sketchycharacter

[ Dammit. ]

It's probably a good thing we cleaned up those other private quarters.

[ He'll likely need her to explain but... ]

[For half a second he goes rigid, thinking she means to move out into them—but no, she wouldn't do that. She doesn't even have a reason to.]

And why is that?

[ Internal cringing. Elena sits back. ]

Because they're now a little uh...occupied?

[His eyes narrow further. It's turning into a squint.]

By who?

Edited 2016-10-27 00:41 (UTC)

By...three...children...?

[ 3...2...1... ]

[He leans back abruptly.]

You have got to be kidding me.

I wasn't just about to leave them alone, Nate. No one in that community seemed to care enough to take them in.

What was I supposed to do?

Edited 2016-10-27 01:04 (UTC)

Did you look around? Ask anyone?

[Probably. Or at least, she'd been sure enough if she didn't. He knows her.]

If someone does take care of them, it doesn't have to be you! They attack you!

They didn't attack me! Not on purpose. They got scared. They thought I was― I don't know. They thought I was going to abandon them.

[ It sounds ridiculous. She gets that. ]

I looked around, of course I did. [ Elena breaks off on a quiet sigh, head dropping as she rubs at her brow, pressing her hand to the side of her face. ] I thought you might be a little more understanding about this...

The results sure seem the same.

[Ugh. Is this going to be a fight? He doesn't want it to be. He wants to take care of her. He also doesn't want those kids anywhere near Elena.]

You think I should understand, why? Because I was an orphaned street kid too? I understand that part completely. I've seen what people will do when they want something and they're desperate, and being young doesn't mean it won't be shitty.

[He's been on both sides.]

They aren't― weren't― street kids. They were living in a home. A very filthy and neglected home.

[ He wasn't the only one who could sense the fight beginning with the tension building. ]

These kids look like they're five, for Pete's sake. I highly doubt they know how to be manipulative and shitty. They probably don't even know what that means since they don't speak any English.

[ This was going to blow up in her face, Elena could already tell. She begins to slide to her edge of the bed, covers pushed back. ]

[Having a building to live in doesn't make them not a street kid. He does know that much. And the younger they are, the greater lengths they'd have to go to to survive.

He's about to point out these things and maybe a few others when Elena starts to move, and that changes the trajectory of the argument enough that he reaches out to her shoulders instead, pushing her back into the cushions. It's unfair, he knows, him being stronger and less injured than she is. Too bad.]

Hey, no. You're staying here. You look like you're going to pass out if you try to walk.

[He sighs.]

I just don't see why you need to be responsible for those kids. There are other options—I'm pretty sure that goat woman, Toriel, is in charge of looking after children on the ship.

How did you know?

[ It was a grumbling mutter, body slumping into the comfort of those cushions. Her glare was weak; that really was unfair, he was going to use it against her. So not cool. Elena kicks at the blankets, laying in shorts and a light, long-sleeved henley. ]

What is so wrong with me being the one responsible for them? What do have against that? Are you under some impression that I can't be a stand in mother figure for some orphaned kids? Do you think I wouldn't be good at it?

Because you moved and because I know you.

[Elena Fisher has the biggest heart he knows. Unfortunately, that's not always good for her.]

Geez, that escalated quickly. Come on, Elena. If I came home from a day out with stitches and three strange kids, you wouldn't be thrilled either. Why should it have anything to do with your parenting skills? [He frowns.] Does this have anything to do with Cassie? Because if you want to, I don't know, practice or something, I thought the whole point of being parents was that we'd figure it out together.

[ He scores a point on knowing her. Their arguments end up with her being the one ready to walk out of the room, most of the time. To put some space between them for cool downs, to collect thoughts and rein in emotions before either of them do or say something that could forever hurt the other or put doubts where they should never be.

But he's right, her heart is too big for her own good. ]

You're right, I wouldn't be. I'm sorry. I should've called you immediately after. I should've called you to the house, maybe you could've talked me out of it.

[ Nate brings up their future daughter and her frown matches his. It will forever sound strange to her, that they have this little girl they name after his mother, but the future is never fully set in stone. So much could change.

She looks down at her lap, fiddles with her sleeve, silent. ]

...you don't exactly sound like you're all that willing to do this with me. Together.

[ 'Figure it out together'.

She then reaches for his hand, fingers brushing the side of it, gaze lifting to his face. ]

Do you...?

[At least she can acknowledge that, and he's able to relax. A little. Because if she couldn't even understand his perspective, this would probably become a much bigger fight than he wants it to.

What he wants is to reach out and take her hand, squeeze it and tell her it's all right, she did the best she could in the moment. But she keeps talking and he goes very still, listening and considering.]

I...no. I'm not. [Quickly, he does take her hand, holding it firmly so she can't pull away.] Not like—I'm not going to declare myself these kids' new dad just because they really wanted you to be their new mom. But I'm not going to leave you to do it alone, either.

[And he's not going to even suggest they drop them back on the colony. He trusts her judgment about the fitness of that place.]

I don't trust them, but I won't shrug and walk away from kids who need help. I'm not a complete dick.

[ He'd been too quick for her; she had been about to pull away, ready to put up some wall between them. Not that she hadn't already, this one was slowly coming down. ]

I don't expect you to. Why would you assume that? I would've been ready to deal with this on my own, if it came to it.

They need guidance, Nate. That's all. They need to be taught social norms, mannerisms, how to speak and deal with emotions. [ What emotions? Those three children only expressed emotions when they were afraid. ] I'm not asking you to trust them.

I'm asking you to trust me.

I do trust you. But it's not that simple, and it doesn't work that way.

[He takes the hand he's holding and holds it with both of his now, trying to convey what he's getting at more than he's trying to keep it in place.]

I'm your husband. We're a team. Something like this? It's not going to be a solo project.

[If they let it be, that wouldn't bode well for them at all, in his opinion.]

[ You know what else wasn't supposed to be a solo project? Drake. He dragged her into it in Panama, he should've at the very least let her see it through to the end with him, when they were married years down the road.

Bringing that up right now won't make things any better, however. She's too tired for that argument. ]

We were always meant to be a team. [ Past and present, in the future. ] I'll take whatever help I can get, whatever you're willing to help me with. But let's worry about that tomorrow?

I think the next six hours aren't going to be my best.

Sure. You should rest now.

[They'll deal with the details later. This isn't his preferred outcome, but hell. It could be a lot worse. Hopefully it doesn't get worse.

Leaning forward, he kisses an uninjured spot on her temple.]

Want me to stick around? I'm not tired, but I don't mind staying to be a pillow.

God, Nate. [ He leans in and she reaches to an arm over his shoulder, face pressing to his cheek. It's ridiculous but the tickle of his stubble against her skin helps calm and reassure her. ] Did you know some concussions can come with amnesia?

[ She can't imagine what that would be like, waking up and not being able to remember someone she considers her dearest and closest friend, her lover and husband, even soulmate. Not that bringing it up helps..! ]

If you want to stay then stay. If you want to go back out, I won't stop you.

[His mouth twitches in a smile, and he resists the urge to point out she's being a little dramatic. Plenty of dramatic things have happened on the ship since they've been here, after all.]

Amnesia would be a pain. You'd have to learn how I like my coffee all over again.

[He kisses her again, and runs a hand down her arm reassuringly.]

I'll stay.

[ That is why she's being dramatic, the coffee. Totally. ]

It would be the worst time of my life.

[ A smile appears before she kisses his jaw, shifting to get back to laying down. Elena will gladly use him as a pillow. ]

Are you sure? Being a pillow isn't exactly fun.

Being a pillow isn't fun. Being your pillow is great.

[He settles down beside her rather than stay sitting up. For her, while she's hurt, he doesn't mind playing the role even if he's not tired. He can stare at the ceiling and listen to her breathe and be sure that she's all right.]

Just relax. And poke me if you need anything.

Somehow I doubt that.

[ But Elena isn't about to move. She drapes her arm over his torso and gets her head rested against his shoulder. A soft, sighing exhale fans over his collarbone, her body relaxing with it. ]

How can I poke you if I pass out?

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