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[controlledvariable]

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[reconnaissance]

Really? But you're so immature and stuff.

( A bit of a grin, though there's something just a little too sharp, words that should be playful and teasing having just the slightest edge. ) I guess I gotta be the grownup, huh?

( Ellie's hand trails down Steph's arm, from her elbow to her wrist, wrapping around it. If this were Ellie, she'd kiss Steph in a heartbeat, hold onto her. That is, if this were Ellie just going on a trip, but if that were the case then she might ask Steph to come with her, or not be so stiff, cold. Ellie can be weird, but she's not usually weird with Steph, not any more. The hand clasping Steph's wrist is oddly possessive. )

Yeah, you too. ( Turning a little, so she's speaking closer to Steph's lips, something almost like teasing. A beat, and then: ) What's wrong?

[controlledvariable]

Very funny.

[Her tone is so very dry, but the humour fades after a moment, with Ellie's fingers around her wrist and that question.

This is weird, and she doesn't know if she should say anything, or if she should just pretend she hasn't noticed to save putting Ellie on the spot.]

Nothing, just-- [a sigh, quiet, and she offers a rueful smile.] You can talk to me, if there's something up.

[It's an offer rather than a question, rather than a demand, so she doesn't feel bad about it.]

[reconnaissance]

( She scoffs quietly, eyebrows raised. ) Why would anything be up?

( Stephanie, please. ) Come on. You know me better than that. If something's wrong, I'll talk to you.

( A shrug, as her fingers slip away from Steph's wrists. ) I'm not going away 'cause anything wrong, all right? Don't stress out about it.

[controlledvariable]

[Because she was going to leave without properly saying goodbye, because she's a little withdrawn and odd and it makes Steph feel like something is wrong.]

I stress about everything.

[That's true enough, but she decides to just let it go for now. It's clear enough that even if there is something up, Ellie doesn't want to talk about it.]

But I'll try not to. Just stay safe, yeah?

[reconnaissance]

( If she's suspicious, that's no good at all. So, rather than saying anything, Ellie just closes the space between them - as little as it was - and catches Steph in a kiss. A proper one, a proper goodbye, a proper way to placate her and stop all those suspicions. )

[controlledvariable]

[Well, that's better.

She rests her hands on Ellie's waist as she returns the kiss, relieved that even if there is something up, it's not enough to stop Ellie from wanting to kiss her.

(She doesn't consider that the kiss could be to allay those worries, because it's just... not something Ellie would do.)

[reconnaissance]

( Eventually, she eases back, hands anchored at Steph's shoulders, and offers a little bit of a smile. )

Less stressed?

( Slightly teasing, yes. )

[controlledvariable]

If I say no will you kiss me again?

[But she smiles and kisses the tip of Ellie's nose before drawing back.]

Shoo, the sooner you leave the sooner I get you back.

[Which is what really matters.]

[reconnaissance]

( There we go. Easing back, Ellie looks a little more at ease, herself, albeit for entirely the wrong reasons. )

You bet.

( Poor Steph. Ellie bumps her shoulder, letting her hand drag down Steph's arm and their fingers catch as she wanders past her. )

Later, Batgirl.

[controlledvariable]

[The touch is a relief, too, and her hand follows Ellie's for a brief moment before she lets her go.]

See you.

[And instead of lingering and watching Ellie leave, which might be a bit weird, she just turns around to head back to the apartment.]