Forever Until Now
Chapter 28;; Let Go
"I'm willing risk my life to keep the magic alive. Though it's a pricey gift to own, it's… a wonderful one. That magic you used to bring me back? I want to keep magic like that flowing through the hands of a capable magic cat."
"Oy, Teaze!"
"Yeah, Jer?"
"Do yah think Mac's got here yet?" Mungojerrie blinked hopefully at his friend. They were still lost – the Chardir's home was apparently a very, very huge place. Either that or they had no sense of direction whatsoever.
"Whoi do yah ask?" Rumpleteazer responded in an irritated fashion, clutching her stomach. She was so hungry.
"Cause maybe 'e'll foind us and get us some food," Mungojerrie grumbled, his stomach growling.
"So… this is where you've been hiding, huh? Chardirs make you nervous?" Macavity gave a low chuckle as he stalked onto the scene, a limp, slimy fish dangling from his fingers.
Rumpleteazer could've kissed him.
"Oh, Macs! We've been so lost!" she gasped, rushing up to him. She stared at him with huge doe eyes and he laughed and chucked her the fish. She waved Mungojerrie over and the two of them literally tore into it.
"I was wondering what the pair of you were up to… anyway, your job is done. I sought you out so I could give you… this."
Rumpleteazer completely lost interest in her meal as soon as her eyes caught the glitter of the pearl necklace swinging from Macavity's hand. She literally lunged for him, eyes aglow. "Oh Macs, oh Macs," she blabbered excitedly.
Mungojerrie thought that Macavity was very clever to have figured out Rumpleteazer's love of all things shiny. Very clever indeed.
And… he was even cleverer to have realized that if Rumpleteazer wanted something, Mungojerrie would stop at nothing to get it for her.
Macavity handed Rumpleteazer the necklace. "Well, now you can go home." He said this as a command, even though Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had intended to do just that anyway.
"Thanks, Macs," Rumpleteazer said graciously as if he'd just given the necklace as a gift rather than a reward.
"We'll be going," Mungojerrie said gruffly, grabbing Rumpleteazer's arm. "Um… where's the way out?"
"Just head down that path and always turn left," Macavity instructed, turning and walking back to where had come from.
"Le's go now, Teaze," Mungojerrie sighed, tugging her along. She stared at the glittering necklace in her hands, mesmerized.
"'Ang on a mo, Jer. Could you put this 'round moi neck?" she asked, smiling.
"'Course." Mungojerrie took it from her. He couldn't help but admire the way the pearls glimmered… but it was for Rumpleteazer. He himself would've sold it, but if Rumpleteazer wanted it, she got her way. Sighing again, he carefully placed it round her neck. She let out a squeal.
"Jer, do Oi look good?" Rumpleteazer did a little twirl, giggling.
"Beautiful," Mungojerrie said, smiling. They laughed together and finally headed home, hand in hand.
"So this is where they've been keeping you, huh?"
Victoria started as an unfamiliar white cat entered the den. For the time being, they'd left her alone – even Macavity. She needed time and space to think.
"You're Aly's little sister… am I right?" The white queen tilted her head to one side and sat herself on the end of Victoria' bed. "I'm Chantelle. Head of the Scouts."
"It's nice to meet you," Victoria mumbled. "I'm-"
"Victoria. Like I said, Aly's little sister."
"Oh!" It only just struck Victoria that the queen was referring to Alyana. "I… I really am, aren't I?" She hadn't really thought about it before, but it was true. She was Alyana's baby sister.
"Lucky thing." Chantelle sighed deeply. "You were the one they loved. Alyana? She's never been cooed over. Her mother and father didn't care about her… Macavity treated her like dirt… she only had one friend."
"Who?" Victoria asked, trying hard not to feel guilty.
"Me." Chantelle gave Victoria a wry smile. "Even then, I doubt she cared about me. She was determined to rebel against the Chardirs, that queen. I just… I wanted to help her."
"Why did she hate her home so much?" Victoria glanced around. "If I'd been given the choice, I wouldn't have left." She spoke somewhat spitefully.
"No one paid the slightest attention to her – ever. She had a lot of talent with flowers, coaxing them to grow, but she tried to show her mother, her father, her family, her so-called 'friends' – none of them bothered even looking. They told her she needed to grow up and start doing something useful. Otherwise, they threatened to sell her off." Chantelle laughed bitterly. "They rarely sell cats that are useful to them, and Alyana proved to be anything but useful."
"Oh…" Victoria made herself small. She felt as if it was all her fault.
"Alyana became bitter. She never bothered learning anything or trying anything new – she sat alone with her flowers, wishing for a way out. Sometimes I would sit with her. I liked her flowers – they were so pretty. A shame no one cared about them. She told me a lot of things, once she came to trust me. She told me she wanted to be sold away just to 'get out of this god-awful place'. She wanted to do some rebellious that would shock the tribe." Chantelle frowned. "I don't think she ever did do what she intended to…"
"But she left the tribe…"
"Yeah, but she wanted to make their blood boil. Her leaving? They weren't really too bothered. Anyway, Macavity came along and she saw her chance in him. God, the King was not pleased with her. She flirted openly with him, desperate to make him love her. And for a while, we thought he did. He said, 'I'll take her back with me'. But… for some reason, he took you instead, leaving her shattered."
Victoria bowed her head. "She must hate me…"
Chantelle shook her head fervently. "You know what? I don't think so. She was… fond of you."
Victoria spluttered. "I doubt that!"
"No… really, she adored you. Everyone did. You were the sweetest little thing. I think it was… you paid attention to her flowers, Victoria. You thought they were lovely, as I recall."
"I… I did?"
Victoria sat at the edge of a flowerbed, blinking and smiling. Not even Mother knew she was there – she was probably going to get in trouble, but she did so want to see those flowers.
"You like them, huh?" Alyana sauntered in and sat right beside Victoria, making her jump.
"O-oh! Um… I'm sorry, I… I'll be going now," Victoria stammered, giving Alyana a frightened look and rising to her feet.
Alyana held up a paw. "Wait… why are you acting so frightened? I'm not a monster. I'm just your big sister." She began to laugh, and warily, Victoria sat back down again.
"It's just… I thought you didn't like me very much," Victoria said ruefully. "You were… very frightening the other day."
"I'm sorry." Alyana dipped her head. "If you like, you can have one now. A flower, that is."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. I think it would… be good if I could do something nice for someone for once." Alyana chuckled. "Um …you do like them, though?"
"Oh, they're…they're soooo beautiful," Victoria gushed, looking over the stunning array of flowers with glowing eyes. "You're so lucky that they grow for you."
Alyana couldn't help but smile eagerly. "I know! But… no one seems to appreciate it. No one cares. They tell me to get off my lazy ass and do something useful, but whatever. One day, this entire place will be made beautiful and color-filled with my flowers and… and they'll thank me." There was a fierce edge of determination in her eyes. "So, take one, Victoria, and look after it… perhaps you could help me spread it?"
Victoria, only understanding half of what Alyana was saying, just nodded. "Sure."
"…I remember." Victoria glanced up at Chantelle. "She adored her flowers, didn't she? They were her life."
"Her sole place of peace was among them," Chantelle confirmed.
"Where are they now?" Victoria asked. "The flowers, I mean… I'd like to see them."
Chantelle's lips quirked. "They're doing just fine. I could show you, if you wanted. Are you able to walk?"
Victoria swung her legs off the bed and unsteadily stood up. "I think I'll be fine," she said finally, shaking off the pins and needles. "Let's go."
Still smiling, Chantelle led Victoria out the den. The younger white queen let out a gasp at what she saw. "Th-the flowers… they're everywhere!"
And so they were. All over the place, vividly colored flowers nodded in the breeze, peeking their heads up from even the unlikeliest of places. Without them, Victoria imagined that the place would be very boring – plain bricks and stones. The flowers gave it all color and life.
"You know, they sorta remind me of her, those flowers. They began tame – cooped up in their little flower box. And then when she escaped, they began to spread, free. Wild. They're just like her, don't you think?" Chantelle said. Victoria nodded silently, sadly.
"Never did they get a chance to thank her for the beauty she left behind," Chantelle said quietly.
"Are they thankful, though?" Victoria asked warily, worried about the answer she was about to receive.
Chantelle turned to face Victoria with grave eyes. "How can they be thankful to a queen they've completely forgotten?"
Victoria returned to her den, ushered in by a couple of worried medics. They fretted over her, even though she insisted she was perfectly fine. Eventually, they left her alone again. Chantelle had left to do her duties and Victoria found herself wanting to talk to someone.
What am I meant to do now…? Can I… can I go back to the Jellicles…? Do I WANT to?
Victoria didn't know. One thing she was sure of, though: she wasn't yet ready to forgive the Jellicles for lying to her about what she truly was. Not even Plato, for surely he had known.
In fact… the only reason he dated me was probably so that he wouldn't go crazy.
Suddenly, the thought of his vivid green eyes made Victoria feel like throwing up. The Jellicles had deceived her. They had fooled her into thinking that they loved her by showering her with affection, but really, the truth was, she was just an item to them. Something that could be bought and shipped over. Something that could be used – no more. She bit her lip so hard that it began to bleed.
"I thought that you loved me, Plato," she said. "I thought you were my best friend, Jemima. I thought you were my sister, Etcetera… no. All wrong. All lies."
And I hate them… I'll never go back there.
"Something on your mind, huh?" Macavity's voice entered her head easily, light and teasing. Victoria was used to it now – she found that she didn't really mind his company, funnily enough. She could really relate to him. The Jellicles… they hadn't cared about him either.
Yeah… I guess so. What am I meant to do now? Where am I meant to go? In her head, Victoria's voice sounded devoid of hope to her. She was truly lost.
"The Jellicles…?" Macavity offered, sounding reluctant.
No. I can't, I just can't. I don't…I don't want to ever see them again as long as I live.
"Ha! Can't say I've never felt that before. Well… why don't you stay here, then?" His voice turned into a sort of sneer. "You seemed happy enough to surrender to a pampered life of the Queen's favorite once again. To be… a spoilt little brat."
Macavity, please…don't say things like that. Besides…I've decided I can't do that, either.
"What? But why?"
Chantelle told me all about Alyana. The Chardirs are no better than the Jellicles. No good tribe would go into the business of buying and selling kittens. I… I mean the Jellicles when I say that, too.
Macavity was quiet for a long time. "You really are good inside, Victoria," he said finally. "I've always known, but… I dunno, I thought maybe I was wrong. You acted so stuck-up sometimes, I wanted to hate you. You and your precious, precious white fur. But you were all that kept me from…from exploding. Exploding all over the Jellicles. Destroying them. I suppose I have to thank you."
It's what I was made for, Victoria thought wryly.
She received another long silence from Macavity, and if not for the feeling of his lingering presence, she would've thought he'd disappeared from her mind. Eventually, the cat himself stepped through the entrance of the den, a stray smile flitting across his lips.
"I have a proposal, Victoria," he said carefully, seating himself on her bed. She sat up and scooted over so that they were sitting together.
"Mm?"
"You say you don't care to return to the Jellicles?"
"No… I can't forgive them," Victoria said, shaking her head forlornly.
"Nor the Chardirs?"
"They sold me away…there's so little love or emotion here, it chills me to the heart," Victoria said with a shiver.
"Then… you have nowhere to go?" Macavity's eyes were glinting with some strange emotion.
"I suppose not…"
"Then, why don't you do as you originally planned when you left the Junkyard?" Macavity suggested with a fierce grin.
"What… oh." Victoria clapped her hands to her mouth. "Go with you, you mean? I… I don't know, Macavity."
"Oh, come on," Macavity said cajolingly. "I saved your life, Victoria. I'd enjoy my company and I daresay you'd enjoy mine." He smirked at her.
"But… you ended up causing my death in the first place," Victoria argued. All the same, she wasn't about to write off his suggestion completely.
"Not really. If you think about it, you were dying anyway, what with you hanging out with Plato or Misto all the time." He spoke matter-of-factly, and Victoria couldn't deny it was the truth.
"We-ell… you took me away from the Chardirs!" Victoria smiled, thinking she'd come up with the perfect argument. Somehow, it had all turned into a game of outwitting Macavity.
"Deuteronomy's orders," Macavity chuckled, knowing she was beaten.
"Um…you're Macavity! Macavity the awful!" Victoria leant into him, giggling slightly and pushing his shoulder. He couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Is that the latest title, huh? Macavity the Fearful, Macavity the Mystery Cat… now Macavity the Awful?" He turned to her, lips still turned up in a friendly smile. It was an unfamiliar expression on his face to Victoria. "C'mon… do I look awful to you?"
Truth be told, Victoria didn't think so. A warning voice in her head piped up about the awful things he'd done in the past, but seeing his smiling face right then…
"Wait… it was you that broke Plato and I up!" she called out indignantly, moving away from him. She glared, a lot of things clicking into place. He stared, surprised.
"How do you remember – oh… cause you died." Macavity looked almost sheepish. "Victoria, you have to understand that it was for your own good. All that time that Plato was spending with you was in reality killing you. That green-eyed bastard could care less about you, trust me. He just wanted to be sane so as not to scare Etcetera!"
"Oh… really?" Victoria asked in a small voice. "Then it's true… my suspicions, they were right. He never cared about me."
"Maybe he did, just a little bit," Macavity admitted quietly. Victoria, shaking with unshed tears, leant her head on his shoulder.
"I did care about him, you know," she whispered. "That day he kissed me, I thought me were meant to be forever. And he promised me that, too."
"I wonder just how sincere that promise was?" Macavity muttered, staring warily down at the way Victoria was comfortably leaning into him. She's getting so close… and what happens when queens get too close to Macavity, hm? said a taunting little voice in his head. Abruptly, Macavity stood and backed into a wall. Victoria toppled over with a gasp, unable to stay upright with the sudden lack of support. She lifted her head up from the pillows and stared at him with wide, questioning eyes.
"You were… too close," he said heavily.
"What's wrong?" Victoria breathed. "Tell me…something's on your mind."
Macavity's face twisted and he lowered his head.
"You know, Macavity… it's almost unfair. You get to know my every secret and you tell me nothing about yourself in return." Victoria stood up and slowly made her way over to him. She touched his paw and added in a voice so soft that Macavity barely heard, "I'd like to know. About you, that is."
"Fine," he said hoarsely. "But it isn't pretty."
"We all know that," Victoria smiled ruefully. "But I want to hear anyway."
"I don't want to scare you off… but maybe that's best." Macavity took a shuddering breath. "Alright. Did you know I was… meant to be the Jellicle Protector?"
Victoria's eyes widened and she gasped softly – evidently, no, she hadn't known.
"Yeah, it's true. No one wants to believe it, but it is. I was their perfect, strong, kind tom… a lot like Munkustrap I s'pose, but better. After all, I had magic. What couldn't I do without my magic and my muscles?" His voice was so bitter that Victoria couldn't help but slip her paw into his and draw little circles on his clenched fingers. He sighed. "That was when she died."
"Who?"
"I can't remember anymore. After her death, I was asked to erase all memory of her. It was a difficult thing – her memory was imprinted onto a lot of cats. I'm afraid I didn't remove her completely – after all, I can still remember her. She was… a Chardir. Your predecessor."
"Oh." Victoria bit her lip in sudden understanding. "How… how old was she?"
"Young," Macavity answered shortly. Victoria sucked in a breath. "Anyway, after that? Every magic cat in the tribe – and there we plenty, believe me – began to slowly lose it. It was a dark time. Cats disappeared 'mysteriously' without a trace. Others preferred to go out with a bang – quite literally. In the end, I was the only one left. My father wanted to keep me around. He was desperate to make me Jellicle Protector, even though I was hardly capable. The other Jellicles? They thought him mad."
"Why… why didn't you just bring in another Chardir?" Victoria whispered, still rubbing his fingers.
"We wanted to, trust me," Macavity replied grimly. "But we couldn't afford it. Not until-" He quickly cut himself off. "Anyway, I did… some things." He shuddered. "I… was in a state of madness… the price of my magic has left scars on me. I'll never be able to be normal again. Do you understand? That's why… you should stand away." He spoke through gritted teeth.
Victoria shook her head. "Your magic won't affect you when I'm around," she said in something close to a croon.
"But it's killing you." Macavity's eyes flashed.
"I don't care. Wherever I go, magic is killing me. I just want to help you… you and your kind." Victoria blinked at him, taking his other paw into her free hand. They were huge in comparison to hers – the red completely covered the white. Only a white thumb slipped out to rub soothing circles on the back of his hand.
"That's a very noble goal," Macavity snorted. "But it's a stupid one."
"We have to take risks." Victoria's voice turned determined. "I'm willing risk my life to keep the magic alive. Though it's a pricey gift to own, it's… a wonderful one. That magic you used to bring me back? I want to keep magic like that flowing through the hands of a capable magic cat."
"I'd rather there be no magic than no you," Macavity admitted quietly, staring at the way her thumb rubbed his hand.
"Sometimes, you really don't act like it." Victoria stared at him imploringly. She knew now what she truly desired. When she thought of bliss, her mind didn't fill with emerald green – lustrous gold eyes always swam into view.
"You know why?" Macavity's eyes darkened. "I… I'm not meant to care about anyone or anything. They always… always get hurt. Demeter… Alyana… no one's safe from the 'wrath of Macavity'," he sneered.
"I'm willing to risk it," Victoria said, a cheeky gleam in her eyes. "Everyone has flaws."
Macavity gave a harsh laugh. "Honey, I'm just one big flaw. I couldn't possibly taint a cat like you." Without thinking, the word 'honey' had slipped from his mouth. It was a word he had only used with one cat beforehand…
"…Alyana, honey, come a little closer…"
"…Mind if I kiss you, honey…?
He shuddered. Now was no time to think of her.
Victoria tilted her head to one side, a knowing smile flitting across her face. "Then how about I taint you?" she snickered, throwing a pure white leg over his thigh. Inside, she was squirming with fear and anticipation, but she needed to show that she wasn't afraid.
I'm not going to lose control, I'm not, Macavity told himself. And then he gave a low laugh. "Surely that wouldn't be too bad," he purred.
Victoria hesitated before bringing her lips to his, but when they finally met, she knew that she had never felt better – ever. Not even with Plato. Plato's kisses were sweet, but compared to Macavity's, tame. Macavity's hands on her sent adrenalin through her blood. His lips set Victoria alight and she was blazing, blazing into fire. Gasping, she pressed closer, wanting more. Her hands clutched his shoulders – his hands lay on her waist.
Suddenly, Macavity pushed Victoria away, ears twitching and eyes frantic with wild desire. Victoria stumbled and stared at him, fingers clutching for him. He shook his head at her.
"Someone's coming," he rasped. "And I'm losing control."
"Shit," Victoria hissed, literally throwing herself back onto the bed and scrabbling to get under the covers. Her chest rose and fell almost violently and her eyes were huge, the pupils swelled. Macavity frowned at her.
"You don't look particularly relaxed," he informed her, gasping in between words.
"I wonder why, genius," she snapped, working on her breathing. She closed her eyes and laid her head back. "Meanwhile," she added, "You should get out of here."
He didn't respond. When Victoria opened her eyes, she found herself alone.
"I know where he is," Misto blabbered, eyes wide and excited. "I caught a glimpse of him – he was with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer!"
"Traitors," Electra spat.
Misto shook his head uncertainly. "They looked to be afraid of him," he said. "But… we'll have to ask them about this."
"And then we can ask them where Macavity is," Plato laughed. "Of course… you know, Misto, sometimes it seems you really do have a brain."
Misto opened his mouth to give an indignant retort, but Electra held up a hand. "Someone's coming," she said, narrowing her eyes. Moments later, Jemima rushed into the den, cheeks flushed and panting slightly. As she came in, Alonzo's scent wafted through the room, giving the other cats a distinct impression of what she'd just been doing.
"Oh," she mumbled, seeing the other three. Electra coughed suggestively. Plato averted his eyes. Finally, Misto spoke.
"Um… so you and Alonzo are back together, huh…?" he said awkwardly.
"N-no," Jemima denied. Misto rolled his eyes disbelievingly. "No, I swear! He keeps following me, that's all," she explained, sounding unsure of herself.
"Whatever," Plato said. "We're not here to discuss your love life, no matter how dramatic it is, Jemima."
"Ah!" Jemima's eyes widened. "Macavity! So uh, what's happening?" She blushed, knowing she was out of the loop.
"We're ambushing Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer," Electra grinned, rubbing her paws together.
"Whenever did you get so sadistic…?" Plato muttered, eyes glinting in amusement. Electra shrugged nonchalantly.
"Since I realized that it was time for me to drop my act," she snickered.
"So, uh… since you have it all figured out, what are we doing and when?" Jemima asked.
"Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer know all about Macavity, it seems," Plato explained. "We'll get the info out of them and then… and then we'll head off."
"Is that it?" Jemima's eyes widened. "What about when we get there? What then?"
"There are some things we just can't plan out, Jemi," Electra said in such a happy voice it was almost a coo. "We improvise."
"Loopy," Plato said under his breath.
"Barmy," Jemima giggled.
Everyone began to chuckle, doubling over in their little fits of laughter. No one really knew what was so funny, but it was a relief to laugh. The atmosphere lightened considerably.
That was when an accusing voice rose up from the entrance of the den. "What, are you talking about me or something?"
Everyone fell silent. In their glee, they'd completely forgotten about Etcetera.
She stalked in, fur fluffed up and eyes narrowed. If it weren't for the pure anger radiating from her, she would've looked cute. "Why is it," she snapped, "That I wasn't invited to this little meeting?"
"Etcy, we didn't plan this," Jemima said in a soothing voice. "We all kinda ended up here."
"You could've invited me," Etcetera shot back. "But no – I don't matter, do I? No one wants to remember me, because I'm only Etcy and I'm just an insignificant other. I know, I know…there's no need to completely throw it in my face." She bristled at them, claws raking the earth agitatedly.
"Etcy, no!" Jemima protested. "It isn't like that! It's just…" She trailed off.
"Oh yeah? It's just…? You forgot me, plain and simple. Don't worry, it's not that hard to do. I get it all the time."
Everyone was silent – they knew her scathing words held a grain of truth. They had forgotten her, and they really shouldn't have. Finally, Plato spoke up.
"Etcetera," he said stiffly. "I was thinking… maybe it would be best if you didn't come."
"What?" she spat.
"It's going to be dangerous," he said quietly. "Macavity has a lot of power. I don't think it would be best if-"
"I'm there to drag to down? Whatever! Don't you even remember? Bast, I came up with this idea." Etcetera's voice was wild. "I could've gone and done it alone! Goddamn, this is for Victoria. This is my way of finally getting peace – I need to avenge her death! Me! If someone else does it, I'll live in pain for the rest of my life!"
Silence again. They'd forgotten that it'd all been Etcetera's idea in the first place.
"Fine," Plato said. "Come… but I don't like it."
"Of course not," Etcetera said limply. "Cause I'm weak and useless and annoying…and for once, I just want to do something good but no, I'm going to get in the way…" Her voice was choked, her vision blurred. She shook her head despairingly and left the den.
The four remaining cats watched her go, uncertain of what to do. Finally, Electra thumped Plato heavily on the shoulder.
"What on earth are you sitting here for, idiot? Go after her!" In a low voice, she added, "She needs someone to tell her she's beautiful."
Plato closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah, you're right… thanks, Electra." And he was gone.
Only Jemima, Electra and Misto were left.
"So, Misto, how is it?" Jemima asked gently.
"Presumably bad," Electra put in.
"I wasn't asking you, Electra…" Jemima looked pointedly at Misto – he looked away. "You can tell me," she said gently.
"No, because I doubt you would understand," he muttered. "Jemima, look at you. Pounce was telling me all about the great kiss you guys had… and then you show up here with Alonzo's scent all over you? And now you're certain you can delve into my feelings and probably get a kiss for being so useful. What's wrong with you?"
Jemima cringed, eyes wide in hurt. "Misto," she gasped. "No… don't say that."
"I'm worried about you, Jemima," he said quietly.
She just shook her head and raced out.
"Just you and me, Cap'n," Electra drawled, sending him an emotionless look out of the corner of her eye. Misto sighed.
"Everything's going downhill these days," he said dejectedly.
"Chin up," Electra urged. "C'mon – it's not going to last forever. As if Deuteronomy would allow that! And my pain? I think it's about to end as well." Her lips twitched in a mockery of a smile. "And if it doesn't end? Well, I have no idea what on earth's left for me in this godforsaken place."
"I'll be there for you," Misto assured her.
"But is that enough to keep my feet glued to the earth?" Electra mused.
Plato followed Etcetera across the Junkyard to the very edge, where he found her alone and watching cars speed by. Her head swiveled as every car passed, her eyes following them attentively.
"Got nothing better to do, huh?" he asked as he sat beside her. She shifted away.
"Leave me alone, Plato," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the constant roar of the cars.
"I just can't," he said. "Etcy, I can't."
"Well then, I'll have to make sure you do!" Etcetera stood up and made to leave, but just in time, Plato caught onto her hand. She froze, facing away from him and his hold on her slackened. He was afraid of rejection. "Let go," she said.
"No… first, let me tell you something." Plato's voice wavered.
"…Fine." Etcetera stayed still, but she didn't turn to face him.
"I think… I think you're beautiful," he breathed. "One day, that smile of yours is going to kill me. I can hardly breathe when you look at me… and I… I… really like you," he finished lamely.
Don't they usually call that…love? Electra's voice mocked in his brain.
Etcetera was silent for a long time. "Thanks, Plato," she said finally. "Now let go."
And he did.