Yeah. As much as I'd love to, can I get a raincheck, handsome. I'm not feeling very attractive these days.
[ laura waits on sending the message, then decides to switch to video so he can see exactly why. the left side of her face is horribly swollen and there's a deep cut that runs from the corner of her blood-red eye to the middle of her cheek. ]
[He was in the middle of text but when she flips the video on and he sees what she's talking about, there's no hesitation in him frowning and flipping on his video in return. He was on the deck and heading towards a chair to sit on as he spoke.]
Shit, darlin'. [His face hardened subtly. Violence Spreads.]
[ if she doesn't tell him, someone else will. doesn't take away from feeling like she's tattling on kikimora or looking for sympathy when she was the one that started it.
she sighs quietly. ]
I could really use some air. Think you could stand the sight of me up close?
[His lips thin out at that, briefly. A pint glass? Jesus. Laura is lucky she didn't lose an eye. What was Malcolm going to do about that? With all his questions about Lestat, Raylan expected a well reasoned answer. He stares out at the black while he chews on that idea, eyes drawn back to his Blackberry.
[ she grabs her smokes and pulls a sweater on and heads upstairs. it takes her a few more minutes than what it would if she had two functioning eyes but the swelling on that side of her face was still pretty terrible.
laura lifts a hand in greeting when he comes into view. ]
[ mindful of her face, she sneaks in against his side one arm winding under the arm he offered and the other slipping around his waist. she's not her usual peppy self, but that went without saying. ]
No. Steve did what he could as any good warden would. We're avoiding the few offers of healing. Yeah, I don't know.
[ she wasn't sure she could trust anyone with that kind of skill. despite seeing how well it served Malcolm. ]
[He lets his hand settle around her shoulder and squeezes softly, thumb rubbing up and down. He nods again, guiding them away from the door and out of the path of traffic.]
Steve's good. I'd trust him with that. You're damned lucky you still have an eye. Is that the only injury?
I can't tell. I think something might be broken underneath. But Steve pulled out some glass so it might have been that for all I know. The pain though? Yeah, that shit puts me on my ass.
[ she pauses and looks up at him. ]
But it's on me. I know that and I'm sorry I brought that shit to your house.
[ as much of a grin as she could manage without wincing. ]
Not for punching him though. Still not sorry about that.
Well, we can only ask for so much, huh. And don't worry about it; my house is small and quiet and could use the noise sometimes. Least you didn't hit me.
[It was to be expected at a party too, if not by her, then by someone else.
Once at some of the deck loungers, Raylan squeezes Laura's shoulders again and takes a seat, plenty of room next to him if Laura wanted and a chair across from him if she didn't.]
You should talk to Ulla. She can do some healin' magic and it ain't the infirmary. Otherwise, I suggest talkin' to Red about some weed. Might take the edge off.
Oh, well, you know, the offer is there if you want me to. Course it might shift into something hot and steamy.
[ she gives him a wicked smirk that trails off into a quiet laugh.
the spot next to him is definitely hers. she sees their night spent together as a "pass" to be in his personal space as long as he doesn't mind it. today's needs are simple but craved just as much.
leaning into him, she turns in slightly so she can make that eye contact and when she does, there's hesitation in them. ]
Yeah, I don't know if I trust stuff like that and I barely know Ulla, much less see her around.
[ granted the woman was a mermaid of sorts and travels most of the time in a bubble of water. ]
But you're onto something with the pot. It's not my go-to, but sipping whiskey or vodka out of straw just happens to be the epitome of class for me.
I am not against being slapped around a little. [Open hand only though. Fists were for violence and he didn't welcome that in his bed. Though. They were going to have to talk about this.
Laura sits down and leans into him and he doesn't stop his arm from draping back around her shoulders.]
I don't blame you and I used to agree. Hard to magical healing when all our stories that have it tend to be stories about being careful what you wish for, and I think we're already livin' that. And now I've got myself under Gaius's.. Talents.
And you're talkin' to a man who can forgive the disrespect of drinkin' stright outta the whiskey bottle. [You couldn't get more low class then how Raylan was raised, no judgement or worries there.]
[ Laura stares forward, but that admission gets her smiling, even if she was fine leaving it out entirely. The way he handled her during their night together was a new type of excitement she'd never really experienced. A very good type.
She continues to listen quietly, glancing at him thoughtfully. ]
That's good, because guilty as charged.
[ she laughs softly, but her expression quickly turns contemplative. ]
But isn't pain supposed to remind you that you're still alive? I mean I've done stints both alive and dead and keeping yourself from going numb during the former is challenging enough. Taking away something physical like pain would be like taking the enjoyment out of making love to somebody. Sure, it takes time to heal, but doesn't everything?
[ she doesn't realize how deep that comes across, but it felt right saying. ]
[It was deep, and Raylan smiled a little, thoughtfully, but the focus in his eyes seems to creep away into a thousand yard stare. His brain had to scramble around the point, surprised by the insight of that way to look at it.]
I heard that a lot the last time I got shot at home.
[He focuses again and looks over to meet her eyes.]
But I've had my share of that pain and if we're bein' real honest here, Laura, I'm not gonna turn down the chance to not be afraid of some shit goin' down. Not bein' afraid that I'm gonna die in some cave with a broken leg in on some strange planet that I'll never be found on. We're not invincible, I know that - but it's as close to it as I'll ever get. It's a.. a freedom. The pain of the toll is exactly that. The exchange. The bill.
.. I imagine Gaius's bill will come due at some point. I don't think I'll be sorry.
[ to be fair, it's a sentiment that she's tried telling herself too many times and she's almost ready to laugh at herself for how irritatingly dumb it must sound coming from her - of all people. but he doesn't laugh, so that's something.
she meets his eyes and keeps them fixed, something in them that feels almost familiar, if not quite the same.
laura nods a little. ]
I can understand that. Works well for physical pain and trust me, I'll be giving it some thought. At least for this.
[ meaning her face. she pauses and her brow furrows curiously. ]
What about the other kinds of pain? Does it fix that, too?
[ there's no ill meant towards asking. she's gone through a lot and if there was some promise of protection against the thoughts that like to creep in at night.. well. ]
[His lips twist into a dry little passing fraction of a wry smile. Wouldn't that be delightful or horrific if it did. No, that would be a step too far for Raylan. As much as he didn't like Feeling, it was the Feeling that reminded him he was alive. The numbness of that would lead to some bad decisions, left in the hands of simmering anger.]
No. Nothin' fixes that. [Hen wishes he could say more about that but that was it. That was the raw truth of it.]
And it doesn't mean I don't feel physical pain, just that I heal rapidly. I broke a leg in a cave in durin' that cave port. Sure as hell felt that. It'll get put to a real test the next time I get into a fist fight with someone though.
If it's what you need to remind you that you're alive, then that's okay. I'm self aware enough to understand the.. changes in my perspective here that have grown over time.
[ in the end, it would be for Laura, too. stripping any more of it from her life would make her as good as dead again and up until recently, she'd been feeling pretty damn close to it. and that scared her.
she winces at hearing about his broken leg. her pain came with tolling during that cave port so she relates. still, there's a flash of satisfaction that comes with hoping malcolm at least felt the punch. ]
Yeah, I've been told experience does do that. For what it's worth, I'd love to be front-row center to see that fight. I'll get out my pom poms and wave my Go Raylan Go banner.
[ laura gives him a nod and a sassy little grin. ]
[The grin that slides on his face is easier for the one on hers, and his eyebrows lift and roll a little with a nod and a chuckle.]
That's sweet of ya. I'll try to make sure it's some where public, just for you, beautiful.
[He wanted to touch her, brush a finger down her cheek, kiss her head or something - and they were comfortable right now, but he didn't know how far that reached.]
Can I ask you somethin'? Now that we don't have alien hippie bugs floatin' around.
[ how is it that he can call her that and in a way that actually makes her believe it? even with half her face a mess of broken skin and stitches like some female version of frankenstein. it's one thing to say as some kind of lip service that leads to a blow job but that's not him and it doesn't even cross her mind.
the reaction is a hand settling on his thigh, which then sparks a sense of worry deep down when he brings up wanting to ask her something. did she read that wrong? ]
[Her hand felt nice and it suggested good things but he didn't want to assume. He didn't want to use energy on that worry. He wanted to get and keep things straight.]
I enjoyed the night I spent with you. More than is polite for me to say, but - [He wets his lips a little.]
That.. that somethin' that I should put away as one good night, or- You and Red are-
[He was floundering a little but just because he didn't want to imply the wrong thing.]
[ but- we shouldn't do anything like that again - is what she expected him to say and was more than a little surprised to hear something different. absently, her eyes drop to her hand on his leg. she and sweeney were more than they were but it wasn't serious and it definitely wasn't something either of them was planning to put any kind of label on. ]
We've slept together, but him and I aren't.. exclusive if that's what you mean.
[ she cares about the leprechaun, all the shitty things that have happened and all that they've both done to each other aside.
laura shifts, the movement bringing her face a little closer to his and she looks into his eyes. her expression is soft. ]
Did you want it to be something more than just one good night?
[He doesn't stop his impulse this time, free hand coming up to catch her chin and brush his thumb over it.]
I'm in no place to be anythin' to anyone other than a night of fun, darlin'. I'll take the fun, but-
[His face twitches in a passing furrow.] That's all I got to offer right now. I got.. shit I'm workin' through, and I'm not lookin' to fuck someone else up like that.
[He hoped she would understand what he meant by all that. He would be more than happy to have her in his bed now and then, but that was all it could be. Friends with benefits - if she wanted that.]
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[He didn't mind a text. Of course he had no idea what had happened, slunk into his hole again.]
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[ laura waits on sending the message, then decides to switch to video so he can see exactly why. the left side of her face is horribly swollen and there's a deep cut that runs from the corner of her blood-red eye to the middle of her cheek. ]
You were right about violence spreading.
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Shit, darlin'. [His face hardened subtly. Violence Spreads.]
Who did that to you.
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[ she looks down off screen. ]
We're calling it karma.
[ she nods. ]
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For punchin' Malcolm? [That looked like three-fold rules.]
That sure as hell doesn't look like a punch, or a series of punches.
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[ if she doesn't tell him, someone else will. doesn't take away from feeling like she's tattling on kikimora or looking for sympathy when she was the one that started it.
she sighs quietly. ]
I could really use some air. Think you could stand the sight of me up close?
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He nods, eyes softening.]
'Course I can. I'll meet you at the doors.
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[ she grabs her smokes and pulls a sweater on and heads upstairs. it takes her a few more minutes than what it would if she had two functioning eyes but the swelling on that side of her face was still pretty terrible.
laura lifts a hand in greeting when he comes into view. ]
Hey handsome.
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Are we avoidin' the infirmary? [He offers an arm towards her; a hug if she wants it. An invitation to step away if she didn't.]
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No. Steve did what he could as any good warden would. We're avoiding the few offers of healing. Yeah, I don't know.
[ she wasn't sure she could trust anyone with that kind of skill. despite seeing how well it served Malcolm. ]
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Steve's good. I'd trust him with that. You're damned lucky you still have an eye. Is that the only injury?
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[ she pauses and looks up at him. ]
But it's on me. I know that and I'm sorry I brought that shit to your house.
[ as much of a grin as she could manage without wincing. ]
Not for punching him though. Still not sorry about that.
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Well, we can only ask for so much, huh. And don't worry about it; my house is small and quiet and could use the noise sometimes. Least you didn't hit me.
[It was to be expected at a party too, if not by her, then by someone else.
Once at some of the deck loungers, Raylan squeezes Laura's shoulders again and takes a seat, plenty of room next to him if Laura wanted and a chair across from him if she didn't.]
You should talk to Ulla. She can do some healin' magic and it ain't the infirmary. Otherwise, I suggest talkin' to Red about some weed. Might take the edge off.
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[ she gives him a wicked smirk that trails off into a quiet laugh.
the spot next to him is definitely hers. she sees their night spent together as a "pass" to be in his personal space as long as he doesn't mind it. today's needs are simple but craved just as much.
leaning into him, she turns in slightly so she can make that eye contact and when she does, there's hesitation in them. ]
Yeah, I don't know if I trust stuff like that and I barely know Ulla, much less see her around.
[ granted the woman was a mermaid of sorts and travels most of the time in a bubble of water. ]
But you're onto something with the pot. It's not my go-to, but sipping whiskey or vodka out of straw just happens to be the epitome of class for me.
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Laura sits down and leans into him and he doesn't stop his arm from draping back around her shoulders.]
I don't blame you and I used to agree. Hard to magical healing when all our stories that have it tend to be stories about being careful what you wish for, and I think we're already livin' that. And now I've got myself under Gaius's.. Talents.
And you're talkin' to a man who can forgive the disrespect of drinkin' stright outta the whiskey bottle. [You couldn't get more low class then how Raylan was raised, no judgement or worries there.]
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She continues to listen quietly, glancing at him thoughtfully. ]
That's good, because guilty as charged.
[ she laughs softly, but her expression quickly turns contemplative. ]
But isn't pain supposed to remind you that you're still alive? I mean I've done stints both alive and dead and keeping yourself from going numb during the former is challenging enough. Taking away something physical like pain would be like taking the enjoyment out of making love to somebody. Sure, it takes time to heal, but doesn't everything?
[ she doesn't realize how deep that comes across, but it felt right saying. ]
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I heard that a lot the last time I got shot at home.
[He focuses again and looks over to meet her eyes.]
But I've had my share of that pain and if we're bein' real honest here, Laura, I'm not gonna turn down the chance to not be afraid of some shit goin' down. Not bein' afraid that I'm gonna die in some cave with a broken leg in on some strange planet that I'll never be found on. We're not invincible, I know that - but it's as close to it as I'll ever get. It's a.. a freedom. The pain of the toll is exactly that. The exchange. The bill.
.. I imagine Gaius's bill will come due at some point. I don't think I'll be sorry.
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she meets his eyes and keeps them fixed, something in them that feels almost familiar, if not quite the same.
laura nods a little. ]
I can understand that. Works well for physical pain and trust me, I'll be giving it some thought. At least for this.
[ meaning her face. she pauses and her brow furrows curiously. ]
What about the other kinds of pain? Does it fix that, too?
[ there's no ill meant towards asking. she's gone through a lot and if there was some promise of protection against the thoughts that like to creep in at night.. well. ]
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No. Nothin' fixes that. [Hen wishes he could say more about that but that was it. That was the raw truth of it.]
And it doesn't mean I don't feel physical pain, just that I heal rapidly. I broke a leg in a cave in durin' that cave port. Sure as hell felt that. It'll get put to a real test the next time I get into a fist fight with someone though.
If it's what you need to remind you that you're alive, then that's okay. I'm self aware enough to understand the.. changes in my perspective here that have grown over time.
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she winces at hearing about his broken leg. her pain came with tolling during that cave port so she relates. still, there's a flash of satisfaction that comes with hoping malcolm at least felt the punch. ]
Yeah, I've been told experience does do that. For what it's worth, I'd love to be front-row center to see that fight. I'll get out my pom poms and wave my Go Raylan Go banner.
[ laura gives him a nod and a sassy little grin. ]
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That's sweet of ya. I'll try to make sure it's some where public, just for you, beautiful.
[He wanted to touch her, brush a finger down her cheek, kiss her head or something - and they were comfortable right now, but he didn't know how far that reached.]
Can I ask you somethin'? Now that we don't have alien hippie bugs floatin' around.
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the reaction is a hand settling on his thigh, which then sparks a sense of worry deep down when he brings up wanting to ask her something. did she read that wrong? ]
Yeah, anything.
[ she leaves her hand where it is and nods. ]
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I enjoyed the night I spent with you. More than is polite for me to say, but - [He wets his lips a little.]
That.. that somethin' that I should put away as one good night, or- You and Red are-
[He was floundering a little but just because he didn't want to imply the wrong thing.]
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We've slept together, but him and I aren't.. exclusive if that's what you mean.
[ she cares about the leprechaun, all the shitty things that have happened and all that they've both done to each other aside.
laura shifts, the movement bringing her face a little closer to his and she looks into his eyes. her expression is soft. ]
Did you want it to be something more than just one good night?
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I'm in no place to be anythin' to anyone other than a night of fun, darlin'. I'll take the fun, but-
[His face twitches in a passing furrow.] That's all I got to offer right now. I got.. shit I'm workin' through, and I'm not lookin' to fuck someone else up like that.
[He hoped she would understand what he meant by all that. He would be more than happy to have her in his bed now and then, but that was all it could be. Friends with benefits - if she wanted that.]
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