[ The door isn't locked, so instead he'll just get a sad and muffled little "Come in!" to find her nest, IV line disappearing into it. There's a bit of rustling before she folds a corner back and she's in THAT SAME FUCKING SHIRT HE TRIED TO STEAL FROM HER IN BUDDY COP AU the comfiest and laziest sweater she could find and not much else, stretching long legs and fighting the little shiver that threatens to vibrate her skull and leave her teeth chattering. Her hair is loose and mussed, but she otherwise doesn't look too terrible besides the exhaustion about the eyes.
Her smile could melt an ice wall when she sees him with the steam curling from the mug in his hands. Oh, Jack, you're too good to her. ]
If you ever needed to find a way to my heart, today is your lucky day.
[ The line taped to the back of her hand gets disconnected from the near-empty IV drip before she reaches for him— the mug, rather, but mostly him. ]
[Don't say things like that to him, please. They're far too committal, and he is still a little too flighty and on edge to deal with them. It's been difficult, acclimating to the base, and things like making hot chocolate in the kitchen for someone who is way too hung over, but he tells himself that he's trying.
When she invites him in, he obliges, closing the door behind him and approaching the bed, setting the mug on the table next to her.
He chooses not to acknowledge the implications of the things she's just said, and doesn't sit.]
[ SHE MEANT IT NICELY don't get bristly!! She scoops the mug up in her hands and takes a moment to just let the heat soak through her hands and breathe it in, feeling the dry stuffiness fading back. Like fog melting for the sun. Finally, she'll bring it to her lips and sip at it, eyes closed. ]
Mmmm... You did well, soldier. Aufgabe erfüllt.
[ Mission accomplished, essentially. She's glad he closed the door; doesn't even look up at him when her eyes finally open, lashes still low as she completely and selfishly takes in the cocoa experience. Thick, velvety, and he did a good job stirring it in; everything's melted perfectly. ]
I'm not the only one trying and failing to keep up with the next generation, at least. I was only one casualty of many. How are you doing?
[ The question is asked with more sincerity than she likely looks like she could give, but the IV had done wonders and Jack's presence with the hot chocolate moreso. She'll adjust her blankets now that she's stretched and make a corner for him on the cot if he'd like to sit, pulling her legs up as she goes to prop herself up in the opposite corner with her pillows. Here's a little pat on the mattress in invitation. ]
[Haha jk it's powdered Swiss Miss with hot water. Maybe if he doesn't say anything she won't notice. 76 knows that by closing the door, he's sort of invited on a Moment, or a conversation at the very least, and the way she shifts and pats the bed indicates that he has no choice in the matter.
So here he goes. He's sitting. Please be proud of him, even if he probably brought you instant hot chocolate.]
I'm fine.
[Which is the truth. He'd probably had just about as much as most of the others last night, but he's got that super soldier thing going on. Takes a lot to get him drunk, much less hung over.]
You need anything else? Something to eat?
MUH CODE... goes to make hot chocolate at 3am because I'm a fucking adult
[ WHAT DID SHE DO TO DESERVE THIS BETRAYAL??? Of course she notices the difference there's sugar lumps of fake marshmallows in it, but it was something he had gone out of his way to make and bring to her and more importantly, it is hot and it's sweet. She isn't that picky.
At least he sits, despite the grievous bad choices she'd made. He'll still tolerate her presence. Yes, good. ]
This is plenty for now, thank you.
[ She pulls the hot mug to her chest and breathes in the steam, focusing on the warmth against her skin. There are plenty of things she'd want, but need? No, and she won't hassle him with the wants. Simple things like someone rubbing her back or stroking her hair and telling her hangovers aren't forever. She's usually so careful, and they aren't nearly so bad. Dehydration was a bitch, plain and simple. ]
[LOOK HE'S...not so good at human civilization anymore, as evidenced by the fact that he is still in full gear. He is trying. Instant hot chocolate is all he can do.
76 kind of sits awkwardly on the bed for a long moment before finally allowing himself to lean back a little on his palms, turning his visor towards Angela, who looks completely and totally pathetic with that mug.]
Nothing to forgive.
[A shrug. She's pulled him out of far more embarrassing situations.]
[ JACK PLS YOU'RE IN THE BASE... She appreciates that he's trying, at least. Trying not to smother him in praise when he does. At least he relaxes a bit when he sits back, and she'll smile into her mug when he answers. ]
You're a good man. I'd trust your judgment if you chose to.
[ A beat, and then: ]
And you did well finding the Swiss Miss I'd tried to get rid of.
[He shifts uncomfortably on the mattress, clearly still trying to get used to the way she talks about him. 76 does not feel like a good man, so he tries to focus on the fact that maybe this can just be about the hot chocolate.]
I didn't want to make you wait.
[Microwaving a mug of water and dumping in a packet of powder is arguably easier than making real hot chocolate. Sorry about your European sensibilities, Angela.]
[ It is only 20% about hot chocolate and 30% about how easily he brought it to her. The other 50% stands pre-decided. But she can see he's uncomfortable even if her head throbs and she's trying not to think too hard, and she'll ease up on him. ]
I appreciate you going out of your way to do this for me. Really and truly, thank you.
[ He was choosing to waste his time on something as silly and inconvenient as taking a hungover doctor a mug of hot chocolate. That was a pretty good mark in his books, as far as most of the world went. ]
Now I'll ask again, a little more pointed. How have you been settling in?
[ She's sober and arguably in a much better mood now; she won't let him off so easily. ]
[HE PUT A COFFEE MUG IN THE MICROWAVE FOR TWO MINUTES but okay. 76 knows better than to argue about silly things like instant hot chocolate. His choice for a hangover would have been water, anyway, but he's already assured her that he's not one to judge.
He fidgets a little on the bed, more than a bit unsure as to how to answer the question. It's a complicated issue, one he hasn't exactly come to terms with yet, and he's not so good at talking, anymore. He even grumbles a bit before he can properly respond.]
[ HE STILL DID IT!! That's a big thing to do for someone else, she's proud of him!! Let her be proud! She waits as patiently as ever through his grumbling, letting him pick his words while she sips at her hot chocolate. ]
I can imagine. It's hard for me to be back, too. I believe it's why everyone is forcing these group activities, trying to loosen where we're tense. Reacquaint with one another. We've missed out on a lot in each other's lives and we have some newer faces to get used to.
It was fun to see everyone having a good time. I hope you'll join me next time it comes up.
[ She knows he won't; but he may at least watch from afar, where she can swing by every now and then and top up his drink of choice. ]
[That's noncommittal enough, right? 76 still doesn't think he can face most of the people here after what he's done, purposefully distancing himself from everyone because he isn't sure what else to do.
[ He thought it himself that he invited this conversation on, and Mercy is definitely giving him The Look big time. She doesn't like seeing him uncomfortable, starting to think he willingly indulged her for another reason.
She'll reach a hand over to touch his shoulder— an easy little thing to prompt him to look at her. ]
[He is immediately regretting opening up this line of conversation, but he supposes he brought it on himself. He doesn't want her to feel badly for his own hang-ups (even if they're pretty big hang-ups). The truth is that he has a lot of work to do. His failures weigh on him, but it's unfair to dump them all on her, when there was no reason for her to forgive him in the first place.]
Nothing you're doing. It's going to take me a while.
[Before he feels like he can properly integrate himself. It's nothing personal.]
[ And that's said as sincerely as possible. She's thought about it a lot; how he'd feel to be back here. How it must feel to be surrounded by your old friends and have (almost) none of them recognize you. To hide from everyone, keeping his knowledge of their lives and preferences to himself. Her hand stays on his shoulder and slips down to the crook of his elbow, resting there. ]
We don't need to speak of it if you don't want to. You can always duck into medbay if you want some time to yourself though, you know.
[ Well, that clearly wasn't what she'd meant; rather, if he wanted to seek solace somewhere he could be himself. Her door is always open to him, and they didn't have to talk about anything. She enjoys his company, just as she is now. A simple touch, easy little gestures like the fact that he cared enough to bring her hot chocolate. She's never required much. ]
[He knows that her doors are always open, and it means more to him than he'll ever let on. The fact that he's letting her touch him so casually and intimately says a lot, and he tries to hold onto that.
[ It does say a lot, and she may be pushing the envelope a bit as she shifts to lean her shoulder against his arm, but she'll freely utilize her excuse of maybe still being a little drunk and indulge herself in an easier bond.
And it leaves her both hands to wrap around her mug to continue sipping the hot chocolate in comfortable silence. ]
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no subject
THAT SAME FUCKING SHIRT HE TRIED TO STEAL FROM HER IN BUDDY COP AUthe comfiest and laziest sweater she could find and not much else, stretching long legs and fighting the little shiver that threatens to vibrate her skull and leave her teeth chattering. Her hair is loose and mussed, but she otherwise doesn't look too terrible besides the exhaustion about the eyes.Her smile could melt an ice wall when she sees him with the steam curling from the mug in his hands. Oh, Jack, you're too good to her. ]
If you ever needed to find a way to my heart, today is your lucky day.
[ The line taped to the back of her hand gets disconnected from the near-empty IV drip before she reaches for him— the mug, rather, but mostly him. ]
no subject
When she invites him in, he obliges, closing the door behind him and approaching the bed, setting the mug on the table next to her.
He chooses not to acknowledge the implications of the things she's just said, and doesn't sit.]
You did a number on yourself.
no subject
Mmmm... You did well, soldier. Aufgabe erfüllt.
[ Mission accomplished, essentially. She's glad he closed the door; doesn't even look up at him when her eyes finally open, lashes still low as she completely and selfishly takes in the cocoa experience. Thick, velvety, and he did a good job stirring it in; everything's melted perfectly. ]
I'm not the only one trying and failing to keep up with the next generation, at least. I was only one casualty of many. How are you doing?
[ The question is asked with more sincerity than she likely looks like she could give, but the IV had done wonders and Jack's presence with the hot chocolate moreso. She'll adjust her blankets now that she's stretched and make a corner for him on the cot if he'd like to sit, pulling her legs up as she goes to prop herself up in the opposite corner with her pillows. Here's a little pat on the mattress in invitation. ]
no subject
So here he goes. He's sitting. Please be proud of him, even if he probably brought you instant hot chocolate.]
I'm fine.
[Which is the truth. He'd probably had just about as much as most of the others last night, but he's got that super soldier thing going on. Takes a lot to get him drunk, much less hung over.]
You need anything else? Something to eat?
MUH CODE... goes to make hot chocolate at 3am because I'm a fucking adult
At least he sits, despite the grievous bad choices she'd made. He'll still tolerate her presence. Yes, good. ]
This is plenty for now, thank you.
[ She pulls the hot mug to her chest and breathes in the steam, focusing on the warmth against her skin. There are plenty of things she'd want, but need? No, and she won't hassle him with the wants. Simple things like someone rubbing her back or stroking her hair and telling her hangovers aren't forever. She's usually so careful, and they aren't nearly so bad. Dehydration was a bitch, plain and simple. ]
You'll forgive me my lapse of judgment?
no subject
76 kind of sits awkwardly on the bed for a long moment before finally allowing himself to lean back a little on his palms, turning his visor towards Angela, who looks completely and totally pathetic with that mug.]
Nothing to forgive.
[A shrug. She's pulled him out of far more embarrassing situations.]
Don't think I'm in any position to judge, Doc.
no subject
You're a good man. I'd trust your judgment if you chose to.
[ A beat, and then: ]
And you did well finding the Swiss Miss I'd tried to get rid of.
no subject
I didn't want to make you wait.
[Microwaving a mug of water and dumping in a packet of powder is arguably easier than making real hot chocolate. Sorry about your European sensibilities, Angela.]
no subject
I appreciate you going out of your way to do this for me. Really and truly, thank you.
[ He was choosing to waste his time on something as silly and inconvenient as taking a hungover doctor a mug of hot chocolate. That was a pretty good mark in his books, as far as most of the world went. ]
Now I'll ask again, a little more pointed. How have you been settling in?
[ She's sober and arguably in a much better mood now; she won't let him off so easily. ]
no subject
He fidgets a little on the bed, more than a bit unsure as to how to answer the question. It's a complicated issue, one he hasn't exactly come to terms with yet, and he's not so good at talking, anymore. He even grumbles a bit before he can properly respond.]
It's fine.
[""""Fine""""]
Strange.
no subject
I can imagine. It's hard for me to be back, too. I believe it's why everyone is forcing these group activities, trying to loosen where we're tense. Reacquaint with one another. We've missed out on a lot in each other's lives and we have some newer faces to get used to.
It was fun to see everyone having a good time. I hope you'll join me next time it comes up.
[ She knows he won't; but he may at least watch from afar, where she can swing by every now and then and top up his drink of choice. ]
no subject
[That's noncommittal enough, right? 76 still doesn't think he can face most of the people here after what he's done, purposefully distancing himself from everyone because he isn't sure what else to do.
He shifts uncomfortably.]
Wouldn't get your hopes up.
no subject
She'll reach a hand over to touch his shoulder— an easy little thing to prompt him to look at her. ]
What's wrong?
[ Now you gone done it 76; she's Concerned. ]
no subject
[He is immediately regretting opening up this line of conversation, but he supposes he brought it on himself. He doesn't want her to feel badly for his own hang-ups (even if they're pretty big hang-ups). The truth is that he has a lot of work to do. His failures weigh on him, but it's unfair to dump them all on her, when there was no reason for her to forgive him in the first place.]
Nothing you're doing. It's going to take me a while.
[Before he feels like he can properly integrate himself. It's nothing personal.]
no subject
[ And that's said as sincerely as possible. She's thought about it a lot; how he'd feel to be back here. How it must feel to be surrounded by your old friends and have (almost) none of them recognize you. To hide from everyone, keeping his knowledge of their lives and preferences to himself. Her hand stays on his shoulder and slips down to the crook of his elbow, resting there. ]
We don't need to speak of it if you don't want to. You can always duck into medbay if you want some time to yourself though, you know.
[ Well, that clearly wasn't what she'd meant; rather, if he wanted to seek solace somewhere he could be himself. Her door is always open to him, and they didn't have to talk about anything. She enjoys his company, just as she is now. A simple touch, easy little gestures like the fact that he cared enough to bring her hot chocolate. She's never required much. ]
no subject
[He knows that her doors are always open, and it means more to him than he'll ever let on. The fact that he's letting her touch him so casually and intimately says a lot, and he tries to hold onto that.
Small steps.]
Thank you, Angela.
~~~~~~FIN??~~~~~~
[ It does say a lot, and she may be pushing the envelope a bit as she shifts to lean her shoulder against his arm, but she'll freely utilize her excuse of maybe still being a little drunk and indulge herself in an easier bond.
And it leaves her both hands to wrap around her mug to continue sipping the hot chocolate in comfortable silence. ]