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The clunk of tape sliding into the VHS-player has felt like a death sentence amidst the silence of his apartment. But Dylan hasn't backed down.
It took him five minutes of the footage to regret his decision.
Zoe was right. He shouldn't have watched it. Not now.
He was just getting over the fact that his sister sacrificed herself for him, exchanged herself to save his life and got into the coma for only God knows how long - and now all the weight of the world came down on his shoulders even heavier.
Dylan was afraid that hatred would drag him away. Like before. But there was nothing. Just pain. Pure, crystallized, piercing.
Once he became a full-fledged part of the Bureau he began to understand Darling’s actions. But it didn't make the weight easier.
Dylan partly forgave him for all those grueling trainings and experiments - it seemed like a truly vital necessity for them at that hard time - but Roberts… that unthinkable abuse almost everyone chose to overlook, Casper first and foremost.
“I pushed until you broke.”
Yes, Casper. You did.
At those words tears leapt from the gray-blue eyes before he knew it. To keep watching it was unbearable.
Dylan doesn’t try to hold it. He lets it flow freely down his cheeks.
As time goes by, it doesn't get any better. The tears are not gonna stop.
The moment he thinks it's finally over, another wave washes over him.
He's not gonna make it alone. He doesn't have to.
“Zoe, you there?” he chokes out, his voice shaking terribly.
“Y-yeah.. Yes I am!” she hurries to answer after a slight delay, “Oh.. what's wrong? Did you…”
“Yeah, I did. You were right, Zoe. Once again,” he utters, swallowing his tears.
“Shit, I…” she trails off, unsure about her words.
“Where are you now?” Dylan asks after a long pause.
“In the Oldest House. Submitting my reports to Pope. Almost done,” she rattles it off in one breath.
“Go to the rooftop. I'll meet you there,” his sobs go quieter but it’s still there.
“No problem. Over and out,” Zoe hangs up and there goes static.
Stepping out of the elevator, Zoe looks around and finds no one in the vicinity. She can only hear researchers’ chatter somewhere in the distance. And, oddly enough, here’s no guard at the entrance. Someone’s gotta get a penalty for leaving the post. If their supervisor finds out, of course.
Time is passing. Faden is still out of sight. She calls out his name and silence is the only answer. After a while it starts getting on her nerves. Worried and frustrated, Zoe’s pacing back and forth, with her hands locked behind her back. She peers around the corners - still no one. Zoe could reach him through the radio, but she doesn’t want to rush him now.
What if he changed his mind? What if.. he’s trying to off himself while I’m here? Waiting for nothing. The anxiety gets the best of her, painting worst-case scenarios.
Fuck. No. Dylan said he has something to live for, right? He has me. He can't…
As walkie-talkie finally appears in her hand, she hears a voice making her jump and nearly drop the radio.
“Look up. I’m here,” the hoarse voice calls to her, making the woman snap her head up. And she can see nothing. Just a golden sky.
“The other way,” - a tearful chuckle comes from behind.
Turning around and raising her head she finally finds him. Dylan is above her. Literally. Standing on the wall above the elevator.
“Jesus!” she gasps at the twisted perspective, “I’ll never get used to it.”
It looks like he’s gonna fall right onto her. Zoe knows it’s not gonna happen but it still gets her every damn time he does the trick.
Dylan waves her up. Invites to join him in shadow. And she comes to him. Zoe hates the gravity shifts. It makes her dizzy. But she'll do anything for her friend.
As soon as she reaches him, Dylan rushes to her and throws his arms around so hard he almost knocks her over. He hugs Zoe as tight as he can, buries his face in the trenchcoat, and lets loose. Не just needs her warmth. Needs her to be here. Be here for him. And she knows it.
Hugging him, she closes her eyes and begins to stroke his violently trembling back without a single word.
Dylan is desperately clutching at her as if she’s his lifeline. And she really is the one.
Zoe feels his pain - it flows through her as she soaks up its particles. Her shoulder is gonna be all wet with tears, but she doesn't care. She is happy to be by his side. No matter what.