Ronan: To the Moon and Back

10. Confessions Off the Chest...Literally

TW: Warnings: The reality of Children Hospitals, and the emotions it comes with

Raelyn is rushing, stuffing her camera as carefully as she can into her ripped bag, and almost locking her keys in Charlie. She promised Ronan and some other children that she'd read to them during play time, but due to an absurd amount of traffic she is running late. A little frazzled, Rae speed walks into the the lobby, bypassing someone to her far right on the way in without much thought. It isn't until she's at the front check-in counter does that thought hit her. Realising who she passed, she doubles back through the automatic doors.

Still in the same spot, leaning against the wall and looking like a model that just walked out of a Gucci ad, is Zayn. The late afternoon sun is hitting him just right, casting shadows to stretch from his side. There's a lit fag dangling between his elegant fingers, flicking away some ashes. Those black boots with those dark jeans and that black sleeved, white shirt with the batman man logo, looks good on him. Naturally, Rae can't help herself.

Her fingers itch for her camera, falling victim to them and taking it out of her bag. Once she locks the lens, she silently raises the camera to her eye, popping off the lens cap and twisting to zoom in just a bit. She snaps three shots in a row, and waits for Zayn to bring the cigarette to his lips. He does after three more seconds, and Rae fires away with the shutter. She quickly switches her settings, and then take consecutive shots as he blows out smoke between his lips. Rae lowers her camera and slings the strap around her neck, finally making her way over to him.

"Zayn?"

He turns his attention on her, expression tense with tight eyes. She suddenly doesn't feel very brave coming over to him, feels a little intimidated in fact. Though she realises that she sometimes does the same thing, according to Kari, who's seen it several times over the years. She can come off as a little off putting as well. Rae swallows down her own bit of timidness to break through Zayn's.

"What are you doing out here alone?" She voices her curiosity.

"Smoke brake." Zayn answers with a shrug, flicking more ashes to the ground. "Needed it."

Oh, she gets it now; the undertone of emotion hidden in his voice. That look in his eyes that are a beautiful shade of amber, the look of helplessness that every person has when they step foot into the Hospice. Rae nods understandably, and leans against the wall besides him.

He eyes her suspiciously for a moment, before asking "What are you doing?"

"Standing with you so you aren't alone." Rae simply tells him. "Or, I could just pretend to be taking pictures of that daisy growing in the pathway. I sort of know how you're feeling right now, and as much as I am always alone, I hate it. So, it's your choice. I'm stood next to you for company, or here for that daisy."

From the corner of her eye, Rae sees Zayn looks over to said daisy, growing towards the sun between the cracks of the concrete. Like the flower is attempting to break free and defy all odds of its little self just to bloom. She hopes his thoughts are similar to hers; wonders how lonely it must be to grow all on its own, and hopefully will think that maybe a little bit of friendly company isn't so bad. Zayn studies her once more before silently returning his nearly burnt out fag to his mouth. It's quiet as he finishes, inhaling and blowing out smoke in long streams. He puts it out by the sole of his shoe, then stuffs it into the ash tray above the rubbish bin.

"Thank you." He says quietly, pushing himself off the wall.

"Yeah, no problem." Rae smiles at him. "It's chemotherapy day for half the kids."

Zayn sighs sadly, heavily. "Tough."

"I won't tell anyone if-"

"S'fine. They know I need it sometimes."