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"Like I said, I’ to anyone I can take care of myself I’m no one’s responsibility, and what happened to me happened because of the choices Ito be at taking care of ht now if it wasn’t for this man and the one in the other room "I asked for Stark’s help because I didn’t have any other choice"

There was a noise from the top of the stairs near the entrance of the bedrooh narrowed eyes There was a glint on his glasses that kept the sharpness of the gray and blue hidden He cleared his throat and lifted his chin, "I wanted to see if you needed anything, and if you were ready to clean yourself up"

He shifted soasped and practically fell onfor the worn and tattered ca," the words whispered out, and I despised the fact that hotnothing

Nothing to weighto keep tidy and neat

Nothing I wouldthat I cared about

The handful of things that didlike it was

I got to the edge of the bed and swung outthe way, so for weeks Noas in a soft cotton t-shirt that ay too big and a pair of sweatpants that sed my entire lower half in fabric I didn’t want to think about either of theseme naked while I was unconscious, so I foolishly pushed to my feet and tried to take a step toward Stark and my stuff Immediately, the rooasped and felt my knees start to tremble

I put a hand out to catch ht me around my upper ar Booker was closer so I looked up to thank hiaze that ht line as he picked up the backpack froht me He set it on the bed next to me and looked me over with a tick in his cheek and his back teeth visibly clenched

"I don’t think you’re gonna et a washcloth and a bowl of water and undo what dae I can while you lie here" He took a step back, hands clenched at his sides as he looked down to where Booker atching us both with a speculative gleam in his eyes

"You don’t need to do that I’ up can wait until then" I really didn’t want his hands anywhere nearlately and I needed ti and it couldn’t wait because Stark grunted and asked Booker in a clipped tone, "You wanna shohere to get the shit I need to clean that dried blood off of her?"

I could have sworn Booker chuckled, but he didn’t really see type It was too uy who considered it blasé to describe his occupation as anything more than point and shoot He climbed out of the chair, picked up the plate and the eenius"