[ oohhh miss dorothy oohhhh ]

[recrowns]

Comments

[recrowns]

Please... let it be a suggestion.

[he sighs a bit]

While I was injured, I already saw to my own wounds - I'm not the reckless type, I promise.

[misstrust]

Just the type who would attempt to hide it?

[ Uh-huh. ]

[recrowns]

Yes.

[he doesn't bother to shrink away from that]

I prioritize based on necessity.

[misstrust]

And the necessity right now is... what, exactly? Everyone has been tended to.

[recrowns]

Yes, myself included.

[and he'll reach to take one of her hand between both of his, giving it a gentle squeeze]

Believe me - I was just going to make some tea and then rest outside. Would you like to come along?

[misstrust]

[ The look Dorothy gives him is flat, at best. ]

If you stop pretending that you're fine. If something hurts, you need to say something.

[recrowns]

It's a dull ache, but that's why I'm going to have a seat somewhere for a few hours.

Fair?

[misstrust]

... Fair, I suppose.

[ She'll be Watching. ]

[recrowns]

Good, now let's have some tea. Do you have a preference?

[off he goes!!]

[misstrust]

I'll have what you're having.

[ Less work for him, and he surely already had a flavor in mind. ]

[recrowns]

Hmm... Something energizing then...

[but off to the kitchen they go! he really does seem to be moving around normally as he goes to brew their tea]

[misstrust]

[ Look, she's not going to fully relax until he's sitting down.

Also because she has about fifteen questions, but first things first. ]

[recrowns]

[bring them on dorothy he's just going to keep making tea -

though when it's done, he'll put it on a tray and offer a smile]

Let's find a nice place outside then? Some fresh air.

[misstrust]

[ he is being way too chill about this...

But she nods, settling into a stride beside him. ]

For the record, if this was me, I've no doubt you'd be fussing.

[recrowns]

I would be.

[and he'll walk along]

But I also trust that you'd tell me what you need, when it really comes to it. I care about you, and I know that you care about me too.

[misstrust]

... I feel as though you may be picking a fight, inexplicably.

[ Wow, sir. ]

[recrowns]

[wh]

I didn't intend to?

[misstrust]

I know... it's just so strange that you can't handle some harmless flirtation and yet you say lines like that without flinching.

... Well, if you can do that, though, you must be feeling better.

[recrowns]

[there's just a bit of a laugh]

I've been feeling fine this entire time, Dorothy. I swear it.

[but there's probably a nice bench somewhere and he'll go have a seat and move to pour tea for them both]

[misstrust]

[ Dorothy is quiet for a moment, staring out ahead at nothing. And then-- ]

Archer said you were dead.

[recrowns]

[he sips his tea]

Yes, twice over.

[misstrust]

...

[ Okay, yeah, she's just making a noise. ]

[recrowns]

[ . . . . oops.

he thought she was more prepared than that, and he glances over at her, mildly concerned.]

I'm right here, Dorothy.

Alive.

[misstrust]

[ She thought she was more prepared than that, but just... give her a minute to press one fist to her forehead and take a deep breath. ]

I'm fine. I know you're also fine.

It just didn't quite sink in until you said it so calmly.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . he reaches over to place a hand on her shoulder, expression worried]

.... I contemplate my own end from time to time - so it didn't catch me as off-guard as it might others. It's alright.

If anything, I'm surprised that I'm still here... but I'm grateful for that.