defeat

[Arden Patricks]

((Lol... bit. Kind of like what you just said there....))

I smile weakly, wondering if he's honestly trying to make me feel guilty at this point. I guess I can't much blame him.

[Riley Pearson]

[ lol... and I'm not sure what, but that's good then lol ]]

I didn't particularly want to make her feel guilty, everything I was saying just ended up coming up that way. I wasn't pressuring her or anything. I smiled a bit back and let out a small sigh. I didn't know what else to say.. and I felt like she was being especially untalkative today.

[Arden Patricks]

I really should probably go," I say after a moment, staring at the table. "I... don't... can't... I don't know."

[Riley Pearson]

"I'm not keeping you here Arden.." I said quietly, watching her stare at the table, shaking my head faintly at what she was saying. "Sorry?" I asked a moment later. "You don't know what?"

[Arden Patricks]

"Anything?" I shrug, laughing slightly. "I can't think right now, I'm sorry."

[Riley Pearson]

I laughed a little bit and smiled lightly for a moment. "That's okay." I said shaking my head a little bit. "I can't think either."

[Arden Patricks]

Probably not as bad as this, I think but don't say. I really just should've left already.

[Riley Pearson]

I sighed slightly and just then I heard my name getting called from the hallway. "One of your patients is asking for you." The receptionist called out from the doorway of the tearoom. I nodded a bit and let out another sigh before looking back to Arden.
"I gotta go.." I said with a faint half smile. "But um.. I'll see you later then?" I asked a moment later just getting ready to stand up. Maybe she would actually hug me today.

[Arden Patricks]

I look up, startled, and nod when I finally register. "Oh... yeah. See you later." I say it automatically before really thinking, but have the sense not to clarify it with a 'maybe' or anything like that. I get to my feet then even though he hasn't, and wait for him to follow suit.

[Riley Pearson]

I stand up a second or two after she does and nodded slightly at what she said. "So am I allowed to hug you today?" I asked with a small, still slightly tired looking, smile to her.

[Arden Patricks]

"Was planning on it, actually." I smile faintly back, pulling him into a hug.

[Riley Pearson]

I smiled. "Good, cos I probably wasn't gonna let you leave till I got one." I said with a faint chuckle hugging her back when she pulled me into a hug.

[Arden Patricks]

I don't blame you, I think. If Riley was talking like this, I'd... I don't know, strongly consider following him around for a bit. Unless I maybe didn't hint as much as I thought I did.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" I say when I reluctantly let him go. "And get some damn sleep."

[Riley Pearson]

That was strange. Funny out of all the things she's said to me today, I think that the weirdest thing was her telling me to take care of myself. She usually didn't say things like that to me. At least not to my memory at the moment. Something was just strange about it.
I nod slightly anyway though and smile slightly, "Yeah.." I started looking back at her after letting go too. "Don't worry about me. And I'm planning on it." I added a moment later with a soft chuckle. "You take care of yourself too.." I said a moment or two later.

[Arden Patricks]

"... Yeah," I nod after a moment's hesitation. Nice how that phrase is so versatile and can mean so many different things. "So... see you then." I smile faintly.

[Riley Pearson]

Something still felt weird. And I couldn't pin point it, but all of a sudden, I didn't want to let her leave. I knew I had to, but I really didn't want to.
"Yeah.. I'll see you.." I said with a faint smile back. "Soon.." I added after a short moment. I was about to walk away, but I turned back to her a couple moments later. "You know, I love you, right?" I added, looking back to her again, finding it weird to be stating something like that, but I just couldn't shake this weird feeling.

[Arden Patricks]

"Love you too," I nod, grateful to him for saying it first because I kind of wanted to but... couldn't. It would be too weird, I think. Too out of character. "Are you all right?"

[Riley Pearson]

I smiled a little bit when she said it back and nodded. I hesitated at her question and shook my head faintly, trying to think of an answer. "I, um.. yeah." I stated after another moment. "Just.. feel sort of weird.. This whole conversation seems really.. final sounding." I tried to explain, rubbing the back of my neck for a moment.

[Arden Patricks]

Oh. I wonder why that might be? I bite my lip, then shake my head. "Go... see to your patient. I'm fine."

[Riley Pearson]

I shook my head faintly, "They can wait a few minutes.." I said as I noticed her bite her lip, still finding her answer slightly odd. Especially since I didn't even ask if she was okay, I just commented on the conversation. "That's sort of why I feel like it isn't.."

[Arden Patricks]

"What, because I'm fine?" I ask, shaking my head. Dammit, go away now... please.

[Riley Pearson]

"No.. It's because I didn't ask if you were okay.." I said with a small shrug, slightly quietly. That sort of sounded ridiculous when I said it aloud. "I'm sorry, maybe I'm just.. out of it a bit.. I've been here too long."

[Arden Patricks]

I silently thank whatever gods are on my side then, smiling faintly at him. "Yes, and you worry too much. Go... finish your shift I guess and then get some sleep."

[Riley Pearson]

I smiled a little bit, "I can't help it." I said with a small shrug and chuckle. I just worried, a lot. "Only a few hours left... since it's been nearly nine already." I said with a small chuckle again. "But yeah.. I'm looking forward to both of those things."

[Arden Patricks]

I grimace slightly, then shake my head. "Well, try not to, all right? Worry so much. I'll see you later."
Unless of course I don't, and then he'll be kicking himself for not pressing it. Dammit.

[Riley Pearson]

I nodded slightly, "I'll try not to.." I said letting out a small sigh. "Yeah, see you Arden." I added, smiling at her again before starting to walk away, even though I would really rather stay here with Arden. Cos now I was starting to feel sick as well, and I wasn't really sure why.