goddamngrenades | RP Open Post

[ They aren't what or who they were. But they could be who they wanted to be. Who they chose to be. And Carolina was choosing to return that interest, albeit mutedly, almost shyly.

Tiredly. Can't forget that.

Then her eyes widen as he makes his offer, asks to join her, and really, she must be dreaming by now, right? This seems almost a little too coincidental, a little too much hope in one package, and it takes her a minute of what must be awkward staring before she replies.

(it isn't anywhere near a minute) ]

...Ask me again, in the morning?

[It's not a no. But there's something like a plea in the undercurrent of her words, in how her hands moves, stretching out fingers towards him. An offer, a request - for touch, for grounding. ]

There's a lot you need to know, this isn't...I don't want you making this decision lightly. Chorus isn't exactly the safest place. You'll be even less safe with me and Epsilon, or with Wash and the sim troopers. You have a life here. And if..

[She would never forgive herself if anything happened to him, because he chose to follow her. Just as he'd followed Tex. (But that was different then.) (But she'd be no less devastated.)]

[softly] ...And if you ask me again in the morning, then I'd know, this is really real.

...Sure.

[ He doesn't think twice about reaching right back and curling his fingers around her hand. Squeezing that and- it's a shock. Skin on skin. Her palms are rough but none of them have ever been gentle. None of them have ever been soft, quiet things to sit back and be protected. His biggest problem back then had been not seeing that.

In framing himself some kind of Knight and her the lady that needed saving.

It was never that simple. And never that stilted. ]

We're in the middle of a civil war that gets less and less civil the longer shit goes on. I get a suit? I'll be able to keep up. Life here's been...nice. But We're getting to the point where I either do something to help or find a way to bail. I'm kind of tired of bailing.

[ The contact is like a static shock, followed by static cling, her own fingers closing round his hand lest he pull away. As though letting him slip through them, again, might mean he slips away. God she must be exhausted to think something like that, but control of her emotions has always been a touch...fragile in these past few years.

She does not need rescuing. Not then, not now. She had never needed a hero (though she had perhaps been hero to others). But...a partner - yes, she had Epsilon. But that was a different sort of partnership, compared to what York is offering. Her smile turns a little lopsided. ]

Pretty sure we can help on the suit front. Depending on what you need.

Standard suit, standard bonuses. Figure you'll probably need the healing unit more than I will if you got it.

[ IF? Pah. She got it. Otherwise she wouldn't be so damn tired. Which they can fix after they finish eating. God knows he's been up more or less for the past day. Sleep didn't come easy while he was planning a job. That anxious skittering under his skin wouldn't wind down till after he'd gone out and gotten it done but- he'll try now that she's here.

He needs to set a good example, after all. ]

C'mon. eat. I got plenty.

"Don't worry. We'll handle suit acquisition."

[ Someone sounds confident. Then again, Epsilon can look into it while the humans recover. And Carolina definitely needs her rest. Two days should be plenty of time, by his calculations, and he can also spend time recalibrating the healing unit to run well with the current suit systems. ]

That may depend on the mission. [she's never been one to let post-mission vibes get to her in the past, and when prompted, she reaches for the third burrito. Probably her last, to boot, given how slowly this one is consumed, compared to the first two. Eventually, she leaves half of it unfinished, setting it back on the plate. For later.]

So. Got a couch I can crash on for a while? Hell, even a bathtub and a blanket will do.

[even that would be so much more comfortable than previous beds she's had...]

You don't know my preferences.

[ No one did but D and he's not about to leave that up to some random new AI. Not even one Carolina works with. They don't know each other. Still. Looking into it couldn't hurt. He focuses more on finishing his burrito and reveling in the few points of warmth and contact Carolina offers. If anything he looks more and feels more like his old self.

Sappy, crooked half smile, head angled to her to get the best view possible with his good eye. Turned to Carolina like she's his true north.

He's missed that. ]

Take the bed. You need it more than I do. Mattress is good, too, it's the one really expensive thing I threw down for here.

[ He'd be surprised by what Epsilon knew. But that hadn't been his point. ]

"Oh ye of little faith! You two worry about that recharge time of yours, I've got this."

[ There's a soft snort, and an oddly affectionate glance for the hologram, before he winks out and leaves the two alone. Technically unchaperoned, even. No pithy comments regarding the rather sappy looks York is giving her, a look Carolina cannot return (it's never truly been in her nature), but one she isn't scorning. If anything, her expression softens as it so rarely has in the past few years, and the weight and warmth of his hand on hers is...enough.

It really is just enough.

And yet she can still find something to playfully disagree with him over. ]

Don't play that card. I'm the one who crashed by unannounced. I'm not stealing your bed from you, especially when I likely woke you up out of it in the first place.

Edited 2015-09-09 01:50 (UTC)

Seriously. A tiny, glowing asshole. Who's he based off of?

[ Not that he really wants to know. He's too busy looking at her. It's still a shock that she's here. That she's real. That this isn't a dream. But she'd been real and the money had been good-

Which did beg the question as to where she got it, but he'll worry about that later. For now he nudges his chair closer so he can feel a little more of her, lean into her with a casual shoulder bump. ]

Wasn't sleeping. I was planning. So you didn't wake me up. Also if you're gonna be like that we can just share. It's huge. Plenty of room.

[ Her eyes roll, and the question is deferred - for now. She'd mentioned Epsilon's name earlier, but THAT conversation is one that can wait until morning. She pats his hand in a conciliatory manner.

Planning, in his underwear? It's a hard life being 'Humphrey' apparently. The credits she gave him are real, at least, and those she'd lined up originally for the second objective were real too. Another story for another time, not that Epsilon couldn't fabricate or relocate some if given enough time and access to appropriate bank portals. Fortunately, theft of that nature hasn't been required.

She lets him lean into her, a brow lifting as he corrects her, trying not to be distracted by closeness and warmth, taking his suggestion at all the face value it deserves. ]

Plenty of room, huh. Well, if you're going to insist, I guess we can make it work.

[ They were - had been - are - were soldiers. Sharing a bed was a simple enough activity, and given how she sways on her feet as she finally pushes herself up out of her chair, Carolina doubts she has any energy for any activity except sleep.

(Pity.) ]

Very well then, lead the way.

If you wanna take a shower the bathroom's right over here-

[ Playing host feels weird. Feels strange but it's Carolina. It's carolina and he's taking her to his bedroom.

To sleep.

Him of eight years ago would be kicking him so hard right now.

Instead he reaches his arm out to hook around her waist and help her to the bedroom without comment or question. ]

[ Even as his arm settles around her, she leans into him as she regains her balance. The prospect of a shower is very appealing; while the undersuit isn't exactly stinky and she's worn it for longer stretches without concern, having the opportunity to clean is one she'd prefer to take sooner, than later.

The prospect of having to fumble out of it in her tired state defeats the desire for hot water right now, however. ]

In the morning. I'd be afraid I'd fall asleep in there and drown.

[ Well, not really, but keeping it light is important, right? Not paying attention to the splay of his hand at her waist, no siree. She follows his lead up to his room, and there's several blinks as she realises just how big the bed is; he hadn't been kidding about a little personal luxury where this was concerned. ]

..Any side you prefer to call dibs on? [international protocals be damned, this is his house. Always important to ask the Host for their preferences.]

I'll make waffles while you shower.

[ He can do that. Real food. A LOT of real food, she'll need it. Hell, he still needs it and he doesn't wear the suit she does. Speaking of...

He walks her to the bedroom and gives her a squeeze once they're at the door, slipping away long enough to tug on some drawstring pants and a worn t-shirt. There. Less tension, maybe. ]

I got something you can borrow if you don't wanna sleep in the undersuit. I remember them not breathing all that well after the first few days.

[ It's nothing much. Just worn, soft cotton with a grifball logo. ]
Right side, closest to the door. You?

[ Careful, York, offers like that might make a girl want to stick around forever.

She's used to alternative snacks, to not always running on full, making do with what she has. But she won't say no to more if its available; even now her metabolism is still ahead of the curve, though not to the same degree it had been in the project. So the offer of waffles definitely gets a smile from her, even as she steps away at the same time he does when he goes to fetch himself less...distracting bed clothing. ]

...In the morning. After my shower. [which is also as good a time as any to rinse down her suit and let it dry for a bit.] It's okay for right now.

[once he confirms which side of the bed he prefers, she moves automatically to the other side.] None. Just needed to know which half to take.

[sitting on the mattress is an almost tentative affair, uncertain of how deeply she'll sink in - is it soft? is it firm? But there's no denying the droop of her shoulders as she lets herself relax, rolling her neck a bit to address stiffness ahead of, well, getting into bed properly.]

..thank you, by the way.

Sounds like a plan.

[ He usually sets an alarm for himself but- they both need to sleep as long as their bodies will let them. Carolina a little more than him, honestly. Most of him is pretty sure the AI buddy will turn it off if he did and probably bitch at him afterward. Bed. Bed, comfortable bed, massive, cozy bed with more blankets than he probably needs but- he feels cold sometimes.

Makes his joints ache, the old bullet scars twinge. He'd rather not deal with that. ]

For what?

[ Settling on his side he flips back the covers, rolling out his shoulders and popping his neck. He'd been hunched over that table for awhile now, couple of hours. Bed and knowing Carolina is safe, is rested? More than worth it. ]

[ Epsilon would certainly like to. But even he needs a little suit downtime, defrag a few files as he sets up the link with the healing unit, make sure that it's running as smoothly as he can make it. The old files from Recovery that backed up Delta's records help there.

Not that York needs to know about that right now.

Carolina however isn't thinking that far ahead. Her thoughts aren't ranging towards the future, in fact, wandering instead along the paths not taken and the shadows of the life that was. ]

If I said 'everything', would that count? [light, not mocking, but careful. Her hand lifts, lightly rubbing at the skin beneath the collar of her undersuit while rolling one shoulder, then the other] ..For right now, though. Letting me in. Being happy to see me. [...at least a little, anyway]

...Yeah, it would. [ The bed's huge- but not so huge that he can't reach over and curl his fingers around her free hand. ] I've missed you. A lot. In the cave I- I thought I got shot again and it was a happy hallucination before I clocked out for good. I spent so long convinced you'd survive, got proven wrong, tried and failed to move past it and there you are. Still alive. Still fighting the good fight. Still- [ beautiful. ] badass.

It was a lot to process, you know? And then people chasing. I didn't want to slow you down. But I was glad to see you. I am glad. You...

[ He crackles out a soft laugh and squeezes her fingers. ]

You're here. It's more than I ever thought I'd have.

[ Her hand turns, all the better to grasp his with, though she doesn't look back behind her just yet. There's a slow droop to her shoulders, steadily descending, guilt gnawing at her insides. ]

I know you tried to find me. ...I didn't know it at the time, I learned, later. Then..

Wash. Told me your body had been recovered. I found the site you and Tex had been to when.. [her voice trails, then she swallows, regathering her composure] Seemed like once again, I was too late to be there..

And yet, here you are again. [she squeezes his hand lightly] Still here. Still lucky. I guess you relly do have to stop looking in order to find again..

[ Then she lets go, only long enough to turn back the blankets, all the better to settle in on her own side. Only once she's adjusted the pillow does she, slowly, slither down, then cautiously reaches to link fingers with him again. The space between is almost awkward, but there's nothing feigned in the smile she gives him. Small but bright, and so very very glad to have him there. ]

Of all the things I was looking for when I got here...this is the surprise I'm happiest to have had.

Never expected to run into you or...anyone ever again.

[ Wash survived. Wash always survives- luck favors York plenty but Wash seems to be it's favorite. And York can't say that he minds. Everything they've been through? Everything they're GOING to go through? They need it in any scrap they can get.

It probably says something that he feels cold as soon as Carolina pulls her hand away, even if it's to slip deeper into the covers. He follows, schooches a little closer. Not quite believing she won't be gone in the morning. Vanished. ]

I've had this dream so many times. [ He's clinging, thumb smoothing against the back of her hand. Terrified he'll blink and she'll be gone again. That this is all an elaborate hallucination and he'll wake up, cold and alone and wondering why he ever survived. ] Can't say they included the peanut gallery, though. That's new.

[ He's not the only one to have had dreams like this, reunions friendly and not so much, and some well beyond the lines they drew for the sake of missions and protocol.

Where do such lines fall now, if they exist at all? ]

...Well, I'm here now.

[ She tugs his hand over, closer, until she can rest his knuckles against her cheek, letting her eyes fall half-closed as she presses against him. Though she can't help the twitch at the corner of her mouth at the mention of York's second house guest. ]

He and I have an understanding. He won't be spying, if that's your concern. [not on them, anyway. Lips part to say more, before a yawn interrupts, and by the time it's done, she's forgotten what she was going to say] ...m'night, Tayl'r.. I missed you..

[ It'd be so easy to pull himself over and curl around her. Hold her close like he's always wanted to, like he's always dreamed he'd be allowed to-

But reflexes and ptsd are a thing. For now he contents himself with the hand against her cheek and smiles across at her. THe years seem to drop away when she's this tired- they always have. Too hard on herself by half, is Carolina. ]

Missed you too, Clair. Sleep well.

[ God knows he will for the first time since they ran into each other. ]

[ Tired as she is, even with the warmth of York's hand in hers, it takes time for Carolina to fall asleep, drifting along the edge of too-much awareness.

Her brain is too active, thoughts and feelings too bright and noisy, underscoring the relief and happiness she feels with..

No. Best not to pay any attention to (longing) emotions right now. But silly as it would sound when spoken out loud, she felt safe here, safer than she had in a long time, like her guard could be lowered if only for a little while.. It's not until she keeps her eyes closed for a while, listening to her own breathing, that at some point between listening for his does she pass into slumber.

She's always been a light sleeper nowadays, a little bit restless, and now seems to be no exception - but she doesn't wake when her body naturally gravitates towards his, attracted to and curling into warmth where usually she'd have held herself apart. Tucking against his side, hand still wrapped in his and pressed against her chest along her sternum. Held as though letting go were simply not an option that had occurred to her. ]

[ It's been awhile since he'd last shared a bed with the intent to sleep. Passed out with? Sure. Actually meaning to sleep? Not so much. But it's Carolina. He knows the pattern of her breath, the scent of her hair- gun oil and ozone and warmth. It's almost easy to unwind enough to sleep, to turn to shelter her and drape his arm around her while they slept. Waking happens slow and as much as he probably wants to start breakfast...

This is nice. Dozing with her curled against him, no immanent threat. No mission. Just. Warmth and an idle dozing. ]

[ At some point she sighs, shifting closer, head moving to rest where the curve of his throat meets his clavicle and her free arm shifting so she rests on it more comfortably. There's no alarm, no flinch, no concern that at some point he's draped an arm over her, it's all very comfortable.

Like a dream, one she's so rarely allowed herself. One that she tucked away and looked back at no more once he'd died. Or she'd thought he had. They'd all believed he had.

And now, instead, a new dream. One that she stirs from slowly, breathing changing and shifting as her body moves back into a more aware state. Nature's call may also be playing a part in rousing her. Then a pause, as she realises where she is, who she's with, exactly what kind of position they are in. Someone might think, might get the wrong impression...

...Or, someone might just get the right one. Her breathing resumes, a slow and steady pace, and she rolls onto her side a little more - all the better to shift herself partially upwards, to look down at him sleeping. (Is he still sleeping?) ]

Edited (unfortunate typo correction lol) 2015-09-13 18:16 (UTC)

[ By the time she starts moving to look he's blinking himself awake, all crooked, lazy smiles and warm skin. Like he'd always dreamed of, like he's just enough out of it to actually do, he reaches up to slide his hand along her cheek and curl in her hair, smoothing her bangs out of her face. ]

Morn'n beautiful.

[ And she is. She's always been. ]

[ 'Beautiful'. It's been a long time since anyone told her that, sincerely, and she leans a little into the hand cupping her cheek, reaching with her own to lightly comb his hair back. The longer look could take come getting used to -- but she thinks she could. ]

Good morning, Taylor. [her voice is deeper, a little heavy with sleep, and finger trails from hair to lightly trace a path along his cheek, down to his jaw.] Didn't mean to wake you.

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