PSL for Renart

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Comments

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That's not living, Renart. Trust me, I did it for a long time.

[aigue]

[She pulls her knees up, she can bury her face against them, hugging herself. Her voice is starting to break.]

Seems like it'd be easier than this.

[advanced]

In some ways it is.

[She's possibly the only person he'd ever admit that, because it feels almost like saying there were parts of the Soldier that were bearable.]

But it's not being alive, not feeling the pain, not being attached to anything... it means you don't feel joy either. You don't feel anything, you're not anything.

[aigue]

[It can't be easy for him to talk about this, which makes her feel bad for even bringing it up. She should have just stayed silent for the rest of the night instead of bothering him.

That guilt is making her tear up again, and before she can stop herself she's bursting into tears.]

[advanced]

[He does want her to stop bottling all of this up, but he'd feel like a heel if he knew that part of the reason she's suddenly crying is because she feels guilty over his shitty life.

He hesitates, not wanting to do anything that'll make her swallow it all down again, before shifting just a little closer and leaving his body language open. An invitation for an embrace if she needs it, but without obligation or words.]

[aigue]

[She hates that she's crying all over again. Despite what he said she feels stupid, weak, ridiculous for not being able to just push through all of it.

It isn't long until she notices that he's moved closer, and even though she knows it won't help her feel any better later she latches onto him, continuing to cry.]

[advanced]

[He feels a tiny knot of tension release in his chest when she finally gives herself over to letting it out. He doesn't get that she's getting his shirt all wet, he's had worse things than a few tears and a bit of snot all over him, and maybe it'll be like exorcising poison.

He'll hold her for as long as she needs. He won't bother with useless platitudes, because it might not all be okay, and time doesn't heal every wound. He'll just be there, solid and present.]

[aigue]

[It'll be a while. This time she doesn't try to stop herself - she doesn't think she can stop herself, it's like a dam that's been holding back an entire tsunami worth of flooding is breaking.

So she doesn't stop so much as drift off to sleep against him. Something she'll undoubtedly find even more embarrassing when she eventually wakes up.]

[advanced]

[Bucky doesn't mind.

He's spent a lot of time learning how to be still, a sniper has to be able to sit in uncomfortable positions for hours waiting for the right shot, and so this is pretty much luxury to have to be still because he has a beautiful woman leaning up against him. She's so warm, and he can feel her breathing evening out, it's comforting.

He doesn't sleep himself, but he does relax enough to doze, and his eyes will be closed whenever she wakes.]

[aigue]

[She wakes up slowly, at first not quite realizing where she is. But when she does she glances up at him and, upon thinking he's still asleep, remains still. Sure, she's embarrassed about her outburst last night, but this is kind of nice. It's comforting, enough that she curls up a little bit tighter against him.]

[advanced]

[He feels the shift in the cadence of her breathing and the slight movement of her head when she glances up, but he remains still himself for another few seconds. It's been a long time since he felt this relaxed and at peace, he's reluctant to break that spell.

He does move, though, stretching out stiff limbs and pushing a bit of her hair out of her face.]

Morning, how are feeling?

[aigue]

[At the touch she sits up abruptly, her cheeks reddening. Okay, that's definitely over.]

Fine.

[You know what she's just going to stand up.]

I need a shower. Do you mind if I use yours?

[advanced]

[He's a little sad that she's suddenly so awkward and it shows, just for a moment, in a crestfallen expression before he irons that out into his more usual neutrality.]

Sure, it's just through there, you remember? There's a towel on the side you can use.

[aigue]

[She catches the change in his features and feels even worse for it, but nods curtly and darts off to the bathroom. This is stupid, particularly when she was trying to hit on him last night, but she doesn't want to keep being a total mess around him and embarrassing herself. First rejection, then crying on him, what's next?

At least she can hide for a little while in the shower. Once she's in the bathroom she gets the water going, making sure it's piping hot before undressing and stepping in. And trying to figure out her next move, which right now seems like just going home and running away from this disaster.]

[advanced]

[He uses the time while she's in the shower to try and think of what to do. Hanging out all day in his house is a bad plan, it might lead to more awkward moments of intimacy, and Renart needs some sort of distraction in order to not sink into a depression about Monty being gone.

He can only hope that crying last night has helped purge some of the worst of it.

Bucky has a tentative plan whenever she emerges, having taken the time to get changed into clean clothes and get ready for going out.]

[aigue]

[She's in the shower far longer than she normally is, mostly to put off having to deal with everything when she's finished. That'll have to come at some point though, so eventually she finishes, dries herself off (and her tail, as much as she can) before dressing in her clothes from yesterday.

She takes a deep breath before leaving the bathroom, then heads back over to the living room.]

I should go.

[advanced]

[He eyes her carefully, trying to figure out if she really does need some alone time or if she's trying to escape to mope.]

That what you really want?

[He's not holding her prisoner, he just doesn't want her to sink into isolation and self destructive behaviour.]

[aigue]

I mean. [She takes a few steps towards the door.] I'm just bothering you, so it's better if I go.

[advanced]

[He frowns, suddenly and fiercely, and closes the distance between them to reach out and very gently, but very definitely, tug on her tail.]

Pretty sure I warned you a long time ago about the consequences of saying dumb stuff like that.

[aigue]

[She reflexively jumps, before taking her tail into her arms protectively.]

I can't expect you to keep putting up with me. That isn't fair to you.

[advanced]

How about you let me decide what's fair to me, huh?

[He will tweak the tail again, don't test him on this. He's sympathetic to her situation at the moment, but he's not going to brook any of that self flagellation stuff.]

[aigue]

[She holds her tail a bit tighter.]

Do you really think it's fair?

[advanced]

[He shrugs, unconcerned.]

I don't know, but I don't really care about fair. I always want you around, that's pretty much the long and short of it.

[aigue]

[That remark is making her turn red again.]

'Always'? You can't be serious.

[advanced]

...okay, maybe not when I'm in the bathroom, but other than that. Yeah. Always.

[And for someone as antisocial as him, that's a fairly big deal.]