your l.o.v.e. is MINE for the tAkInG! (Echo)

[~echo~]

Rhea nodded and looked around in one of the bear cabinets, finding a box of crackers. She ate several.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He walked to the window again and peered out at the street. Still no signs of government officers or hunters. Good.

[~echo~]

As she continued to eat the crackers, the girl looked around the room again.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He pulled off his mask, just briefly, so he could get a breather. It was hot under the stupid thing. He stood facing the window, just in case she came back upstairs.

[~echo~]

Rhea decided to go back upstairs and keep him company and she walked quietly up the stairs.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He didn't hear her footsteps approaching. He might have, if he wasn't so lost in thought.

[~echo~]

She saw him and watched curiously. "John?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He stiffened at the sound of her voice. Through good impulse control, he didn't turn around. He didn't make a move at all.

[~echo~]

She repeated his name and walked a bit closer.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Stay back," he said harshly. Finally getting his muscles to obey, he yanked the mask on over his head.

[~echo~]

Rhea looked highly affronted but stayed back until the mask was back on. She crossed her arms. "Geez. Chill out."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"You can't know who I am," he said, his voice softening. He turned to face her. "For both our safeties."

[~echo~]

Rhea grit her teeth but sighed softly. "You've already established that."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Then you understand why it's so important," he said. He met her eyes. "I just want you to be safe."

[~echo~]

Rhea shifted uncomfortably and broke her gaze. "Yeah. Thank you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He swallowed, fighting back the urge that had welled up inside of him. He was several feet away from her, but he'd wanted to stride toward her and... He needed to stop thinking about that. Now. "I should probably leave you in peace," he said. "I'm sure you'd rather be alone."

[~echo~]

She looked at him, somewhat bird-like eyes calculating as ever. She shrugged. "If you want to leave."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I never said..." he trailed off helplessly. "Do you want me to leave?"

[~echo~]

Rhea looked at him, her face devoid of emotion. "I don't like being alone."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Then I'll stay," he said. His voice was tinged with relief, so subtle it would be easy to miss.