(no subject)

[likesthestooges]

Ever since the bookshelf had given Aidan a copy of Leaves of Grass he had been spending most of his free time at home reading it. He had always liked Whitman, finding the man good company and an excellent poet, if a bit misunderstood. Reading his book was a little like reconnecting with the man, something he appreciated on the island. It was like connecting with some of the better parts of his life from before.

He wished that he could have something like that from here if or when he went back. There were more good memories associated with this place in the short time he had been here than there were in almost all the hundreds of years he had lived back on Earth. He'd have to settle for just enjoying it as much as he could while he was here.

Comments

[whatiwant]

"I would," Henry said, without hesitation. "Unlike you, I wasn't trying to get away from it. But I'll manage. Guess I don't really have any other choice, but I've spent enough time being miserable. I don't really want to keep that up here."

[likesthestooges]

He should have been. Aidan took someone with a good life, who could have lived happily, and made their life hell. Henry didn't see it that way, but it was the truth all the same. Henry was a regret of a different sort.

"I hope you find some happiness, Henry, I really do."

[whatiwant]

Many years ago, Henry'd thought he'd found the path to happiness. Turned out, he'd only found part of the answer. The other part had taken him eighty years to discover. "Thanks, Aidan," he replied, and he meant it. "I appreciate that. Who knows, maybe being stuck here and being human will end up good things."

[likesthestooges]

"At least it can't turn out as badly as back home did," Aidan said.

He still hadn't asked exactly what had happened with Henry, but 80 years ago he lost the woman that he loved and his son. That was the second time it had happened to him and it hadn't been any easier than the first.

"We're together again."

[whatiwant]

"That's for damn sure," Henry agreed. Without Mother and Suren around, the possibilities for what could be just seemed a lot better, even with the downside of what they were having to deal with. "And I'm really glad about that. I spent too long in hiding, I'm glad it's over."

[likesthestooges]

"I'm glad it is too," Aidan said. He knew that back home it was far from over, not with the shape he arrived in, but they could take what happiness they could get here.