Rm 326, Saturday late afternoon through early evening

[fantastic_torch]

Johnny hadn't stayed at the Hotel last night. He had come home and slept in his own bed. Actually he had crashed because it had been pretty late.

This morning, he had showered, found something to eat, and came back to his room where he was planning on staying the rest of the day and evening.

He didn't need to see anyone or to talk about anything. But he wasn't in the best of moods and actually there was an ominous quality to his expression and manner of being.

Sitting at his desk, he was staring out his open window, his cell phone in his hand. He thought he might need to call Sue later.

[post is open but beware - he's growly]

Comments

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"I was feeling pretty okay until I saw that you looked like someone had taken away your favorite bike," she said quietly. "And why are you so surprised that I would be concerned about you?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I'm surprised that you look like you've been crying," he said tersely.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"It was stupid, is all," she said quietly. "Shit that I should have been over a long time ago made me cry like a weak wimp last night."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"It's not stupid if you cried over it," Johnny said. Swiveling his chair around to face her, he indicated that she could sit on his bed if she like with a jilt of his chin.

"Want to tell me about it?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

She sat down, looking at him.

"I'm not generally one to cry where people I care about can see it. I try to be strong and not cry so the people I care about know they can count on me... but this last week, hearing from Sean and then talking to him about how my Dad died... it just got to be too much for me, I guess."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"To cry is to be human, Savannah," he said low, searching her face. "It allows other people who care for you to know you are real and have emotions. Nothing wrong with it. Because you cry does not mean you are not strong."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Aren't I supposed to be making you feel better, not the other way around?" She gave him a faint smile. "I try to remember that, Johnny, but there are times that I feel that if I cry too much... people will lose faith in me." She was silent for a long moment. "Memories can be a real bitch."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He shrugged, "I'm in a mood." Then he shook his head. "That doesn't make sense to me. You cry when something bothers you, I don't see how someone can lose faith in that. I would see it as you being sensitive. I think girls should be sensitive to a point."

Johnny wasn't going to touch the subject of memories. His was still blatantly fresh in his mind.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah looked at him. "So... you wouldn't be bothered if I were to cry in front of you?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Of course I would be bothered, but not in a negative way, Savannah." He said, frowning. "I would care for you and hold you until you were all right."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"I believe you would do that." She nodded. "Would you allow me to do the same for you, then?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He snickered, "I don't cry."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Maybe not... but you do get hurt and upset," she pointed out.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Yes," he said. "I do."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Talk to me?" She asked softly.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny stared at her, her eyes, and reached out with his hand. "I don't want to talk."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah took his hand and stood up, then moved close and hugged him to her.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He hugged her and actually moved slightly, wanting to hold her in his lap.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah took the hint and let herself be settled in his lap, still hugging him and offering what comfort she could.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny pressed his face into her neck and held her close, his arms around her middle, and he inhaled deeply closing his eyes. "Thank you," he murmured.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome, sweetheart," she said softly as she held onto him, running a hand along his back.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Savannah," he whispered, "Will you stay here with me tonight? Just to lie there on my bed...sleep...let me hold you? Nothing more...I swear to you."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah thought about this for a long moment and then nodded slowly. She trusted him. "I need to make a couple of calls to let people know where I am and that I'm okay, but yes, I'll stay here tonight."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He hugged her tighter against him, nodding against her neck, "Thank you...I just need you, okay?"