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[ It's wonderful when she finally gets to go and rest -- and what's she seeing but Chuck in his boxers, studly as a cardiac surgeon can be, playing angry birds because he's a giant manchild and of course he'd fucking play angry birds.
She heads towards the dresser to pull off her damp shirt, pulling on another and dropping the previous in the laundry hamper by the door. It's lovely, this time of night where it's just the both of them and neither Percy or Max are in their bed and it's nice to get him all to herself for the night.
And, you know -- she glances over at where he's playing, then frowns. She's climbing into bed beside him then, turning out the lights save for their bedside lamps. ]
Sign on to Candy Crush, too. I need you to give me life.
[ ...She can be addicted to stupid games too, shut up. ]
She heads towards the dresser to pull off her damp shirt, pulling on another and dropping the previous in the laundry hamper by the door. It's lovely, this time of night where it's just the both of them and neither Percy or Max are in their bed and it's nice to get him all to herself for the night.
And, you know -- she glances over at where he's playing, then frowns. She's climbing into bed beside him then, turning out the lights save for their bedside lamps. ]
Sign on to Candy Crush, too. I need you to give me life.
[ ...She can be addicted to stupid games too, shut up. ]
[ Yeah, it's... really fucking hard to pick a fight when he tells her something like this, when the truth of the matter is that she can put two and two together, even if she isn't the genius prodigy that Chuck is.
It's in the way he's looking at her, defensive and challenging, closing over the hurt -- and Raleigh almost forgets the turkey she's stuffing because what do you say to that? What do you say to someone who'd gone through something like that? He was only eleven, and Raleigh has an inkling of how things had possibly gone down.
He lost a mother, and a father that day; no wonder he is who he is -- and she damn well isn't going to change him. ]
...I'm sorry.
It's in the way he's looking at her, defensive and challenging, closing over the hurt -- and Raleigh almost forgets the turkey she's stuffing because what do you say to that? What do you say to someone who'd gone through something like that? He was only eleven, and Raleigh has an inkling of how things had possibly gone down.
He lost a mother, and a father that day; no wonder he is who he is -- and she damn well isn't going to change him. ]
...I'm sorry.
[Sorry, she says. Holy shit. Chuck will joke about divorcing her, and looking for his second wife, will endlessly complain that she's got far too much energy to be a normal human, that it bothers him that she won't just let him pay for things, like it's a point of pride for her and maybe he understands that but she's being stupid and ridiculous and he obviously can afford anything and just stop being so stubborn, woman.
He doesn't remember the short walk from the door to her bedside, pulling up a car, right next to her bed and Chuck grabs her hand.]
He's fine. He's at home with my dad. [Chuck has to fight back the urge to do a physical assessment on her, to make her squeezes his fingers and push against his hands with her feet, to find a penlight and look at her pupils and how they react, to see where she stands. You can damn well bet he's got one eye fixed on the monitor with her vitals on it, because that's how he knows how to take care of her.]
He's been a real brat without you too.
He doesn't remember the short walk from the door to her bedside, pulling up a car, right next to her bed and Chuck grabs her hand.]
He's fine. He's at home with my dad. [Chuck has to fight back the urge to do a physical assessment on her, to make her squeezes his fingers and push against his hands with her feet, to find a penlight and look at her pupils and how they react, to see where she stands. You can damn well bet he's got one eye fixed on the monitor with her vitals on it, because that's how he knows how to take care of her.]
He's been a real brat without you too.
[Candy crush is stupid. No wonder she's addicted to it.
Chuck smirks down at the tablet, pretending like he wasn't just watching her strip off her clothes a moment earlier, even though he totally was and any time she wants to do a little strip show: is completely okay with him.]
And here I thought you wanted to have sex tonight.
Chuck smirks down at the tablet, pretending like he wasn't just watching her strip off her clothes a moment earlier, even though he totally was and any time she wants to do a little strip show: is completely okay with him.]
And here I thought you wanted to have sex tonight.
[There is a dumb blonde joke waiting to be made right here. But he'll be the bigger person and not make it.]
You're right, it was stupid. [Because they both know that she's a better driver than that, that she pretty much lives inside of cars and missing a turn, making a bad judgment like that is not her style.]
Not even close. You might as well hang around here until I can give you a ride home.
You're right, it was stupid. [Because they both know that she's a better driver than that, that she pretty much lives inside of cars and missing a turn, making a bad judgment like that is not her style.]
Not even close. You might as well hang around here until I can give you a ride home.
[The way that Chuck blinks at him should say everything. He's only recently come to the United States, the last three years and Australia doesn't have things like the Waffle House. And Chuck doesn't have the kind of friends you go to the Waffle House with, here or there.
Except perhaps Raleigh. Which is odd.]
You got a problem with that?
Except perhaps Raleigh. Which is odd.]
You got a problem with that?
What, are you my fucking mother now?
[It really, really is not Raleigh's fault that he's being so difficult but it's so, so easy to take his stress out on him anyway. To snap and snarl and push because Raleigh can take it. He doesn't just roll over and cry, he stands his ground and it's really fucking annoying when he does it.
It's exactly what he needs.]
Unless that's vodka I'll pass.
[It really, really is not Raleigh's fault that he's being so difficult but it's so, so easy to take his stress out on him anyway. To snap and snarl and push because Raleigh can take it. He doesn't just roll over and cry, he stands his ground and it's really fucking annoying when he does it.
It's exactly what he needs.]
Unless that's vodka I'll pass.
You have tampons under my sink.
[That's just reiterating her point, that they have taken over each other's living spaces (and he can actually pinpoint when that started to happen, when at first they only went back to her place to fuck and the first time they stumbled back to his was the Night of Five Times) but the way he says it definitely equates vegemite with tampons. The tampons are worse, if you think about it because vegemite is a breakfast food and he needs breakfast if he doesn't have time to make it back to his place after spending the night at hers.
But tampons? That implies that she's spending time at his apartment that has nothing to do with sex. And she is. She can sleep in his bed and they don't always have sex and what.]
We're dating. When the fuck did that happen?
[That's just reiterating her point, that they have taken over each other's living spaces (and he can actually pinpoint when that started to happen, when at first they only went back to her place to fuck and the first time they stumbled back to his was the Night of Five Times) but the way he says it definitely equates vegemite with tampons. The tampons are worse, if you think about it because vegemite is a breakfast food and he needs breakfast if he doesn't have time to make it back to his place after spending the night at hers.
But tampons? That implies that she's spending time at his apartment that has nothing to do with sex. And she is. She can sleep in his bed and they don't always have sex and what.]
We're dating. When the fuck did that happen?
[Demanding bitch.
She is a cougar and if Chuck were a normal boy with normal friends, he'd totally get high fives for bagging an older woman, but he's not and he'd be willing to bet that he's actually more experienced than she is. Not that she isn't talented and he doesn't like what she's doing but she's got relationship girl written all over her.
And he just-- doesn't do those.]
Take them off yourself if you're going to be so pushy.
She is a cougar and if Chuck were a normal boy with normal friends, he'd totally get high fives for bagging an older woman, but he's not and he'd be willing to bet that he's actually more experienced than she is. Not that she isn't talented and he doesn't like what she's doing but she's got relationship girl written all over her.
And he just-- doesn't do those.]
Take them off yourself if you're going to be so pushy.
[Look Ray, you get crabby and psycho if you don't get food when you're hungry and Chuck does like picking a fight with you but not like that. Because it definitely doesn't lead to getting laid.]
It'd be easier to find a better steak than a burger. Can you live with that?
It'd be easier to find a better steak than a burger. Can you live with that?
You need it. Still haven't won him over.
[Yes, he does still have him by the dog tags, Chuck's debating with himself whether or not he wants to guide Raleigh lower or pull him back up for a kiss instead of insisting on a BJ and that must mean he really likes the little prick. If he'd be okay just making out.
Fuck.]
But do you do what I tell you?
[Yes, he does still have him by the dog tags, Chuck's debating with himself whether or not he wants to guide Raleigh lower or pull him back up for a kiss instead of insisting on a BJ and that must mean he really likes the little prick. If he'd be okay just making out.
Fuck.]
But do you do what I tell you?
[ ...But Chuck.
Raleigh looks up at the trees, suitably suspicious. And possibly a little unnerved because what the hell, drop bears. ]
I'm not sure if that's just really shitty driving. You people drive on the wrong side of the road. ...What do the drop bears look like?
Raleigh looks up at the trees, suitably suspicious. And possibly a little unnerved because what the hell, drop bears. ]
I'm not sure if that's just really shitty driving. You people drive on the wrong side of the road. ...What do the drop bears look like?
[ She's stubborn because she's just built that way, because he's just as stubborn and a giant pain in the ass and she's missed him. She misses their fights and their little moments, the way his smile looks in the early hours of dawn, when he's sleeping beside her and she kisses him awake. She misses the big moments, too, the frown he gets when he's annoyed, that insufferable smirk when he decides to be an asshole, his frustration when she insists on pulling her weight because this is what they are. They're partners, for better or worse, right?
That was the promise they made when she married him right there in that garden, with flowers in her hair and his bitching a not-quite-distant memory.
He comes closer, and she feels more than sees when he takes her hand, his palm so wonderfully warm on hers. His grip is solid, and she wishes she had the strength to just pull him to her. Her vitals are holding steady, but muscle weakness is a tricky one, even with regular sessions with the physiotherapist.
She manages to squeeze his hand very lightly; and the mention of Herc sticks in her head. Chuck, leaving Percy home with his father? More importantly, Chuck had actually let Herc into their home? That's -- wow. It takes Raleigh awhile to talk; forming words is really, really tiring, you know. So is smiling; but she is, just the tiniest bit, it's all she can muster, for now. ]
So were you. [ Because she knows him, she knows what he's like, and he's his father's son. Also apparently comas can't make a sense of humour go away -- although even with that, her eyes are gentle, fond. Oh, Chuck. ]
Herc...?
That was the promise they made when she married him right there in that garden, with flowers in her hair and his bitching a not-quite-distant memory.
He comes closer, and she feels more than sees when he takes her hand, his palm so wonderfully warm on hers. His grip is solid, and she wishes she had the strength to just pull him to her. Her vitals are holding steady, but muscle weakness is a tricky one, even with regular sessions with the physiotherapist.
She manages to squeeze his hand very lightly; and the mention of Herc sticks in her head. Chuck, leaving Percy home with his father? More importantly, Chuck had actually let Herc into their home? That's -- wow. It takes Raleigh awhile to talk; forming words is really, really tiring, you know. So is smiling; but she is, just the tiniest bit, it's all she can muster, for now. ]
So were you. [ Because she knows him, she knows what he's like, and he's his father's son. Also apparently comas can't make a sense of humour go away -- although even with that, her eyes are gentle, fond. Oh, Chuck. ]
Herc...?
[ And he's not going to love her as much as he loves Raleigh. Face it, he likes his women blonde, sassy, in love with him, not his money, and a lot less accommodating of his shit at the same time. fuck you, chuckles, she's the smartest mutt ever ]
Right now, Dr. Chuckles, you can't pull your pants on without passing out. [ Raleigh points out quite sensibly, while Percy proceeds to harass the dog on the floor. ] And I'd rather not have you spilling any of the hot soup on yourself. So lie back, open up, and think of Australia. Or drop bears.
[ ...Stupid drop bears. ]
Right now, Dr. Chuckles, you can't pull your pants on without passing out. [ Raleigh points out quite sensibly, while Percy proceeds to harass the dog on the floor. ] And I'd rather not have you spilling any of the hot soup on yourself. So lie back, open up, and think of Australia. Or drop bears.
[ ...Stupid drop bears. ]
[ Angry birds is stupid. Who the fuck makes a game out of tossing birds at pigs?
Raleigh just smiles and climbs in under the covers, taking his tablet delicately from his hands, before leaning over to set it on the table beside him. No games now; she wants all his attention. ]
Who said I didn't want to? [ She's pleased that he's just in his boxers; makes things so much more simple -- and he's really something, giving her plenty of eye candy at the same time. ] You're in a fine mood today. Good day at work?
Raleigh just smiles and climbs in under the covers, taking his tablet delicately from his hands, before leaning over to set it on the table beside him. No games now; she wants all his attention. ]
Who said I didn't want to? [ She's pleased that he's just in his boxers; makes things so much more simple -- and he's really something, giving her plenty of eye candy at the same time. ] You're in a fine mood today. Good day at work?
[ Definitely not pity. Raleigh doesn't pity him -- Chuck's done pretty well for himself, after all, and Raleigh's not in the business of pitying him. ]
About your mom. [ A pause. ] I didn't know.
[ But it didn't mean his father killed him -- the pieces fall neatly into place, what with the things Herc doesn't quite tell her, and the story that comes out from Chuck's point of view. ]
What did your dad do after that?
About your mom. [ A pause. ] I didn't know.
[ But it didn't mean his father killed him -- the pieces fall neatly into place, what with the things Herc doesn't quite tell her, and the story that comes out from Chuck's point of view. ]
What did your dad do after that?
[ Good call. Making that joke will get you unlaid for weeks. Bigger Person Chuck is wise. ]
I know. [ And she'd walked out with only the injuries she has; that's really fucking lucky. But she glances dubiously back at the A&E; she's supposed to waste the time away here while waiting for him to knock off? ]
...I don't want to stay here. [ Not in the A&E, not when there's nothing to distract her. ] How about this, I chill on the roof, and you can come and find me when you're done? [ beat. ] Sitting around here will make me nuts.
I know. [ And she'd walked out with only the injuries she has; that's really fucking lucky. But she glances dubiously back at the A&E; she's supposed to waste the time away here while waiting for him to knock off? ]
...I don't want to stay here. [ Not in the A&E, not when there's nothing to distract her. ] How about this, I chill on the roof, and you can come and find me when you're done? [ beat. ] Sitting around here will make me nuts.
[ She knows exactly when it happened, in hindsight. When she'd come over and she'd only slept in his bed -- the first night she came over and they didn't have sex, and he held her and she liked it. And tampons are definitely not worse than vegemite because what is that fucking thing?
It happened when she went grocery shopping and went to buy it for him anyway; it happened when he slept the whole night through instead of leaving after, when she sometimes wakes up and admires his sleeping profile, allowing herself to be lulled to sleep by his breathing.
And now, she's living in his fucking apartment and she has tampons under his sink and he knows it and she just -- she wonders what he'd do next. What they'd do next. ] I don't know.
[ She exhales, because she's more than a little bit in love with him and she knows that he's not looking for anything serious and it freaks her out because somewhere they've crossed a line and she's not sure where Chuck stands on it. ]
What do you want to do?
It happened when she went grocery shopping and went to buy it for him anyway; it happened when he slept the whole night through instead of leaving after, when she sometimes wakes up and admires his sleeping profile, allowing herself to be lulled to sleep by his breathing.
And now, she's living in his fucking apartment and she has tampons under his sink and he knows it and she just -- she wonders what he'd do next. What they'd do next. ] I don't know.
[ She exhales, because she's more than a little bit in love with him and she knows that he's not looking for anything serious and it freaks her out because somewhere they've crossed a line and she's not sure where Chuck stands on it. ]
What do you want to do?
Drink your water first.
[ He knows how to play it, because they've done this song and dance so many times that it's all muscle memory, now, for Raleigh to shove back when Chuck takes it out on him. In a pointed move, Raleigh steps between Chuck and the cabinet where they keep their liquor.
The glass is still outstretched. It's not a necessity for Chuck to drink water, but Raleigh's pushing it all the same. ]
You're not touching anything until you finish this.
[ He knows how to play it, because they've done this song and dance so many times that it's all muscle memory, now, for Raleigh to shove back when Chuck takes it out on him. In a pointed move, Raleigh steps between Chuck and the cabinet where they keep their liquor.
The glass is still outstretched. It's not a necessity for Chuck to drink water, but Raleigh's pushing it all the same. ]
You're not touching anything until you finish this.
[ She does have Relationship Girl written all over her, and this thing -- whatever this thing is with Chuck, is an exception, it's something she'd never intended for.
Raleigh makes a low, frustrated noise under her breath; and a part of her definitely likes how he challenges her, how he pushes her to push back, to fight him every step of the way.
Her fingers undo his belt, tugging it loose before she drops it over the edge. But she doesn't move further -- what he does, however, is to trace lazy patterns over his hipbone, before pressing a slow, lazy kiss to it. ]
You definitely got some of these scars outside of a Jaeger.
Raleigh makes a low, frustrated noise under her breath; and a part of her definitely likes how he challenges her, how he pushes her to push back, to fight him every step of the way.
Her fingers undo his belt, tugging it loose before she drops it over the edge. But she doesn't move further -- what he does, however, is to trace lazy patterns over his hipbone, before pressing a slow, lazy kiss to it. ]
You definitely got some of these scars outside of a Jaeger.
[Raleigh Becket is the strangest girl in the entire world in that she is clearly trying to kill his boner five seconds after she gets its interest. He's suddenly seriously reconsidering his previous idea that she's got some experience because why would anyone sleep with someone who talks this much?
Why is he trying to do that?
This time, Chuck does push her lower.]
Don't see how that fucking matters.
Why is he trying to do that?
This time, Chuck does push her lower.]
Don't see how that fucking matters.
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