"W-Well…." Claire was still a bit shaken. "I… I think I should be fine… Unless you say otherwise…" I just need to get out of this stuffy building…. She took a deep breath, and unzipped her jacket a little to cool down.
Dare stood up and set her to her feet. "I'll come with. Just so that if you end up needing help, I'm there." He smiles at her and pokes her cheek playfully again.
Claire smiled, giggling. "Okay, okay…" As she was set to her feet, her injured ankle twinged, but didn't sting too much to bother her.
They went down and out of the hospital, on the street. Claire inhaled deeply, stretching her arms very high above her head. "I feel like I almost miss being outdoors for some reason."
Dare watched her stretch. It was adorable. "Mm. Well, I think I understand where you're coming from. I personally have gotten sick of the outdoors lately though."
"How come???" Claire glanced over, trying not to act too worried. It was the last thing he needed was for her to be worried. "I… I mean, being indoors is probably the best for me… Since… Well…."
Dare looked up at the sky. "Well, you kinda get tired of it if you're stuck in the elements against your will. I've had to sleep outside a lot lately." When she continued, he looked back at her. "Why is being indoors best for you?" He was confused and curious.
"Well… It's easier to hide indoors than out…" She put a hand to her chin, and began wandering a little, being careful where she walked. "If… You know what I mean."
Dare nodded. "I think I do…" As she started wandering, he followed her, staying a few paces back so that she would be comfortable. "I often find that I get trapped in buildings though. That's why I made them start to expect me outdoors and avoid building." He grinned and tapped his head. "Reverse phycology. Works almost every time."
She laughed a little. "They realized they could find me anywhere…" Claire stopped. "And… I'm… I'm sick of running…" She frowned, trying really hard to not cry again.
Dareon sighed and came up behind her. "Maybe you won't need to run anymore. Eventually. Maybe I can help you find someplace to hide. Someplace you'll be safe." He wrapped his arms around her stomach and placed his head on her shoulder. "And until that happens, I'll protect you with my life."
Claire's gut tingled, and she sucked it in. "Well, I–" She leaned back onto his own shoulder. "I… They always manage to find me…. No matter where I go…." She glanced over at the sky, expecting a helicopter to come over the horizon any second. "… No matter where I go, no matter what I do…"
Dare worried. She was starting to get jumpy. "Come on Pretty Lady. The outdoors seem to be making you anxious. Let's get back inside." He took her hand and gently tugged her towards the door back into the hospital.
Her heart jumped when he called her another one of those names. "…Alright then…"
They returned to the hospital, which really nagged upon her. She expected to stay outside for more than fourty seconds, yet she also didn't want to get easily caught. Claire went to a couch in what used to be the waiting room and sat herself down. Her stomach growled, but she did her best to mute it with her hands as she hugged herself.
Dare was really worried now. Did he do something wrong..? When heard her stomach growl he ran to go grab some of his food for her. He came back and meekly offered it to her, his worry and guiltiness written across his face.
Claire took it and told him thank you. She was about to eat when she caught a glimpse of his face– it was strangely contorted, and she just hated to see him like so. "… You can tell me if I screwed up…" Claire said quietly. "I… I tend to do that often…"
Dare wrung his hands. "No. no. You didn't… I'm just worrying I did something wrong to… make you upset…" His voice slowly toned down to a hoarse whisper. "I'm worried I… that I messed up again…"
Again…? It wasn't really adding up. "I'm always paranoid…." Claire said, quietly confessing. "…It always manages to worm it's way back into my train of thought." She leaned back a little, zipping her jacket halfway. "…It's not your fault."
Dare just nodded and walked over to a corner of the room, flopping down and curling up, hiding his face. She didn't need to see him like this… What if she was lying? What if he really was the trigger for her paranoia?
Claire felt a little like crying. But, she ate half the food he gave to him before standing up and approaching him. She got down and hugged Dare tightly, returning the favor that was a bit long overdue. He was just so warm and comforting… Why couldn't she be that way too? "Don't be sad…."
Dare looked up when she hugged him and spoke. His face was streaked with tears.
"Dare…. Why are you so sad…?" Claire wiped his tears with her thumb, stroking his cheek softly. "I– I understand you're upset….. But… I'm always like that. I have been since the day they told me…." She rested on him. "I can't loose you…"
Dare started wiping his eyes with his dirty sleeve, pushing his cheek into her hand. "I'm sorry. I-I… I'm just so scared… scared I'll mess up again… Afraid that if I start to- to love again, the people love will get killed…" his broke broke and started sobbing into his arms. "I don't think I could…. cold handle that happen… happening again…" His shoulders shook hard.
All Claire could do was hug him tighter. It'd just be the same situation with me…. The people I love will die… Because of me… She leaned against Dare. "….We're all afraid…."
She was giving him her warmth and care when she could've sworn she heard a faint rumble…
(Oh noes….)
(Oh dear… what was that?)
Dare just curled up into her arms, trying to stifle the sobs. He wrapped is arms around her. "All afraid is right." He nuzzled his face into her neck, wanting to feel her warmth.
(Oof the deeeevil himself….)
Claire could tell that he was clearly asking for a kiss of some sort– but that was just her overly romantic mind acting up again. He wants you to kiss him… Just look!!! She ignored it, and continued to calm Dare down the best she could.
It wasn't seconds later before two royal henchmen exploded through the door with guns in hand, barking maniacally. "Let go of her!!!"
Claire screamed, unintentionally letting him go.
Dare immediately snapped to attention when the door burst open. He flipped to his feet, shielding Claire and drawing to pistols from inside his jacket, aiming them at the soldiers. "Excuse me, I don't take f***ing orders." He shot two warning shots next to the guys' heads.
group
Clovis hears the men, and without thinking about it takes App and pulls her close, even though she's asleep.
Claire. It's okay. She'll be fine. That guy's got her. She acts like she knows him.
**
Molly angrily stands, growling.
I HATE YOU AAAALLLLLL
She loads and cocks her sniper again, very, very angry now.
"I'll wring that guys neck myself. Just cause he's the only one here I'm allowed to kill."
She angrily shoves her hair behind her ear and fumes for a moment before quietly walking out, staying close to walls and not being seen.
App's eyes flutter open slightly, having been only half-asleep. She looked around blearily. "W-what was that..?" she grew frightened and curled into Clovis, shivering.
group
Clovis glares at the room around him.
"The people that are after Claire. They're here." He quietly mutters.
Don't go out there, Clovis. Don't you dare do it.
App buried her face into Clovis' chest, shaking. "Not them. Please. Not them…" Her eyes were wide, blank, and staring as she mumbled it over and over again.
