mama , we all go to hell

The ODST is flicking open his lighter and clicking it back shut.

Something to keep his hands occupied, but he couldn't deny the temptation of a cigarette.

I'm not going to question this any further.

Huh.

Alright then.

Isn't that mutual enemy the Banished?

Right.

This certainly isn't strange or odd so I'm just going to ignore that.

Hi. I guess.

Just as a whole, it's something to be expected one way or another.

. . . Who are you and how do you even know my name?

Not too unusual for that to happen.

He's awake and chain-smoking.

Another cigarette to make him feel something outside of the numbness.

"Alright, cool."

Well . . . There wasn't much more to be said here, was there?

"I guess if you have any other questions, I'll be around."

The silence was definitely awkward, and he was thankful she didn't try to ask more about it.

"Was that the only question you had?"

That couldn't have been a more loaded and more dangerous question for the ODST to hear.

He looked her up and down, and wasn't quite sure what a safe answer would be. But from his own obersation . . .

"Not quite sure what that is, but I don't think it looks like you're wearing one."

Alright, sure, he'll lend an ear.

What's the question?

He followed closely behind and when they got to the room, he stepped inside and moved to sit down on the side of the bed.

He could tell right away that it was a relatively comfortable bed.

"It's really nice in here. Beats being surrounded by cold metal all the time."

Ramon would take her hand and push himself off of the couch and onto his feet.

"Thank you, I greatly appreciate it, Zee."

Well . . . It's not like he would be able to get up with her laying down on him.

"Would you mind showing me?"

His eyes fluttered open and he glanced back down at her, he couldn't stop the smile from forming on his lips.

"Are you sure you don't mind if I end up staying the night? I just want to make sure it's okay."

"I see. Well. In any case. I have to wonder how they would have fared against the Covenant."

"Even with out technology being advanced, theirs surpassed out own for a long time throughout the war."

"Maybe it would have made a difference. Maybe it wouldn't have. There's no way of knowing."

"I'll keep that in mind. I don't think you know just how much I appreciate this, but I do."

He let a soft sigh escape him as he closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"Well, at least where I come from, humanity has expenced quite a ways into interstellar travelling."

"What are you talking about with reds and greens? What kind of unit is that, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Well, he's stationed on the Infinity, same as me. I don't know if that falls into your area of space but that's the deal that we had."

"How many of our colonies would even fall into your sector? There's dozens of them now."

"For what being a Helljumper is worth, having comfortable fatigues is something I won't take for granted."

He leaned back into the couch, his arm wrapping around her.

"These are the best things to get back into after a drop, especially if it's been a long mission."

"I suppose so far, yeah."

As she moved closer, he felt himself tense up reflexively, though he seemed to relax once she settled down.

"Getting comfortable?"

He'd glance back down at her again, a slight brow raise.

"I like horror with a story too. It keeps you drawn in and engaged."

"Yeah. Back where I'm from, you don't see many movies that are like this, unless it's a parody."

"But I like those too. The meta jokes are pretty funny, I think."

He smiled down at her, feeling both relaxed and somewhat at peace for once. It was nice, he'd forgotten what it felt like.

Fair enough.

One of these days he might decide it's worth the trouble.

But for now, not yet.

"I'm liking it so far. I'm really digging the special effects."

It felt nice to simply exist and relax. No worrying about duties. No having to do busywork.

His shoulders loosened somewhat, his attention now on her as she looked up at him.

"Thank you, for this."

That. . . That just sounds like it is begging for trouble. And that's not trouble he wants to find himself in.

Fuck it, he'll bite. What are the other methods?

He's willing to give it a shot. He's not bothered by the cost of what could come of it.