may mingle (blameless!)

[revivo]

Who: Blameless crew + visitors
Broadcast: N/A
Action: Aboard the Blameless
When: May

[time to get your mingle on, people lacking blame and friends!]

Comments

[beathach]

Charles is the only one I've never argued with. [but he sombers a little, sighing] But he's a telepath, so he's had to deal with his fair share of . . . people who don't understand. And he's taken the serum for his own reasons.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she reaches out a hand, to squeeze his if he'll go along with it ]

I think what's most important is that you own your reasons. It's no one else's business.

[beathach]

[he's spent so long the other way that at first, his grip is careful - and then he remembers there's no claws or strength to worry about, and tightens his hold a little]

Don't worry, that's the one thing I am good at.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she appreciates that he's tentative, even though he'd have to work at hurting her. she doesn't let go after the hand squeeze, especially since he's more sure of his grip, but she also doesn't really have a plan ]

I'm pretty sure you're good at more than one thing.

[beathach]

[he doesn't let go either, but his expression sort of . . . shifts. Into something a little more guilty, really, because he has to . . . talk to her. About things he isn't even sure he's qualified to talk about, and yet. And yet somehow it's a thing he has to handle]

No, no I'm . . . bad at most everything else. Like - pretending I didn't catch your subtle question earlier, or - starting conversations. That one I'm terrible at.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she notices the energy shift ]

And yet... sounds like that's going somewhere?

[beathach]

[in a move that's terribly mature and adult of him, he—

Drops his head down on his arm and groans]

I don't want to hurt you, Kara.

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, I'm actually pretty sturdy and usually invulnerable so...

But that's not what you meant, is it?

[beathach]

[oh my god]

No . . . that's not what I meant.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she brushes her hair behind her ear and inspects her shoes ]

So...?

[beathach]

[he takes a deep breath and lifts his head, forcing himself to look at her]

. . . I'm - going to apologize now, because I know I'm going to say something wrong.

When I said it's complicated . . . Raven being here, I - I was being subtle, too. I don't know what - we are, but whatever word you put to it, it's . . . not fair to you. Or - to what we've been trying to start.

And - I really like you, Kara. I don't want to ruin - what we have now, because I was an idiot and didn't tell you that - I have history with someone else.

[he lets out a sigh and gestures vaguely, then lifts that hand to rub at his face underneath his glasses] Like I said . . . I don't want to hurt you. And - I'm sorry if I have already.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ at least this isn't new territory for her. she's been here a lot. she has a tent and a sleeping bag in this place and she rents out plots to others. the friendzone is her home. she looks a little pained, but puts on a smile, and there's some genuineness with it ]

I understand, though I think you win more points for subtlety than I do.

Sorry, Hank. I was just being silly; I didn't mean to make you agonize about anything, or think you've hurt me. You're an excellent friend, and I look forward to keeping our friendship up.

I do have one request, though.

[beathach]

[this is brand new territory to him, especially considering Kara is probably the second girl in his entire life he's ever shown interest in. That's how new this whole thing is]

No - no, you didn't do anything, really. Please don't think you have. It's - more that I have a really bad track record with - important conversations like this.

[talk about understatements]

What's that?

[takingkarabusiness]

[ VERY (mock) SERIOUSLY ]

I don't care how much you like her or how complicated things are, I get to taste the ice cream first.

[beathach]

[. . . he. He forces a half-grin]

You have my word. You get the first taste.

[takingkarabusiness]

Come here.

[ come here. she's going to offer him a hug because they're cool bros who are cool and bros and can hug without weirdness ]

[beathach]

[hugs are totally not any more awkward than they were before, no lie]

[takingkarabusiness]

[ squeezes his arm as she releases the hug ]

I really do appreciate you telling me.

[beathach]

[he smiles briefly]

I know. I'm just - glad you still want to be friends.

[takingkarabusiness]

Of course. You're a great person, Hank.

But I should probably stop distracting you. I came over to say hi, but I also wanted to ask Kate some cooking questions before dinner so I'll probably nose around a bit to see where she is.

[beathach]

[boy does he know an excuse when he sees one. But he smiles again and nods, because he's certainly not going to make her stay]

Yeah - of course, I'm sure she's around somewhere. I'll see you later?

[takingkarabusiness]

I'll see you later.

And don't be afraid to start more conversations, okay?

[beathach]

I won't. I promise.

[he means it, too]

[takingkarabusiness]

Good.

[ and she'll take her exit. and maybe try to find Kate, or maybe try to crawl into a hole and hide for a week ]