⚛ 02: why this edition; video

[beathach]

Who: Hank and you!
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: The Blameless
When: now!

[when the feed flips on, it focuses on a crate on the smaller side, but clearly yet another sponsor drop. Only this time, it appears to be full of brushes, of all shapes and colors and sizes. There's also a note attached on top:

"Because normal brushes are just infuriating. Keep that blue fur shiny with these purrfect alternatives!"

there's a heavy sigh from behind the camera and a mutter, just audible enough to be picked up by the microphone]

Someone thinks they're being funny.

[another sigh, and the camera turns around, focusing on a woman's face. Reluctantly, it seems, because she looks incredibly awkward and uncomfortable]

Anyway - I know some people have pets on the fleet, so if you'd like a brush for their fur, feel free to come over to the Blameless and pick one up. I certainly won't be keeping them.

[she goes to turn the feed off, then pauses]

Also, Winn? This is your fault. Get over here so I can blame you properly.

[and with that, the feed disconnects]

Comments

[beathach]

Incredibly so. [he even leans against her a little bit as she settles] I can safely say this is one thing I've never experienced before now.

[athru]

At least you have a girlfriend who can absolutely empathise.

[ Raven's careful, wrapping an arm around Hank and holding him close. ]

I'm not going to say you get used to it, because you probably won't have to.

[beathach]

[as long as no one wanders by, he's completely fine staying right here]

That's true. Even if I get used to it, it probably won't last that long.

At least, I hope it won't.

[athru]

Cisco's didn't last too long, did it? He was himself soon enough. It'll probably be the same way for you.

[ And even if Raven will miss Hank being Hank, it doesn't mean she's going to avoid him like this. That would be silly. ]

You'll be yourself again in no time.

[beathach]

It was only a couple of days, I think.

[which is still too long in his opinion, but then again, he is not happy with this particular change]

I guess I'll just have to survive until then.

[athru]

You can survive with me, then.

[ She smiles, lifting her hand to push hair out of Hank's face. ]

So, can I kiss you now?

[beathach]

If you . . . want to?

[it isn't that he doesn't want to, it's just. Weird]

[athru]

I don't really think I'm in any position to say that I don't want to kiss you just because you look different.

[ At least she manages a wry smile, leaning in to give Hank a very gentle kiss. ]

[beathach]

It's a little more than just looking different.

[but he isn't going to be ridiculous, he'll happily lean in to kiss her back]

[athru]

[ She leans closer, pressing into the kiss and letting her fingers brush over Hank's cheek. ]

You're still you. That's what matters to me.

[beathach]

[he huffs out a little noise, tilting into her hand]

Well - good.

[athru]

I'm still going to kiss you whenever I like.

[ Maybe it means they won't make out for a while, or do other things, but that's fine. ]

Do you want to borrow some clothes?

[beathach]

I might even let you do that.

[he's teasing, of course he'd let her.

He considers her question before making a face]

I guess mine wouldn't work for the time being, would they.

[athru]

Good.

[ And she goes ahead and steals another kiss, still smiling. ]

Yours might be a bit uncomfortable. I'll get you some of my shirts and stuff.

[beathach]

[that's a lot of kisses you're stealing, miss]

They're not - uncomfortable? They're just . . . er, a little big on me.

[athru]

[ Hey. She loves her boyfriend. ]

It's fine, I'll give you clothes until you're you again. I'll even teach you how to put on a bra.

[beathach]

[but is it stealing if he's willingly giving them?]

You—. . . I-I don't think I really need to - know that?

[athru]

[ Semantics. ]

You'll get uncomfortable if you don't? You don't have to, but...I could always do it for you.

[beathach]

[conversations he never imagined having: this one, right here]

I - maybe? If . . . er, if things get . . . uncomfortable.

[athru]

You can let me know.

[ Reaching out, Raven squeezes his hand. ]

I just want to help.

[beathach]

[he squeezes back]

I know you do.

[athru]

There we are, then.

[ Raven shifts, moving to push at Hank's hair again gently, tilting her head. ]

I wonder how they do it. Make someone look just the same, just... Swapped.

[beathach]

In Kyriakos, it was magic. I never experienced - this before, but I was turned into a teenager, once.

[he tilts into her hand again, sighing out]

[athru]

I bet you were a cute teen.

[ Her fingers brush over Hank's skin and she smiles. ]

[beathach]

I think you might be a little biased.