(ง︡'-'︠)ง (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
exsilium; ic inbox
text | audio | video
text | audio | video
[His arms fall to his sides. There's a not-pleasant feeling settling in the pit of his stomach, that same old guilt again — he pushed it too far last time, he sent her up to the roof earlier, now this.
He reaches out like he's about to touch her arm, then draws his hand back a little too quickly.]
Are you okay?
He reaches out like he's about to touch her arm, then draws his hand back a little too quickly.]
Are you okay?
[Not really.]
Yeah.
[She sounds a little choked, but after a few more steady breaths she manages to nod a little more convincingly.
It's a lie, but she doesn't want him to feel bad about this, when it's probably just the universe punshing her for thinking any of this wouldbe a good idea.]
Yeah.
[She sounds a little choked, but after a few more steady breaths she manages to nod a little more convincingly.
It's a lie, but she doesn't want him to feel bad about this, when it's probably just the universe punshing her for thinking any of this wouldbe a good idea.]
[Convincingly isn't the word he'd use.
He smiles. It's not amused or happy or positive in any way, but there is plenty of warmth behind it.]
Lying again, huh.
[Saul wants so desperately to to fix this, somehow. And he keeps telling himself he doesn't know what to do, but that's a lie; he just doesn't want to admit or follow through with the only real solution.
He doesn't want to leave.]
He smiles. It's not amused or happy or positive in any way, but there is plenty of warmth behind it.]
Lying again, huh.
[Saul wants so desperately to to fix this, somehow. And he keeps telling himself he doesn't know what to do, but that's a lie; he just doesn't want to admit or follow through with the only real solution.
He doesn't want to leave.]
[She wants to deny it, try to shrug it off and convince him that it's fine, but all she can manage is an apologetic smile and a shrug.]
It's not-- I don't want you to feel bad.
[Which is true.]
It was stupid, don't worry about it.
[Her reaction and that near panic attack, the fact that she gets dragged so painfully into the past that she can't breathe.]
It's not-- I don't want you to feel bad.
[Which is true.]
It was stupid, don't worry about it.
[Her reaction and that near panic attack, the fact that she gets dragged so painfully into the past that she can't breathe.]
[It's not stupid. Not if it hurt her.
Saul could kick himself for turning into such a sap so quickly. Three months. Not even, technically speaking. Three months and all his carefully-crafted defenses have been blown apart to the point where he doesn't just love people he shouldn't (Jesse), but —
Yeah, okay. Time to admit it: he's in love with Stephanie. And has been. For weeks.
The thought almost makes him roll his eyes, it's so pathetic. What's next, running out to buy a bright red convertible? Oh, wait. He can't.
He reaches out again. For her hand, this time, and stops himself just before he makes contact with her skin — waiting to see if she'll take the offer.]
Saul could kick himself for turning into such a sap so quickly. Three months. Not even, technically speaking. Three months and all his carefully-crafted defenses have been blown apart to the point where he doesn't just love people he shouldn't (Jesse), but —
Yeah, okay. Time to admit it: he's in love with Stephanie. And has been. For weeks.
The thought almost makes him roll his eyes, it's so pathetic. What's next, running out to buy a bright red convertible? Oh, wait. He can't.
He reaches out again. For her hand, this time, and stops himself just before he makes contact with her skin — waiting to see if she'll take the offer.]
Edited 2013-06-26 19:26 (UTC)
[In the continuing theme of terrible ideas, Steph takes Saul's hand, loosely tangling their fingers together as she closes the distance between them again. There's no kiss, this time, instead she's resting her forehead against his shoulders, eyes closed, hoping he'll get the message and give her a hug. She feels like she could really use one, right now, even if somehow this feels more dangerous than the kisses.]
[He's quick to untangle their fingers, but only so he can wrap both his arms around her, more than happy to oblige her with a proper hug.
The shaky sigh that passes his lips is barely noticeable save for a slight rise and fall of his chest, but even then, he tries to play it off like he's getting a little more comfortable; he tilts his head to rest his cheek against her hair, settles his arms around her shoulders, and silently thanks God and all the angels in Heaven that Stephanie can't see the look on his face right now.
This is —
Just.
Shit.
Kissing her was so much easier. Where's the distraction in this?]
The shaky sigh that passes his lips is barely noticeable save for a slight rise and fall of his chest, but even then, he tries to play it off like he's getting a little more comfortable; he tilts his head to rest his cheek against her hair, settles his arms around her shoulders, and silently thanks God and all the angels in Heaven that Stephanie can't see the look on his face right now.
This is —
Just.
Shit.
Kissing her was so much easier. Where's the distraction in this?]
[There are a lot of things she hates, but feeling weak is right up there next to people made out cockroaches, so she hates how much she needs this hug, right now. She hates how much she's clinging to Saul, but she can't make herself pull away like she knows she shoulnd.]
Sorry.
[For everything.]
Sorry.
[For everything.]
Steph...
[His voice sounds a little strained — probably because this hurts. If anyone should be apologizing, it's him.
He holds her a little more tightly.]
Don't. You don't have to apologize for anything, okay?
[His voice sounds a little strained — probably because this hurts. If anyone should be apologizing, it's him.
He holds her a little more tightly.]
Don't. You don't have to apologize for anything, okay?
Edited 2013-06-27 03:32 (UTC)
Pretty sure I do.
[For freaking out on him and being a jerk and letting this happen, when she knows this has to be it. She's not sneaking around behind Ellie's back to have some - affair with a man twice her age.]
You should probably go home.
[She's just going to run; even without her grapple gun, she just needs to run along the rooftops for a little while to try to clear her head.]
[For freaking out on him and being a jerk and letting this happen, when she knows this has to be it. She's not sneaking around behind Ellie's back to have some - affair with a man twice her age.]
You should probably go home.
[She's just going to run; even without her grapple gun, she just needs to run along the rooftops for a little while to try to clear her head.]
[He almost makes a crack about home being too far away for him to get to, but doesn't. She's right, though; he should get the hell out of here. It's just really hard to see the logic behind why, when he's got her in his arms like this.
Saul turns his head, presses a kiss to her hair, and finally — finally pulls away completely. Without looking at her, he retrieves his coat from where it lay discarded on the floor, dusts it off, straightens it out, fidgets with the fabric until he realizes this is bordering on awkward, then stops.
The thing is, he's suddenly afraid to meet her gaze. Like the truth about what just happened is written all over his face and she'll see it if he's not careful, but — that's silly.
So he glances over just long enough to nod — yeah, he should go, and he is — and say:] See you around, Steph.
Saul turns his head, presses a kiss to her hair, and finally — finally pulls away completely. Without looking at her, he retrieves his coat from where it lay discarded on the floor, dusts it off, straightens it out, fidgets with the fabric until he realizes this is bordering on awkward, then stops.
The thing is, he's suddenly afraid to meet her gaze. Like the truth about what just happened is written all over his face and she'll see it if he's not careful, but — that's silly.
So he glances over just long enough to nod — yeah, he should go, and he is — and say:] See you around, Steph.
[It should make her feel better, the knowledge that they've actually managed to find enough self control to walk away, but if anything she just feels worse, watching him getting ready to leave.
She's not really thinking, when she steps forward to catch his wrist, holding on for just long enough to kiss him once more, light and quick, though she lingers for just a moment.]
Sorry. [Whispered against his lips, and she thinks about kissing him again but knows that if she does, this time they won't stop.
Instead, she pulls away, runs away, slipping out the roof exit and letting the night swallow her up.]
She's not really thinking, when she steps forward to catch his wrist, holding on for just long enough to kiss him once more, light and quick, though she lingers for just a moment.]
Sorry. [Whispered against his lips, and she thinks about kissing him again but knows that if she does, this time they won't stop.
Instead, she pulls away, runs away, slipping out the roof exit and letting the night swallow her up.]
Edited 2013-06-27 04:05 (UTC)
[And he just — stands there for a few minutes that feel more like a few hours, dazed.
This didn't fix anything at all. Why did he ever think it would?
Saul shakes his head to break the trance, then turns on his heel to head for the stairs. Then stops mid-step, looks back toward the door, and makes one final potentially stupid — but sincere — decision before he heads off to throw himself into bed.
So if Stephanie comes back in this way, and if she's too cold or too wet, she can feel free to take his coat. Because he left it for her.]
This didn't fix anything at all. Why did he ever think it would?
Saul shakes his head to break the trance, then turns on his heel to head for the stairs. Then stops mid-step, looks back toward the door, and makes one final potentially stupid — but sincere — decision before he heads off to throw himself into bed.
So if Stephanie comes back in this way, and if she's too cold or too wet, she can feel free to take his coat. Because he left it for her.]
[Nope.
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.
There's a brief second of panicked silence, before she manages a:]
Why?
[She doesn't know how she manages to keep her voice steady.]
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE.
There's a brief second of panicked silence, before she manages a:]
Why?
[She doesn't know how she manages to keep her voice steady.]
He has access to the safe houses, correct?
( Patient. )
( Patient. )
[WHY DO YOU WANT TO KNOW, HELENA.
Oh god she's pretty sure this is what a heart attack feels like.]
Just the one on what used to be Oxford Street.
[Help.]
Oh god she's pretty sure this is what a heart attack feels like.]
Just the one on what used to be Oxford Street.
[Help.]
And it's going to stay that way, right?
( It's more of a teacher voice than a "I could break both of you in half" voice.
But she has that, too, if Steph's curious. )
( It's more of a teacher voice than a "I could break both of you in half" voice.
But she has that, too, if Steph's curious. )
[That - actually manages to kick her back into gear, because she doesn't like the way Helena's talking to her.]
They're my safehouses, I can share the locations with whoever I want.
[Not that she'd been planning to, but the suggestion that she should just makes her want to be contrary.
If Helena wants completely private safehouses, she can set up her own.]
They're my safehouses, I can share the locations with whoever I want.
[Not that she'd been planning to, but the suggestion that she should just makes her want to be contrary.
If Helena wants completely private safehouses, she can set up her own.]
Edited 2013-07-01 04:53 (UTC)
Not when those people make presumptions about the statuses of your fellow vigilantes.
( Stephanie kicking back into gear just serves to highlight the tension Helena had been starting to wonder about, before. )
You've given up on keeping Batgirl a secret, fine. But he came after my identity. You're letting someone into the safe house who doesn't respect what we are.
( Stephanie kicking back into gear just serves to highlight the tension Helena had been starting to wonder about, before. )
You've given up on keeping Batgirl a secret, fine. But he came after my identity. You're letting someone into the safe house who doesn't respect what we are.
Edited 2013-07-01 04:57 (UTC)
[There's another moment of silence, but it's more disbelief than panic, this time.
Respect what we are.
Jesus.]
I'm sorry, when did it become my job to protect your identity?
[Which isn't to say that she wants to go out of her way to blow Helena's identity out of the water, but Saul doesn't actually know that Helena and Steph know each other, so it's not on her if Helena said something that blew her cover.]
Respect what we are.
Jesus.]
I'm sorry, when did it become my job to protect your identity?
[Which isn't to say that she wants to go out of her way to blow Helena's identity out of the water, but Saul doesn't actually know that Helena and Steph know each other, so it's not on her if Helena said something that blew her cover.]
Edited 2013-07-01 05:05 (UTC)
That's not what I'm saying.
( Don't be childish, Stephanie. Listen, please. She hasn't mentioned Stephanie, at all. )
I'm saying be careful. What do you know about this man?
( She's worried. )
( Don't be childish, Stephanie. Listen, please. She hasn't mentioned Stephanie, at all. )
I'm saying be careful. What do you know about this man?
( She's worried. )
Edited 2013-07-01 05:07 (UTC)
Sure sounded like it.
[She'll be as childish as she wants!!!
The question makes her want to drop her head into her hands, though. Why is this happening?]
I know he's not gonna try to fuck me over.
[At least not on the whole vigilante front. She's still expecting the other shoe to drop with the whole... kissing... her... thing.]
[She'll be as childish as she wants!!!
The question makes her want to drop her head into her hands, though. Why is this happening?]
I know he's not gonna try to fuck me over.
[At least not on the whole vigilante front. She's still expecting the other shoe to drop with the whole... kissing... her... thing.]
( I've been doing this longer than you have, she wants to say, but bites her tongue on it.
What she can't bite her tongue on so effectively is when something hurts. )
What's that supposed to mean?
( Sorry. She's used to things being backhanded as all hell when it comes to other vigilantes, when it comes to Bats. )
What she can't bite her tongue on so effectively is when something hurts. )
What's that supposed to mean?
( Sorry. She's used to things being backhanded as all hell when it comes to other vigilantes, when it comes to Bats. )
[That wasn't actually meant to be a passive aggressive dig at Helena (if only because Steph doesn't really do passive, so she manages to reel in the annoyance a little.]
It just means that I trust him.
[On a professional level, but she really doesn't want to say that she doesn't trust him on a personal level because that'd just raise way too many questions.]
It just means that I trust him.
[On a professional level, but she really doesn't want to say that she doesn't trust him on a personal level because that'd just raise way too many questions.]
Page 25 of 107
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- »
Page 25 of 107