cactusy | IC contact for lastvoyages

[Two really is the perfect number of steps to put them at the same height, because Root is a goddamn giraffe. This is also an acceptable response, and possibly the one Shaw was angling for. She grabs Root by the face, teeth finding her bottom lip and biting almost, but not quite, hard enough to draw blood.]

[ Nah babe you're just compact and adorable :D

It's a damn good kiss, except for how the bruising and scratches on Root's face (skillfully hidden by makeup, thank you very much) flare up, and she winces even as her fingers curl into the hair at the back of Shaw's neck. ]

[With the two of them being The Way That They Are^TM, Shaw is intimately familiar with the difference between good winces and bad winces, and she thinks that might have been a bad wince. Making a questioning sound in the back of her throat, she pulls back slightly, studying Root's expression.]

[ It was a bad wince, plain sad day in the way Root frowns and sucks in a quick breath when they pull apart. There's no hiding it, and Root knows that, so she just goes with it, smiling through the pain. ]

[Root, what.]

Seriously, are you, like, hurt hurt? Do I need to get you to the infirmary or Gaius?

Well. I did get into a knock-down, drag-out fight last night.

[ And boy does she look proud of herself as she puts on an innocent grin. ]

It's not bad enough for that. I wouldn't have performed if it were.

[ She tugs on Shaw's sleeve. Let's go! ]

You definitely would have, just like I would have.

[Not performed acrobatics on stage, of course, but done whatever the hell she wanted or needed to do, not letting injury hold her back.

But. Okay. She'll follow Root down the stairs again, her gaze focused on Root's back.]

[ ...you can't just call her out like that! So Root ignores that and leads the way back into their cabin, their little, accurately-sized haven on this strange ship. ]

We'll just have to be less... enthusiastic than usual, that's all. It's not like anything's broken.

[Root leads the way back into their accurately-sized haven, at which point Jet promptly bodyslams them out of nowhere.]

Jet, af.

[Shaw commands sharply, and he sits like a good boy, tail swishing wildly along the floor.

Bear, at least, is more sedate. Good god.]

[ No, Jet... be gentle... Once he's settled down a little, he gets some quality pets, as does Bear. ]

Time for some fresh water, boys!

[ And then she can shower and change into something loose and sleep-worthy. ]

[Sure, okay, Root; you go refill their water bowl. Shaw is just going to trail after you, trying to tug your shirt up and over your head. Multitasking!]

[ It's easy enough to let Shaw pull it off of her when she's crouching, arms up after setting down the freshly filled bowls. Root has to grab the counter as she stands, but stand she does, turning to face Shaw in only her bra for a top now, bumps and bruises from all that tumbling and brawling last night on full display. The worst-looking ones are on her shoulders and the sides of her torso. Well-- and her face. Those are the worst by far, but-- ]

I need to wash my face. I bet it's looking festive under the makeup.

It's way less hot when it's not my fault.

[Shaw comments - sliding her hands carefully up Root's bare sides, cataloguing as she goes.]

How's the pain?

[ Root starts to shuffle to the bathroom, careful not to disturb Shaw's hands. ]

It's not hot at all even it's not your work. Fun, but not hot.

Sounds like an experience not to repeat, then, huh.

[Shaw says - shedding her own shirt along the way, and holding onto both it and Root's so that she can toss them into the hamper.]

It was still fun.

[ She fully intends to repeat the experience if necessary.

But right now, Root washes her face, patting it dry when done, and facing Shaw for inspection because this is clearly what's happening now. The hours have darkened the bruises and the scratched red skin on her cheek. And as Shaw does her thing, Root does hers and checks out shirtless Shaw because her wife is so beautiful, wow. ]

[Root's beautiful wife is on a mission, which happily distracts her from the indisputable fact that the Barge is a floating mess of impossibility that might not even be real.]

You've been putting disinfectant on these?

[Shaw asks, leaning in to peer at one of the scratches as she simultaneously reaches back to unhook Root's bra.]

You should have put bandages on these, not slathered them with makeup.

I used liquid bandages, [ Root protests as she pulls the straps down off her shoulders. ] I'm not that vain.

[ Should she still not have done it? Probably. Too late now, though! All she can do now is grab the closest hair tie and pull back her hair into a messy bun. ]

[With Root's bra off, Shaw tugs her own sports bra over her head, then starts getting to work on their pants and underwear: hers first, then Root's.]

Hot water okay?

[ Shaw works in their clothes, and Root gets the water going. ]

Yep.

[ The vast majority of her minor injuries are above the waist, but she did hit the floor on her hip once or twice, and knees tend to be easy targets. Overall, though, any marks and soreness on her legs are mostly due to tonight's performance. ]

[Good, because her own aching muscles would really love to be pounded by hot water right now. After Root has the temperature adjusted, Shaw walks under the spray, sighing a little and closing her eyes as she angles for it to hit her back.]

Hey.

[She says, as she reaches - gently! - for Root's shoulder.]

Your show thing was really cool.

[ Root likes the way Shaw relaxes as the water hits her. It feels like she's being let in on a secret, and for far from the first time, she feels impossibly lucky to be with Shaw. Even if they hadn't come to the Barge, they'd found each other.

Her usual smile softens as she joins Shaw. ]

I'm glad you liked it. And... thank you for going. [ She lays a hand on Shaw's hip. ] It was nice to know you were there.

Thanks for not trying to talk me out of it.

[She'd worried about that, a little: that Root would worry and fuss and try to convince her not to put herself through it. She gives an unbruised portion of Root's shoulder a squeeze, then leans over to grab the soap, soaping up Root's back.]

[ That feels nice. Root sighs contentedly. ]

I wanted it to be your choice. As long as you didn't feel like you had to go or not go, I'm happy.

[ The steam starts to make her cheek sting, but it's minor. It's fine. This is so nice. ]

I just don't want you to think I'm regretting it, just because I'm being a little weird right now.

[She rolls her shoulders, trying to loosen them, and tips her forehead against the back of Root's neck for a moment.]

IC contact for lastvoyages

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