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[You're judging and blame the STUBBORN CAN over this. She didn't ask for dislike. She did not.]

So long as you don't make me run afterwards, yes.

[ He's honestly stupefied by it. But he admits it's ridiculously cute. You're like two children all NU at each other.

On that comment though. ]

I didn't say a thing. [ Giving you a significant Look now, because of what you did. ] Besides, I don't think my heart could take another one of your falls.

[She takes half of the sandwich and retreats with it in the corner of the couch, watching him carefully from behind it.]

You fret too much. Or you would've seen through the plan for what it was.

You're squishy and I'm allowed.

[ Making a face for a bit. Okay, biting into that sandwich. ]

I nearly slipped myself, and you were barefoot. It wasn't too removed a possibility.

[Excuse her just a moment, but,] I'm squishy?

Human. [ Licking a bit of mayo that got on his lip and wiping the rest away with his finger.

Looking over and biting back a smile. ] It's a turn of phrase, okay.

[Nope, didn't glance.

She waves the sandwich at him,] You know you don't look so unsquishy yourself.

[ Haha. Ha. Hm. ] To be fair I'm pretty squishy these days.

[ Frowning a bit, looking over. ]

Remind me again how much I mentioned about being pretty much a supernatural?

[ Before he came here and realized, well: no Coach in his head. ]

[Yeah, she'd squish you but her hands are busy. She tilts her head.]

Well, there's the part where you were risen from the cold arms of death, but...[Hesitant,] There's more?

Powers, [ he might be looking wistfully out that window. He put in a request to the Administration if he and Hikaru could request for their armor from back home. ]

Ones that made me a damn good tactician on the field. [ He still likes to think he is. Even if he can't do much beyond function like a hunter with a mundane skillset. ] And which gave me the handy ability to self-heal.

[ Or be resurrected in the event that he did die -- which is something he doesn't feel like he should tell you just yet. Because, well. That tea-time conversation. ]

[He's a big damn tactician who couldn't even see her plan for what it was? And got scared? That's saying something.

She unfurls from her curled up, drawn away state, and shifts a little towards the center of the couch.]

That does sound useful. To have on a field. [Is it wrong that she worries for things that happen to him way way out of this world?]

[ There's a quiet look in his eyes for the next part. ]

Given the scrapes that me and the Hounds have been in. [ He takes a breath. ] Yeah.

Some things hit back pretty damn hard.

[A longer pause, giving him time.] ...you alright?

[ Blinking for a bit, and the sheepishness creeps over his features like he's a little bit embarrassed that his thoughts strayed.

( This blizzard makes him think of Hell, the Darkest Pit. He knows it's done and over with but things like that creep up on you unexpectedly. ) ]

Y-yeah. Try that again, LaRue. I... I just remembered something, that's all.

[But not something good, she can figure out.

And who can fight against memories?]

Josh...

[ The laugh that leaves him is a touch nervous.

This isn't a conversation he thought he'd be having with her. Piers maybe, because he's seen some rough things. But this is Mae and he doesn't want to scare her with the crazy shit that went on back home. ]

I think I just realized why sitting on my laurels in this blizzard bothers me.

Beyond me naturally wanting to go out there and help.

[Haven't they been through this already? Nothing she's told him has scared him away, nor Hikaru, and they should trust that it goes both ways by now.

In case he doesn't, she makes an effort to leave her coffee cup on the table and scooch a little closer.]

Why's that?

Last time I was anywhere this cold with this much snow was an op where I thought my whole team died.

[ That's much, much softer than he means it to be. And clearly he wasn't paying attention, because he does blink that you're close and he's immediately offering room at his side for you to snuggle close if you like. ]

[Funny, but she's not the one who looks in most need of snuggles here. And this is where the line can get drawn clearly, and friendship prevails over everything else she's been entertaining. She sets the sandwich down too, what's left of it at least, and after wiping her hands clean she's the one opening her arms.]

Come here. [Yesterday, it was him and Hikaru who gave that order and fussed over her for the following minutes. This time Mae would like it to be her.]

[ He blinks at her first, as if he's surprised by the gesture, but then he scoots over and settles ( if a touch awkwardly ) in her embrace: arms wrapped carefully around her torso and head set gently on her shoulder.

She's soft and solid all at once and he shuts his eyes, forehead pressed lightly against her jawline. ]

Thank you.

[ Clinging tight because he hadn't realized he needed this.

Hikaru's out, he's naturally worried. He also doesn't want to feel like all he's doing is just sitting tight. ]

Edited 2015-05-28 13:50 (UTC)

[It's only awkward the first few seconds, while he settles in, before she does; afterwards, Mae finds a position that's comfortable for both of them more or less: She turns just a little, to wrap her arm around his shoulder and draw him in, especially when he thanks her for something that comes so easily to her now.

Count it all: they've pulled secrets from her without persistence, they've welcomed her into their home, Hikaru's sang her to sleep, Josh has been the prompt provider of hugs on all the occasions she'd needed them... How could she not be tender hearted over them? Over him?

It doesn't take much to get Mae on your side, but when she's there she will stay there, solid and loyal and dependable. And, beyond warm today, generous. She doesn't say you're welcome, she presses a kiss into his hair and lets out a quiet sigh through her nose, and lets her hands run up and down his back.

He doesn't have to tell her. Death is, in itself, terrible and terrifying. He doesn't need to specify or give details, for her to know whatever remnant of it there's left in his soul, it's a trauma -- a scar, not a bruise. And much like her scars, she can only do her best to smooth it over for him too.]

We made it out, everyone okay. But at a cost. [ He whispers that, as if the memory aches like an old wound. It still haunts him: taking the compass, making that hard call knowing what he was trading off in exchange. ] I just couldn't go home a man down.

[ He settles in close, takes the comfort she gives and sighs softly, breathing in the scent that he's come to associate so strongly with her: it's sweet, whatever she uses for her hair. ]

Sorry. [ That comes a little later, after what feels like long enough silence between them. ] I guess it was my turn to bring the mood down.

[At one point, as he talks, she settles into the pattern of combing her fingers through his hair, aiming for soothing motions, gentle brushes of her nails down his scalp. All slow, careful and caring.

She listens. Leans her cheek against his forehead.

Lets him have a dry little laugh. Turning her words against her, huh?] You just never know when it's going to hit you. Something I've learnt around you. Plus, it's also good to have someone around willing to listen and hold you, which...I also learnt here.

I'm glad you're here. [ That slips out because he actually doesn't have to think too hard on it. ] I'm glad we met and that we're friends.

[ Lifting a hand now, to tuck an errant strand of bubblegum pink hair behind her ear. ]

I think the constant fall of snow is getting to me.

[ There's something sad about it. And too many associations with things back home that he's not supposed to think too long on anymore. ]

Do you think this'll blow over soon?

[The fact that he says that makes her warm up from within and she wants to kiss his forehead again. And lower, and - nope. Momentary lapse of judgement, just a tiny little bit of tension there and she's good now.

Back to petting. His hair.] God, I hope so. It's barely been a couple of days and I'm already sick of it.

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