this city seems determined to punish us enough. we've been thrown in jail, mindfucked, put in a different kind of jail. we don't need to punish ourselves.
it's a lot more pleasant. i'm trying to learn to enjoy life again. doing things i like and avoiding what i don't helps. i know avoiding things here isn't the smartest move but there's only so much i can handle. so make it fun. and if you need it i was moved to 22b.
[ She doesn't get an answer to that for a while, but the reason for that eventually becomes obvious from the knock on her door.
It's a much shorter trip between their rooms now, just up one flight of stairs and across a hallway, but Mohinder has taken the time to put on a more flattering shirt and bring a tin of chai with him. They've both probably learned a lesson about getting drunk together, but nothing can go wrong with tea. ]
( she assumes that he's gotten busy and that's why he didn't reply so when he knocks on her door she's a little surprised.
and not quite as well-dressed. she'd been comfortably settled for the day, not planning on doing anything, a pair of black leggings and a black strap top on (with a little lace around the top) )
Hi-- ( give her a minute to sound less surprised )
[ Nothing in Mohinder's wardrobe renders him capable of being actually well-dressed, so putting on a nicer shirt in this context simply means "not a hoodie." But it's the thought that counts, probably. ]
Hi.
[ He falters only a little bit now that he's actually here, and then rallies. ]
I thought maybe there could be some benefit to continuing the conversation in person.
[ Because it's been a rough fucking week, okay. And while he would have been better off keeping serious conversation to text, where his mouth can't get him in trouble, he's not going to pass up a chance to let his mouth fix the trouble it's already caused. Sometimes, when Duplicity hands you lemons, you just want to come over and let a beautiful woman sit on your face. ]
( she'd stepped away from the door, grabbing her jumper from the back of the couch and pulling it on. she's not covering up because he's here but she always feels much more comfortable with sleeves on around other people )
Let's grab those drinks first.
( so into the kitchen she starts, filling the kettle to start heating the water )
[ He doesn't follow right away, lingering in the living room instead and taking discreet stock of the place's decor. It must be shared with her contract partner, after all, whoever said partner might be--Mohinder hasn't asked, but that doesn't mean he isn't curious.
Still not going to ask, though, even if he weren't reading more into her putting another layer on than she intends. Eventually, he makes his way out to the kitchen to offer up the tea. ]
When you said you were learning to enjoy life again. [ Because yes, he's been mulling that over, along with her nightmare expertise. ] How long has it been since you last did?
( he makes his way into the kitchen at the perfect time, adrienne having gotten two mugs out, the kettle just finishing its boil. she reaches for the tea, about to ask how he likes it when his question slips out.
she pauses, physically as well not moving for a few seconds until she starts making the tea, not looking at him as she answers )
Five years. ( tea in the mug she pours the water slowly in ) The last couple of years have been easier but... I worked most of it, I didn't live.
( and now she's tried to find a routine before putting a job in, to learn a bit of this city to help herself.
she finishes making her tea, offering milk or anything else he might wish before picking up both mugs, handing one to him )
We should sit down for this.
( it's not a promise to talk about it, not all of it, but she will answer in part )
[ It's in Mohinder's nature to latch onto anything that piques his curiosity or strikes him as a mystery, making him want to form hypotheses and launch rapid-fire questions to test them.
But these situations are not usually born of concern for someone, or at least not in this tentative, abstract way. He's not used to this, not really good at it, but for the sake of their growing friendship, he wants to be. ]
All right.
[ He doesn't ask, then, if this has anything to do with the reason she's avoided the pathology lab for so long. He can just sit down on the couch with his tea, and let her talk without prying. ]
( she curls up on the couch when she sits, comfortable but also quite defensive in her posture, making herself feel safe with her legs tucked next to her, drink resting on her knee )
The last two years were easier because Egypt gave me something to focus on, a job at the clinic there, patients...
( actually people that took her attention. she leans her head back against the sofa, half-looking at him )
I hadn't been at work for two years before that. Medical absence. My last few years have been complicated.
This is when you were with Doctors Without Borders?
[ The city has obnoxiously chosen to translate that; he's said it in French. ]
I can see how keeping busy would have been an improvement...
[ An improvement over what, though, he doesn't know. He thinks unbidden back to the scar she'd wanted him to avoid, and wonders if it's connected too. ]
[ The scar, noticeable though it is, doesn't seem commensurate with the kind of injuries that would take years to recover from--but he wouldn't know, really, and his mind doesn't want to fill in too many details about her getting badly injured. ]
( usually, it's worked it's way in there on occasion because it was traumatic but it isn't the catalyst for everything else. because that's only four years ago in her past, not the five that she'd mentioned )
That's just... when I was forced to pause and get help. Try to get help.
( because adrienne did not really engage with her therapy and she knows it )
I don't talk about it. It's just a moment I'm never moving on from.
( she'd lost people before and had found it hard, nearly impossible had been some of the descriptors. but her daughter-- that was impossible. that had broken her and adrienne didn't want to move on because this wasn't supposed to happen. and she didn't want to accept it )
And I am who you get. Pretty broken but very good in bed.
[ Even without the details, that's enough information for him to understand the picture now. There's no need to push against an "I don't talk about it," at least not now, not like this.
(Of course it isn't ideal to hear that kind of resignation; it makes his heart ache to think of her so unable to see light at the end of the tunnel, but he knows sidestepping when he hears it.) ]
Well.
[ Quiet, at a loss, but grateful nonetheless for the way she's trusted him. ]
For what it's worth, I liked you well before I knew about that last part.
[ His answering smile has a tinge of shyness to it that doesn't lend itself ideally to innuendo, but maybe he can be forgiven for that, because it's been a long time since anyone so openly told him they liked him. It's the kind of praise he thrives on.
And he doesn't really need innuendo, either, when just leaning over and kissing her softly is an option too. ]
( the kiss stays very soft, though cut a little short given that her hands are occupied and she's worried about spilling her tea. not at all sexy.
but adrienne stays close to him even as she leans to put the cup on the table, hand gently taking his to do the same before she then leans into him, her hands resting on his arms, taking a hand as she kisses him again.
it's teasingly soft, though even as she draws back and only presses light touches to his lips he'll note that more underneath )
Something like that? ( she whispers it against his lips, not pulling back from him ) Or did you have something else in mind?
[ He rubs his thumb gently over her knuckles as she takes his hand, but as she teases him with those brief and surprisingly tender kisses, he turns her hand over in his grip so that he can trace warm little circles over the inside of her wrist instead. ]
Well, we can start there. [ He smiles, in turn, against her lips. ] You've had the tour of my place, so I think it's your turn.
( adrienne hums an approving sound, a last, longer tender kiss before this time she does pull back, standing and keeping her hand in his )
Short tour, I think.
( skipping everything and straight to the bedroom, they need nothing else. this time she doesn't pull him to her kissing him as she walks, but she does keep her hand tucked firmly in his, keeping him close as she leads him to her bedroom.
and there she will kiss him, one more tender press before she deepens it, kissing him until she's breathless )
[ They're on the same page, without distraction or delay for teasing, not like last time, when working her up with playful denial had been the aim. He just wants her, naked and in his arms, and a bed.
It's still easy to get lost in those kisses for long, dizzying moments, returning to them again and again between every article of clothing he strips off either of them. ]
( she's much less shy about stripping for him this time, mohinder having seen all of her before but also knowing more of her story now. she'd never ordinarily tell anyone and yet it felt... simpler?
when all of their clothes are shed she tugs him quicker to the bed, pulling away from his kisses to walk faster, kneeling on her bed as she pushes up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders to pull him in to her, kissing hard again )
[ It isn't lost on him, the lack of coyness or careful direction this time as she bares herself, and the swell of appreciation for that makes him kiss back all the deeper.
He's glad to follow where she pulls him, but when he slides into bed with her, he runs his hands under her to lift her again and hold her a few inches above his lap as he maneuvers and gets situated and stretches out on the mattress.
It almost startles him sometimes how second-nature it's become to do things like that, but it's just easy, and he wants a position to keep up those unbroken kisses while he moves. ]
( she'll question later how he's able to hold her so easily, make her feel secure as he does. it hadn't registered last time when he'd wrapped her around him but how he holds her now she picks something up-- except the moment's too big and she's not stopping.
though he settles her into his lap she has a different idea, leaning down into a kiss that she cuts short before straigtening up, pressing up into her knees, moving up the bed until she can use some of the bed frame to balance her, stopping by his shoulders first )
Okay?
( giving him the choice, the preference... and if he tugged her into him that would be very okay )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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we've been thrown in jail, mindfucked, put in a different kind of jail.
we don't need to punish ourselves.
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i'm trying to learn to enjoy life again.
doing things i like and avoiding what i don't helps.
i know avoiding things here isn't the smartest move but there's only so much i can handle.
so make it fun.
and if you need it i was moved to 22b.
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It's a much shorter trip between their rooms now, just up one flight of stairs and across a hallway, but Mohinder has taken the time to put on a more flattering shirt and bring a tin of chai with him. They've both probably learned a lesson about getting drunk together, but nothing can go wrong with tea. ]
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and not quite as well-dressed. she'd been comfortably settled for the day, not planning on doing anything, a pair of black leggings and a black strap top on (with a little lace around the top) )
Hi-- ( give her a minute to sound less surprised )
Come in.
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Hi.
[ He falters only a little bit now that he's actually here, and then rallies. ]
I thought maybe there could be some benefit to continuing the conversation in person.
[ Because it's been a rough fucking week, okay. And while he would have been better off keeping serious conversation to text, where his mouth can't get him in trouble, he's not going to pass up a chance to let his mouth fix the trouble it's already caused. Sometimes, when Duplicity hands you lemons, you just want to come over and let a beautiful woman sit on your face. ]
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( she'd stepped away from the door, grabbing her jumper from the back of the couch and pulling it on. she's not covering up because he's here but she always feels much more comfortable with sleeves on around other people )
Let's grab those drinks first.
( so into the kitchen she starts, filling the kettle to start heating the water )
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Still not going to ask, though, even if he weren't reading more into her putting another layer on than she intends. Eventually, he makes his way out to the kitchen to offer up the tea. ]
When you said you were learning to enjoy life again. [ Because yes, he's been mulling that over, along with her nightmare expertise. ] How long has it been since you last did?
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she pauses, physically as well not moving for a few seconds until she starts making the tea, not looking at him as she answers )
Five years. ( tea in the mug she pours the water slowly in ) The last couple of years have been easier but... I worked most of it, I didn't live.
( and now she's tried to find a routine before putting a job in, to learn a bit of this city to help herself.
she finishes making her tea, offering milk or anything else he might wish before picking up both mugs, handing one to him )
We should sit down for this.
( it's not a promise to talk about it, not all of it, but she will answer in part )
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But these situations are not usually born of concern for someone, or at least not in this tentative, abstract way. He's not used to this, not really good at it, but for the sake of their growing friendship, he wants to be. ]
All right.
[ He doesn't ask, then, if this has anything to do with the reason she's avoided the pathology lab for so long. He can just sit down on the couch with his tea, and let her talk without prying. ]
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The last two years were easier because Egypt gave me something to focus on, a job at the clinic there, patients...
( actually people that took her attention. she leans her head back against the sofa, half-looking at him )
I hadn't been at work for two years before that. Medical absence. My last few years have been complicated.
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[ The city has obnoxiously chosen to translate that; he's said it in French. ]
I can see how keeping busy would have been an improvement...
[ An improvement over what, though, he doesn't know. He thinks unbidden back to the scar she'd wanted him to avoid, and wonders if it's connected too. ]
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I needed that time as I recovered but... extensive recovery also drives you crazy.
( her fingers tap lightly against the side of her mug )
I was in an accident, dislocated my hip along with internal bleeding from the impact.
( which explains the scar she didn't like being seen )
Physically I'm fine.
( physically wasn't the start of it )
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[ The scar, noticeable though it is, doesn't seem commensurate with the kind of injuries that would take years to recover from--but he wouldn't know, really, and his mind doesn't want to fill in too many details about her getting badly injured. ]
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( usually, it's worked it's way in there on occasion because it was traumatic but it isn't the catalyst for everything else. because that's only four years ago in her past, not the five that she'd mentioned )
That's just... when I was forced to pause and get help. Try to get help.
( because adrienne did not really engage with her therapy and she knows it )
I don't talk about it. It's just a moment I'm never moving on from.
( she'd lost people before and had found it hard, nearly impossible had been some of the descriptors. but her daughter-- that was impossible. that had broken her and adrienne didn't want to move on because this wasn't supposed to happen. and she didn't want to accept it )
And I am who you get. Pretty broken but very good in bed.
( not at all casually trying to sidestep away )
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(Of course it isn't ideal to hear that kind of resignation; it makes his heart ache to think of her so unable to see light at the end of the tunnel, but he knows sidestepping when he hears it.) ]
Well.
[ Quiet, at a loss, but grateful nonetheless for the way she's trusted him. ]
For what it's worth, I liked you well before I knew about that last part.
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I like you too.
( she's appreciative of his friendship, of what they've so far done together and both of these are things that she'd like to continue )
And I am always going to agree to more tea. Or... something else.
( what is side stepping if you don't fully sidestep by flirting )
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[ His answering smile has a tinge of shyness to it that doesn't lend itself ideally to innuendo, but maybe he can be forgiven for that, because it's been a long time since anyone so openly told him they liked him. It's the kind of praise he thrives on.
And he doesn't really need innuendo, either, when just leaning over and kissing her softly is an option too. ]
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but adrienne stays close to him even as she leans to put the cup on the table, hand gently taking his to do the same before she then leans into him, her hands resting on his arms, taking a hand as she kisses him again.
it's teasingly soft, though even as she draws back and only presses light touches to his lips he'll note that more underneath )
Something like that? ( she whispers it against his lips, not pulling back from him ) Or did you have something else in mind?
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Well, we can start there. [ He smiles, in turn, against her lips. ] You've had the tour of my place, so I think it's your turn.
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Short tour, I think.
( skipping everything and straight to the bedroom, they need nothing else. this time she doesn't pull him to her kissing him as she walks, but she does keep her hand tucked firmly in his, keeping him close as she leads him to her bedroom.
and there she will kiss him, one more tender press before she deepens it, kissing him until she's breathless )
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It's still easy to get lost in those kisses for long, dizzying moments, returning to them again and again between every article of clothing he strips off either of them. ]
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when all of their clothes are shed she tugs him quicker to the bed, pulling away from his kisses to walk faster, kneeling on her bed as she pushes up, wrapping her arms around his shoulders to pull him in to her, kissing hard again )
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He's glad to follow where she pulls him, but when he slides into bed with her, he runs his hands under her to lift her again and hold her a few inches above his lap as he maneuvers and gets situated and stretches out on the mattress.
It almost startles him sometimes how second-nature it's become to do things like that, but it's just easy, and he wants a position to keep up those unbroken kisses while he moves. ]
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though he settles her into his lap she has a different idea, leaning down into a kiss that she cuts short before straigtening up, pressing up into her knees, moving up the bed until she can use some of the bed frame to balance her, stopping by his shoulders first )
Okay?
( giving him the choice, the preference... and if he tugged her into him that would be very okay )
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