sbpd_papabear (
sbpd_papabear) wrote2012-04-04 09:24 pm
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OOM: After Stumbling On Milliways
It's been a couple days since they stumbled into some sort of shared hallucination (which is really the best thing he can think to call it) and neither one has broached the topic. For Henry's part, he's decided it's either too weird to talk about or never happened at all.
Instead, he's working late on Thursday night fixing paperwork that tried to claim Gus' car insurance as a state billable work expense. Nice try.
Just after seven, the station had gone more or less quiet - the steady din of the workday tapering off to the solemn click of a few keyboards punctuating the otherwise still environment. It was kind of nice... perfect time to grab a coffee and check out the snack machine for options to stave off dinner until he went home.
Instead, he's working late on Thursday night fixing paperwork that tried to claim Gus' car insurance as a state billable work expense. Nice try.
Just after seven, the station had gone more or less quiet - the steady din of the workday tapering off to the solemn click of a few keyboards punctuating the otherwise still environment. It was kind of nice... perfect time to grab a coffee and check out the snack machine for options to stave off dinner until he went home.
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"We will." He nods reassuringly, his eyes softening with a somewhat tentative smile.
"Even if we are in over our heads."
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"Not the first time we've been there. Hopefully won't be the last either. We usually make it out all right."
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He raises what's left in his glass and mutters; "To partnerships?"
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"Partnerships. And solving this mystery."
She hopes and prays that they can, and then maybe she can regain some semblance of her sanity.
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"Tonight..." he chuckles dryly, taking another large bite; "well, tonight I'm trying to eat slowly so we don't have to leave."
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She shouldn't tease. She shouldn't even inch down that path, but shouldn't seems an incomprehensible concept lately. Or maybe it's just the wine, loosening her tongue.
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"Well, it wouldn't be a far stretch by any means." He doesn't mean to smile, or flash the innocent puppy eyes, but somehow they always seem to happen when he can't pull a poker face.
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And his smile calls out her own, she can't resist it when he gives her the big eyes. The big eyes threaten to destroy her better judgement a little more every time she sees them.
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"Hey now, I'm just a cranky old man and you know it." He stabs at his noodles as though that would prove his point; "You've got feminine charm and good looks on your side."
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She eats a mouthful of noodles, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"But that's your charm."
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"Careful there, I almost took that as a compliment." One eyebrow remains half-quirked and he twists another large bite - somewhat gracelessly managing it to his mouth.
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"It almost was one."
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"Well... when you put it that way..." he mumbles into his water, taking an entirely too long sip to simply break the moment.
It's hard not to flirt when she's playing along, guilt or no he's not one to stop himself when he's on a roll.
"Good thing it wasn't, I might have had to be a little embarrassed about it."
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"I'm sorry, Henry. I was inappropriate."
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The admission leaves him awkwardly looking down at his mostly empty plate, running his fingers absently over the stem of his glass.
"I know better."
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"I encouraged it," she points out, quietly, over the rim of her wine glass. She knows she's that close to crossing the line.
Again.
She isn't just sounding crazy tonight. She really is. She's lost her mind.
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"It happens;" he forces himself to look up at her, a hint of his smile creasing the corners of his mouth; "Sometimes I just need to remember when to keep my mouth shut."
Now would probably be a good time, if not five minutes ago.
"Especially around people I might be inclined to say things I shouldn't around."
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"You know, I've always felt like honesty is the best policy between friends."
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"Yeah," he nods slowly, finishing the bottom of his glass of wine in preparation for the dressing down. "And you're right."
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She shrugs, but looks at him, doesn't break her gaze this time.
"Don't feel badly about it, is all I mean."
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Not breaking the steady gaze, he swallows a sudden lump in his throat and says; "And by that you mean it wouldn't be unwelcome if I was being serious?"
It's an open enough statement, giving them both plenty of room to back out quickly.
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"It's not wise and everything is very complicated, but it wouldn't be unwelcome at all."
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"I, uh..." he nods again, looking down into his empty wine glass; "I understand."
The awkward sinking in his stomach tells him it's probably a good time to not ask what he wants to ask... that he should just let things lie for the moment. "I know you've got an early morning... and I should probably be getting home."