IC contact for lastvoyages

[cactusy]

[If I don't have an active post up, feel free to use this post to have your character call, videochat, text, or knock on Shaw's door.]

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[cactusy]

Root.

[She murmurs it quietly into Root's ear, wrapping both arms around her and holding her tightly enough that she will, hopefully, not interpret her next words as any kind of rebuff. ]

You're kinda freaking me out here.

[themostfun]

I'm sorry. [ Root isn't sobbing, which she's grateful for. Being able to talk right now is kind of important.

A deep, shaky breath in. ]

I can't... do this. Not today. I just-- can't tie you up and--

[ Breathe breathe breathe. Root has been through literal surgery without anesthetic before. She can get her thoughts together and talk to the person she trusts most. ]

I can't stop picturing you tied up for months and I can't do that to you, I'm sorry.

[cactusy]

[Oh. Okay, in retrospect, that being the issue should probably have been obvious: the circumstances are just so different in Shaw's mind that the clear parallel honestly didn't occur to her. She curls her one arm tighter still around Root's back, and then shifts to lean Root against her side rather than holding her from the front.]

You don't have to apologize.

[She nudges her chin into Root's hair, tucking Root's head into the crook of her neck.]

But, uh, for what it's worth? I like doing this stuff with you because-- okay, honestly, yeah, because you're really good at it. But also because I trust you not to harm me, even when you're hurting me.

You're nothing like they were.

[themostfun]

[ Even as she curls up into Shaw's embrace, Root's cheeks burn with shame. ]

You're the one who went through it, and I'm the one who's upset right now.

[cactusy]

Yeah, well. You may be a pain-in-the-ass ex-assassin, but you have a lot of empathy.

[Especially for the people that she loves - and Shaw knows full well how much Root loves her.]

You know me; I've never cried or gotten really upset about it. So... at least one of us is. You can think of it that way if it helps.

[themostfun]

Okay. [ Root still feels stupid, but she'll take it. She'll be the one to cry about it.

She turns her head just enough to kiss Shaw's neck. ] I'll get there again. I love making you feel good. I love that you love it. That you trust me.

[cactusy]

You don't have to rush yourself. It's not the only value you have to me. I--

[She's cut off by a bark - not from Jet, who's visiting with Will's other dogs this afternoon, but from Bear, who has appeared rather suddenly on the other side of the small cabin and is making a beeline towards them on their couch cushion nest.

-- Oh, yeah. Right. She did ask the Admiral for this to be a thing, didn't she?]

[themostfun]

[ Of course Root has things to say to that, but she too is distracted by the bark, and the way recognition rolls over her like a gentle wave on the shore. ]

Bear? [ She sits up, looks wide-eyed at Shaw, and then there he is, Bear, evidently happy to see them. ] Did you ask for Bear?

[ Smiling, she reaches out to give Bear some scritches. ]

[cactusy]

I've been thinking about it for a couple months. And, I don't know, everything seems like it's been going okay with Graham's dogs--

[Bear shoves his nose against her chest, and she closes her eyes against the wave of relief and affection that she feels as she rubs his ears, murmuring: ]

Hey, buddy. Missed you.

[themostfun]

[ The evening isn't a complete loss, then.

Root lays her head on Shaw's shoulder again. ]

I can make us sandwiches if you want. Feed Bear.

[cactusy]

Actually, do you wanna just sit here for a while instead?

[Shaw is turning down food - wonders of wonders.]

[themostfun]

[ That is a marvel, and one Root is more than okay with. ]

Yeah. ...thank you for understanding.

[cactusy]

I meant it, you know.

[Her eyes still closed, she smooths a hand over Bear's fur, breathing in his familiar scent.]

Kinky sex is great, but you're... I don't know, valuable.

[themostfun]

I know. [ Root's hand rests on Bear's flank. Feeling him breathe is soothing. ] I love you too.

I'll make it up to you... someday. You went to all the trouble of hiding things in the safe... [ She sighs, more performative than not. ] The handcuffs could be cuter, though.

[cactusy]

Yeah, well, I don't do cute.

[Says the woman who's currently cuddled up on a pillow pile with her girlfriend and her dog.]

Seriously, Root. You get that you are enough for me, right?

[themostfun]

[ Root will not point that out. This cute moment is a cute memory she'll keep forever. ]

I get it. I know.

[ Sometimes it's like she's twelve again, small and easy to shove aside, not strong enough or loud enough or important enough to be noticed, not enough to save the one person in town who really gave her hope. But that's hers to deal with, not Shaw's.

Root sighs and relaxes against Shaw. Shaw who is here and alive and well. ]

And you know I love you just how you are. Blunt, and kinky, and strong, and soft.

[cactusy]

Yeah. I know.

[She drums her fingers lightly against Root's shoulder.]

Hey. You could tattoo me.

[With the tattoo gun, not a knife. Baby steps.]

[themostfun]

[ Yes. That's a great idea. ]

A fancy arrow. Hmm, maybe along your forearm.

[ She runs her fingers along the place she's referring to. ]

[cactusy]

It'd be pretty drowned out by all those dumb curlicues.

[Damn her flood self for wasting good tattoo real estate by drawing random patterns all over her arms and legs.]

What about my side? Or my stomach.

[themostfun]

On your side would be nice. I hear it hurts more to tattoo on your ribs.

[ Bear looks at her expectantly, so Root puts her hand back on him. ]

[cactusy]

[A faint cheeky smile ghosts across Shaw's face as she glances at Root.]

Look at you; you still got it. Okay, wait here a second.

[Time to go get that tattoo gun!!]

[themostfun]

[ Context, babe. This isn't just about pain. It's art. Samaritan could never learn to do art.

Root stays where she is while Shaw goes to get the tattoo gun. Bear keeps her company. Root murmurs to him that he's agood boy and she's missed him and he's getting spoiled while he's here with them. ]

[cactusy]

[Getting the gun won't take long: it's already sanitized and ready to go, so it's just a matter of pulling it out of its case and fitting it with a fresh needle. She'll strip off her shirt while she's up, too, returning to Root in only her pants and sports bra.]

Bear, zit. Blijf.

[She tells the dog, pointing to Jet's dog bed as she orders him to sit and stay out of the way. He'll get some extra pets and facerubs as he passes by her, though - she's missed the hell out of him, too.]

[themostfun]

[ Okay, now Root remembers (leave her alone, she was focused on Bear) to go wash her hands and grab rubbing alcohol and paper to wipe down Shaw's skin. Safety first. ]

I have to freehand it, so, sorry about the crooked lines. ...not that either of us can even think straight.

[cactusy]

Awful pun.

[Shaw says mildly, settling back down on the pillow nest next to Root. She positions herself in much the same way that she'd been when Root had had her tied up - she even lifts her arms, crossing her wrists behind her head.]

Okay?