⚛ 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

[athru]

Just Hank, then.

[ She moves, making herself comfortable, all over Hank as usual. ]

Don't lock yourself in the lab all the time, though. We spent so long decorating our room.

[beathach]

[he doesn't mind, in fact he shifts back just a little so she can properly hang all over him]

Can I lock myself in our room instead?

[athru]

[ There's no helping herself; she grins. ]

I'm not going to complain.

[beathach]

[. . . squint]

Why are you grinning?

[athru]

Because I can lock myself in our bedroom with you?

[ Duh. ]

[beathach]

Ah - point. I wouldn't lock you out.

[just everyone else]

[athru]

And we can spend some time together.

[beathach]

[he can't help but smile a little]

Waiting for this to wear off? You'll get bored.

[athru]

When have I ever been bored around you, Hank?

[beathach]

Well - [he. Doesn't have an answer] I don't . . . know? You have to get bored sometimes, I'm not - exactly interesting.

[athru]

Hank. [ She gives him That Look, intensely. ]

[beathach]

[noooo, not That Look]

. . . well I'm not!

[athru]

Oh, no. The genius mutant that can turn into a man with blue fur and break things with his bare fists is boring.

[beathach]

. . . when you put it like that I don't sound boring.

[athru]

That's because you're not boring. [ She shakes her head, lifting her hand to brush her fingers over Hank's cheek. ] You're interesting, and amazing.

[beathach]

All of those things you listed are things I rarely ever do, though. Aside from - the blue fur. [he huffs out a noise and reaches up for her hand, turning his head to kiss her palm] And you're still incredibly biased.

[athru]

[ She smiles, shifting to press a little bit closer. ]

I'm biased, but also right.

[beathach]

Alright, fine. You don't find me boring.

[but everyone else does. He even thinks he's boring]

[athru]

Charles doesn't think you're boring. Neither does Cisco, or Winn.

[ Hah. ]

[beathach]

Charles is also biased. [. . .] I've got nothing for the other two.

[athru]

So I win.

[beathach]

For now. You may have won the battle, but I'll win the war.

[but it comes out deadpanned so you know he isn't serious]

[athru]

I'm very afraid.

[ But she's also trying very hard not to laugh. ]

[beathach]

You should be.

[look at this straight face]

[athru]

[ And all Raven does is grab that straight face gently and kiss it. ]