Hot springs, heck yeah

[encryptedlock]

Who: York and Delta (encryptedlock) and OPEN!
What: Recovery at the hot springs, with bonus autumn leaves in the water.
When: Afternoon to evening of today (October 1)
Where: Paradisa Onsen! Bet you didn't even know we had one. It's at the border of the forest.
Rating: PG-13 for nudity Kat's bathing suit


Okay, so he didn't really need to go to the hot springs after his fight with Tex last night, but with the air finally starting to get a bit of a chill, it was as good a day as any to watch the leaves fall and try to cut down on the stress. Sure, York had it pretty easy here, all thigns considered, but he had a hunch some of his friends could use the hot springs, too--so he'd sent out a quick location ping to the others with the same tracking system in their armor and, hopefully, at least a few of them would show up. Of course, he'd be fine with anyone else as well, but he knew for a fact they could use the relaxing.

Wrapping a towel around his waist securely, York slipped into the mens' side of the hot spring before making his way over to the mixed area.

Comments

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington looked at York carefully at that. "As much as I fight... It finds a way to fuck with me further."

That gets a flinch. "No. I'm not going to a psychiatrist. You don't understand... I can't."

[encryptedlock]

"It always does. That doesn't mean we give up fighting." It was sometimes a little too much like home in that respect.

"I thought you might say that." He sighed. Too bad, it really would have helped. "And, well, it might be a stupid suggestion--God knows it's not something I would do--but have you thought about getting a pet? Some of them at the animal shelter, especially the Pokemon, are actually pretty intelligent."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

"No. But you sometimes have to stop fighting so directly."

Have a look of absolute disbelief from Wash. "York, caring for a kid for as long as I did was difficult enough. You really think I could handle a pet? I'm not an animal person..."

[encryptedlock]

"Just as long as you don't give up, Wash. Nobody wants that.

He grinned a little at the Look from Wash, though. "That's why I'm saying one of the smart ones. Feeds itself, takes care of itself mostly, except for the part where it needs human interaction. Hell, some of them even fight to defend you if you get in trouble."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

"Over a year hasn't managed to break me that far. I'm not giving up."

Washington glared at York for that comment. "I don't need an animal to defend me. I can fight just fine for myself. Even with the broken arm."

[encryptedlock]

"Good. Just remember that if it gets tough." Because letting the castle have its way with you was giving up, in York's book. And the people who tended to let that happen...disappeared.

He crossed his arms at Wash and grinned slightly at that glare, though.

"Uh huh. Some of them spit fire, Wash."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

"Why are you so worried about me giving up, York?"

The glare just continued. "I don't need a fire breathing animal to protect me."

[encryptedlock]

York just crossed his arms and glared a little.

"Because if you give up, nobody's got my back. Not when I really need it."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington frowned. "You've got Kat. And Tex, once she gets over her bitchiness. Which she will eventually. She's got a soft spot for you."

[encryptedlock]

"I know I do. And I'm glad. Really." He frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. He had Delta, too, of course, but that was different.

"But every goddamn time I've been up to my neck in shit here, they're not the ones who are there first. You are."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Wash looked away, not wanting York to see exactly the reaction that brought on. Guilt. "I owe you and Delta a debt I'll never be able to properly repay."

[encryptedlock]

"Bullshit." He said it flatly, not taking 'no' for an answer. "D, maybe, but you don't owe me shit."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington glared angrily. "Delta needs you."

[encryptedlock]

His voice and expression softened a little and he touched the back of his neck again, reassuringly.

"I know he does. Doesn't mean you have to do that much for me."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

"Delta needs you alive and well."

And he couldn't do anything about that at home. Couldn't even protect Delta.

[encryptedlock]

"And you're a great proponent of AI well-being, huh?"

He sounded a little amused; York could have sworn Wash hated the little guys.

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington hesitated. "I don't hate AIs, York. It's complicated."

[encryptedlock]

"Look, all I'm saying is that if everything you've done is for Delta's sake, you've been overdoing it."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington shook his head. This conversation really wasn't helping him relax. "York, I failed him, left him to deal with a fate worse than death... Then I killed him."

[encryptedlock]

Yeah, well, maybe that's why York planned a few hours out here. He can't help the shudder of revulsion that goes through him at the idea, though.

"And then the same thing happened to you. Don't you think that repaid your karmic debt?"

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington shook his head. "I'm still alive. So no."

[encryptedlock]

York sighed. How many times did he have to say it?

"You don't want to die here, Wash. You really don't."

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington shook his head. "Fair is fair, York. And Delta didn't die in a place where he can come back."

[encryptedlock]

Well, this was failing spectacularly on the relaxing front.

"Wash. Think about it. Would I have come to your room first thing to look for you if I didn't forgive you?"

[dontpatr0nizeme]

Washington sighed. "It's not your forgiveness I'm looking for." It was his own... He couldn't forgive himself.