Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[phaselocknroll]

[ she sloooowly raises an eyebrow ] Aren't you? You were freaking out pretty bad after that laundry chute.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That gets him to pause, but only for a brief second. ]

Well, we were getting chased by brainwashing sociopaths, so I think I deserve some leeway, there.

[phaselocknroll]

Okay, first of all, there's nothing wrong with not liking small spaces.

Second of all, kind of something I need to know before I suggest we throw ourselves headlong into a long, dark, cramped tunnel.

[nostalgiabomb]

It's fine. I'm fine.

[ A beat, then, ]

And maybe I was freaked out by, like, the laundry, for all you know.

[phaselocknroll]

For the love of- what's the big deal here?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ His tone is sharper than he means it to be. ] Maya, it's fine. Can we please just drop it?

[phaselocknroll]

[ That... well, it startles her, for one. It also hurts a little, because she thought by this point they could be honest with each other.

Maybe he has to be honest with himself, first.

Her reply is quiet. ]

All right. Fine. It's dropped.

Sorry for bringing it up.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ -- shit. He lets out a breath, and runs a hand over his face. ]

Sorry. Didn't mean to be an asshole, there.

[phaselocknroll]

Yeah, well, you were kind of being an asshole anyway.

[ That also comes out a little sharper than she intended, and she has to take a breath.

Did they make it through all of that just to have a dumbass fight? God, she hopes not. When she speaks again, her tone is noticeably calmer ]

I want you to understand something, Peter. Since that whole... mess with the Order, you have constantly seen me at my most vulnerable- and I would never, ever allow that to happen if I didn't totally, completely trust you.

So when I ask you if you're claustrophobic, it's not out of some desire to make fun of you, or point out all of your weaknesses. It's out of that trust, and the hope that you trust me in kind.

Okay?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's quiet for a little while (and yeah, that asshole comment stung, but he deserved it, he knows that much), but eventually he nods. ]

I trust you. Of course trust you. I just--

[ And here he struggles for words. ] It's not a big deal, okay? It's-- just some stupid thing. But I can handle it.

[phaselocknroll]

Stupid or not, the whole point is you don't have to handle it by yourself.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a few seconds he just stares at the ground, but then, ]

It's just some stupid shit that happened when I was a kid. Got stuck in a vent shaft when I had to help with maintenance. The engineering crew thought it'd be funny if they left me to stew for a while. They were just screwin' with me, but I freaked out so bad I fucked up my shoulder. That's all--

[ And now he feels ridiculous having said it aloud, and he picks up a rock and chucks it hard at a nearby tree. ]

See? Stupid as fuck.

[phaselocknroll]

Peter... [ she slings her rifle over he back and leans over to drape her arms over his shoulders ]

It's not stupid at all.

You know, when I was little, I told one of the Brothers I was scared of the dark. They made it part of my training to shut me in a completely dark room for hours at a time. I thought I was going to die.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He stiffens at first at her touch, because for a little while there, it felt too much like pity-- but he eventually leans into her. ]

What a bunch of friggin' assholes.

[phaselocknroll]

"A Siren warrior and savior of Athenas should let go of all fear", was what they told me.

Eventually they stopped doing it when I stopped crying each time. I didn't tell them that I was using my powers as a nightlight.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs a laugh at that. ] See? That's why you're the brains in this relationship.

[phaselocknroll]

Sometimes it still gets to me, though. Axton accidentally shut me in a storage room in a bandit stronghold one time, and I honest to God nearly hyperventilated. I thought Krieg was gonna murder him.

Things like that... they stick with you. So I don't think it's stupid or silly at all.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It takes him a while, but he--nods, reaching up to take hold of her hand. ]

You're so smart. Where've you been all my life? [ Aside from the eight years where she hadn't been born yet, of course. ]

[phaselocknroll]

If we're being literal, Athenas and Pandora.

[ She smiles, and leans in to press a kiss to his temple ] You okay?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He nods when she moves away. ]

Yeah, don't worry. [ He puts a hand on her knee. ] I wasn't just kidding when I said I was fine.

[phaselocknroll]

Just making sure.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He smiles a little, tilting to rest his head against hers. ]

You know, we've still gotta talk about you going against the plan.

[phaselocknroll]

[ Once again, completely deadpan: ] You mean the incredibly stupid plan that almost got you brainwashed?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He responds in kind, ] Yep, that's the one.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She shrugs as best she can, given that she still has her arms around him ]

I decided I wasn't leaving without you.