driftfleet | And On Your Left You'll See a Tourist Mingle

[ at least for winn, they no longer make an appearance. it's the nice thing about finally having an answer, even if it's not the one he wanted - he gets to move on. he gets to interpret the situation as - this was just a ball of awkwardness made worse by the fact that they're all awkward people.

he kind of looks like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar; he wasn't going to bring that up, not now at least - he didn't want her to feel like she's done something wrong on top of everything else, and he also...wants to impress her. freaking out is the opposite of impressive. ]

About that -- when that happens, is it safe to step back or -- is that a colossally Bad Idea?

You weren't phased so it was safe to step back. If we'd both been phased we would have been solid to each other and that wouldn't have happened.

But if I have you phased and you're partially in a wall or something you can't let go of me.

It's just an instinct for me, you know? I do it more than people probably realize. [Since a lot of times she'll just look like she's sitting/standing/whatever normally.]

That's - good to know.

[ parameters, ways he could tell what's going on. it's reassuring. when dealing with superpowers, he kind of feels like he's feeling his way in the dark, and it's not a sensation he's used to. he's good at understanding things. ]

Is it like a nervous habit? [ like the superpowered version of his hand going in his hair. (which is where the one that is not holding kitty's goes right now. maybe it's a good thing he doesn't have superpowers...) ]

[She doesn't mind telling him. She'd even let some weaknesses slip probably.]

No, it's a defensive habit so I don't get shot or something. ...I guess it might seem more nervous in a place like this where that's a lot less likely.

[ if she will, that's a secret he really will do his best to take to his grave.

he squeezes her hand a little again. the sound of whole magazines being emptied in his direction is probably going to haunt him for the rest of his days, and he was never actually hit thanks to kara. he can't imagine what kitty must be dealing with. ]

Instincts are kind of embedded regardless of geography. Otherwise I wouldn't be rambling right now about instincts -

[One day she needs the ability to read brackets because he'd probably get more hugs if she could.]

Tricky instincts. At least this one is usually harmless and sometimes extremely helpful. And I don't embarrass easily. [Which was kind of the superpower in the room a little while ago.]

[ maybe one day! those augments sure are weird. ]

Wish you could share that power -

[ because if he's not embarrassed then he's embarrassing. ]

I'm not too embarrassing to kiss, right? [Smiling. Of course it's a trap.]

[ he can see that. he can also see how literally anything he would say here would get confused and extremely embarrassing and would probably end up blurting out some of his confidence issues along the way which as everyone knows - is just as sexy as can get. he opens his mouth to start saying it anyway --

and instead leans forward and kisses her. yeah, if he's going to fall for that trap, he's going to at least enjoy the ride! and frankly if kara walks back in now? well, he'll still be embarrassed and awkward, but it'll be worth it! ]

[She didn't expect him to dare kissing her again, but he does and she meets it sweet and lingering. Her hand comes up to slide back into his hair. She could get used to this and that scares her, but not enough to pull away. Not until they really need to breathe.]

That was a really good answer.

[ he smiles as they pull apart; he's already used to it. ]

It was an easy question.

[ she's kind of too good for him, after all. ]

Wow, you are nailing this. [Because that was a good response too. Not a literal invitation for nailing anything. But she's thiiiiiis close to a blush!]

Well, statistically, it's bound to happen every once in a while.

You really don't give yourself enough credit. I'm going to start calling you every day just to tell you something nice about yourself.

[ it's his turn to almost blush - no, you know what? that gets a bit of a blush. ]

Every day? [ he's assuming it's a joke but even still, that calling him every day would even come to mind is moving, let alone the implication that she'd have something new to say on every call. ]

[She almost says, "unless you'd get tired of me," but it sounds too much like another trick so she holds it back.] Every day that I don't see you in person.

[ that sounds a little bit less like she's kidding, and he's not really sure how to feel about that. has he ever spoken to someone every single day? maybe his parents, before everything went to crap, but that's different. sure, he talks to kara a lot - but that's usually in person, because they worked together, and now they're on the same ship.

this is the most wanted he's ever felt in his life. but he can't possibly express that. ]

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

You say that like it's going to be hard. I got this.

[Feeling wanted—for who you are—is an amazing thing isn't it? Her parents didn't choose to die, but it still left its scars. She can only imagine what it was like for his parents—who are two of her least favorite people now.]

Takes a long time to get drinks.

[ if only he could read brackets - she would get so many more hugs as well. ]

I told you - pyramids. [ he can't quite seem to be able to stop smiling now. ]

[ there's a knock on the office door ]

Everyone decent?

[ too soon? when she gets the affirmative, she comes in with a glass in each hand and Hank behind her with two more ]

[too soon or not, Hank makes a quiet, amused noise and peeks in before he follows her. He'll hold out a glass to whoever's nearest, movements just on this side of careful]

[Kara's question made Kitty raise a suggestive eyebrow at Winn, but she was good and did not call out some teasing reply they were probably not ready to hear...FOR NOW! She doesn't let go of Winn's hand just because they're there, but she does to reach for a water from Hank.]

Thanks. Did you both miss us? We're very missable.

[ if she's not letting go, then neither is he, even if it's a little awkward to be sitting on the couch holding hands with people in the room. he doesn't want her to feel like he's embarrassed of -- whatever they are. he actually couldn't be more proud.

though he appreciates her restraint, because he might have needed that hand to hide his face in without it.

he takes the glass from kara with his free hand ]

Thanks. [ he glances over at kitty with amusement. their conversation went through so many feelings - he's glad they came back to the both of them being in pretty high spirits, before looking back at hank ] So - tour! That's -- Kara's dress - [ he nods towards the partly made red dress ] Kitty's - [ a nod to the partly made blue ] my costume - [ nodding towards a mass of rolled up fabric. he got really far on that one, you see. ] and the rest I leave to Kara - [ turning to look at her, since he's not sure if there's something in particular she wanted to show hank. ]

I mean, there's not a lot to see but this is an office. Slash, current sewing room. But it's a nice space to have. To offer to my friends!

Thanks for working on all of this, Winn. It looks really good.

And. Um.

[ sips her water ]

Sorry for making things awkward earlier.

It's a very nice office. And - yes, sorry about that.

[forever apologizing. But he glances at the dresses, then tilts his head, confused]

What are the dresses for?

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