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[ A lot was said. A lot was processed. A lot was packed away because she doesn't want to think about it. ]
Just yourself. I got everything else.
Just yourself. I got everything else.
Be there in 5
-----The ship's just not that big. Sweeney's got long legs and is highly motivated. He still pauses in front of her door, tugging his unbuttoned shirt straighter and finger-combing his hair before he raps three times.
[More than I had any right to. He was glad this was over the phone and not face to face so she couldn't see the passing look of surprise on his features before it's tucked behind pressed lips of thought.
He doesn't interrupt. He doesn't argue. It hurt him for her that she felt that way about Red. That Red felt that way about her, though everything was taken with a grain of perspective salt.
He's silent for a long handful of stretching seconds.]
And if I don't? Think I need to change the parameters. What then? [What if he still wants to try to have those 'be in the moment and feel it' moments with her. What if he wasn't rejecting anything, just still unable to promise like he was before.]
He doesn't interrupt. He doesn't argue. It hurt him for her that she felt that way about Red. That Red felt that way about her, though everything was taken with a grain of perspective salt.
He's silent for a long handful of stretching seconds.]
And if I don't? Think I need to change the parameters. What then? [What if he still wants to try to have those 'be in the moment and feel it' moments with her. What if he wasn't rejecting anything, just still unable to promise like he was before.]
[ she had a lot of time while holding a box of his ashes to her chest to realize what was, wouldn't be. coming here changed that, of course, but only insofar that sweeney and her seemed to be good at fucking each other to distract themselves from answering the more important questions. but that was between them.
laura prepares for a very different answer and finds herself letting go of a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. ]
Then nothing changes. Everything stays the same.
[ it goes unsaid, but she needs him; his touch, his attention, and the way he makes her feel seen. ]
I like being around you. I don't want to give that up.
laura prepares for a very different answer and finds herself letting go of a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. ]
Then nothing changes. Everything stays the same.
[ it goes unsaid, but she needs him; his touch, his attention, and the way he makes her feel seen. ]
I like being around you. I don't want to give that up.
[Nothing changes. Everything stays the same. Except it wasn't the same and going forward it wasn't going to be the same. Love changed things. Of course it did. But they could pretend. They could work through it.]
I don't want to give it up either. An' maybe that makes me greedy, I don't know..
Will you come see me? [They should talk more, but it seemed like the hardest part of it was done and over with and the rest.. Well, the rest would be better face to face.]
I don't want to give it up either. An' maybe that makes me greedy, I don't know..
Will you come see me? [They should talk more, but it seemed like the hardest part of it was done and over with and the rest.. Well, the rest would be better face to face.]
If you're greedy, I'm fucking selfish as hell.
[ she may not sound like it yet, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips. after another moment she answers his next question. ]
Yeah, I can. Where?
[ they seem to have a thing for the deck, but she's hoping for somewhere a little more private and out of public view. ]
[ she may not sound like it yet, but there's a hint of a smile on her lips. after another moment she answers his next question. ]
Yeah, I can. Where?
[ they seem to have a thing for the deck, but she's hoping for somewhere a little more private and out of public view. ]
See you shortly then.
>> Action
Laura doesn't take long and is there within fifteen minutes. She opts for something a little more casual; a longer floral midi skirt with a plain white t-shirt and her hair up in a loose bun. It seems the smarter choice since showing up in what he saw her in last seemed wrong on a whole bunch of levels.
She lets herself in, as he'd instructed, slipping off her flats at the door before padding her way through and tilting her head to see if she could spot him. But as soon as she stops at the door she can see him down by the shoreline.
He likely already knew she arrived, but she slips a hand onto his shoulder to let him know she was there before sitting down beside him in the sand.
>> Action
Laura doesn't take long and is there within fifteen minutes. She opts for something a little more casual; a longer floral midi skirt with a plain white t-shirt and her hair up in a loose bun. It seems the smarter choice since showing up in what he saw her in last seemed wrong on a whole bunch of levels.
She lets herself in, as he'd instructed, slipping off her flats at the door before padding her way through and tilting her head to see if she could spot him. But as soon as she stops at the door she can see him down by the shoreline.
He likely already knew she arrived, but she slips a hand onto his shoulder to let him know she was there before sitting down beside him in the sand.
Edited 2023-08-13 22:15 (UTC)
Raylan was camped out at the shoreline, barefoot with his jeans rolled up to his calf, wearing the simple tshirt he'd had under his flannel earlier. He looks over as she pads out onto the small porch and down the shallow stairs towards him, smiling softly as she sets a hand on his shoulder.
"You want a beer?" He'd already opened his but there was another sticking in the sand next to him, ready for her if she wanted it. If not, well. He could handle swallowing down two beers.
"You want a beer?" He'd already opened his but there was another sticking in the sand next to him, ready for her if she wanted it. If not, well. He could handle swallowing down two beers.
"I'd love one," she says, taking it by the top and testing to see if it was a screw cap and if it's not, she waits for some help with whatever trusty device he has hidden to pop off the top.
She remembers the last time she was in his beach, and the flurry of excitement they were enveloped in makes the view a little more of a first time for her. But it's him that she focuses on before taking a sip of the beer.
She remembers the last time she was in his beach, and the flurry of excitement they were enveloped in makes the view a little more of a first time for her. But it's him that she focuses on before taking a sip of the beer.
He pops the top off with his ring before handing it over and picks up his own for a sip as he leans back on a hand, looking over at her from across his shoulder.
"Let me ask you somethin' darlin'. Are you ashamed of what you get up to with Red? Or... ashamed of someone seein' you lettin' half your walls down with someone else?"
"Let me ask you somethin' darlin'. Are you ashamed of what you get up to with Red? Or... ashamed of someone seein' you lettin' half your walls down with someone else?"
Laura clues in pretty quickly why he asked her over and once the question is out of Raylan's mouth, she can't help but blink a few times and look a little speechless. Not that she won't answer the question but it is one he didn't expect him to ask. Actually, she found the question to be one of the better ones she's been put on the spot with.
"No," she answers truthfully, shaking her head. After everything she and Sweeney have explored together so far, Laura can easily say that the markings she's received from him haven't been intentionally covered up. But then no one has asked about them either. "But I've found myself in a situation where I'm a little more worried about what someone I care about thinks about me and the... certain things I do when I'm letting half my walls down."
That someone she cares about is him, if he doesn't pick up on it.
"No," she answers truthfully, shaking her head. After everything she and Sweeney have explored together so far, Laura can easily say that the markings she's received from him haven't been intentionally covered up. But then no one has asked about them either. "But I've found myself in a situation where I'm a little more worried about what someone I care about thinks about me and the... certain things I do when I'm letting half my walls down."
That someone she cares about is him, if he doesn't pick up on it.
That was about the answer he had hoped for.
"I think you and him have somethin'. Maybe it ain't love, maybe you're right, but. There's somethin' there, and I ain't blind or stupid. But I ain't about to judge how you enjoy him, darlin', or you enjoyin' him at all. I'd be a hypocrite if I did that.." Considering all he's done. He shifts and lifts an arm in invitation for her.
"I think you're tryin' to find some peace. We both are. I've got no-.." He lets a breath out of his nose.
"Olenor and Astrah haunt me. What they had. And while my position hasn't changed, I don't wanna lose you. I don't care that you're sleepin' with Red and I don't care how. That's not gonna make me care any less about you."
"I think you and him have somethin'. Maybe it ain't love, maybe you're right, but. There's somethin' there, and I ain't blind or stupid. But I ain't about to judge how you enjoy him, darlin', or you enjoyin' him at all. I'd be a hypocrite if I did that.." Considering all he's done. He shifts and lifts an arm in invitation for her.
"I think you're tryin' to find some peace. We both are. I've got no-.." He lets a breath out of his nose.
"Olenor and Astrah haunt me. What they had. And while my position hasn't changed, I don't wanna lose you. I don't care that you're sleepin' with Red and I don't care how. That's not gonna make me care any less about you."
She didn't deny there was something, but Laura wasn't sure it went as deep as Raylan might have thought it did. Or, maybe it was hard to because they hadn't talked about it since the memory flood. That was when a distinct and very bold line was made regarding a certain potion and her coming back to life.
Laura keeps her gaze out on the water, though she's not looking at it. Whatever argument she might have had where Sweeney and she were concerned seemed to be shoved under a stack of unfiled shit. Finding herself nodding, she takes another sip of her beer.
Peace would be nice. Only at the moment, it feels more like a pipe dream, sitting out of arms reach with a lot of other things she'd love to have. Someone was within arms reach and she smiles in acceptance of his invitation to get closer, which she doesn't hesitate to take.
"You won't lose me," Laura tells him honestly, shaking her head and leaning her head against the front of his shoulder. He's become something of a constant for her; a safe harbour. When she's with him the world slows down, at least long enough for her to enjoy their time together. "And thank you for telling me that. It's been a while since somebody did."
Laura keeps her gaze out on the water, though she's not looking at it. Whatever argument she might have had where Sweeney and she were concerned seemed to be shoved under a stack of unfiled shit. Finding herself nodding, she takes another sip of her beer.
Peace would be nice. Only at the moment, it feels more like a pipe dream, sitting out of arms reach with a lot of other things she'd love to have. Someone was within arms reach and she smiles in acceptance of his invitation to get closer, which she doesn't hesitate to take.
"You won't lose me," Laura tells him honestly, shaking her head and leaning her head against the front of his shoulder. He's become something of a constant for her; a safe harbour. When she's with him the world slows down, at least long enough for her to enjoy their time together. "And thank you for telling me that. It's been a while since somebody did."
Edited 2023-08-16 18:30 (UTC)
Raylan had almost worried that she wouldn't and he'd feel like a fool that was dumb enough to be overconfident in the offering. But he liked the feeling of her tucked against him, and the way he felt warmer in his chest for the contact.
He hums at her first answer, giving her a faint smile as she leans against him. He knew that they were talking about the time that they had here, provisions built in. That didn't mean it still wasn't going to hurt. That he was going to lose her anyway. He grips her shoulder a little.
"If it's been a while since you've heard that, then I should make sure the rest of what you oughta be hearin' is up to date." He smiles down at her.
"You're beautiful. You're funny. Ballsy as hell and more brave and darin' than any woman I've ever known and I'm glad to know you."
He hums at her first answer, giving her a faint smile as she leans against him. He knew that they were talking about the time that they had here, provisions built in. That didn't mean it still wasn't going to hurt. That he was going to lose her anyway. He grips her shoulder a little.
"If it's been a while since you've heard that, then I should make sure the rest of what you oughta be hearin' is up to date." He smiles down at her.
"You're beautiful. You're funny. Ballsy as hell and more brave and darin' than any woman I've ever known and I'm glad to know you."
Compliments like the ones he was giving were new, too, and the way her cheeks warmed and turn a soft pink was an indication of that. She will never expect it but it is nice to hear someone take the time to say it and her confidence is boosted a little more in that moment.
She smiles, gaze bouncing from his eyes to his lips while a hand comes up to touch his face lightly.
"You know it's going to go to my head, right? Guess I'll have to kiss you for it," she hums seriously, though it's clear she's feigning a laugh.
She smiles, gaze bouncing from his eyes to his lips while a hand comes up to touch his face lightly.
"You know it's going to go to my head, right? Guess I'll have to kiss you for it," she hums seriously, though it's clear she's feigning a laugh.
Hey
I know that shit's complicated.
I'd like to explain some stuff.
If you want to talk about it.
I understand if you don't.
I know that shit's complicated.
I'd like to explain some stuff.
If you want to talk about it.
I understand if you don't.
The smile spreads at her touch, breaking towards a grin at her threat and he lifts his eyebrows in amusement.
"Oh no, what a terrible fate for both your head an' my lips," he teases, bending down to meet her and steal her lips before she can steal his. He's temped to lean back, to lay into the sand with her, but the worry that it was too soft, too- too intimate won the internal argument.
He breaks the kiss with a smile.
"I want you to be comfortable here, darlin'. A retreat if you want. A place you're not gonna get judged.. A place where we can both be okay." He wanted the security too. He was looking for people he could be himself with. Properly himself. As 'himself' as he can be.
"Oh no, what a terrible fate for both your head an' my lips," he teases, bending down to meet her and steal her lips before she can steal his. He's temped to lean back, to lay into the sand with her, but the worry that it was too soft, too- too intimate won the internal argument.
He breaks the kiss with a smile.
"I want you to be comfortable here, darlin'. A retreat if you want. A place you're not gonna get judged.. A place where we can both be okay." He wanted the security too. He was looking for people he could be himself with. Properly himself. As 'himself' as he can be.
[ she wasn't expecting him to call. not really. not today. not with how he and the girl greeted each other. was that what he meant by complicated? laura doesn't wait to answer. ]
I would like to talk about it.
On here or in person?
I would like to talk about it.
On here or in person?
[It's a trap. Sweeney knows it is, but he can't resist the offer.]
It alright if we start it here?
I just
I didn't want to wait.
[But I have so little time with her.]
It alright if we start it here?
I just
I didn't want to wait.
[But I have so little time with her.]
[ not meeting up was new. but okay, things have changed enough now that he doesn't want to see her. ]
Sure.
I'm not taking you away from your conversation, am I?
Sure.
I'm not taking you away from your conversation, am I?
[Oh yes. Definitely a trap, and he'd sprung it with both feet.]
I may never see her again, and I'm spending the time trying to be open about shit with you.
Do you think I'd do that lightly?
I give a shit about clearing things up.
Helping you understand
Cause I know how they might look, and it isn't like that.
[But I understand if it's not enough. I'm starting to think I might not be.]
I may never see her again, and I'm spending the time trying to be open about shit with you.
Do you think I'd do that lightly?
I give a shit about clearing things up.
Helping you understand
Cause I know how they might look, and it isn't like that.
[But I understand if it's not enough. I'm starting to think I might not be.]
[ whoa that's quite the start. but then over text, she can't say she's surprised. how the fuck did her words get misconstrued as insincere? and why does it feel like he needs to come at her with two guns blazing? ]
No? How you greeted each other says otherwise. She apparently means something to you. More than what Annie is to you because you didn't look at her the same way as you did her.
Who is she?
No? How you greeted each other says otherwise. She apparently means something to you. More than what Annie is to you because you didn't look at her the same way as you did her.
Who is she?
[Well fuck me.]
She's the person who took care of me. Kept me safe from myself.
I didn't have a warden for a long time. She helped me navigate being here. Surviving here.
She's the person who took care of me. Kept me safe from myself.
I didn't have a warden for a long time. She helped me navigate being here. Surviving here.
If that's all then why were you just defensive with me and is it for the same reason you decided to make the call private after realizing it wasn't?
[ there was no convincing her now that it wasn't more. at least on his end. ]
[ there was no convincing her now that it wasn't more. at least on his end. ]
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