A Scripta

Providence, dressed in a long white shirt, opened the door. She looked up to see Masonry staring down at her.

"Prov," he said, and pushed his way in. He kicked the door shut, grabbed her and kissed her. "Now."

Afterward, he lay in Providence's bed, looking up at the ceiling, while Prov traced lazy circles across his chest with her fingertip. "Whyso forceful?"

"I needed to be sure." He hugged her.

She raised her head to look at him. "Speak unto me, sure of what?"

He smiled at her. "To be sure I could still love a woman."

"Truly so," she replied, and propped her head up by her elbows, which she rested on his chest. "Thy love for E-VAC weigheth heavy upon thee?"

He gazed at her. "He's dying, Prov. The radiation, it's eating him up from the inside. Him and Frosty."

Providence's face changed from stunned to something softer, as she watched Masonry's reaction.

"Cry, Nathan."

He shook his head and suddenly grew cold. "I'm not going to cry anymore. It doesn't help. I'll ignore it."

"Nay, Nathan, I know thee well. Thou hast a good heart, and a good guide. Thou canst not ignore thy emotions forever."

He snorted. "Star wants to talk to him. Everyone seems to like him better."

"Nay, I like thee well." She smiled and kissed him. He hugged her again.

"I don't know what to do, Prov."

"Be there."

He looked at her.

"If there is nothing thou canst do, merely be there."

"E doesn't want me."

"What of Frosty?"

He suddenly hugged her fiercely. "I don't know," he said, and caressed her head, lifting her face by the chin.

She put her head on his chest and listened to his heart. "Thou hast love for many, there art all kinds of love, not only this."

"I know."

"Thou loveth Frosty well?"

He whispered, "Yes."

"As E?"

"I don't know."

She raised her head. "Honest, at least. Maybe thy relationship shalt grow and then thou shalt know." She poked at his chest as she spoke, "Thou goest too fast!"

"I have to go faster, they're going to die. E seems to have some 'kids' fresh out of school who are helping him. They're doing experiments on him to try and heal him but they're making him worse..." He took a breath and it was like a sheet of ice covered him - his eyes grew cold.

Providence leaned back. "Nathan, feel."

"No." It came out as almost a growl, so flat and determined it was. "No more. I won't ask. Let them figure it out." Then he lightened up, "I'll be there for Frosty because I know he doesn't want his brother involved - and someone should be there. E doesn't need me. He's got what I wanted him to have. She'll throw money at him and take care of him. Besides, she hates me and..."

"Thou hateth her?"

He shook his head. "No. Angry that she can do something and I can't. That she can just buy what she needs and buy whoever she wants, and I can't even get in to see my best friend. That she can do stuff without Frosty or me. That she's ... got E."

"Thou art jealous."

He didn't comment. He pulled Providence close to him, kissed her deeply, and proceeded to deflect.