[When he gets there, she makes sure she's waiting for him at the entrance. There's a mark on her face where she was grazed during the fight, but there's no other visible injury. The ship, meanwhile, definitely doesn't look great... But it could be worse. She takes a step towards him, raising a hand in greeting.]
[ he doesn't seem to have a mark on him, except the mark of exhaustion. but he still offers her a smile and a wave. he's been in ships that took bad hits - the state of hers is worrying, but he knows to take it in stride by now. ]
Hey. I know you're not the hugging type but if you wanna make an exception, I promise I won't tell. [ he will not freak out over her scar. he will not...visibly freak out over it, at least. ]
he wraps his arms around her the instant she gets in there. he starts off gently but if she tightens her grip he'll do the same - he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable, just offer comfort and love.
he can imagine how she feels, with nightingale hurt again. he will never forget the panic he felt when he saw kitty with her head covered in blood after the winter incident. opal has to endure it again and again and he's just furious at the atroma, at himself for not being able to do a damn thing to prevent it. he knows she's tough, but he also knows that underneath it all, she has to be hurting even worse for not letting it out. he knows from experience.
there is much to be said, but right now he just wants to hold her as long as she'll let him, because they can always talk - but this never happens. ]
[She isn't used to this kind of thing, but it doesn't stop her from tightening her grip after a moment, fingers balling up in the fabric of his shirt. She doesn't say anything just yet, just breathes in and out and presses her forehead into his shoulder for a few moments.
When she takes a step back, she blinks a few times, sighing. She's not going to cry, but her voice sounds more frail than she'd like it to regardless.]
[ he holds her just as tight and when she leans into his shoulder, rubs her back soothingly.
when she steps back looking so vulnerable he just wants to hug her again. ]
You have nothing to be sorry for. It totally sucked. Anytime you need a secret hug, I'm your bro. [ not her guy or her friend - her family. ]
I'm so glad you're alive. [ not okay - he knows she's not okay. how can she be, with nightingale hurt? he doesn't need to say I don't know what I would have done otherwise - his expression and voice take care of that. he loves her. seeing her hurt kills him. ]
[Seeing that expression makes something tighten in her chest, not in a negative way. No matter how long it lasts, she feels like she might never become completely accustomed to having people - her people, people who care about her. It's been almost a year and a half, but it still feels foreign to her somehow.]
Thanks.
[It's less fragile than it was a moment ago, at least. She rubs at her face idly.]
Look, I... I'm sure you've guessed by now I'm not really great at this, but - I'm really glad you're okay, too.
I dunno what you're talking about, you're doing great from where I'm standing.
[ he smiles, but it's not a bantery smile - he's being genuine. he's been told most of his life that being himself isn't good enough, he's the last person to ever pressure her to change. ]
Do you want me to help you clean this up, or just hang out a little bit? [ he's up for either or both. whatever she needs. ]
Every time I think I might, they throw something like this at us.
[ he shakes his head. he doesn't think the atroma are going to let them get used to it - too boring to watch well adjusted people. ]
But it's not always a bad knocking off balance. I got to spacewalk - [ yeah, the guy who used to be terrified of the shuttles spacewalked. if he didn't have pictures he's not sure he'd believe it either. ]
Yeah. I mean, the breaks are pretty okay sometimes, but...
[She nods. In so many ways, this place is much kinder than the last place she found herself, but that doesn't mean she should be letting herself get complacent.
His next words make her laugh, though, surprised.]
You did? When? I mean, I guess it's spacewalking any time we leave the ship, but...
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are you sure? you don't have to
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c u soon
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[When he gets there, she makes sure she's waiting for him at the entrance. There's a mark on her face where she was grazed during the fight, but there's no other visible injury. The ship, meanwhile, definitely doesn't look great... But it could be worse. She takes a step towards him, raising a hand in greeting.]
Hey.
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Hey. I know you're not the hugging type but if you wanna make an exception, I promise I won't tell. [ he will not freak out over her scar. he will not...visibly freak out over it, at least. ]
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[She does hesitate for a few moments, but... Nah, she's going in for the hug.]
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[ well, depends on the secret.
he wraps his arms around her the instant she gets in there. he starts off gently but if she tightens her grip he'll do the same - he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable, just offer comfort and love.
he can imagine how she feels, with nightingale hurt again. he will never forget the panic he felt when he saw kitty with her head covered in blood after the winter incident. opal has to endure it again and again and he's just furious at the atroma, at himself for not being able to do a damn thing to prevent it. he knows she's tough, but he also knows that underneath it all, she has to be hurting even worse for not letting it out. he knows from experience.
there is much to be said, but right now he just wants to hold her as long as she'll let him, because they can always talk - but this never happens. ]
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When she takes a step back, she blinks a few times, sighing. She's not going to cry, but her voice sounds more frail than she'd like it to regardless.]
Sorry. Just - that sucked.
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when she steps back looking so vulnerable he just wants to hug her again. ]
You have nothing to be sorry for. It totally sucked. Anytime you need a secret hug, I'm your bro. [ not her guy or her friend - her family. ]
I'm so glad you're alive. [ not okay - he knows she's not okay. how can she be, with nightingale hurt? he doesn't need to say I don't know what I would have done otherwise - his expression and voice take care of that. he loves her. seeing her hurt kills him. ]
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Thanks.
[It's less fragile than it was a moment ago, at least. She rubs at her face idly.]
Look, I... I'm sure you've guessed by now I'm not really great at this, but - I'm really glad you're okay, too.
[A breath.]
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[ he smiles, but it's not a bantery smile - he's being genuine. he's been told most of his life that being himself isn't good enough, he's the last person to ever pressure her to change. ]
Do you want me to help you clean this up, or just hang out a little bit? [ he's up for either or both. whatever she needs. ]
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[She could, too, if she's being honest.]
I hope you can forgive the fact that it's not the best hanging out spot in the galaxy right now.
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[ he shrugs ]
Who's taking care of Nightingale? Cuz I know a really good witch who could probably do a lot for her -
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[She shrugs.]
I am. What do you think your friend could do?
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[ he's only used hermione's sobering potion so far, but he trusts her. ]
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[She runs a hand through her hair.]
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[ those fuckers! ]
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[She brushes a stray strand of hair out of her face, taking a deep breath.]
What about your friend? How long has she been...?
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[ he really wants to hug her again. or do something. but he doesn't know what. ]
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[She glances at the floor for a moment, shaking her head slightly.]
You ever think you'll get used to it at some point? Just - all of this.
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[ he shakes his head. he doesn't think the atroma are going to let them get used to it - too boring to watch well adjusted people. ]
But it's not always a bad knocking off balance. I got to spacewalk - [ yeah, the guy who used to be terrified of the shuttles spacewalked. if he didn't have pictures he's not sure he'd believe it either. ]
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[She nods. In so many ways, this place is much kinder than the last place she found herself, but that doesn't mean she should be letting herself get complacent.
His next words make her laugh, though, surprised.]
You did? When? I mean, I guess it's spacewalking any time we leave the ship, but...
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[ he shrugs with a smile, proud for getting that laugh. watch him pretend it's no big deal, he was shitting himself. ]
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