Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[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.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There's a beat of silence before he speaks, ] You know, one of these days? That might not be an option.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She falls quiet at that, and her arms over his shoulders tighten a little ]

... Until that happens, I'm always going to come back for you.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ His smile is a small one, and maybe it's a little rueful? But there it is, nonetheless. ]

One of these days, you've gotta tell me what I did to deserve you.

[phaselocknroll]

Nothing special. You were just... you.

[nostalgiabomb]

Vague, but-- I like it. Not many who appreciate my unique style of existing.

[phaselocknroll]

I appreciate it quite a lot.

But don't let it go to your head.

[nostalgiabomb]

Too late. Pretty sure my brain just got five pounds heavier.

[phaselocknroll]

Damn. I thought for sure telling you not to let it go to your head would work.

[nostalgiabomb]

You'll just have to accept the new, sexier, altogether better me, larger ego and all.

[phaselocknroll]

There's not room for three of us in your bed. It's either me or your ego.