Wanna stay?

Having the kiss returned, Eli enjoys it even more. Slow and gentle he continues the embrace, pleased that Scarlet lets him lead. He hadn't been sure after she'd taken the initiative on most everything else. But when they were this close, he was seeing more in her than someone who had had her eye on him, checked him out, then had been determined enough to chase after him. Right now, in this moment, there was something softer behind all that. Something that was tender and almost fragile.

As Scarlet pulls away a little and comments about taste, he grins, though doesn't have time to respond before she's kissing him again. He deepens the kiss a little but not too much, and eventually it's his turn to pull away.

"So do you," he mentions softly. A smile plays with just the corner of his mouth. "But I wanna save something for next time."

Drawing back a little more, he reaches to tuck her hair behind her ear and stares her in the eyes once again. He cocks his head, his expression gentle. "There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?" His thumb runs over her cheek, touching her lips again, his glove making his touch just a little more rough.

Finally he lets her go, taking a step back, though his hand had found hers. "I'm gonna stay and watch the rest of the fireworks... wanna stay with me?"


Scott hears Hope's words and clings to them - his only lifeline to stay focused. He cringes as he tries to get his brain to work and he writhes with discomfort. But he manages as nod.

"Mm-hmm..." She'd still be here tomorrow.... and then the next day bring Domino. He missed his dog too. "Domino," he murmurs.

His grip on Hope's hand tightens even more without him realizing it. He was grasping for reality as the room seems to spin. His breathing is shallow, his pulse still rapid.

"You have to... have to bring a toy... and.... and her leash." He knew Hope already knew these things, but it was the only thing he could think of to respond to. And each word that was uttered, each new thought that he formed, shoved the data back one step further.

Trying as hard as he could, it was almost like trying to wake up when in a state of half-sleep... where one could tell reality was just within reach, but it could be so hard to come into a state of awareness. The sensation was similar and Scott grits his teeth to fight it. He was scared. Exhausted. Angry. His emotions swirled within him. He needed what was real... what was real.

Letting go of Hope's hand, his palm slides up her arm to her neck, then her face. His fingers were trembling, but this was the most real thing he had - her voice... her presence.

"I love you," he whispers.

His body shudders as with a jolt, the data releases its hold. Gasping, Scott's eyes fly around the room, finding where he was and silently reciting what day it was, how he'd gotten here and who he was. His heart thumps in his chest and his hand drops from Hope's face, still leaning into her, his head near her shoulder. Though shaking all over, the brief storm had passed.

"I can't..." he gasps. "I can't... keep doing this. You're right... I can't do this anymore."