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[unmakes]

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SALLY MALIK

TEXT + VOICE + VIDEO
(or even actionspam, i'm not picky)

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[nutsaboutscans]

Oh, you did, huh? [He looks up with a smile.] Well, don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.

[He looks down at Rhino.] You, too.

[unmakes]

[ rhino squeaks back at him, though whether it's because of his words or through sheer coincidence, the world may never know.

sally, meanwhile, says: ] Your secret's safe with me.

[nutsaboutscans]

[He smiles and leans over, careful not to squish the hedgehogs, kissing her cheek softly.]

Thank you, [he whispers. It's more of a 'I'm fond of you. Thank you for putting up with me' sort of thank you.]

[unmakes]

[ she murmurs back: ] You say that like it's hard. [ to put up with him, that is - because she knows what he meant, at least in vague terms. ]

[nutsaboutscans]

[He leans back, a resigned, sad smile on his face.] It is. I'm so messed up.

[He still remembers that list of psychological problems from the station's psychologist, remembers the way Stahl looked at him after his flashback, how he can't sleep because of the nightmares sometimes. That's too much baggage, even for a friendship, he thinks. He looks up at her, sincerely asking.] Why do you even put up with me?

[unmakes]

[ god john, way to break her heart a little. her head tilts, and she lifts both hands to the sides of his face to make sure he's listening. ] You're fine, okay? [ and while she has so many things she could say, that he's funny and sweet and actually cares and half a dozen more things, she settles on something theoretically even more persuasive. quiet and genuine: ] You make me happy. [ simple as that.

she lets go of his face now, but adds: ]Besides, literally every single person I care about is super messed up somehow. I'm a lot harder to get rid of than you'd think.

[nutsaboutscans]

[He's quiet, listening. The hands on his face make his heart skip a beat, and so do her words.

He smiles and shakes his head, looking down in hopes that she won't notice how pink his cheeks are.] I guess I'm just fitting in, then.

[A pause, and then] I care about you, too. Just so you know.

[unmakes]

I know. [ it comes out fond, not cocky. ] Why do you think I'm so hard to get rid of?

[nutsaboutscans]

I would never try to get rid of you.

[He smiles and goes back to petting Rhino.]

Well, I might if Stiles is with you. I bet you two are a force to be reckoned with.

[He's kidding. He likes Stiles in his own way.]

[unmakes]

Absolutely. [ not the least bit ashamed. stiles is a huge pain, but he's also like the brother she never had. (robbie was too much of a jerk to count, most of the time.)

rhino, meanwhile, is settling down very nicely in john's palm. guess who found a new favorite napping place. ]

He's not so bad, when he's not... y'know, embarrassing me or almost getting himself killed. He's had my back since literally the minute I woke up here.

[nutsaboutscans]

He seems like a good kid. Just don't tell him I said that.

[Okay he really likes the hedgehogs. He'll have to come visit them a lot. And Sally of course yes.]

I'm glad you have good friends here.

[John should really... make some more.]

[unmakes]

[ thought you said you weren't a pet kind of guy? you could've fooled sally. ]

Me too. I have no idea what I'd do without them. [ john included, by now. ]

[nutsaboutscans]

[He smiles.] Well, you're pretty special. We're lucky to have you as a friend.

[unmakes]

[ she raises her chin a little and accuses: ] Suck-up. [ her attempt to suppress her grin is going admirably well. ]

[nutsaboutscans]

Maybe a little. [He grins. He looks down at the hedgehogs.] You said they were buttons, right? That's amazing.

[unmakes]

Yeah - like coat buttons? They're actually still the same colors, just... y'know, in hedgehog form.

[ buttons gives a quiet squeak and abandons her napping spot, wandering casually down sally's leg, but sally's not too concerned. ]

[nutsaboutscans]

Hm. [He watches Buttons curiously, then holds out his hand, resting it on Sally's leg in front of Buttons. Seeming to realize that his hand is on her leg, he pulls it back like her leg's a hot stove before Buttons can hop on.] I, uh... sorry.

[He's still got Rhino in his other hand though; don't worry.]

[unmakes]

[ she gives him a look at his sharp reaction, some mix of amused and bemused, then scoops the hedgehog up with both hands. ] Here, I'll just... [ she releases buttons in john's hand next to rhino. the tiny hedgehog scoots up next to her slightly-larger buddy. ] Y'know, save you a heart attack.

[nutsaboutscans]

[He sighs, but oh the hedgehogs are so cute weh.] I didn't have a heart attack.

Just... trying not to be too forward.

[Petting the hedgehogs so he doesn't have to look at her while saying that.]

[unmakes]

You were reaching for a hedgehog. I'm thinking 'befriending woodland creatures' is about as harmless as it gets. [ calm down, john. it's not like she doesn't invade your space arbitrarily. ]

[nutsaboutscans]

[He frowns.] Don't make me sound like a Disney princess.

[I can't unsee it now. Grumpiest princess ever]

[unmakes]

What's wrong? [ then, teasingly, quiet but faux-dramatic, she sings: ] One daaaay your prince will coooome....

[nutsaboutscans]

[He bumps her shoulder with his.] You're incorrigible.

[Pause, and then he adds:] And my prince will come someday. Just you wait.

[unmakes]

Oh, I believe it. He'll show up at your space-dorm door and sweep you right off your feet.

[nutsaboutscans]

Exactly.

[He laughs and settles, watching the hedgehogs for a moment.

Now would be a perfect opportunity to tell her about the drug. He could confide in her and he could stop, stop these memories and sleepless nights and killer migraines.] Sally...

[He hesitates, then chooses not to.] I think they fell asleep.