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Dylan missed the moment he fell out and into reality. One second he’s standing by his handler’s side, trying to grasp the meaning of her fiery speech. Another one – suddenly falls into a dull darkness. Then finds himself on the vast stone plateau. Dylan knows the place, the problem is – he doesn’t want to be here right now. A bit later – he’s back. And it feels like he’s been mentally dragged behind a horse. Miles after miles.
Opening his eyes and adjusting them a little, Dylan sees a worried face above him. Messy bob, dark brown eyes and extremely tight lips. The next moment realization strikes him – this is Zoe. And at the very moment she resolutely takes a heavy swing in his direction.
Dylan stops her hand right before his hapless face. Silence harshly falls between them. Stunned, the woman blinks a few times and blurts out.
— Whatta fuck was that?! – clenching her fist, she literally shouts at him up close, not even trying to hold her temper, – Could you warn me or something?! You dumbass!!
Dylan is so strangely zen-like at the moment. He quietly looks up from her lap. Trying to hide a curve at the corner of his lips. His cheeks are flushed from all the slaps she’s landed on him.
Gripping her by the wrist, Dylan gently traces his thumb up to the soft pad of her palm. He strokes it soothingly, peering right into the brown eyes – where tears are starting to gather.
— Hey, I'm okay now.. I've been okay all this time. I just fell out of reality a little, - he says quietly, holding his gaze, - Suddenly fell into the Gap…
— A little?! A little for 20 minutes? - Zoe flares up again, glaring at the man, - You just blacked out completely! That's what happened from my end.
— Sorry. I didn't see it coming.. Seems I have to learn how to control it better, - he mutters, finally looking away, - Maybe I need a medical checkup.
– Yeah, you do need a checkup! - she gives him an angry snort, - And you’ll get it when medics finally come to us.
Her breath is heavy and ragged as she tries to say something else, but her words are caught in a web of emotion, failing to find a way out.
A few moments later Dylan raises his gray-blue eyes at her again, guilt clearly written in them. He reaches his hand out to touch her cheek – Zoe bats it right away, shaking her head.
— I had no idea what was happening to my body at the time. Forgive me, Zoe, - he says slowly and carefully, - I mean it.
She squirms, trying to push him off her lap. Then stops.
Dylan watches tears tracing uneven paths down her cheeks. One after another. Slowly at first, then faster with every second. Before she knows it Zoe bursts into tears, shaking.
Maybe it's just a breakdown. From all the stress they go through every single day. Or from the fear to let everyone down and die – because Dylan is their only hope, as she said.
But he wants to believe it’s because Zoe truly cares about him and this is why she’s afraid to lose him. Such selfish but human desire.
Now he'd die a happier person knowing someone would cry over his cold body.
— Thank you, - Dylan lets it out, without elaboration.
Zoe tries and stifle her sobs, then looks at him dumbfounded.
He’s not even sure what he’s thanking for. But it doesn't matter. All that matters right now is the brown eyes, glittering with tears. And the warmth of her wet cheek against his palm.