FPE Impetus AU: Grading

*The princess awakens. She checks the watch left behind on the counter. 1:00 PM.  She went to sleep earlier, yet she somehow slept longer. There's a slight frustration, but ... she feels well-rested. Its been years since she felt as though she wasn't tired. * *For 20 minutes, she just sits with her thoughts. They're so much clearer than usual. Reconsidering Oliver/K's request is the last thing she thinks of. She wants to make it up to them, but she's not going to go back on her word. * *... * *She remembers the pillow that Oliver/K gave her earlier. One of the few gifts, (That wasn't food) that was useful. * *She always stays alone. Sitting in a pitch-black room without interaction. Its been this way for years. It always made the moments when she got to hang out with Oliver/K more meaningful. * *...* "Is this comforting?" *...* *∆lice gets out of bed and opens the door. She walks through the dark hallway and reaches the living room. Oliver/K sleeps on the couch. She turns on a light switch, prompting Oliver/K to open their eyes. * Oliver/K: *yawn* Sorry. I spent too much time drawing. Morning ∆lice. ∆lice: I ... considered the places you wanted to go yesterday. ... I won't be changing my mind, but I did think of somewhere else we could go. Oliver/K: Go on. ∆lice: My door should have the installed today. I'd ... I appreciated that pillow you gave me, so, ... I wouldn't mind if we decorated the room with a few items.  Oliver/K: awww. Thanks. Let me get some things. *Oliver/K exits and enters multiple rooms, putting objects into a bag until finally returning to ∆lice. Well ... not before telling Connor that they're going to leave. * *∆lice holds Oliver/K's hand and she teleports them directly into ∆lice's room. Oliver/K opens the bag. * Oliver/K: I picked a bunch of items. Art, photos. Oh. I also brought that rabbit plush. ∆lice: *∆lice grabs the plush. It's condition shows. It's covered in stiches and blo*d. Small amounts of mold cover its ear. * You kept it? Oliver/K: Of course I did. I know you love eating the rabbits I give you, so I kept this in case I couldn't get you one. I tried to keep it in good condition. Sorry. ∆lice: ... I'll keep this here. What are the photos? Oliver/K: It's just pictures of me and you. *∆lice looks through some of the photos. One features them on their first date. One features them graduating. One of them is of them celebrating Oliver/K's surgery. * "Which one to pick?" She thinks. ∆lice: Our first date photo only. Too many will make things feel a little crowded. Oliver/K: Okay. Oh, I also brought you this. *Oliver/K unfolds a blanket painted completely black. * When your done sleeping, you could cover the other stuff with this. Watch. *Oliver/K throws the blanket on top of the bag, causing it to blend into the room. *  ∆lice: ... Thanks. Oliver/K: ... ... ... hey ... do you think we can talk? ∆lice: ? Oliver/K: I get that you want to be alone. I stay alone sometimes. But ... not for as long as you do. Not for days on end.  ∆lice, ... is there something wrong? Am I doing something wrong? ∆lice: Nothing's wrong. I just can't handle ... that. Them. Oliver/K: Why? Why are you uncomfortable? I ... I want you to be happy. If I know what's wrong, I could make things better ... or I could try. You trusted me to be with you. You trusted me to slow my aging. You trusted me to care about you. Why can't you trust me with what's wrong? ∆lice: ...  ... You have been making things better. Ever since I met you, things have only gotten better for me. Oliver/K: I guess you have. That's probably the 1st compliment that wasn't backhanded. ... I'm not saying that you're lying, but I feel like there's something you're not telling me. ∆lice: I don't know why you're even asking what's wrong. We both know. We both want to forget it. So ... let's just stop. Sit. And just be each other's company. Sitting in silence. Oliver/K: I ...  *The door opens. Miss Grace stands there. Her expression remains the same. * Miss Grace: ∆lice, *Miss Grace walks over and hands over a key. * this is yours. make sure to keep the door locked as much as possible. Oliver/K. I "appreciate" your compliance. *Miss Grace leaves. * Oliver/K: I ... I guess that's fine. Would it be okay if I showed you some of my art? ∆lice: ...  ... fine.