catchall for emma

[leaberator]

Comments

[leaberator]

[ he does, even scootches a little to give her space. ]

... Yeah. It shouldn't have. [ he looks at the cloth in his hand ] But it did. And... I get the sense it's gonna keep happening.

[foodbin]

We might figure something out before that happens.

['Might', indeed. Her voice betrays just how likely she thinks that is.]

[leaberator]

I'm gonna try to, yeah. [ that sounds more sure than anything else he's said this conversation. ] But... If we don't? We can't just keep going like this.

[foodbin]

I don't know, but... I do know that we aren't going to give up.

[A sigh.]

Which doesn't make it sound a whole lot better right now. I know.

[leaberator]

[ he gives off a weak laugh ]

You'd be surprised... how often that's come up as a solution, actually.

[ he doesn't always believe it, but he's heard it enough and said it enough himself it does make him feel better a little. ]

[foodbin]

Well, it'll definitely work better than the alternative.

[After just a second:]

Not that I think you'd do that or anything.

[leaberator]

[ he didn't even think to be offended at the implication, and kind of... stares, for a second ]

Thanks? I guess?

[foodbin]

[The noise she makes would be amused if they were in any other situation.]

You guess?

[leaberator]

I dunno if it was meant to be a compliment or a reassurance or if you're scrambling to take something back, there.

[ he's still obviously sad, but that's never stopped him from teasing before. ]

[foodbin]

Next time I'll choose my words more carefully while I'm trying to make sure you'll be okay.

[leaberator]

[ ... ]

... Thanks, Emma. For real.

[foodbin]

[She leans over so she can shove at his shoulder.]

Don't get all sappy on me now.

[leaberator]

[ he shoves her right back ]

What's with that? You started it. Coming all this way to cheer me up? Who's the real sap, huh?

[foodbin]

Oh no, you caught me. And here I was, trying so hard to hide it.

[leaberator]

Too bad I can read you like a book.

[foodbin]

After just one week! Well done.

[leaberator]

It's called speedreading.

[foodbin]

[A huff of a laugh.]

Isn't that harder to do with a person?

[leaberator]

Oh, definitely. People are way more complicated than a book. But I do my best work under pressure.

[foodbin]

[A small smirk.]

Well, what have you read, then?

[leaberator]

You asking me to summarize you, Emma? That's bold.

[foodbin]

[She waves a hand as if to say never mind.]

You're the one who brought it up in the first place, let the record show.

[leaberator]

And you were willing to listen to me? Bad call.

[foodbin]

Oh no, someone was willing to listen to you. Don't go getting a swelled head or anything.

[leaberator]

[ today's definitely not a day where he would, but he's not gonna point that out. he does give her a sardonic little smile at it before he moves past ]

Hey, rude. Plenty of people listen to me. They're all about your height, too.

[ a two in one joke about a gaggle of children and emma being short, thanks ]