rp post

[excontractu]

for offscreen interaction 

Comments

[excontractu]

Because you're growing a backbone? It's a good thing.

[selfdissecting]

[ ducks their face into a hand and wipes away some tears ]

I. I—

[excontractu]

I'm proud!

But I'll do whatever I please with my own voice.

[selfdissecting]

[ nods, with a teary laugh ]

...Pascal...

[excontractu]

Yes?

[selfdissecting]

...can you... hug me?

[excontractu]

[. . . slumps. lets the facade waver]

Okay. C'mere.

[selfdissecting]

[ and now Maeve hesitates—because, again, why did they say that? one need eventually outweighs the other, though. they unsteadily set the mussed-up paperwork back on his desk and inch over to stand beside his chair ]

[excontractu]

[hug . . . it's a good hug]

[selfdissecting]

[ when you hug Maeve, it feels a bit like being wrapped up by a spider. she's extremely solid, and lightly drop their forehead against his shoulder

kinda trembly ]

I don't touch people often. Like this.

[excontractu]

I figured. Me neither.

[selfdissecting]

Ceciliano touched my cheek, that first day. When we went to get the supplies for HR.

[ there's not really anywhere to go with that train of thought, she realizes. or at least, she tells herself. so she falls quiet and just... rests against Pascal. trying not to do something pathetic and miserable like bunch up the back of his shirt ]

[excontractu]

He's a touchy guy. If you wanted him to do that more, I bet he would.

[selfdissecting]

[ BETRAYAL. they shudder back, wrap their arms around themselves defensively ]

Don't say things like that.

[excontractu]

What. Why not.

[selfdissecting]

[ heart like a frog leaping around in her throat ] Because I do not want to hear it.

[excontractu]

[excontractu]

[excontractu]

Oh, brother.

[selfdissecting]

No. No, Pascal.

[excontractu]

So you don't want me to help?

[selfdissecting]

[ fearful frustration leaps from the void ]

—With what?

[excontractu]

Wingmanning. Full pun intended.

[selfdissecting]

[ oh

my

elder

god ]

No! [ her cheeks are turning a splotchy purple-pink ] I am not going to mess up someone else's life, I am not giving Vesper and Phosphor a reason to look a second time at anyone else who works here, there is nothing and no one to wingman for—

[excontractu]

Then I'll leave it alone.

But I bet he's a good kisser.