Nekoholic

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil laughed, and flicked the back of his head lightly as he said, "Oh, come on, don't be that way. There's enough sadness between the two of us to knit a sweater made of tears." He shook his head. "Besides, I'm being manipulative right now. I am playing one of the most horrible cards in existence just to get something that I want. Multiple things that I want, actually. And I'm not even ashamed of it, either. That makes me, like, a double horrible person. So just...don't feel bad right now. This isn't supposed to be karma coming back to bite you in the ass or anything."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

"That's fine. Take as many breaks as you need," Basil said. He was quiet for a long moment, enjoying the silence of the mid-afternoon; if they were lucky, they wouldn't experience any encounters with the local wildlife. Due to all of the human activity in these parts, they tended to steer clear of the trails and the remnants of the paved road system, but it was wise to expect the unexpected. He then said, "Thank you, Jace, for doing this for me. I know that it's a lot to ask for and that it's...well, it's pretty stupid. I won't sugarcoat it or anything. But nevertheless, thanks."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil laughed, flushing lightly as he said, "It's an aquarium. Well, it was an aquarium, at least; of course, there aren't fish and whatnot there anymore. But I've heard visitors in the town talking about it for years now, but never got the chance to actually go there, so...I don't know, I thought it might be a neat sight to see. I mean, if it seems too dangerous, then we should definitely go back. I don't want you getting hurt or killed over it."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

"Yeah, I'm fine," Basil replied, glancing around at the town. Honestly, it wasn't much; it had started out as little more than a bar with a couple of beds thrown in, so that people on their trade routes could have a place to bed down for a couple of nights. Still, despite the houses being made of patchwork tin and building blocks, and all of the stores crooked, it was more than most had. It was home. "So, um, I actually had a particular place in mind. If you don't mind a little bit of a walk. It's really not far from here, I promise, but..." He trailed off, not really knowing how to explain himself.

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil smiled, and was about to climb onto his back when he hesitated. He hadn't expected Jace to actually agree to this risky, absolutely ridiculous request of his; Jace was about as worrisome as his dad, and that was saying a lot. Not only that, he'd imagined this to play out...differently.
For the last couple of years, Jace had been that friend that he'd thought he'd been okay without; before him, there were only chores and books. He'd embraced the knowledge of the old, without realizing that there was so much to be learned from the people around him. Perhaps it hadn't been entirely his fault. After all, most here weren't willing to accept him. In the last few weeks, a few had dropped off baskets of food or even spoken with him, urging him to get well soon. But that was only the conjuration of guilt. It wasn't genuine concern for his health and happiness. It wasn't anything like the misery that his dad and Jace felt. Not that he wanted them to be sad, but...he wanted to be missed, however selfish that sounded.
Jace was deserving of a greater title than "best friend," one that had been secretly bestowed upon him a long time ago. But he wasn't going to mention that now, for it wouldn't serve, well, anything. It'd be empty. No, it'd be hollow. It'd be there, but it'd only ever be a void for Jace to look into after he was gone, wondering why in the world he had waited only until it was too late to mention such things. Or, in a worse situation, he'd hate him for it. No, if it was only to pretend, then Basil would take this single night and treasure it for all and more than it was worth. It'd be their special night, just the two of them and the stars and other romantic things that he wasn't good at thinking up.
Finally, he sighed softly and situated himself upon Jace's back, wrapping his arms around him in as tight a grasp as he could muster. He then asked, "Are you sure about this, Jace?"

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Clearing his throat, Basil said, "I've been stuck in here for weeks now, Jace, and I know that Dad would never let me, but...would you be willing to take me out? Please? We don't have to go too far out past the walls, but I never got to see much, and..." He clenched the fabric of the bed sheets underneath his fingertips. "I hate that I couldn't experience more of the world. How Mom described it, it always sounded so pretty, when you got past the gore and such. I understand if you won't take me, but I thought I'd ask, anyhow. I don't have much left to lose, after all."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil snickered at that remark, not having expected something like that from Jace. He then fell silent, but eventually said, "I...I did have something serious to ask of you, though. If you'll hear me out."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil's smile widened just a little bit, and then he said, "Please, tell me that I appear awful today. I feel that if we just put it out in the open, then you'll finally look at me. And like, not just above my nose or to the side of my face, but actually at me."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Basil smiled when he saw the candy, accepting it with a weak hand. "Thank you, Jace. It means a lot." They were even his favorite flavor; he wondered how much they cost him, when he struggled to even have enough for himself... He then cleared his throat, staring at Jace for a long moment, he looked more nervous than the first time they'd gone out beyond the town's walls together. "Hey, Jace, could you do me a favor? It's just a little one. Will only take a second, I swear."

Atomic Rain (Fallout)

Kyle sighed and said, "A week, at the most. The medications are just losing their effect, and for the last few nights that he has been awake to take them himself, Basil has been refusing them. Jace, I know that he likely does not discuss it with you, but he's aware, more so than we have allowed ourselves to even be. He knows that his condition is...um, worsening, and he insists that he doesn't want the medication anymore because it only makes him feel more poor, and..." He rubbed at the lump in his throat, gritting his teeth before he finally continued, "And he insists that it's a waste. A waste of supplies that others could use, instead. And...it's what he consciously decided for himself, and I know the truth, and as much as I hate it, I'm going to abide by his wishes to the best of my capabilities. And according to him, doing nothing is the best course of action at this point. He's...always been smart. I should have known that I couldn't hide anything from him, especially not something like, like this." He gestured frantically with one hand, then clenched it into a tight fist, his knuckles becoming white from the pressure of bone against skin. "I'm...I'm sorry, Jace. Um...I'll leave you two alone for the next hour or so. I just...wanted you to know, um, what you needed to know."