[He stuffs those bags back onto the bike, then takes a draw from the cigarette, grinning at the hint of strawberry. Does it mix well with the rest of that flavor? No, but who cares.

That grin fades slowly as she speaks, though he's still in good spirits, if slightly anxious with anticipation. He pulls her to his chest, and curls one arm around her while he takes the cigarette in the other, and for a moment he just closes his eyes and breathes in the scent of her shampoo.]

I don't think of it as bein' saved. I've gotten used to this, an' if this is how I've gotta stay, I'll be all right with that. But I'm gonna try, an'... I wonder if maybe you should, too. I know what happened to you is different, but what if it helps you too?

[It's risky though, and if they get their hands on any cosmic ash at all, he'd prefer to volunteer to try it first in case it's actually just going to make things worse. What if he's too far gone, what if all it does is sling him right back out there? That can't happen to her, he won't let it. But if it sets him right, what if there's a chance she could be alive with him? Is that too optimistic?]