She bit her lip, stepping into the kitchen doorway with the towel wrapped around her as best as she could get it.

"I don't have any clothes."

[robberofgraves]

He got a can of soup down. The best he could do at this point, seeing as Gena didn't really keep her kitchen in stock. Soup or Ramen or some month old milk. It was better than nothing and would be good.

He heated it on the stove and let it slow simmer as she showered. He had a pot of coffee on and done by time she came out. He took a sip just as he saw her at the arch way of the kitchen. He paused, staring at her. Even in the baby doll dress style dresses she had, her legs never looked as long as they did right now. Must be the leggings that helped with that. They were bare now and--

Huh? "Oh, ah... I'm sure you could barrow something in the dress in there. In the closet. She's bound to have something." He said, staring at her a moment too long. Jesus, kid. You're going to kill him.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She noticed the way he was staring, ducking her head before turning. She could feel her face heating up as she walked into the bedroom to look through the closet. Though...what she found she really had no clue what to do with. Thankfully she'd been lucky enough that her panties hadn't gotten covered in blood so she did put those back on as she started rummaging through the clothes.

Unfortunately, everything was...well. She wasn't sure who would dress like this in any aspect of life, but who was she to judge? So finally she found a dress that seemed a bit better than any of the others. It was blue, which was one of her favorite colors and after a few moments she slipped it on. And frowned.

"Oh no..." She murmured to herself, finding a mirror and staring. Now, Shilo was small, yes. Mostly due to her father poisoning her for her entire life, it kept her small. Not saying she wasn't developed, but there was absolutely no way she was filling the top of the dress the way the original wearer probably did. It took her a few minutes before she was able to fix the top so it wouldn't completely expose her before padding out of the bedroom slowly.

She could smell the soup and she inhaled, sighing before grabbing her wrist comm and pulling it back on her wrist out of habit. "Graves, is this okay?" She asked, stepping into the kitchen. The hiked up edge sat just below the joint of her hip since her legs were actually longer than Gena's, not that she knew that. Thankfully the waist fit right, both were small that way.

[robberofgraves]

He had cleared the table at the kitchen and sat two bowls down, moving to sit a tall cold glass of water down for her, and sipping his own coffee, just about ti sit and wait.

And then she came in and his eyes went up to her again and stuck. Short, skinny, cute, bald and...--he coughed, clearning his throat a moment. "Ah, yeah. Yeah, that works. I mean, if that's what you could find." He said, a hand rubbing under his nose a moment, still staring.

And then he had to pull his eyes away, feeling oddly perverted. It never bothered him before, but generally all the people he worked with were idiots and not really people he... oh. Not people he cared about.

Was that why he bothered to learn more about her?

Well fuck.

"I forgot Gena throw all of Geno's things away after that last surgery." he said with a snort. "Looks like she's going for things to show off all the new parts."

He peeked at her again, before his foot pushed out the chair. "Soups gonna get cold." Damn kid...

[iminfectedbygenetics]

"It doesn't really...fit everywhere." She pointed out, blushing and smiling a bit. If anyone else had stared at her the way he had, she felt like she would have been very uncomfortable, but not with him. This was her Graverobber. Wait, when did she start thinking of him as hers? She paused a moment before moving to sit down, settling in the seat across from him before she carefully started eating so she wouldn't spill anything on the dress.

When she was done she got up, moving to take the bowl to the sink before she dropped the spoon next to him accidentally. "Oh..." She bent to pick it up and of course, because she'd never worn anything like it before, she wasn't paying attention to the way the dress fell open until it was far too late. Her head shot up, eyes doing a bit wide as her face burned brighter than it had yet .

"I'm sorry."

Because yes, even with the way he'd been staring at her before, he would be offended at that. Come on, Shilo, get it together.

[robberofgraves]

"That it doesn't." He said more to himself than anything. The dress wouldn't fit anyone properly to begin with. The fact that it barely covered Shilo made him wonder how the hell Gena managed it. Then again Gena went from a man to a very curvy woman with neon hair, so... honestly, it's not a stretch of the imagination.

Still, he ate in mild silence with her, letting her get something in her and relaxed. He couldn't help but peek over at her from time to time. The bald head was honestly pretty cute if not really very sad. He knew her father had some issues, but that was a surprise to him.

He finished up and leaned back, sipping coffee and relaxing a bit. This apartment wasn't too bad. Gena had a thing for the nicer things, even if it was still poor looking. No electronics other than a small flat TV, as most of them were scalped for Z or stolen before, but scarves draped lights and beads hung off mirrors here and there. It was cozy.

When Shilo got up to put her dish away, he realized he'd been trying NOT to look at her in this stupid dress. Only she dropped her spoon and...

It's not like he's never seen breasts before. Or soft pale flesh. It's not like she has anything new and exciting to consider, but there was something about Shilo that actually attracted him to her more than just her tragic story or her pure nature.

Had she just apologized? Was he staring wrong or was he--Oh he was staring. Damn it. He cleared his throat and moved to stand as well, reaching over with one hand to take her bowl, the other hand reaching for her shoulder, just to hold a moment.

"Stop apologizin' for everything." He said, deep voice amused and soft spoken. Leaning in he pressed dark lips to the crown of her forehead. A soft kiss before drawing back. "And stop trying to do everything. You need some rest. What happened at the Opera was..." He drew back, shaking his head.

"The couch here is nice. Might as well curl up on it until you're tired." He said, looking down to her, seeing that long, long V of bare skin and forcing his eyes back to her face. Fuck.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She could feel his eyes on her and once again, she had the thought that if it had been absolutely anyone else, she would probably have been very uncomfortable and maybe a little scared. It was him though and instead she was...curious. Intrigued at just what he thought about her, though just the way he was staring it was fairly obvious.

"I'm just taking my dishes to the sink. It couldn't be that tiring for me to help out a little." She said, watching him before leaning against his side. She let her head fall against his shoulder, turning a bit and wrapping an arm around him. "You'll stay with me?" She asked quietly, slowly lifting her head to look up at him innocently.

[robberofgraves]

"Yeah, not tiring at all, but I've got you right now, so you just rest." He said, looking down at her face as she leaned up to look at him. Fuck, she was going to kill him just with those looks.

He gave her a bit of a dubious look with a smirk a moment after. That innocent act. Even if it wasn't much of an act. He reached up to brush his thumb over her jaw line. How he wanted to lean down and kiss her, but tonight? Might not be the best time for it.

Which also surprised himself with that thought. Like he actually respected her or something.

He did though. That was the difference between her and anyone else. He let his thumb rub a moment, before chuckling. "I'm not going anywhere, Lil' Bit. Not unless you want me to go."

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She let her eyes slip shut, leaning into his touch and sighing softly. She reached up, catching his hand and squeezing his fingers between her own when she opened her eyes to stare into his. "I don't want you going anywhere anytime soon." She said softly, squeezing his hand one more time before letting go. "I'll go rest on the couch. I saw a TV...do you think we could watch something?" She asked, pulling away from him a bit.

She started towards the living room, stopping in the doorway, leaning against it and biting her lip. She continued watching him, tilting her head a bit. Okay so some of it was meant to tease him a bit, but she was testing the waters!

[robberofgraves]

"Then I won't go anywhere. Not tonight." He said lightly, watching her as she tucked her smaller hand into his own. His fingers cured to hers a moment, holding her hand until she backed away.

"Yeah, pretty sure there's bound to be something on the tube." More than just porn, at least. Then again he wouldn't put it past Gena paying for just the recreational channels like that. Oiy.

He took their bowls and moved to the sink, pausing when he saw her pause at the door. He glanced over at her then... god damn, Shilo. You're trying to kill him. He chuckled a deep amused chuckle, smiling at her before glancing up as if to ask the writers in the sky to give him strength. Being 'good' wasn't his strong suit.

"I'll be there in a minute. Promise." He said, as if that was why she stopped. And he did mean a minute.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She nodded at that before turning and heading over to the couch. She settled down, curling up in the corner of the couch after turning the tv on. She quickly changed the channel, happy to find something that wasn't porn because it had been and she was sure he'd heard it. The TV was turned up rather loud.

She settled on something normal after seeing a news channel as well reporting on the Opera, quickly passing it and wincing when she saw her own face. She'd only caught a small bit of it, but it was enough to let her know people were looking for her.

[robberofgraves]

Hell, he knew people were looking for her. Which was another reason getting a blood soaked girl off the street was an A+ idea. He's pretty sure if Amber ever found her she'd have her goons kill Shilo. Not that she actually did anything wrong, as Rotti would have died on his own anyhow, and the kid wasn't a threat to the company? But he wouldn't put it past Amber.

He dried his hands on his back pockets as he strolled out, heavy boots on wood flooring then on the rug of the living room. He debated taking them off, but he had that slight paranoia of having to keep his boots on in case he had to run. Not that he would be running tonight. No one would be looking here.

"Anything interesting on?" He said as he sat down, leaning over to start undoing his boots anyhow. Might as well get comfortable. He had the feeling they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. He honestly though she needed the rest. He'd been through shocks like that before, though maybe not that theatrical.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She pointed to the tv before looking at him. "Some kind of...game show?" She asked, tilting her head a bit before shifting once he sat down. She turned a bit, wiggling her toes under his thigh before smiling at him.

"I'm not really sure. They seem to be competing for a surgery or something?" She scooted closer to him besides, knees ending up pressed against her chest. The dress slide further up her thighs before she laid her head on his shoulder.

[robberofgraves]

Boots off and to the side, he settled back, feeling her scoot closer. Resting his feet on the coffee table in front of the couch, he shimmied down a bit, so his head was on the back of the couch, and his arm tucked around her. Warm and inviting.

"Ah, yeah. There's one where you have to guess if the price is right for the surgeon they describe. If you guess right you win an upgrade of your choice. Guess wrong and the doctor gets to do something they want." He said with a snort. Idiots. Some sadistic doctors ended up getting to do some terrible changes to people, and those people didn't care at all. It made them the talk of the town.

He glanced over at her, seeing how she sat and how the cut of the dress basically flashed him her entire thigh like that. He pursed his lips again, looking away and to the TV, asking on a lower voice. Softer. "I know it's a dumb question right now, but... you okay? Need anything?"

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She shifted a bit when he asked, laying her chin on her knees as she looked at him. "I will be okay. Eventually. You're helping. Being here with you." She said, leaning into the arm around her for a long moment, letting out a slow breath. Then she leaned in close and pressed a very sweet, chaste kiss against the corner of his mouth. Then she leaned back again, looking at him shyly.

"How long can we stay here anyways? I don't...want your friend to get upset. For us being here for too long or anything." She said softly, tilting her head as she shifted a bit, moving so her feet weren't under him anymore. No, now she was starting to stretch them across his thighs.

[robberofgraves]

He just gave a small nod to that. He figured it'd go without saying that if she needed something she just had to ask. He wasn't pushing her to do anything reckless right now. This wasn't like before. This wasn't like springing her out of a tent or running through a graveyard. The danger was different this time, but the emotions were deeper. Last thing he wanted to do was hurt her more.

The chaste kiss was... cute. He felt his heart thud in his ears a moment. Generally anyone leaning in that close bothered him or excited him, depending on the situation. That instead felt different too. God damn it. He kind of stared over at her from the corner of his eyes, watching her lips a moment.

As her legs crossed over his thighs, he huffed a single amused sound, letting his arm rest behind her a bit. "She'll be down a few days. By time she gets back she won't even notice anyone was here. I'll leave her a little blue present when we leave." He said with a small shrug.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She nodded at that, getting very comfortable next to him, pretty much cuddling up against his side. Her head settled on his shoulder again as they started watching, though it wasn't long before she was asleep again, having pressed as close to him as possible. She was enjoying the heat from his body and she made a soft sound, turning her face into his shoulder.

[robberofgraves]

He settled in with her, letting her just relax. He could feel the moment she drifted off, looking down at her to see she was out once more. Good. Poor thing had a long day.

He shifted a bit, getting cozy, and pulled a blanket off the back and over them. Letting out a sigh he closed his eyes for a moment. His shoulder and neck were still bothering him from being dropped from where he hung for far too long. At least this felt nice.

As he felt her turn into his shoulder, his head tilted, peeking down at her as she slept on. That sound was adorable. Fuck, what was he? A teenager again? She had to be 17 or so. Not that the young age bothered him. He wasn't THAT much older than her, but still. That heart sick feeling wasn't something someone like HIM should feel for anyone anymore. He'd been through it before when he was young. He'd think that after all this time he would have gotten over that idiocy.

Yet in the past few weeks, he'd started to see life come from the Repomans home. The girl becoming bold and sneaking out. He liked the purity to her, but he loved that curious and rebellious nature within. Had life not just stabbed her in the back...

He closed his eyes again, hand resting on her knees that crossed over his legs. His arm behind her, snugging her close. Head tilted down a bit and close to her face.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She wriggled a little bit, managing to turn a bit before waking up suddenly and gasping, looking around. She looked confused for a moment before she looked at him and blinked, tilting her head a bit. "Umm..sorry. I think I should lay down." She said, though she paused because she wasn't sure she even should sleep in the bed. She bit her lip, looking at him before finally standing.

"I'm gonna go lay down, okay?"

[robberofgraves]

He'd just gotten rather comfy with her there too. His brows shot up as she gasped and he drew his head back a bit, peeking at her. "There you go apologizing again." he said on a half hummed tone. He wanted to tighten his arm around her so she couldn't go, but she was already moving to stand.

He frowned, pulling the blanket off and to the side, dropping his feet so she could pass if she wanted. He leaned forward, looking up at her. "Okay." He said softly, watching her face to make sure she was okay. A curious and almost worried look up to her. She didn't always have to move away so fast. Or maybe she did? Maybe he was letting himself get too close.

"If you need me, or anything. I'll be right here. I wont go anywhere. Promise~"

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She nodded before leaning over and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Graves. For everything." She said before making her way to the bedroom. She stepped inside, hesitating because she couldn't sleep in the dress. She had nothing else to put on either and she'd already been through all of Gena's clothes just finding this. So she slipped the dress off slowly, making sure to hang it carefully where she had found it before slipping into the bed.

And she was fine for a few minutes, but the longer she laid there the more she realized she didn't want to be alone even there. She couldn't stop thinking about the Opera and about her dad and Mag. It was all too much for her brain, but when he was there it all seemed to quiet down. So after a moment she sat up, clinging to the blankets before calling out to him. "Graves!"

[robberofgraves]

The kiss to his cheek made him smile, leaning back and letting her go to the bedroom again. "No problem, kiddo." He said smoothly, leaning back into the couch and turning the TV off. He let out a breath and put his feet up again. He wasn't even sure he could sleep well tonight himself. Normally he could sleep anywhere, but he was a light sleeper.

Right now she had his head spinning.

He too had thoughts about all that went on. Still worried about her. Would she be all right? What was she going to do now that she was alone in the world? Had Nathan Wallace left her enough to let her live an easy life? He'd managed to sneak off with the contract in the end. Could that be of some help to her later? Would that even be something she would consider? He'd keep that secret to himself for now. Would she be safe? Why was he focused on her like this? Attachments only brought problems and heart ach--

The song in his head stopped as he heard her call. His feet dropping to the floor and he stood, on alert. Had she found something. Was someone here? Was she okay? He moved for the bedroom door and came to a stop, brow raised.

"I'm still here." he said, glancing around then looking to her, covered up in the blanket. "You okay?"

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She stared at him for a moment, shifting in the bed. At least it was a good size. Not huge, but definitely big enough for two. "Will you sleep in the bed with me?" She asked, suddenly feeling silly for asking, but she already had and she wouldn't stop herself now. "I...I can't sleep. I can't stop...thinking about everything. You help me feel better."

Once she'd spoken she scooted over a bit, turning the lamp next to the bed on so he could actually see better. Though likely the first thing he would notice was that the blanket was only just sitting above her breasts...and the rest of her skin was bare.

[robberofgraves]

Oh lords, she was making it hard to be a good guy right now.

Still, he seemed to relax a bit as he realized nothing was wrong, other than trouble resting and being alone. He almost understood that. He went through that phase himself when he was her age. After a horrible... issue. Being alone was the last thing he had wanted too.

Maybe that was part of it for him. He could relate to some of the trauma she just suffered. "Yeah, sure. If you're sure." He said, coming over to the side of the bed as she scooted. When the light came on he noticed she was literally barely covered. Or more to say, nude.

His brow raised at that. "Decided to spare the dress, hmm?~" He said softly, being a gent and sliding in beside her, but on top of the blankets. He rested on his elbow, head on his fist, looking over at her. "You are making it hard not to admire you, Lil' Bit." He had to admit.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She blinked at that before blushing and ducking her head. She thought about it, shifting a bit before laying down next to him, lifting her eyes a bit shyly to meet his. "You...you can if you want. I don't mind..." She admitted softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I think...you're the only person...I wouldn't mind. Looking, I mean." And probably much more, but she certainly wasn't ready to think about anything like that.

Honestly, she'd never thought of anything beyond kissing anyone. She wasn't completely naive. She'd managed to sneak out of her room one night to watch tv while Nathan had been out and she had found a porn channel. Curious, she'd watched a bit before shutting it off. And it wasn't as if she hadn't touched herself. Hormones and all, but this certainly was different.

[robberofgraves]

He knows he's that one asshole. That one that allowed her an escape and to run wild in the streets where no one else would. The one that would gladly run them head first into trouble. Hell, he busted through a wall with a dead body to impress her. Who's impressed by that kind of thing? Yelling into the night to say fuck you to authorities? Why would that impress her?

And yet he had wanted to impress the princess of the lost Repoman's tower.

He's still pretty sure he's far below her league and the only reason she had interest in him at all is because he let her do what she wanted. No one else ever did. His hand reached out to softly touch her cheek again, letting his thumb rub tenderly. "You shouldn't want to attract the attention of someone like me, Princess."

He smiled faintly to her at that though, still stroking a little spot on her cheek, eyes looking over her face carefully.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

"Why wouldn't I? You saved me at the fair when Mr. Largo just...shoved me into that tent and had his guards keep me there. Even after I asked him several times to let me leave." She said, tilting her head a bit, pressing into the touch. "And in that alley...I know you were dealing Zydrate, but when the authorities showed up, you could have just let me there and run off. I was a liability to you. I slowed you down...but you made sure I got away with you too." She scooted a bit closer, locking eyes with him.

"Dad may have kept me...locked up in that house, in my room, but I'm not stupid. I'm not..a child. Especially not now." She pushed herself up a bit, frowning. "And you know...tonight? You didn't have to help me tonight either. You don't have to still be helping me. What are you getting out of it? Its not...selfish because I don't have anything." Well, that she knew of, but that didn't matter to her right then.

"You made sure I got somewhere safe, that I was able to clean up and eat. You've made me feel...comfortable and safe. I passed...so many people. I know I did. I might have been lost, but not so badly that I couldn't remember people passing me. I knew some of them took pictures, others made comments. No one helped me but you. So really...I don't think catching the attention of you is bad at all." She said firmly before letting out a little huff and laying back down.

[robberofgraves]

Well... that was hot.

Okay, that was not the thought he meant to think first thing, but the firmness of her comment did hit him as attractive too. It confirmed that she isn't a blind little kid, and he did like that a lot. It also helped clear up how her state of mind was at the moment. To a point.

He smiled more and more as she spoke, then chuckles as she laid down again. "Alright, alright. You've mad your point. People out there suck. I've lived in this level of the underbelly of the world for some time. Seeing you. Someone so... pure..." he said it like he was talking about Zydrate. "...well, you didn't deserve the shit you fell into, kiddo."

He edged a bit closer, leaning in to keep eye contact, speaking softer. "And I'm glad I make you feel safe and comfortable. I'd hate to ruin that for you." He was close enough that his forehead nudged her a moment, laying beside her.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She looked at him, her eyes widening just slightly when he leaned in so close to her. "Yeah well...don't you forget it. I trust you, okay? I know you won't hurt me, but you also won't let me get myself into any real trouble." She said before, leaning her forehead up against his. His hair was in her face and she reached up, slowly pushing her fingers into it and stroking through once before clearing her throat.

"And...you know, stuff happens to everyone. I'm gonna...get past it. With you. Grow from it. You know, all the things they say about that." She smiled a little before tilting her head some, lips almost brushing his but not quite.

[robberofgraves]

Trusted him. Ha. The only thing anyone trusted him with was news, gossip and zydrate. But it did feel rather nice to hear. "Oh, I don't know. I almost got you into a real mess back in the graveyard." He said with a smirk and a wink.

He felt her growing closer and didn't bother to draw away from it, dark eyes still watching hers through lashes. "Stuff happens, though you should never have had to go through all that." He said softly, feeling her lips so close. "You shouldn't have to deal people like me."

Though before she could protest that comment, he leaned in that last half a breath and pressed his lips to hers, a soft and tender kiss.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

She was about to pull back and say something when suddenly he was kissing her. She froze for a moment, surprised by the kiss before she relaxed and pressed into it more. She shifted slightly, letting go of his hair and wrapping her arms around his neck. It was like she was melting, eyes falling shut as she sighed.

This was her first kiss and honestly, it was perfect and kind of everything she had imagined it could be. After a few moments she slowly pulled back, eyes wide as she stared at him. "Wow." She whispered, swallowing and blushing a bit before biting her lip. Though she hadn't forgot what he said.

"Stop talking about yourself like that." She murmured, though it sounded awed.

[robberofgraves]

Damn, the kiss was suppose to stop her from noticing what she said. Still, the way she reacted was... cute. He grinned, leaning back away from her just a bit, eyes unable to help admiring her mostly nude form, even as she was partly covered.

"I only speak the truth, beautiful~ And who's to say 'People like me' is a bad thing? I just know you shouldn't have to deal with people like me, is all." He said it with a wink and a sharp smile.

Shilo was someone he really shouldn't be messing with, but he couldn't help it. She was just too kind. Too cute. So pure, like a drug he sold, unable to get enough of her, and simply being near her felt like something good was happening.

[iminfectedbygenetics]

"Yeah well I still think you mean it in a bad way towards yourself. You've helped me. You're taking care of me." She said quietly, letting her fingers slowly brush through his hair before her fingers trailed down his cheek and then over his lips.

"Kiss me again?" She asked, licking her lips slowly as she stared up at him. Her fingers stayed against his skin, though after a moment she slipped them around the back of his neck and drew him down closer, lifting up a little as well.