𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞

ix; the universe.

the grab and bag stood tall in the distance. the bright neon lights shined brightly in the night sky, casting a red glow around the parking lot.
dani could recall her father taking her and nate here when they were younger to bond. he would get off of work and even if he were exhausted he would go home to pick dani and her brother up before they drove here—to pick out whatever snack they wanted, and then they would go back home to watch movies and laugh.

simon tugged dani toward the back pharmacy room "come help me bring them out." he told her, taking the girl out of her memories and thoughts.
dani glanced up at the boy "oh, sure." she muttered, following simon into the back room.

the boy in the blue sweater pulled away from dani's grip, leaving the girls hand cold as he searched through the shelves.
he pulled a pill bottle off of the shelf and read over the label "yeah this should work." he muttered to himself, holding it out for dani to grab onto.

dani quickly took the bottle from simon, holding it in her hands as she followed him quietly with him piling more bottles into her arms.
simon rushed through the small aisles, throwing whatever he could into dani's arms before he turned around toward the endless supply of epi-pens.

to dani, simon looked like a child told he could get whatever he wanted in a toy store. the rush of excitement on his face let dani know he was more than excited to help out in the best way he could.
simon glanced over his shoulder, opening his mouth to tell dani something when he stopped. a frown pulled down simon's lips and he rushed over to the girl "dani, what happened?" he balanced holding all epi-pens in his right arm as he gently cupped dani's cheek with his left hand.

"this is it?... isn't it?" her eyes glossed over the pills "this is the end." dani glanced up into the taller boys eyes and her throat started to ache. she couldn't hold her tears back. her eyesight became blurry as her eyes were blindsided by tears.
"i-" dani's voice cracked, her achy throat making it hard to speak her feelings "i-i don't want.." she took in a deep breath as her tears became worse, spilling down her cheeks at an alarming rate "...to die..!" dani finally admitted, the pills in her arms rattled slightly along with her cries.

simon frowned shaking his head adamantly "no!" he sternly told her. dani shook her head, refusing to take in simon's words. the realization she most likely wouldn't make it through the night, especially with their new plan, had finally hit her and everything had just come crashing down. the plan would mean dani had to put her life in danger. she agreed to do it but fuck, she hated this plan.
simon didn't know what to do with the crying girl in his arms. she wouldn't listen to him in a state like this, so he did what he thought would help—he kissed her.

the taste of salt from dani's tears and a twinge of menthol hit simon's tongue, however he couldn't care less. it was dani he was kissing and it was dani he was comforting.
their lips had molded together for a couple of seconds, dani's wails silenced by simon's lips. after a moment the two pulled apart, both of their lips glistened under the cheap lights from saliva mixed with dani's tears.