[ And as Jim goes to leave the house, he'll have to pass by the living room. A certain redhead is sitting on the couch in there, just sipping some tea. She'll glance at Jim as he passes by, offering a small but subdued smile. ]
[ She does smile a little wider at that, but continues to be vague. ] Not long, don't worry.
But I had thought you would be staying a little longer? [ A question, not an accusation, said over the rim of her mug as she takes another sip of tea. ]
[ She gives a slow, small nod, expression turning inward for a moment while he tries to subtly check on Miles without actually getting his attention. What she sees on the other side of their telepathic window is dark and stormy, a fire died out and ash blowing in the breeze. She doesn't frown in front of Jim, her face keeping that neutral calm as she focuses her attention back outward. ] That's your choice, of course.
[ She sips from her tea again, but her eyes don't leave his as she goes on to say, ] Have a good evening then. We'll see you later. [ A dismissal then, polite but neutral. ]
[ After the front door closes, she waits long enough for the tea she's no longer drinking to turn cold in her mug, then waits a few long moments more before she actually stands from the couch. After yet another moment of hesitation, she heads to the kitchen for a glass and the bottle of the wine they keep stocked in the fridge. She opens the bottle in the kitchen first, being practical, then heads upstairs
[ Miles is still still and dark and stormy, but not as much so, perhaps; now he's mostly just tired. And starting to feel sorry for himself too. He cracks the door a bit when he hears his mother knock. ]
[ She learned from Aral, too. She steps in, handing him a glass and keeping one for herself. She sits on the corner of the bed, making sure to not sit on the sheets that look more ... rumpled than the others.
She holds the bottle out to pour his glass first, then her own. She's quiet until he takes his first drink, her voice soft and low. ] How are you feeling, kiddo?
[ He's cleaned up the worst of the mess already, at least, and he's back in clean clothes. With a soft sigh, he sinks back onto his bed. Takes a long sip before he says anything at all. ]
I didn't ask him to marry me, if that's what you're thinking.
My point is, you are able to be loved, Miles. You just tend to ... [ She searches for a neutral way of saying this, ] not separate the act from the feeling.
I don't want to separate the act from the feeling. Isn't that how it's supposed to be at its best? Both wrapped up in one? An ultimate expression of love?
My expectations were different than what you're looking for, when I first started out. And even when I thought I wanted more ... well. I certainly thought I was satisfied for a while. But I had compromised myself in doing so.
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[ He manages some real warmth there, at least. As awkward as it is to watch Jim walk out of his bedroom ... ]
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I'm going home to sleep for a couple of days. You know where to find me.
[Jim walks out of the room, shutting the door behind him.]
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Cordelia?
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[Jim has a bad tendency of answering questions with other questions.
He thinks back over the last couple of hours and--
Oh.
They hadn't exactly been quiet.]
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But I had thought you would be staying a little longer? [ A question, not an accusation, said over the rim of her mug as she takes another sip of tea. ]
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Uh...no, wasn't really...planning on it.
[Which is 100% true, if Miles had brought up their relationship status or not.]
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[ She sips from her tea again, but her eyes don't leave his as she goes on to say, ] Have a good evening then. We'll see you later. [ A dismissal then, polite but neutral. ]
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You too. See you around.
[And with that he exits to go sleep for a couple days.]
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She knocked gently on Miles door. ]
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... Yes?
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May I come in?
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Why not?
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She holds the bottle out to pour his glass first, then her own. She's quiet until he takes his first drink, her voice soft and low. ] How are you feeling, kiddo?
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I didn't ask him to marry me, if that's what you're thinking.
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Am I really that unlovable?
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My expectations were different than what you're looking for, when I first started out. And even when I thought I wanted more ... well. I certainly thought I was satisfied for a while. But I had compromised myself in doing so.
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