[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
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. ]