OnePiecefan202-Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Lupin fan1-They have their similarities. And I am so grateful it's Jonathan who has to put up with Scarecrow, rather than me.
Voodoo-Mutant-Child-That poor character. He has my sympathies, he really does.
Decepticon-silverstreak-I know what he wants. It would make this an M-rated fic, so let's not go there.
AN: You get this early because Friday is a busy, busy day. Lucky you.
"Look."
Look at what?
"What."
"It's a rabbit."
So?
"Yeah."
"It's cute."
"That's nice, Kitty." Now will she go back to petting his head?
Her fingers resume moving and he closes his eyes again. He's exhausted. Being exhausted is the only state of mind that will shut Scarecrow up. Now that his cold is gone, the straw man has been chattering constantly. The first thing he's going to do upon leaving is find a decent psychologist and shut him up. After all, it's only another year's worth of sleeplessness.
It's going to be a long year.
"You all right, love?"
"Tired."
"Obviously."
Why did she ask, then?
Oh, never mind. He makes himself a little more comfortable. Her lap is not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it's better than lying in the dry grass.
"I meant other than tired. Is everything all right?"
No.
"Yes."
"You'd better not be fibbing."
"I'm not."
"If you say so." Why can't she believe him for once? Just one time, that's all he's asking. It's not as though he has a hole in his throat and is asking her to believe that he's fine.
She stops asking and he closes his eyes again. He's tempted to fall asleep, but then Scarecrow will come back. Sleep is out of the question. He'll just lie here with his eyes closed. Maybe that will be enough to stay awake tonight.
"Try to sleep."
"No."
"Jonathan…"
"No, Kitty."
"Fine."
Her fingers slow, but they don't stop. He stays still and waits for the lecture. It doesn't come.
They sit in silence for the rest of the afternoon.
Try as he might, his body gives out eventually. He's out cold by nine-ten.
"I told you there was nothing you could do."
Scarecrow slings his arm around Jonathan's shoulders. The feeling is scratchy and unpleasant and he tries to pull away. Scarecrow doesn't let go.
"You could share a little, you know. Let me get a look at things now and then."
"What do you mean?"
"Let me take a walk around, talk to some people. It'd be fun."
He finally does pull away. Scarecrow's face seems to frown at him.
"No." he says softly. "I don't think that'll work."
"Wake up, Jonny."
"What?"
"Wake up."
He starts awake. He can't see, but he can feel that he's standing. Is he sleepwalking?
Not exactly. I brought us here.
He's outside-he can feel the splintery wood under his toes. When did he come out here?
I told you to share. Didn't dear old Granny ever teach you to share?
"This can't be happening." he whispers. "I'm sleepwalking or something…"
So. Will you tell her or will I?
"Please…"
God, you're such a spoilsport. Fine. Take it!
It figures he would get the most annoying voice his mind has to offer.
Just because you've had your sense of fun repressed doesn't make me annoying.
He sighs and turns to go back in. It's cold out here and he's tired.
Are you sure you want to go to sleep? I could take us outside again.
He ignores that. He's not going to sleep, just go back to bed and rest.
You will tell her, though? It's quite rude to leave her in the dark about this.
So? She's left him in the dark about something important. Besides, she'll probably call the county asylum if she finds out.
Well, you'd better make nice to me, then. Seeing as we'll be cellmates forever and ever.
No. There's no way in hell that that's going to happen.
He makes himself comfortable on his bed and closes his eyes. He'll be fine. He has to be fine. He's been through too much to not be fine.