Me neither.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:45 pm

Tom suddenly shoved William away, as though he couldn't bear to touch him. "I'm not on my own." He hissed. "Give her to Michael." He stared angrily at Gabe.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:50 pm

Gabe looked at Micheal, who had been silent all along. He turned back to Tom. "You named William godfather! Well, live up to your word! She can't go with Micheal because you guys'll live together!" He swallowed. "Think about it." He looked down at Marlee, who was looking back at him with large eyes. He looked at William and started towards him but stopped in his tracks. He faced Tom. "I'm not allowed to keep her, but William is. And as soon as he can, he'll be the one holding her. And you're the one who made it that way."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:57 pm

William rubbed his arm and walked up to Gabe. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, still shaking a little. "I mean, godfather's a nice title and all, and I do get invited to Christmas parties, but...taking care of Marlee, permanently?" He had whispered his words, nervous. What tells you we'll be good to take care of her? I'm probably not much better than Tom. He sighed and took the baby in his arms.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:58 pm

Tom's eyes filled with tears. He knew now he wasn't going to get her back. "C-can I at least say goodbye?" He whispered, tentatively holding out his arms.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:04 pm

Gabe was startled at the change of situation. He looked at William. What do you want? "William, you're the one who has a say in this. It's up to you." And he took a step backwards. I don't care what you decide. Just make sure it's the best thing for Marlee.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:10 pm

William bit his lip. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I know you never meant to harm her, but...you did. I can't leave you alone with her." He placed the now calm baby in Tom's arms. "So you'll have to promise you won't leave Michael, alright? Marlee needs a family." He stepped back, careful not to look at Gabe. "Okay?"

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:11 pm

The tears in Tom's eyes overspilled. "But... I don't understand." He whispered, gently holding her close. "And I will stay with Michael. He... he asked me to marry him."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:16 pm

Gabe swiftly turned around and vomitted in the bush that was there. It gave him an odd feeling of comfort. As long as he stays with Micheal, everything should be fine. His thoughts were, despite his position, perfectly lucid. He coughed, and a thin fluid came flying out into the green cedar. I'll never see her again, but at least she'll be happy.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:20 pm

William stopped moving, his eyes wide with surprise. "He...what? Oh. Wow." He swallowed. "That was...quick? Yeah. Well, congratulations guys." He managed a small, hesitant smile. Leaving Tom was probably the best thing I could have done, then. The sudden change of mood was awkward. He stepped back again. "I guess I lost my godfather status by now, uh?"

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:26 pm

"Thanks." Tom gave him a small tight smile, unbuttoning his shirt. "Ummm... I'll think about it." He muttered. "Michael might want that weird dude as one of them, and Mikey is obviously one. We'll have to talk it over."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:30 pm

Gabe scrambled to lift himself back up. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and turned to face the men. "What..." he said "...weird dude?" Not a maniac, please. His heart seemed to be tugging for dear life as it beat rather loudly. Never smoke that much without eating, he told himself mentally as he straightened himself completely.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:35 pm

William's smile widened. "Michael knows one weird dude in particular," he explained to Gabe, "that happens to be our sound tech." He nodded at Tom. "James is a good guy. He'd a be good godfather," he told him in all honesty. "You should stick with that." He looked down, ashamed of the way he had acted.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:36 pm

Tom nodded. "James." He repeated. "Michael just laughed when I called him That Weird Guy."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:38 pm

Gabe nodded. "James" he said. "Yeah, I know him. Good. That's good." He backed away and let himself bang into a tree before sliding down it's trunk and sitting there. You did what you thought was best. And I acted like an idiot. And now I'm paying for it. He held his stomach with both hands.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:43 pm

William quickly glanced at Gabe before looking back at Tom. "I'm really glad the two of you are happy together. I mean that." He grinned. "But even though I'm not Marlee's godfather, Gabe and I will buy her the biggest birthday presents every year. You can be sure of that."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:45 pm

"Cupboard love." Tom muttered, a smile twisting his lips. "I think you'll probably stay. I... well, it's good you care about her that much." Marlee tugged on his chest hair with a triumphant giggle as he walked to the suitcase. "Here. We're going to try and find the fuselage now, you take these." He pulled out a handful of food and threw it in the general direction of Gabe. "Y'know, it's nice to stay alive."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:48 pm

Gabe looked at the food that bounced his way. He grabbed an apple and lifted it in the same way he would have lifted his hands "cobra style" and gave a nod to Tom. Thanks. He closed his eyes as his stomach tugged inwards painfully.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:51 pm

William watched Tom and Michael leave with Marlee, for once knowing he wasn't making a mistake. He sat next to Gabe and loosely wrapped an arm around him. "You look awful," he whispered.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:56 pm

Gabe arched his back, clamping his eyes shut as he did this and settled himself back. His legs were limp. He turned his head towards William, still completely leaning against the tree and gave a weak smile. "I'd eat the apple if it didn't hurt so much to blink" he admitted in a whisper. "Guess it had to be my turn eventually." And he gave a laugh and winced.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:00 pm

William moved away from Gabe. He looked around for a stone - he found a sharp, more or less flat one that didn't look dirty. He took the apple from Gabe's hand and cut a first bite-sized piece. "Open your mouth."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:05 pm

Gabe giggled as he closed his eyes and opened his mouth. His hands lay in front of him as he chewed and swallowed. It felt like nothing before; the food going down was the best feeling he'd had for a long time.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:12 pm

William smiled, glad to see the man was doing slightly better. He grabbed another apple from the ground and took a bite, before cutting another piece out of Gabe's and lifting it to the man's mouth. "If we stay together for a long while, I'll have to help you eat your food when you'll be old. Fantastic. I'm convinced that makes you happy."

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:18 pm

Gabe chewed on the second piece of apple and swallowed it. He was beginning to feel better. "I won't live that long" he said with a laugh. "Thanks" he added as he slightly turned his head to William and weakly grabbed the remains of his apple.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:21 pm

William let him take the fruit, watching carefully. "Oh yes you will. I'll make sure you take your pills everyday." He kissed Gabe's forehead. "Even though I have a feeling you'll leave me for a younger chick by then, you old pervert." He giggled.

Subject: Re: Me neither. Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:27 pm

Gabe kissed William back on the cheek. "I've already got my young chick" he said teasfully. He took a small bite of his apple. The bark of the tree etched it's way into Gabe's skin and he moved slightly, glad he could do so. "That'll leave a mark" he said with a laugh as he looked at his scratched back. He set himself against William. "Much softer, definitely" he said as he took another bite, bringing his legs slightly closer to him.