playinginsand | (no subject)

(no subject)

Things have been... well... let's be honest: awkward. Rachel and Tobias are still in the tiny one-room dwelling, and they're... adjusting to having each other around. But they still don't know how to interact properly.

It's made worse by the fact that they don't see many people other than each other. There's a tension between them that Tobias has a hard time articulating, or even recognizing.

Still... they're managing.

He's out back today, shirt sticking slightly to him from the sweat of working out. He's not very good, but practicing the few punch and kick routines he's managed to pick up keeps him occupied. And maybe some day he'll be able to be useful again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's-- going to be a while until they're not, probably. Even just that, innocent a comment as it may be, has Rachel glancing away, abruptly uncomfortable.

Even if her frown deepens a little.

"And if I was as fast as you're getting, maybe I wouldn't have it."

"Or if I'd been there."

Yeah. He's still on about that.

Rachel has never hit Tobias, not once in all the fights they've had.

But she does occasionally feel like slapping him.

"If you'd been there," she says, voice tight and irritable, gripping the back of her chair, "then I still would have been distracted. With being mad at you for following me."

Tobias sighs. "That doesn't mean I don't feel responsible."

Even he knows it's a bit irrational.

They've switched expressions - now she's the one scowling.

"You're not. Stop it, Tobias, it was months ago."

"I... know," he says softly. "I'm still... not used to the way my emotions swing in this body. I still feel responsible."

She makes a face at him. "I hate to break it to you, Tobias, but you were overprotective and sensitive when you had wings, too."

"I... was?" This is apparently a new thought for him.

Rachel's eyebrows, slowly but surely lifting to her hairline, answer better than any words could.

Still.

".... yes."

At least he's got her smiling again.

"Oh."

He sounds deeply surprised.

Yeah, it's impossible to be mad at that.

Rachel shakes her head, still grinning, even if the sigh she releases is somewhat aggravated. "Tobias..."

"... yeah?" he asks hesitantly, wondering if he's in trouble for being... 'overprotective' and 'sensitive'.

"I really love you."

Even when he's overprotective and sensitive. Maybe especially then.

Or maybe just because he's overprotective and sensitive and determined and frustrated and human and hers.

Tobias had spent a long time as a bird. He isn't used to his face catching on fire.

"Oh..." Now he's staring firmly at his shoes (while trying to peek at her from under his bangs).

"Me too," he manages to stammer.

Rachel just smiles at him - though it bursts into a grin when he blushes, ducking her head as she feels her face heat along with his.

"I'll finish this stuff inside," Rachel says. It's better than guessing that she's distracting him by being there.

"Wait," Tobias says suddenly.

She'd barely reached for any of the weapons. Blue eyes are on him immediately and Rachel waits.

Only now he doesn't have any idea what he wants to say. He just opens his mouth and closes it helplessly.

He loves her too much to know what to say.

The nice thing about loving someone, they're both figuring out slowly, is that you don't always need to say anything.

Rachel smiles and walks toward him.

Tobias can't help but smile back. He almost takes a step forward but then pauses, waiting for her instead.

It's getting easier. There are unspoken rules in the house - which they still sometimes break - but the cold uneasiness of the first few months is slowly fading. They're not perfect but they're finding a balance, who they are together. It's getting easier to bridge the gaps.

Rachel comes close enough to take his hands and kiss his cheek and it's-- easy.

His hands squeeze hers back and he leans forward to kiss her cheek in return. "I love you," he whispers.

Rachel grins, wide and bright, practically shining with that.

"Love you, too," she murmurs.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only