My eyes leave Aidan as he jokes about holding a human hostage. I don't turn back to him, my attention drifting to the kitchen a moment, my hand tightening around my cane hilt as I leaned against it heavily. The war Aidan spoke of had been so long ago, and it dragged back memories of a different man, someone who'd been so full of pride and power that he'd been blind to the danger that awaited him. Oh, what a fool I'd been then. The memory brought back the distinct smell of mold and wet iron bars. "Truth is, I think we both lost." My eyes shifted back to Aidan then, he seemed to be moving on again, his change of mood was agitating and hard to keep up with. He always left me in a such a mess of fury and pain, bringing up old memories with his drunken emotions, and then doing his best to be as violent and intolerable as he could to counter balance it all.

I watch quietly as he stands and moves to the bookshelf, he seemed to be looking for something, yet he was clumsily touching and moving things aimlessly. I took a few steps forward now, a mixture of anxiety and worry washed over me. I could never predict what he'd do, I could have books flying at me any second. Then he speaks to me again, this time he's pushed back the emotion and seemed to be gaining control of himself, though his expression was still pained, even if he wasn't aware of it. "I limp with it, the fastest I can." I laugh lightly, my body fidgeting a bit as I stared back at him. I didn't want to feel this pain, where he drowned it out, I did my best to laugh and remain as cold as possible. I had hardly finished speaking before he turned around to face me, the bible in his hand. I stared at it wondering what he was doing, my blue eyes moving from the bible, slowly back up to Aidan.

His words took me by surprise, the sudden humility was unusual, and I remained motionless and quiet as he spoke. I felt a bite of alarm when he mentioned laying low. I wondered who was after him, had they followed him? Who had he come across that would wish to turn against him? I stiffened as he walked towards me, and I made to ask him who he was running from, but before I managed to speak, he picked up again, answering my question and then some. Typically there would be a sarcastic response dripping from my mouth as soon as I sensed a chance for it, but this time I bit it back and sighed. So this explains why he's such a mess, yet again. I'm... sorry. I almost said it, but I faltered, my words trickling off into a look of pity and protectiveness. If I saw that woman again, I'd break her neck. Of course I am not even aware of how deeply my bond with Aidan has become, the fact that I would kill for him simply out of loyalty and devotion was a notion that was beyond my own comprehension. And in that inability to face the truth, I shut down yet again, and let my eyes fall to the floor. "You're in luck then. I happen to have a roof, and a spare room."

My eyes did not return to Aidan, instead I turned and walked to the kitchen.