Lines

Date/Timing: 8 March 2006
Setting: public library; Berlin, Germany
retcon of "White Lines"
.
Motion at the edge of Hermann's vision.
He glances up as Dee slides in across the library work table, smiling warmly. 
„Sorry I'm late.“ Slips off his coat, hangs it on the back of his chair. „I had a /raging toddler who wouldn't sit still for her jabs until I recited half of /Peter Rabbit, complete with silly voices.“
Hermann snorts a laugh. „Was that part of your training?“
„I /wish.“ Leans back. „Anything for me today?“
Hermann slides over an envelope.
Dee tucks it away into the satchel on the floor beside him. „You're already into the tropical pattern?“
Hermann shrugs.
„I'm sorry it has to be like this.“
„We're dealing with it alright.“ Hermann scratches at the long, thin scars hidden by his jumper sleeves. „He's still writing, at least.“
„No kidding,“ snickers Dee, offering a thick envelope patterned with fluffy sheep. „He should probably be paying book rate for these.“
Hermann snaps it from his hands, tears it open.
- Hermann!
What the hell, mate? You're worried about a couple of little /scars? You could turn bleeding /purple and sprout horns and only speak Finnish and I'd /still be in love with you. -
Hermann wipes his eyes.
- I'd learn Finnish, Hermann.
/Finnish!
Scars.
Pfft.
You could always take a page out of Trinity's book. She used to cut and, when she stopped, she had these /amazing halberds tattooed over the scars, all the way from her wrists to her elbows. Seriously bad-ass.
If I wasn't such a wimp, I'd love to have something like that done. Not the cutting, the tattoos.
But if you want to have some inking done, I'll be there to hold your hand. I don't faint at the sight of blood. (Unless it's mine)
So, yea, I'm not giving up on seeing you again.
So don't /you give up on me unless you find someone better. Or get sick of me. Just don't preemptively dump me, alright?
Deal? -
"Deal," mumbles Hermann.
„„What was that?““
„Nothing.“
- O! Or we could make up a story about the scars! You said it looks like a wild animal got at you, right? You could tell people you wrestled a tiger! Or fought off a serial killer! -
Hermann chuckles—
„„Anything you can share?““
—waves, 'later'.
Dee snorts.
- Think of the possibilities, Hermann! Think of them! -
Hermann sighs happily, flips the page.
He works to burn every word into his memory, dreading reaching the last line, when the echo of Edan's voice in his head would go silent.
But it inevitably comes:
- 463 and counting.
With all my heart,
Edan 
Manchester
3 Mar. '06 -
Hermann lets his head fall back, breathes deeply a few times, then rereads the entire thing. With a shaky breath, he nestles it in its envelope and pushes it back to Dee.
He accepts, then gently hides it away with Hermann's note. „Would you like to join me and Sabine for dinner?“
Hermann checks his watch, shakes his head. „Father's expecting me downstairs in ten minutes. You should probably go.“
Dee heaves a sigh, stands. „I suppose you're right.“ Threads himself into his jacket, picks up his satchel. „Is there anything I can do for you and Bunny?“
„We're fine right now. Thank you.“
„This really stinks, Manny. I'm sorry.“ Dee runs a hand through his hair. „I wish—“
„It is what it is.“ Hermann heaves himself to his feet, fights his way into his coat. „At least you found a way for us to keep speaking.“ Shoulders his bag, takes hold of his cane. „At least I still have a friend.“
„You can make more—“ 
„I'm not going to risk it.“ Hobbles around the table, heading for the lift. „Besides, I have Bunny to keep me company.“
Dee frowns, matches pace.
Hermann pokes the call button. „I appreciate what you're doing. You're in a difficult spot—between us and Father.“
„It's not /nearly as tough as the one you're in.“
Hermann shrugs as the lift doors slide open.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Berlin (setting)
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Dietrich
Category:Dietrich (ficlet)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Bastien (mention)
Category:Sabine (mention)
Category:Conversations via snail mail
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Celestial Mechanics
Category:Libraries
2006 03 08