voicemail;

[anequal]

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[anequal]

Still. I'll take pictures of the sky for you -- I think that'll feel like a window.

[He starts moving around, not touching anything but looking around her room to find somewhere nice for the photo.]

[phoenix_temple]

Whatever you want. [There's a big spot above her bed that she doesn't have anything on.] I appreciate you're doing it at all...

[anequal]

It's the first time I've been asked for something like this. It's kind of exciting.

[phoenix_temple]

Hopefully it's not the last. If you end up all over the world, I want photos from where you go, too. Those don't have to be professional. I'd just like to see.

[anequal]

... You want to come with me, to some places?

[phoenix_temple]

[For a second, she lights up at the idea. She opens up to answer that she'd love to.

And then she thinks of the practicalities. The money, the danger, leaving her mom for an extended period of time. And her face falls immediately, though she still smiles.]

I don't think I can leave my mom for that long. It would be nice, though. If I could.

[anequal]

[He blinks. And thinks.]

Your mom can come too. It won't be immediate. My grandparents want me to try out college at least -- I need to graduate and save up more money, too. So in the future, if your mom gets time off, we'll go somewhere nice. And affordable. Gift from me to you two.

[phoenix_temple]

[She takes a moment, considering it in her mind.

It'll probably never happen, so it can't hurt to answer.]

My mom never gets time off, but--maybe this summer we can go to the beach. It's a compromise, right?

[anequal]

A beach? Of course! We'll go there this summer, first plan.

[And then he goes a little quiet, watching her.] You still think I'm contagious?

[phoenix_temple]

[She giggles a little, turning red.]

I know you're contagious. First you made me crazy, now you're making me want to spend time with people.

It's really all your fault. And it gets in the way of spending all my time watching movies and babysitting.

[anequal]

Well. That was sort of unplanned.

... But you know. I'm kind of glad. I like spending time with you.

[phoenix_temple]

I like it too. [She holds her hands behind her back, looking at that blank section of wall.] It's easy, when we're not fighting.

[anequal]

We don't fight as often anymore.

Hey, Anais.

[phoenix_temple]

What is it? [She blinks at him.]

[anequal]

Do you want to go out somewhere next week? We get school off.

[phoenix_temple]

I'll be at my dad's, but I think I can work something out.

Just... not the subways again.

[anequal]

No, no, not the subways.

I'm thinking like the mall. Watch a movie, get lunch... you know?

[phoenix_temple]

[Oh the mall. That sounds hip and teenagerish.

Which is to say Anais likes the idea.]

Is there anything good playing?

[anequal]

I don't know. We'll go and see what's playing and choose together. It's my invite. It's on me.

[phoenix_temple]

Huh? No way, I can pay for myself. [She has some money >8|]

[anequal]

I know you can. But-- [He steps over to her, nudges her gently with an embarrassed grin.] It's a date. My invite. It's on me.

[phoenix_temple]

[Anais burns absolutely red.] Date?

[anequal]

[Oh my god why would you do that he has to look away a little too, turning pink.]

W-well yeah.

[phoenix_temple]

[Because date specifies more than friends and she can barely friends.]

... Don't do this because of my mom.

[anequal]

I'm here tonight because your mom invited me, but I'm not inviting you next week because of her.