[ her hand moves to pet Hale as he crawls off of Stiles' shoulders and onto the back of the couch, letting her hand slide from the top of his head down to the end of his tail. but then she's reaching for Stiles, pulling him back against her and so what if his hair is still kind of wet, that's fine. she can deal with a wet shoulder. she just wants to hold onto him for a while, tuck her chin over his shoulder and flatten her hand against his chest after she tucks her arms around his middle. the blanket's kind of caught between them, but that's fine. doesn't matter. what matters is that she can turn her face just a little bit and give him a kiss on the jaw, or just rub her cheek against his for a little more contact. all the cuddling. she's glad he's here, all in one piece. ]
You really freaked me out back there, Freckles. You can't- I. [ let's try that again. she's still got her chin on his shoulder, so her voice is quiet, but she still sounds like she's trying to think while she talks instead of the other way around ] I trust you more than anybody else here, I really do. I trust your judgment and I trust when you've got a plan. But you can't try and lock me up every time something bad might happen, you know that, right? And I know this was different, I know this was Beacon Hills stuff so it probably would have been harder to explain what was going on than to just keep me out of it, but that's not the first time it's happened.
[ she sighs, hugging him a little tighter for a second, tucking her face so she can press a kiss to his shoulder ]
[He lets her pull him to her, hands resting on hers around his chest as he just leans there and takes in that yes, he's home. Yes, he's safe. Yes, Rachel's safe. Everyone's safe and he can breathe. This is good. This can work.
He turns his head and lips at her mouth, half-kissing it before he nods, rolling his head so he can look at her without going cross-eyed.]
We're a team, yeah, but you can't expect me not to go into full on panic mode when I think you might be in trouble. I lost you once, Rach. Twice, if we count me going home. I can't--
[He cut himself off, eyes closing and his hands squeezing hers.] I can't watch you die again. I can't just be okay with that.
And I know I didn't really explain it and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I just expected you to go along with it, but... I just need you to trust me on this. I need you to be okay with it. Because I love you and I want you safe.
The fact that you're even saying that is kind of horrifying, you know? Was that guy really going to kill me, you think, or are you being overprotective? Though I don't see how that makes it okay to leave you alone with him, if he's capable of that. I'm still mad that I wasn't there with you. [ though she doesn't sound mad. maybe a little frustrated, but not mad. she sounds worried. ]
I just- I mean- [ she moves to sit up a bit, still wrapped up with him like a baby monkey, but moving so she can actually look at him properly while she talks ] If the tables were turned, would you have left? Would you have given me that same power, over your own gut feeling? I don't think you would. I guess that's why I wanted to talk about it.
Maybe this time was different, but if things get bad again here - I need to know we're on the same page. That it won't ever come down to which one of us needs to stand back while the other one fights. We protect each other, and we fight together. That's how we'll stay safe.
Rachel... I-- I can't. I can't talk about it, about what he--
[He broke off, looking down at his hands even though she was trying to look at him in the eye. Nope. Head down. Filled with shame.]
I can't leave you. I can't, okay? You mean too much and I won't lose you again. And I know that's stupid and male bullshit and I should trust you as much, but it's not you I don't trust. It's him. He's... there's extenuating circumstances, okay? And he would hurt you. He would hurt you so badly just because of me and I can't--
[He turned so he could wrap his arms around her, rest his heat against her chest and just hold her, eyes closed to let him listen to the sound of her heart beating.]
[ she's overwhelmed, for a second, not expecting him to go into that part of what she said, so much. so she's just watching him, tilting her head when he looks down but she's not moving to try and meet his eyes, she can wait. she tips her face once he's hugging onto her, kissing his hair and slowly rubbing her hand up and down his back ]
It's okay. I'm here, I'm always going to be here. And you know the things that come from your home world better than I ever could, so of course I trust you on that. I didn't want to stay because I wanted to talk to him more, I only wanted to stay so I could be there for you. But that's- fine, it's over. Isn't it? He went home?
[Hale's picked up on Stiles' distress, on the general tone of their little discussion and has decided that the best way to help is to crawl onto Stiles' back and over to where he can lay his wings around both of them, like he's trying to protect them from whatever has them clinging to each other.
As to her question... he just sighed, arms tightening around her like somehow if he just held onto her hard enough, no one could take her away.]
I don't know. I hope so, but... This--
[He puffed out his cheeks, eyes staying closed.]
This is different. Him... he's different. He's... He's mine to deal with.
[ she cracks a small smile when Hale moves around them, rests her hands flat so he can latch on comfortably enough. she's so, so grateful for their ridiculous little dragon, he's exactly how she wanted him to be, in a lot of ways. in how protective he was over Stiles, at least. the fact that he can read them both is amazing and comforting and yeah. go Hale. ]
Fair enough. You can have that, I wouldn't try and convince you otherwise. Especially considering the stuff he was saying. If there was any truth to it, if he did those things.. [ she sighs, hn ] He tried to tell me he was you, in the future, but I knew that wasn't right. But he still said some things that had me worried, though. For you. [ not of you ] Do you want to know what he said? We don't have to talk about it, but- he mentioned your dad, and Scott, and I just don't want you to think you can talk to me about that stuff, even if it's at home and not here.
I can imagine and... I don't really want to talk about it. Not now.
[Likely not ever. He still had way too much shame and guilt over Allison's death, along with all the other death and pain he caused while that asshole was riding his body.]
[ so she'll just sit with him for a little while then, sliding her hand up from under Hale's belly just to cradle the back of Stiles' head, hiding her face in his hair again. Rachel's not sure what it would take to get her to not want to talk about something, she can't predict the level of terrible it would take to get her to reach that point. it makes her feel squirmy and little which isn't awesome so she tries to just stop thinking about it, focus on the fact that he's talking to her at all. he's here, that's what matters ]
Hey. Hey, you. [ her voice is still quiet, but she's turning her face to nudge at his temple, his ear. being intentionally bothersome ] Hey. Stiles. Hey. [ she kisses his cheek ] I love you. [ and another kiss ] I love you as much as Narcissus loves himself. No. [ smmmmooch ] More than that. I love you the way Poseidon loves the sea and Zeus loves the sky. I love - [ kiss, nudgenudge ] - you like Ares loves war, and Hypnos loves sleep, and Aphrodite loves ..love. [ is he looking at her yet? because she's going to keep nudging and attacking his face with kisses until he does ] You hear me? Hey. Hey, Stiles. I love you. And there's nothing in the cosmos that could change that.
[He's just holding her, listening to her heartbeat and feeling the steady thrum of Hale's against his back, taking in that yes, they were okay. Scott was okay; he'd gotten a text from him earlier. Confused, yes, but okay. Void was gone. Good god, he hoped the shit was gone. He couldn't handle having to deal with nogitsune shit on top of all the universes falling to pieces.
But she's doing that cute thing and he's trying not to smile, because this is serious, but he's tipping his face up, laying little kisses against her collarbone, neck, chin as he does.]
You say that, but you don't know, Rach. That thing... It's a really long, loaded story and it's in the past.
What's still bad? The things you don't want to talk about?
[ ..okay maybe that was a little blunt, but she can't figure out how to handle this, figure out what he needs from her right now. the backs of her fingers brush over his cheek before she leans in for a kiss, soft and sweet ]
I think I can either try and help you forget about what's bad, or help you sort through it, talk about it and get some resolution. Otherwise I'm not.. sure what else I can do for you, babe. Whatever you need, I'm here. You just have to give me a little direction.
[He should talk about it. Maybe. But talking meant thinking about it and there were things he wasn't ready to deal with yet. So he just gave her a sort of sad smile and shook his head.]
I just need to not have to think about it for a bit. Is that okay? Can we do that?
Are you asking me to distract you, Stiles? Because I think I can definitely do that.
[ she's not feeling 500% sexy right now, maybe it's all the worrying she was doing, but she's not exactly opposed to shifting things into that direction. she never is. she leans in again to brush her lips over his, really just a brush, letting her bottom lip catch on his top, tongue slipping out for a taste. just a little one. all very tentative and careful, almost sweet. ]
Might have to convince Hale to give us some space, though.
[ she smiles a little too brightly against his mouth at that, maybe a little embarrassed, and she sits back with a huff, reaching up to hold his face again. which she'll never stop doing, ever. just holding his face so she can look right into his eyes, every chance she gets ]
We could cuddle and talk about something else. Maybe if we're feeling crazy later I can draw us a Happy Meal for two. Complete with addicting fries and an action figure of your choice.
[He sometimes felt like she was just tolerating him, putting up with his bullshit and issues because she had to. He had no idea why, but he was still grateful for it.]
[The mood lifted, Hale lifts his head up and crawls up Stiles' back, head poking over his shoulder to lick at first his cheek, then Rachel's. Yay, happy. He likes happy. Happy is good.]
You'll have to figure out something for this bum. Like he'd let us eat fries in peace.
[ but she accepts that little dragon kiss anyway, even if it makes her nose scrunch up when she laughs. Hale seems pleased with himself, or maybe just pleased with the situation, who knows. either way, he chirrups and shuts his eyes when Rachel reaches up to rub at the back of his head ]
Maybe we can share our fries with him. Maybe. Or I can draw him up some cheese steak or something. No onions.
[He turned and, yes, he gave the side of the scaly neck a kiss before he moved to try to sit up more on the couch, which got a squawk of protest since now he was moving him away from the scratchy hand.]
We should go upstairs, maybe, so there's more room for everyone. Or- No, wait.
[ she starts to untangle herself from Stiles, moving to get up off the couch. but only after leaning in for one more quick kiss before she stands ]
My notebook's in my room anyway. I'll go get that, and you figure out the seating arrangements for maximum snuggles and eating comfortability. Yeah? I'll be quick.
[ yep just zooming up the steps to get her notebook and a pencil so she can draw them some food. ]
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[ her hand moves to pet Hale as he crawls off of Stiles' shoulders and onto the back of the couch, letting her hand slide from the top of his head down to the end of his tail. but then she's reaching for Stiles, pulling him back against her and so what if his hair is still kind of wet, that's fine. she can deal with a wet shoulder. she just wants to hold onto him for a while, tuck her chin over his shoulder and flatten her hand against his chest after she tucks her arms around his middle. the blanket's kind of caught between them, but that's fine. doesn't matter. what matters is that she can turn her face just a little bit and give him a kiss on the jaw, or just rub her cheek against his for a little more contact. all the cuddling. she's glad he's here, all in one piece. ]
You really freaked me out back there, Freckles. You can't- I. [ let's try that again. she's still got her chin on his shoulder, so her voice is quiet, but she still sounds like she's trying to think while she talks instead of the other way around ] I trust you more than anybody else here, I really do. I trust your judgment and I trust when you've got a plan. But you can't try and lock me up every time something bad might happen, you know that, right? And I know this was different, I know this was Beacon Hills stuff so it probably would have been harder to explain what was going on than to just keep me out of it, but that's not the first time it's happened.
[ she sighs, hugging him a little tighter for a second, tucking her face so she can press a kiss to his shoulder ]
We're a team, aren't we?
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He turns his head and lips at her mouth, half-kissing it before he nods, rolling his head so he can look at her without going cross-eyed.]
We're a team, yeah, but you can't expect me not to go into full on panic mode when I think you might be in trouble. I lost you once, Rach. Twice, if we count me going home. I can't--
[He cut himself off, eyes closing and his hands squeezing hers.] I can't watch you die again. I can't just be okay with that.
And I know I didn't really explain it and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I just expected you to go along with it, but... I just need you to trust me on this. I need you to be okay with it. Because I love you and I want you safe.
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I just- I mean- [ she moves to sit up a bit, still wrapped up with him like a baby monkey, but moving so she can actually look at him properly while she talks ] If the tables were turned, would you have left? Would you have given me that same power, over your own gut feeling? I don't think you would. I guess that's why I wanted to talk about it.
Maybe this time was different, but if things get bad again here - I need to know we're on the same page. That it won't ever come down to which one of us needs to stand back while the other one fights. We protect each other, and we fight together. That's how we'll stay safe.
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[He broke off, looking down at his hands even though she was trying to look at him in the eye. Nope. Head down. Filled with shame.]
I can't leave you. I can't, okay? You mean too much and I won't lose you again. And I know that's stupid and male bullshit and I should trust you as much, but it's not you I don't trust. It's him. He's... there's extenuating circumstances, okay? And he would hurt you. He would hurt you so badly just because of me and I can't--
[He turned so he could wrap his arms around her, rest his heat against her chest and just hold her, eyes closed to let him listen to the sound of her heart beating.]
I can't lose you.
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[ she's overwhelmed, for a second, not expecting him to go into that part of what she said, so much. so she's just watching him, tilting her head when he looks down but she's not moving to try and meet his eyes, she can wait. she tips her face once he's hugging onto her, kissing his hair and slowly rubbing her hand up and down his back ]
It's okay. I'm here, I'm always going to be here. And you know the things that come from your home world better than I ever could, so of course I trust you on that. I didn't want to stay because I wanted to talk to him more, I only wanted to stay so I could be there for you. But that's- fine, it's over. Isn't it? He went home?
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As to her question... he just sighed, arms tightening around her like somehow if he just held onto her hard enough, no one could take her away.]
I don't know. I hope so, but... This--
[He puffed out his cheeks, eyes staying closed.]
This is different. Him... he's different. He's... He's mine to deal with.
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Fair enough. You can have that, I wouldn't try and convince you otherwise. Especially considering the stuff he was saying. If there was any truth to it, if he did those things.. [ she sighs, hn ] He tried to tell me he was you, in the future, but I knew that wasn't right. But he still said some things that had me worried, though. For you. [ not of you ] Do you want to know what he said? We don't have to talk about it, but- he mentioned your dad, and Scott, and I just don't want you to think you can talk to me about that stuff, even if it's at home and not here.
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[Likely not ever. He still had way too much shame and guilt over Allison's death, along with all the other death and pain he caused while that asshole was riding his body.]
It's... It's complicated, Rach. Like, really, really complicated.
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[ so she'll just sit with him for a little while then, sliding her hand up from under Hale's belly just to cradle the back of Stiles' head, hiding her face in his hair again. Rachel's not sure what it would take to get her to not want to talk about something, she can't predict the level of terrible it would take to get her to reach that point. it makes her feel squirmy and little which isn't awesome so she tries to just stop thinking about it, focus on the fact that he's talking to her at all. he's here, that's what matters ]
Hey. Hey, you. [ her voice is still quiet, but she's turning her face to nudge at his temple, his ear. being intentionally bothersome ] Hey. Stiles. Hey. [ she kisses his cheek ] I love you. [ and another kiss ] I love you as much as Narcissus loves himself. No. [ smmmmooch ] More than that. I love you the way Poseidon loves the sea and Zeus loves the sky. I love - [ kiss, nudgenudge ] - you like Ares loves war, and Hypnos loves sleep, and Aphrodite loves ..love. [ is he looking at her yet? because she's going to keep nudging and attacking his face with kisses until he does ] You hear me? Hey. Hey, Stiles. I love you. And there's nothing in the cosmos that could change that.
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But she's doing that cute thing and he's trying not to smile, because this is serious, but he's tipping his face up, laying little kisses against her collarbone, neck, chin as he does.]
You say that, but you don't know, Rach. That thing... It's a really long, loaded story and it's in the past.
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[ she stop nudging, for now, in favor of sliding her thumb under his jaw, trying to guide him to look up with an easy press ]
Look at me?
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I love you too, but that... It's still bad, Rach.
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[ ..okay maybe that was a little blunt, but she can't figure out how to handle this, figure out what he needs from her right now. the backs of her fingers brush over his cheek before she leans in for a kiss, soft and sweet ]
I think I can either try and help you forget about what's bad, or help you sort through it, talk about it and get some resolution. Otherwise I'm not.. sure what else I can do for you, babe. Whatever you need, I'm here. You just have to give me a little direction.
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I just need to not have to think about it for a bit. Is that okay? Can we do that?
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[ she's not feeling 500% sexy right now, maybe it's all the worrying she was doing, but she's not exactly opposed to shifting things into that direction. she never is. she leans in again to brush her lips over his, really just a brush, letting her bottom lip catch on his top, tongue slipping out for a taste. just a little one. all very tentative and careful, almost sweet. ]
Might have to convince Hale to give us some space, though.
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I actually, for once, wasn't talking about sex. Maybe we could just... cuddle? Or talk about something else? Or... god, I don't know. Something?
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We could cuddle and talk about something else. Maybe if we're feeling crazy later I can draw us a Happy Meal for two. Complete with addicting fries and an action figure of your choice.
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[He sometimes felt like she was just tolerating him, putting up with his bullshit and issues because she had to. He had no idea why, but he was still grateful for it.]
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[ she, on the other hand, is thrown by the question because what isn't there to be okay with in this situation ]
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[He smiled and slid up a bit, nuzzling against her neck and giving it a kiss before he moved up to nip at her nose.]
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[ she fakes a gasp when he catches her nose, one of her hands moving to rub over it as she leans back a little bit ]
Sharing cuddles and french fries with you is one of my favorite things. Better than letting you eat my nose-
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You'll have to figure out something for this bum. Like he'd let us eat fries in peace.
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[ but she accepts that little dragon kiss anyway, even if it makes her nose scrunch up when she laughs. Hale seems pleased with himself, or maybe just pleased with the situation, who knows. either way, he chirrups and shuts his eyes when Rachel reaches up to rub at the back of his head ]
Maybe we can share our fries with him. Maybe. Or I can draw him up some cheese steak or something. No onions.
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[He turned and, yes, he gave the side of the scaly neck a kiss before he moved to try to sit up more on the couch, which got a squawk of protest since now he was moving him away from the scratchy hand.]
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[ she starts to untangle herself from Stiles, moving to get up off the couch. but only after leaning in for one more quick kiss before she stands ]
My notebook's in my room anyway. I'll go get that, and you figure out the seating arrangements for maximum snuggles and eating comfortability. Yeah? I'll be quick.
[ yep just zooming up the steps to get her notebook and a pencil so she can draw them some food. ]
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