OOM: After Stumbling On Milliways
Apr. 4th, 2012 09:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 08:24 am (UTC)It's out of her mouth before she realizes it. And before she realizes the implication. She twists her mouth, embarrassed.
"Not worried about it, but we could waylay it altogether, is all I meant."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 08:37 am (UTC)And then she continues and he only nods. "Sure, yeah... I'm okay with that."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 09:03 am (UTC)His way of cutting things down to brass tacks is still reassuring to her, in the end. She trusts his judgment, probably more than anyone else in the SBPD.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 09:17 am (UTC)"We will." He nods reassuringly, his eyes softening with a somewhat tentative smile.
"Even if we are in over our heads."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 09:27 am (UTC)"Not the first time we've been there. Hopefully won't be the last either. We usually make it out all right."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-08 04:33 pm (UTC)He raises what's left in his glass and mutters; "To partnerships?"
no subject
Date: 2012-04-09 06:23 am (UTC)"Partnerships. And solving this mystery."
She hopes and prays that they can, and then maybe she can regain some semblance of her sanity.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-09 08:18 pm (UTC)"Tonight..." he chuckles dryly, taking another large bite; "well, tonight I'm trying to eat slowly so we don't have to leave."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 03:38 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 03:55 am (UTC)"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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 04:07 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 04:13 am (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 05:31 am (UTC)She eats a mouthful of noodles, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"But that's your charm."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 05:41 am (UTC)"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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 05:46 am (UTC)"It almost was one."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 05:50 am (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:03 am (UTC)"I'm sorry, Henry. I was inappropriate."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:10 am (UTC)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."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:20 am (UTC)"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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:31 am (UTC)"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."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:38 am (UTC)"You know, I've always felt like honesty is the best policy between friends."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 06:45 am (UTC)"Yeah," he nods slowly, finishing the bottom of his glass of wine in preparation for the dressing down. "And you're right."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 07:01 am (UTC)She shrugs, but looks at him, doesn't break her gaze this time.
"Don't feel badly about it, is all I mean."
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 07:07 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-10 07:42 am (UTC)"It's not wise and everything is very complicated, but it wouldn't be unwelcome at all."
(no subject)
From: