Tattoos (For Hope)

[call_me_snake]

Snake got up feeling rather happy. He'd spent the night before working out his tattoo design. It was perfect or as perfect as it was ever going to get. He'd had breakfast and was was waiting for Hope to come down to see if she was interested in coming along.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I don't think you understand what getting a tattoo is like.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"Well I've never had one before Daddy, so no."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake got in the car. Worse than getting shot in some ways.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"Never been shot either." She climbed into the car next to him and relaxed back into the chair. "We could sleep and watch cartoons all day?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake started up the car. I plan on sleeping when I get back.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"Okay," she said softly and just settled down in silence.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake went silent too as they drove. It wasn't that he wanted to be but Hope seemed to want to be quiet.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

She looked out of the window, still in silence.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake drove for awhile longer. You alright babydoll?

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

Hope nodded slowly, "Yeah, just thinking."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

About?

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"Just old time, how silly you and I used to be togther. Playing hide and seek, covering one another in bubbles when you bathed me, cartoon time."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I don't think about that much anymore.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"You don't?"Hope looked over at him for a moment before looking back out of the window, "Do you wish I was still that little girl?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

You're my little girl no matter what. Snake glanced over at her. I don't think about it because I'm tired of hearing about it when you can be however old you want. If you want to be that little girl you can or you can decide not to. Lucky girl.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

She stayed quiet for a moment, "Oh." She'd not meant anything bad by it, just thinking of some happy memories.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Snake sighed after a while. I know it is how you are babydoll but it ain't easy on people who don't live it.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"It's not my fault, you make it sound like it's a blessing. Daddy, it's not. I'm going to out live each and everyone I love. Everyone, maybe even my kids too if I have any."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

I never said it was your fault. Snake sighed. I did outlive everyone I cared about once. Don't pretend like no one knows what you're living.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"Dad, I'm not talking one lifetimes people, I'm talking an eternity."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Yeah but they'll never die because of what you are. People live for hope... but too many have already died for me because of who I am.

[sinful-girl.livejournal.com]

"You think that makes it any easier? It doesn't. I know I am supposed to outlive you, but Billy, Cellena...everyone else I will ever meet. It makes you not want to meet people."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_call_me_snake_/]

Yes it should. Snake stared out at the road. I knew when I brought Xena home, and you, the rest of the kids, I knew I was bringing you to a place that might kill you. Hell they've almost killed Xena a few times now. At least you'll never be afraid to take your child to the park because someone will shoot them or be afraid to go and watch them at a play in school because they'll get killed. There are things just as bad if not worse in this world.