Going to collect my pup

[citizen_hugo]

I feel like humming. Walking down the road with a bounce in my step, heading towards this new cit's house, the one that kindly looked after Elijah while I was unable to do so, I feel so calm, so relaxed, as if this is a new me almost. And in so many ways it is

Comments

[subserv_elijah]

*Aaron and I are taking care of the laundry when I hear the doorbell ring, and I start right off to answer it.*

I'll get it.

*I say and make my way over, then open it, politely greeting the visitor.*

Hello, may I...

*When I look up, I nearly swallow my tongue and choke on it, seeing Hugo standing there, smiling and chipper, and suddenly everything comes to a screeching halt. I freeze as our eyes connect, not moving or saying a word, dumbfounded. Brendan. I need Brendan. Where is he? Or Aaron. Or somebody. Oh god.*

[citizen_hugo]

*I'm pleased to see that he's being a good serve, answering the door as he should and I smile genuinly down at him*

Hello pup! I'm glad to see you're being an obedient serve, very good. Now, if you'd like to go and get the citizen who kindly looked after you, I'd like to speak with him.

[subserv_elijah]

*My eyes don't leave Hugo's, and I remain transfixed another moment, before nodding and turning to go get Brendan. I go first instead to Aaron, my face contorted and on the verge of tears. No. Too soon. I can't leave yet. Not now. Not ever.*

He's here!

*I force out, trying to contain my fear and emotion, but I know Aaron can see every bit of how I'm feeling right now.*

I can't! Don't let him take me. Please... don't let him take me from here!

*I know there's nothing Aaron, or Brendan, for that matter, can do though, and suddenly I'm starting to feel woozy as my breathing increases.*

[subserve_aaron]

*Oh god, no... no... not now, please not now.* Lijah! *I immediately drop the clothes I'm holding and wrap my arms around Elijah, smoothing hair back from his forehead and kissing him.* Oh god, Lij, I... I'm so sorry, oh god... *I hold him tighter, feeling tears start to run down my face. This isn't real... this isn't real... this can't be happening...*

[subserve_aaron]

*Holding my breath, I press Elijah against me, frantically trying to think of a way to get us out of here. To get as far away from him as possible.*

*But I know it's useless. I know there's nothing we can do. There's not even anything Brendan can really do. I feel like I'm dying-- I don't think I can do this. I don't think I can keep going if I know he has my Lijah. If I know he's-- touching him and hurting him. It would be different if he were a good Cit. It would be horrible, but it wouldn't be like this. I feel like I'm going to retch.*

Oh god... *I whisper, unable to keep it in. I can't look Elijah in the eyes. If I do, I'm going to fucking lose it.*

[subserv_elijah]

*I know he's trying, but Brendan's efforts are all for naught. I hear that recognizable tone to Hugo's voice, and understand - he isn't leaving here without me, and now I'm a bad serve to him as well.*

*Slipping arms around Aaron's waist, I press my face to his neck and whisper quietly to him*

Just hold me... as long as we've got. So I can try to remember you.

[subserve_aaron]

*My gut clenches when I hear Lij's words. God... I'm never going to see him again. I'm never going to see my love again.*

*whispering* Oh Lijah... *I hold him as close as I can, breathing in his scent and supporting his weight.*

[citizen_hugo]

*My face darkens, eyes dangerous but an eyebrow is slowly raised*

Really now? And what else has my dear serve been telling you of me, hmm?

*Sneering, I shake my head slowly at your request*

No. You have no idea how long I've been waiting to get Elijah back and now that I am finally able to see him again I will not waste one day of him saying goodbye to his so-called 'friend'

[subserve_aaron]

*I'm clutching Lijah as closely as I can, sobbing into his hair. I can't stop shaking, and I feel like I'm a moment away from throwing up. Brendan enters the room -- looking angry and upset and despondant -- and I know. I just know. I've lost him. I want to fucking die, right here and now. I don't know what I'll do when he's gone. I don't know if I can go on.*

[subserv_elijah]

*I hear someone enter the room, and feel Aaron stiffen and turn to find Brendan comning in. Looking up, expectantly, myself, I can see by the expression on his face that he isn't happy. This isn't good. Not at all. I'm leaving. Now. I know it. I have to look away a moment, not ready to face Brendan yet. I suck in a deep, shuddery breath, pulling myself together. Brave. I have to be brave for Aaron. I don't want this to hurt him any more than it already does. Finally I look back at Brendan, my gut wrenching, and wait to hear what he has to say.*

[citizen_brendan]

*Looking at you both, my heart breaking at your expressions, I shake my head and take a deep breath before I start to explain that I tried to lie about Aaron not being here and wishing for you to stay one more night so you could say goodbye, about the paperwork and all the attempts that I did to stymie this and the coldness of his voice when he said that he didnt care about that. I leave out the rest of what was said.*

Elijah, he wants you to come with me. He...he wont take no for an answer.

[subserv_elijah]

*My eyes connect with Brendan's and just stay that way a few moments, reading all the emotion and troubled disappointment there. He tried. At least he tried. And I know this is where I belong, with a Cit who actually cares about me, but obviously there's nothing to be done about it any longer.*

Thank you... for trying. *I say in a barely-audible whisper as I look away again, then gently push Aaron away from me and slide down off the washer. I slip down beside him, then glance up briefly, not able to look into his eyes and see the pain harbored there.*

I look past Aaron and to Brendan for a moment. Extracting myself from Aaron's arms, I walk past him, past Brendan, my eyes down, and go to the bedroom to gather my things.*