driftfleet | gotta get down for a mingle

[ He knows her footsteps and her heartbeat; his mouth is already crinkling into a smile when she materialises in the doorway. ]

Hey, sweetheart. How're you doin'?

[She leans comfortably against the door frame, smiling at him in return.]

Don' alright, Jim. Just thought I'd check in. Y'all get those little gift baskets too?

Yeah. And somethin' else besides. You need anything warm?

[Rogue raised her eyebrows at him.]

...why would I need somethin' warm?

[She thought the chill in some of the rooms was just her.]

They turned my ship into a walk in freezer.

[...oooh boy, he was pissed.]

Eh, can't see my breath, could be worse.

[She moved into the kitchen.] Okay. Scale of one ta ten, how mad are you right now?

[ He chuckles, softly. ]

Always lookin' after me, huh? Don't worry, it's not above five. Gettin' lower.

Didn't know they'd messed with ya like this. They just gave the Vanquish a new tile job.

[If she'd known, she would have been here sooner.]

It's just colder in the rooms, right?

It's warmer in the rooms. They're homier, too. The corridors are another story. It's like they went and split the ship into two halves.

[ The ones that match his own mind. ]

...well, that's creepy.

[It wasn't as if she didn't remember Jim's mind, the sepia of one side and the chill of the other.

What a bunch of jackasses.]

Gonna have ta get ya some tapestries, huh? Treat your ship like a proper castle.

You know anywhere I can find tapestries?

Ya got me there. [Though she did know a few middle ages minded people... not that well, however. Except for Loki. And somehow she thought... no, that would not go well.] Might be able ta find somethin' on the way stations... or maybe we could even do some pannelin', or make our own insulation.

[She wasn't going to suggest that he just try to fix it, she knew all too well that 1) he probably already had and 2) when sadistic overlords thought something was funny and made adjustments, it wasn't so easy to get things back to normal.

She gave him a small smile.]

More'n one way ta heat things up, or take things back.

[It was, she thought, perhaps the violation that made it so difficult. Despite the ridiculous nature of it, they had each come to think of their ships as 'home.' To have that messed with in such a cruel mimicry, in a way that not only impacted you but those under your protection, was essentially rubbing your face in the helplessness of the situation, in your lack of control and Atroma's power as even the most intimate places of your heart could be put on display, the most basic comforts changed and distorted.]

[ How is it she always manages to be so straightforward, and so right? He runs a hand through his hair. ]

Yeah. I'm getting as many blankets as I can meanwhile. The bunks are the worst hit. Steve's bringin' a few.

[ Oh. ]

Don't think I told ya yet did I. Steve's here. Steve Rogers. He's an old friend.

[She manages to always be so straightforward because there is a person she desperately does not want to further resemble, and has learned too many bitter lessons to be otherwise -- she also manages to be wrong and straightforward on what she feels is a fairly equal basis, and she would have pointed that out except aaaaaaaaaaaaaah crap.

Rogue looks distinctly uncomfortable.]

Yeah... ran into him yesterday.

[You know, when she DIDN'T complete her visit and come and see you, because she was too irritated to hide it and didn't want to be upset about it?

Also 'an old friend?' Please, Jim. Please.

She gives him a small smile.] Glad he's helpin' out. I'm sure you'll figure somethin' out.

[WHAT, YOU SAW NOTHING.]

[ 'Old friend' is a little less sad than saying 'only friend'. ]

You did?

[ Because he hadn't seen or heard her around the ship, which means she either left or just didn't come to see him. That's unusual. He frowns. ]

[ Well if there was a real problem he trusts her to talk to him about it eventually. ]

Well. Don't s'pose you've got any warm things? For the other crew. I don't really feel the cold.

[Honesty is important between people you care about.

She ran a hand through her hair and exhaled, appreciative of his willingness to drop it but guessing it would eat at him if she didn't give. She didn't like telling tales. It wasn't really any of his business. But...]

Can't think of anythin' off-hand. I'll look into it.

[...yeah, she wasn't going to do this to him. Rogue gave him a small smile.] You're bein' real good 'bout lettin' it drop, Jim, don't think I don't see it. But if it's gonna eat at ya, then I'd rather just tell ya. Let me know.

It won't, [ and that's a promise. ] everybody's grown-up here. You're both stubborn — don't think I don't suspect what mighta happened. You're just two of my favourite people and you're gonna be spendin' a lotta time here with me. You can't fix it, you let me know.

[...man, she really loved him. Rogue's face reflected her surprise, then softened for a telling moment before her lips quirked into a wry expression and she ventured to tease:] Oh, I'm gonna be spendin' a lotta time here with you, huh? What makes ya so sure?

Somethin' about my presence bein' intoxicating...

[Rogue mock whistles and tugs at her collar.] I think we need a 'lil more air in here. Someone's ego's takin' up all the oxygen.

[ He laughs. ]

Yeah, yeah, don't let me get away with nothin'.

Well, I wouldn't want ya think I was comin' around 'cause you were gettin' me drunk. [Dramatic hand to chest.] What kinda girl do ya take me for?

A real special one.

[ Earnest, with a boyish smile, not a trace of mischief. ]

[Pfff. She almost laughs, but schools her expression.]

Maybe you're the one that's drunk.

[Shaking her head at him.]

Maybe.

[ He winks. ]

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