controlledvariable | (no subject)

[She isn't surprised to see him already there, just jogs over so that she doesn't keep him waiting too long.

And then he says that, and she has to frown a little.]

Everything okay?

[She isn't worried about herself, just him.]

[ He gives her a wan smile. ]

All good. Just been givin' it some thought: ain't doing myself any favours by not hitting a dame.

[ it'll never sit right with him, but he'll do more than fight defensively ]

Well finally.

[It's a little lighter than her mood is, because she's not quite sure she buys that answer. Still, she drops her water bottle and starts stretching, since the jog over wasn't quite enough to warm her up properly.]

[ He flexes his metal fingers and looks over, amused ]

What, you had a bet with somebody?

Nah, I was just waiting for the day you managed to pull your head outta your ass.

[She's riling him up on purposes, smirking as she settles into a defensive position.

If he's going to hit back now, he can start.]

[ He doesn't just yet, eyeing her curiously. It's a challenge, sure. The kinda talk he and Steve used to get on the streets of Brooklyn. Steph's lived a hard life, no doubt she'd have it too, after fighting that long, but he's not sure why it's here, when it should have been left behind. ]

Must you?

[ even, and curious. ]

Must I what?

[She's curious right back, though nothing in her posture shifts, just in case the conversation is a distraction tactic.]

Needle me.

[ She doesn't get anything out of it that he can see, and it's not like it usually works on him anyway. ]

[what]

I'm just taking shit, Starbucks. It's nothing personal, but I don't shut up in a fight unless it's serious.

Oh.

[ Distractionary tactic. He gets it. ]

I don't mind, but you weren't stoppin', you know?

[ Good to know it's not him personally. ]

[In a lot of ways, she's grown up since Exsilium, but there are still things she clings to.]

D'you want me to stop?

[It's a genuine question, she will stop if it bothers him.]

[ He nearly shrugs it off, but he's learning honesty. ]

Sometimes. When I ain't feelin' up to it.

[ He's been pushed enough, but old instincts are always take more, because he can. ]

Okay.

[She smiles, and it's a crooked, easy thing, because she doesn't want him to feel like he's asking anything big of her.]

You can always just tell me to shut my mouth, I won't take it personally.

[Sometimes a blunt Steph, shut up is what she needs.]

[ He chuckles. ]

I'll keep that in mind. All right. [ he takes a stance, not perfect, but almost there. he's still learning ] Let's go.

[A laugh is good; her grin widens and she raises a hand in a universal bring it gesture, before retaking her stance.

She's ready for him.]