[ dolph leans back a little, his palms pressed against the mattress behind his back. his long hair dangles over his shoulders. he didn't bother to tie it today. maybe he knew. there was something in the air. the timing of it all.

his one year anniversary. ]

A few months. Not long, I guess, if you measure it that way.

[ it felt long to dolph though. he's not used to it. having months and years. he was so used to days. fleeting moments in the dark. brief shining sparks in a life.

he shifts, sitting back upright. clasps his hands together, rubbing his thumb into his metal palm. ]

How was — [ livio? meryl? knives? where to even begin with that? it's not even the same livio, but dolph still hopes for the best. stupidly. it's stupid.

he shakes his head. ] — Nevermind. Sorry you're back here. I know you didn't want to be.

[ not here. not with dolph. ]