[ emma is an unassuming woman, and has also never been the type to expect something in return for whatever kindness or generosity she may extend. that continues to be true with faraday: she doesn't expect him to repay her for giving him a place to recover, for helping to care for him when he's needed it. she especially has no expectations for this bond they've been thrown into. she doesn't want him to feel obligated to her, because she doesn't view the mark as a commodity or a commitment that is due her; it simply is, and it's a situation they'll have to suss out together (or, she supposes, individually, if that's the route one of them chooses to take), to just try to find a balance.
if either of them decides this isn't something they want, she thinks they should be able to walk away — that they aren't owed anything just by nature of the mark existing. however, she's also decided that, on her end, she won't be rejecting faraday without first genuinely trying (even if all that means is spending time with him to determine whether or not they can even tolerate each other for extended periods of time).
but until then, emma is and will continue to be kind. he may get on her nerves, may rile her up just the same, but there's a part of her that curls around a flicker of fondness, of that desire to be near him.
she's nearly startled when he finally pulls away, breaking that connection, and as much as she's sorry to see it go, she knows they need to get up. ]
Then I hope I won't be hearin' any complaints over bacon and eggs.
[ her lips lift in a small smile, but then she's finally scooting away, climbing out of the bed to find the light robe from the night before. she'll get dressed properly after faraday's left the bedroom, because, really, she won't be changing in front of him. ]
Her touched had sapped away most of the aches of the previous day, and while any lingering stiffness had faded, standing still proves something of a daunting prospect. Faraday swings his legs around, a hand kneading the injured muscle of his thigh, before he slowly pushes himself to his feet, resting one hand on the nightstand for balance. It takes a second or two before he trusts his leg to take his weight, and he stands fully, carefully stretching his limbs.
There's still a limp in his step, though it's not nearly as bad as yesterday, and he pauses in the doorway as he leaves. ]
Let me know if there's anything I can help with. Not that I expect I'll be much help as far as a pan goes, but...
[ emma is a bit surprised by the offer, but she appreciates it nonetheless. she directs that soft smile his way, before turning to her dresser to pull out something to wear for the day. ]
I think I can manage up the cooking on my own. But I may take you up on gettin' a hand with the dishes.
[ if his arm isn't too sore or he can handle standing on his leg at the sink. ]
[ But it's a good-natured sort of grouse as he turns back toward his room. Washing a few plates is about the least he can offer, he supposes, after all the trouble he caused. (They ought to talk about what happened, he knows; he ought to make apologies for the way he spoke to her, for the way he tried so damn hard to fling her kindness back in her face.
But hell if Faraday will be the one to bring it up first.)
And it's a little difficult, at any rate, to be too upset at the sight of that soft smile of hers, at the little curl of warmth that flares in his chest.
Faraday quickly ducks his head, hand resting on the doorknob of her door. ]
[ she sets her clothes on the bed, glancing up once more at faraday. it's a little odd, she thinks, to see him leaving her bedroom, a surreal reminder that he'd spent the night in her bed, and it brings to mind the evening before.
she hesitates, opening her mouth to speak. part of her is trying to debate whether or not to mention yesterday, because they had agreed to discuss it, and that might even be a proper opportunity to suss out just a touch of what they're doing together, but... ]
Faraday—
[ but then she seems to reconsider it, shaking her head, and looks back to her clothing instead. ]
[ He glances up briefly, hears that touch of weight in her voice, and he steels himself. Feels, for a strange sort of second, like he's a child being scolded for his poor marks.
But she seems to let it go, and he relaxes, offers a relieved sort of smile and a lazy little salute as he turns. ]
As you like.
[ The clicks shut behind him, and he lets out a long breath, letting the tension drain from his frame.
Bullet dodged, he thinks to himself, and limps his way into his own room. ]
[ of course, faraday shouldn't feel too relieved for long, because this is something emma does want to discuss, but she also doesn't want to risk poking the sleeping bear of their argument. they have things to talk out, but with a tenuously established peace, she'd mostly like to keep it that way.
it's why she gets dressed, and just settles into the kitchen to see to their breakfast, instead of trying to find a way to bring things up immediately.
the smell of bacon fills her small home, and as she puts together the food, she finds herself...smiling. small, but soft and warm, genuine, even if it's at nothing in particular. it's comforting to have someone to cook for, comforting to have someone there, as opposed to the emptiness that had settled in after matthew's death. it's something she's appreciated about faraday staying with her while he mends, but she's also found that she's come to like that it's faraday — that it actually matters who is in her house with her.
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no subject
if either of them decides this isn't something they want, she thinks they should be able to walk away — that they aren't owed anything just by nature of the mark existing. however, she's also decided that, on her end, she won't be rejecting faraday without first genuinely trying (even if all that means is spending time with him to determine whether or not they can even tolerate each other for extended periods of time).
but until then, emma is and will continue to be kind. he may get on her nerves, may rile her up just the same, but there's a part of her that curls around a flicker of fondness, of that desire to be near him.
she's nearly startled when he finally pulls away, breaking that connection, and as much as she's sorry to see it go, she knows they need to get up. ]
Then I hope I won't be hearin' any complaints over bacon and eggs.
[ her lips lift in a small smile, but then she's finally scooting away, climbing out of the bed to find the light robe from the night before. she'll get dressed properly after faraday's left the bedroom, because, really, she won't be changing in front of him. ]
no subject
[ Who would ever complain about that?
Her touched had sapped away most of the aches of the previous day, and while any lingering stiffness had faded, standing still proves something of a daunting prospect. Faraday swings his legs around, a hand kneading the injured muscle of his thigh, before he slowly pushes himself to his feet, resting one hand on the nightstand for balance. It takes a second or two before he trusts his leg to take his weight, and he stands fully, carefully stretching his limbs.
There's still a limp in his step, though it's not nearly as bad as yesterday, and he pauses in the doorway as he leaves. ]
Let me know if there's anything I can help with. Not that I expect I'll be much help as far as a pan goes, but...
no subject
I think I can manage up the cooking on my own. But I may take you up on gettin' a hand with the dishes.
[ if his arm isn't too sore or he can handle standing on his leg at the sink. ]
no subject
And I may regret makin' that offer.
[ But it's a good-natured sort of grouse as he turns back toward his room. Washing a few plates is about the least he can offer, he supposes, after all the trouble he caused. (They ought to talk about what happened, he knows; he ought to make apologies for the way he spoke to her, for the way he tried so damn hard to fling her kindness back in her face.
But hell if Faraday will be the one to bring it up first.)
And it's a little difficult, at any rate, to be too upset at the sight of that soft smile of hers, at the little curl of warmth that flares in his chest.
Faraday quickly ducks his head, hand resting on the doorknob of her door. ]
I'll leave you to it, then.
no subject
[ she sets her clothes on the bed, glancing up once more at faraday. it's a little odd, she thinks, to see him leaving her bedroom, a surreal reminder that he'd spent the night in her bed, and it brings to mind the evening before.
she hesitates, opening her mouth to speak. part of her is trying to debate whether or not to mention yesterday, because they had agreed to discuss it, and that might even be a proper opportunity to suss out just a touch of what they're doing together, but... ]
Faraday—
[ but then she seems to reconsider it, shaking her head, and looks back to her clothing instead. ]
Close the door behind you, if you don't mind.
no subject
But she seems to let it go, and he relaxes, offers a relieved sort of smile and a lazy little salute as he turns. ]
As you like.
[ The clicks shut behind him, and he lets out a long breath, letting the tension drain from his frame.
Bullet dodged, he thinks to himself, and limps his way into his own room. ]
no subject
it's why she gets dressed, and just settles into the kitchen to see to their breakfast, instead of trying to find a way to bring things up immediately.
the smell of bacon fills her small home, and as she puts together the food, she finds herself...smiling. small, but soft and warm, genuine, even if it's at nothing in particular. it's comforting to have someone to cook for, comforting to have someone there, as opposed to the emptiness that had settled in after matthew's death. it's something she's appreciated about faraday staying with her while he mends, but she's also found that she's come to like that it's faraday — that it actually matters who is in her house with her.
strange. but she likes it. ]