Day 265 - Friday, September 12th

[papalobo]

[A Chinese man who is definitely a mature adult and not a teenager checks in to the Hyatt, one of their more exclusive rooms, along with his half-white half brother who is also certainly not a teenager and most definitely not the notorious gang leader wanted on suspicion of a September 11th New York City bombing in retaliation for an angry rogue sect of anti-American zealots.

The entire suite floor has been rented out, and it requires a special key card in the elevator and on the stairs to enter that floor. But they can rent one of the still very luxe rooms directly beneath.

A familiar white limo is in the car garage, though the opportunity to gawk or investigate is slim, between the security cameras and live guards.

There's still no contact from Max, but the Department of Homeland Security has become involved, and has begun to enter Ash's territory with intent to arrest any known figures within his gang to bring in for questioning.]

Day 284, Wednesday, Oct 1st

Comments

[papalobo]

When'd you ever beg for anything?

[jadedlynx]

[ His face falls. Is he serious? What is Max hearing? 'Blah blah blah stay here so I can think about fucking Blanca blah blah blah?' ]

What the hell are you talking about? I was yelling it in your face.

[papalobo]

So not making myself another problem's the most you can expect out of me?!

[jadedlynx]

Make up your mind, Max. Is it so bad that somebody has to pay, or is it so small that the idea I'd feel better by 'being hugged' is so funny?

[ The two words obviously hold more weight than just a hug. ]

[papalobo]

Everyone's gotta pay! I've gotta pay!

[jadedlynx]

But not so bad that it makes sense I don't want to be left alone. That's ridiculous.

[ It's still a calm that's too calm. ]

[papalobo]

You're ridiculous! If you actually needed someone, you got two people who can do it better on speed dial, you think I don't know when I'm bein' told to go boil water while the baby's delivered?

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash just stares.

Even now, he says if. And 'if' he needs it, go to someone who isn't the guy he's living with. ]

[papalobo]

[That silence only makes him bristle further. It's calmer, but the anger's digging deeper, pressurized.]

Two days alone instead of calling in the guys who're better at it and out of jail to be there for you. But yeah, you need my gimp ass. I totally buy that.

[jadedlynx]

One. I got out of the hospital yesterday.

[papalobo]

Where the hell was I for you while you there in there, huh?

[jadedlynx]

Says the guy who won't be here for me now.

[papalobo]

I'm here! I'm gonna be here! The problem is, even here, I can't do anything for you!

[jadedlynx]

You talk about what I need! You're right! I don't need you! I don't need Blanca! I don't need Eiji! Even if I was alone, I wouldn't be slitting my wrists right now!

[ Finally, he snaps. ]

I could push it down and keep working! I've done it before! But pick a fucking standard, Max! You talk about wanting me to do more than survive day or day and then mock the idea that I'd need something after this!

[ It hurts. He's pissed. It hurts. ]

Am I not needing the right things?!

[papalobo]

Then get it! Get what you need! Stop pretending like you need me, just 'cause I need you to need me!

[jadedlynx]

I told you, I'm not going to stand on the porch and beg the guy I chose to actually date to do this. I'll handle myself. Just get inside of the house already.

[papalobo]

No, you get over here!

[jadedlynx]

Why would I do that?

[papalobo]

So I can fucking hug you! Or'm I not good enough for that after all?

[jadedlynx]

[ Suddenly, his shoulders sagged. Suddenly, his knees were so weak that Ash decides to sit down, right there, back against the house. ]

Let me have some pride.

[papalobo]

[Staggering a little in his gait as if drunk--that punch really had done a number on him, leaving him reeling and in no mental state to recover---Max starts to storm towards him.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Ash stands to catch him in case he does fall. He doesn't regret the punch; it was fair. ]

I don't need a fucking pity hug.

[ It was never actually about a hug. ]

[papalobo]

I wish I could pity you, you little shit.

[One hand goes to Ash's shirt, near his shoulder, the other into his hair, pulling him in to what's really more like a bad, drunken wrestling hold.]

[jadedlynx]

[ And Ash's hands are to hold me up. ]

I don't want your pity.

[papalobo]

Once I'm less pissed off about it, m'gonna have tons of pity. Pity you're too fucking stupid to've got this from anyone better first.

[Max grips him as if trying to crush him against him.]