cactusy | IC contact for lastvoyages

[ The chaise on the porch is cozy, made even cozier by the luxurious, fluffy blankets that came with the room, some hot coffee courtesy of the in-room espresso machine, some flaky pastries from the city below, and the serenity it gives Root to hold Shaw in her arms. ]

You scared me. [ Her voice is as soft as the touch of her fingers along Shaw's cheek, down her hairline, behind her ear. ] Makes me think I can't let you go anywhere by yourself.

It just sort of happened. I wasn't trying to take down the gang without you.

[Shaw's brow furrows, and she cracks an eye, looking up at Root from where she's lying against her chest.]

Were you actually scared?

Hm. Startled.

[ She gives Shaw an impish smile, arm settling around Shaw again. ]

And a little jealous. I don't like when I'm not the one who hurts you.

Trust me, it's a lot more fun with you.

[She exhales, settling against Root.]

I didn't want to startle you. I... thought about calling you ahead of time, letting you know we were on our way, but I didn't want you to freak out and think it was worse than it was.

[ A breathy chuckle. ]

I'm just glad you're okay. Good thing Malcolm was there to carry you back here. He earned a lot of points doing that.

[ Root lays a hand on Shaw's arm. ]

Wish we had another week here. I've missed cities this big.

Edited 2023-09-21 00:42 (UTC)

Hey, I helped him fight gangsters and I helped walk myself back and showed him where that clinic we found was. I wasn't exactly the damsel in distress.

You got shot, Sam. I would've had to go out and find you if he hadn't been there. Although... maybe I would've had a chance to shoot someone.

I've been shot before. I've been shot a bunch of times before.

[She wiggles around fussily, making herself more comfortable in the blankets and against Root; in the process, she finds a strand of Root's hair and idly toys with it, winding it around her index finger.]

If he hadn't been there I would've called you, or someone.

[ Once Shaw is settled against her, Root squeezes her gently. ]

That's not the point, and you know it. I'm just glad it's over, and you're here and safe.

[ But don't think she isn't considering putting a tracker on you, Shaw. ]

[Shaw is quiet for a moment. Then she shifts a little closer still, brushing her cheek against Root's collarbone, and says hesitantly:]

I know it's not the point, yeah. But I don't get why it's not.

[ This does not frustrate Root. Having to put it into words is a challenge she appreciates, especially because it means communicating with Shaw clearly and with utmost honesty. There is no one else Root would be this open with. It makes her love Shaw all the more. ]

I know you're capable of looking out for yourself. I know you'll call for backup when you need it-- well, if you can call. I know you've been hurt worse. I know you use every last bit of strength you have to help yourself get to safety, or help others get your to safety.

But I'm still gonna worry. I'm still gonna feel scared as soon as I see or hear that you're hurt. Even if it's not so bad and I calm down, I'll still always feel that way, because the thing I'm most afraid of is losing you. It's not rational. You can reassure me and tell me all the reasons I don't have to be scared, but I still will be. I can't help it.

I worry... when I think you're in over your head.

[Shaw says it slowly, like she's teasing the thought out. Examining something she's never introspected about much before. Sometimes she worries; sometimes she doesn't. Ruminating on the specifics of why and when have never felt like a priority.]

I worry when you're injured, and someone else examines you or patches you up. I wonder if they missed something, or did a crappy job.

And no matter what I say, you worry. That's what I mean.

[ Idly, mindlessly, Root's fingers stroke Shaw's arm. ]

The point isn't that we make contingency plans. It's that we worry because we care. That's the point.

I wouldn't worry if I knew you were fine, though.

[ Smiling, Root whispers in Shaw's ear, ] I love that.

[ She takes it the way Shaw means it: positively. And then she goes back to her regular tone. ]

It takes me a lot longer to do that. So just... I'm gonna fuss a little, but it's not because I don't believe you.

I'm not worried about that.

[But she was a little worried that Root would take a lack of worry to mean a lack of care, so. Thank you, girlfriend. She relaxes a little more solidly against her, sighing.]

You know what I miss? Being able to easily plant bugs and trackers on people. Pretty sure every single one of the people I like here would freak out if I did it to them, though; they're weird like that.

[ She's got you, babe. She gets it. ]

I know. [ ugh! ] It's not about stalking them, but I doubt they'd wanna hear it.

You can track me all you want. In fact... we should track each other. And if we find the bug, we can disable it so we have to plant one again.

[ A fun game to play on the ultimately small and boring Barge. ]

Bet I'd find it first.

[aka: IT'S ON.]

We'll see.

[ Hell yeah it's on!!! ]

IC contact for lastvoyages

toward the end of chiron ii port

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