Daniel/Emery

[choosetoforget]

It's a very typical weekend for Daniel. He takes a call from his sister, who very recently struck out on her own and moved in with friends, while he makes tea. He keeps Sasha and Zhenzhen from the counters as he tries to tidy up as best he can. He puts on a documentary for a while before deciding to walk down to the shop for ice cream.

He hasn't even changed much. Sure, his hair is in a bun and the vest is decidedly 2015-chic, but he carries himself the same, very unhurried. Confident now. The barge isn't completely forgotten, but if anyone can compartmentalize and push down unwanted feelings, it's Daniel.

He smiles to an elderly neighbor as he opens his door and walks out to the street.

Really, nothing too out of the ordinary.

Comments

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

Emery considers closing the space and play-menacing Daniel some more, but they're a little interested to know what Daniel will do about it. So instead of lurking up behind him, Emery sprawls lazily onto the entire couch. "Yeah? Tell me what you're going to do to make me regret anything?"

[choosetoforget]

Emery walks away and Daniel laughs, drying his hands and filling up a glass of water to drink.

He sips at it, nodding. "I'm not going to tell you anything."

He does, however, throw the water on Emery with a laugh.

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

There's a flicker, just a moment, where old habits threaten to reassert themselves. Emery's lost the brittle but significant dignity, almost. Almost entirely. But it passes. They blow a dampened lock of hair out of the way and look scornful. "I don't regret anything yet."

[choosetoforget]

Daniel shrugs. "Yes, but I feel better," he says, sitting on the couch, right by their legs, leaning back so he can sprawl on them.

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

Emery agreeably contorts for Daniel's easy access, channeling their inner cat in liquid awkwardness. "Still a whiny human."

[choosetoforget]

"Yes, but I am your whiny human," he points out, settling himself quite comfortably. "Which you chose. So - what does that say about you?"

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

"That I like you more than literal oblivion," Emery says, knowing it's a cheap shot they've already fired dry, still enjoying it. Like every chance to be a pain. Eventually they'll probably calm down and be less giddy, but for now? Fun!

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

"I could do that for you," Emery promises with a little edge in her voice, leaning in enough to walk his fingers up Daniel's arm from the offending elbow.

[choosetoforget]

He shivers and tries to slap that hand away. "You wouldn't," he mutters, but there's a hesitation in it. He's not afraid of Emery at all, but there's always that sense of paradoxically eager trepidation.

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

Emery catches the hand, no longer strong like an elephantine monster, but strong enough to be playfully mean. "I don't know... I'm mercurial..."

[choosetoforget]

He pulls at his hand, pursing his lips. "You aren't," he giggles.

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

That's a little too much sass from Daniel. Emery wants it just a little more interesting. "Just a little oblivion."

[choosetoforget]

"Emery," he mutters, trying to wiggle away from him. "You can't do any oblivion." Oblivion sounds dark.

[cobbledtogetherenvy]

"Can any time I want," they counter, but cowing Daniel a little makes her feel better. She decides not to let him wiggle away, not by holding on but by wiggling closer in a contortion that certainly wouldn't be comfortable with human bones. But who knows what Emery has.

[choosetoforget]

"Emery!" he complains again and this one has the needling undertone of whining. "Why are you like this?"

[choosetoforget]

They get an elbow in the ribs, or an approximation of ribs, or whatever is beneath that squishy layer.

"I think I prefer oblivion."