[ That wasn't the reaction she'd expected or intended, and for a moment, she just stares at him, dismayed. Then she reaches over, squeezes his shoulder gently. Lela even rolls over so she can press her head against his leg, still bonelessly sprawed against him. ]
It's all right. Take a minute to yourself, okay.
[ Carolina then rises, excuses herself to head for the kitchen. There's a distanct clink of glass and ceramics, before she pads back in, the bottle of alcohol she'd been given for Christmas and two glasses carried in either hand. ]
I have a feeling we could both use a little of this right now.
Bit, ah, early for drinking, isn't it? [Not that he's going to turn the drink down, of course.] I was late because I spent some time being, er, upset at what I'd seen. And it's so, so nice. And that's the upsetting part. To be so far away.
No. [she does set the empty glasses down, doesn't yet pour the bottle. Just rolls it a moment in her hands as she takes her seat again] After you've had a lifetime dumped inside your head, any time after that is worth a drink.
[In that much, at least, York had the right of it]
You'd think the distance would make things easier. But it's not true. *heh* It's definitely difficult to wait it out, but it fade. After a while. Sometimes it takes a few hours. I know it did for me.
[He recognizes the bottle, manages to quirk his mouth up, though it isn't a smile per se. But her explanation alarms him.] Hours? It can't be hours; I can't stand this for hours. I want to go home. Even if it's not actually home. It is but it isn't.
[He's hesitant, but, with a lick of his lips, he reaches out for the bottle and unscrews it, pouring a little into his cooling tea. Just a little. As a start. And offers it over.]
Alcohol and mindless action movies and good company, right?
Might as well finish what we started. See where we are from there. [Yes, Lela, you can have attention again. He just has to try and ignore the itchy feelings of cuddling up with his best friend, his boyfriend, his husband for cozy movie nights, alternating between gritty westerns, action spy thrillers, and the entire slew of every old classic monster movie known to man.
(And then kids movies, when Charlie showed up. He swears that despite his inability to carry a tune in a bucket, he could still sing along to some of those musical movies pitch perfect simply from watching them so many times.)
No. No, wait, his mind has wandered off in that direction again, and he tries to shake himself free with another strong sip.] Maybe when this fades, and we're properly boozed up.
All right. And there's certainly more where that bottle came from.
[ Calling up the film takes little time and less effort; learning how to set up playlists and queue like-films was an hour well spent. She makes a point to take a sip of her own tea, matching Mal drink for drink - he's not alone in this after all.
Lela does abandon them about half-way through, wandering off on a kitten adventure, and while there's the occasional remark or offhand comment, the first hour is unusually quiet for them. Carolina does sneak a look over at Mal from time to time, mindful of his mood. If he looks especially lost, she makes a point to lean and nudge, though how successful that is varies.
Near the end, however, she does snort faintly. ]
I can see why this is the most panned movie of the set.
[A little booze, good company, and terribad movies. It should be the perfect recipe for a swell night in, but it's still morning edging to afternoon yet, and the drinking is to temper moods. That's his fault. His fault for touching when he shouldn't have touched. Should have just ignored it, though it seems impossible now to ignore the hollow space in his chest.
Still. It's a distraction. One he's eager to take. Even if every once in a while, his gaze is far and away. Carolina helps. The longer the movie goes on, the more he gets into the idea of movie morning, gives as good as he gets, though between them they are still demure and muted.
At least there's still a smile, however small, on his face by the end.] Truly a work of art in being terrible. I think with more drink and a few more friends, it could be a very rousing night of entertainment. Certainly has made the day better already, though.
We'll have to make a list of the worst offenders, then see who'd be interested in joining us. [she's been overdue a house warming as it was, and while she's had friends stop by in ones and twos, a party is a very different animal.] The last one of meant to be as good as the first, so that'll be a good way to cap things before lunch.
[ She's reaches towards the controls, setting the bottle again to one side so it isn't in the way. Both their cups have been empty a while, and if Malcolm decides to fill them, she'd certainly be okay with it. ]
A real party. With friends. Not some random get together full of half the city practically. I think I like the sound of that. [Better than some of the parties York drags him off to.
He reaches to refill their glasses, but a surprise kitten hops up on the table and scampers about, and somewhere between her playfulness and Malcolm's surprise, he accidentally spills from the bottle. Thankfully doesn't drop it, but there's a mess to sop up.] I'm sorry, I'll mop that up. [Just let him grab some napkins or something and yep no harm no foul.]
[playful kitten is fished free of the puddle on the table, and there's a fond if exhasperated look given to Malcolm] It's fine, don't worry aout it. I'll get her something to eat and grab some towels. You stay there.
[she's up and already moving, wriggling cat under one arm, and there's quiet scolding to be heard as she rummages for food packets. It won't take her more than a couple of minutes to find what she's looking for, to pour the soft food packet out for the tiny cat. Then look to see where she stashed the patented absorption pads Bifrons claimed could clear up any spill.]
No, no, I-- [But Carolina's already up and moving, and he shifts awkwardly in his seat. Hopefully none of it drips to the floor. Despite it being the rambunctious kitten's fault, he still feels the blame and insists on trying to clean it up when she returns.] Here, allow me, it's my mess.
[said even as Malcolm's reaching to take one of the absorbant cloths from her. She doesn't notice the movements of their reflection, movement close but not at all a perfect match for reality, busy giving Malcolm a knowing and slightly disgruntled look for his efforts - she's perfectly capable of cleaning this herself, you know]
It's not like it got on the floor. Though I guess I should be grateful for a lack of white carpet.
[No, no, not paying any attention to that at all. It's fine he's got it you're on rest let him be the gentleman--
Ah, but neither of them are going to back down on such a simple matter, and they're both going to reach for the spill, and in one way or another, they're both going to get in some form of contact with the liquid. And instead of making some kind of quip about the carpet, Malcolm instead looks at Carolina with both surprise an expectation, a lick of his lips. Who knew that they could get along so well as to be so physically tangled together? He hasn't wanted to kiss anyone so badly in quite some time... (Previous reflection still trailing off at the end notwithstanding.)]
[ It's not a lot of liquid, but there's enough -- enough to create a reflection, enough to make a difference, to have an effect. There's a startled pause after fingertips splash, green eyes focusing on the table even as Malcolm's turn on her, a faint flush crossing her face that has nothing to do with her recovery.
It's hardly a thought she'd never dabbled in, just...not involving the man beside her -- let alone one involving two partners! But seeing it play out in the minds eye makes it very clear it could work, and work more than just well, makes it especially tempting to see for herself when she at least has Malcolm at hand.
She reaches again, grasping his wrist to very deliberately stall him from attempting to continue cleaning. He had, after all, been in need of a distraction.. ]
I told you. I can handle everything here, Malcolm.
[Surprising enough to have York included, given the very recent...events, but Carolina? Well. He's not exactly willing to say no now, false memories and feelings running through his head. His pulse increases just a tad when she grabs him, and a slow smirk spreads.]
Everything, hm? Maybe I'm not entirely convinced of that.
[It's a weird feeling, hers-but-not; she's thought Malcolm handsome, yes, but attraction had never been that strong. That, coupled with very intimate knowledge and the memories that go hand in hand with that, leave a part of her envious of her other-self. There's an ache, an awareness that York isn't here, that he should be here, that she tries to set aside for now. She can't do anything about that here.
Not convinced, though. She can hear the challenge in the tone of his words, in the smirk she'd like to kiss very thoroughly off his face. She can fix that. Fix it by pushing Mal abruptly back, leveraging her standing position to pin him against the back of the couch, sliding onto his lap, straddling one leg, with an half-lidded look.
Then a pause, licking her lips a moment. Does he want this? ]
[She moves, and it's both surprising and fully what he expects from the likes of go-getter Carolina. With those enticing bright eyes and hair he just wants to run his fingers through (and, maybe occasionally, tug on), and then everywhere he can't see but remember seeing, every scar and every portion of her. It's intimate knowledge that he thinks he should feel ashamed to have, but doesn't. Not now. His hands trail down her sides, settle on her hips.]
[ And then she's kissing him, firmly, fiercely, letting his hands slip free to settle at her waist as the one that had held his wrist finds purchase in the cushions behind him while the other slides up his chest, hooks around his neck in order to cup the back of his head. She's fast, yes, and thorough, a soft hum of appreciation in her throat following as she presses up against him.]
[This is comfortable, easy, like they've been doing this for a while. Her ferocity is familiar, and he gives as good as he gets while he tries not to absolutely melt. Maybe those hands start to work under her shirt to feel up some skin, pull her closer.]
[ Her back arches a little as his hand slides under her shirt, and she shifts her seat, presses the knee between his legs a little higher while right hand drags down his neck, mindful of the port there at the top of his spine.
It's been far too long since the last time she's been relaxed enough to do this, to press up against someone else, to want and feel wanted - even if not all of it is real, even if it isn't hers. Or rather, not hers specifically. It's nice. It's more than nice, and her smile is crooked as she draws back briefly from the kiss, more than a little appreciative. ]
You are good at that.
[Kissing, that is. She could almost envy York that, except she doesn't have to because she's the one kissing him right now, isn't she?]
[He tries to avoid the ports, though it's hard when all he wants to do is feel up every inch of her spine and all the muscles down her back. His legs shift a little wider, encouraging her meander closer between them.]
Why thank you. Comes with practice. [He grins boyishly, leaning in to leave little pecks along her jaw.] I can give you plenty of that if you'd like.
[ So long as they're careful, those fingers can wander where they please so long as they don't poke what is better left alone. Learning, relearning, the lines of her scars and where they cross muscle has her almost purring, sliding closer, moving to straddle his lap properly. ]
Practice does make perfect.
[and goodness knows she's always been something of a perfectionist, tilting her chin up and head back to let him trail kisses down her throat if he wishes.
Yet something feels off, at least there's a quiet insistance in the back of her head that tells her so. She tries to set that feeling aside and yet.. (--A lack of quick and clever fingers running over both of them and no warmth from--) ]
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Action; Day 158 - late morning
It's all right. Take a minute to yourself, okay.
[ Carolina then rises, excuses herself to head for the kitchen. There's a distanct clink of glass and ceramics, before she pads back in, the bottle of alcohol she'd been given for Christmas and two glasses carried in either hand. ]
I have a feeling we could both use a little of this right now.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Difficult to ignore.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[In that much, at least, York had the right of it]
You'd think the distance would make things easier. But it's not true. *heh* It's definitely difficult to wait it out, but it fade. After a while. Sometimes it takes a few hours. I know it did for me.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[arms fold over her chest] A couple of hours at most, give or take.
It may not get easier with it, but time'll probably go a bit faster.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[He's hesitant, but, with a lick of his lips, he reaches out for the bottle and unscrews it, pouring a little into his cooling tea. Just a little. As a start. And offers it over.]
Alcohol and mindless action movies and good company, right?
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[Her own tea gets a dash of that stronger liquid once Mal is done with the bottle, before she reaches for the entertainment system's control panel]
I'll queue up the movie - did we want to finish that series, or play an old favourite?
Action; Day 158 - late morning
(And then kids movies, when Charlie showed up. He swears that despite his inability to carry a tune in a bucket, he could still sing along to some of those musical movies pitch perfect simply from watching them so many times.)
No. No, wait, his mind has wandered off in that direction again, and he tries to shake himself free with another strong sip.] Maybe when this fades, and we're properly boozed up.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[ Calling up the film takes little time and less effort; learning how to set up playlists and queue like-films was an hour well spent. She makes a point to take a sip of her own tea, matching Mal drink for drink - he's not alone in this after all.
Lela does abandon them about half-way through, wandering off on a kitten adventure, and while there's the occasional remark or offhand comment, the first hour is unusually quiet for them. Carolina does sneak a look over at Mal from time to time, mindful of his mood. If he looks especially lost, she makes a point to lean and nudge, though how successful that is varies.
Near the end, however, she does snort faintly. ]
I can see why this is the most panned movie of the set.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Still. It's a distraction. One he's eager to take. Even if every once in a while, his gaze is far and away. Carolina helps. The longer the movie goes on, the more he gets into the idea of movie morning, gives as good as he gets, though between them they are still demure and muted.
At least there's still a smile, however small, on his face by the end.] Truly a work of art in being terrible. I think with more drink and a few more friends, it could be a very rousing night of entertainment. Certainly has made the day better already, though.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
We'll have to make a list of the worst offenders, then see who'd be interested in joining us. [she's been overdue a house warming as it was, and while she's had friends stop by in ones and twos, a party is a very different animal.] The last one of meant to be as good as the first, so that'll be a good way to cap things before lunch.
[ She's reaches towards the controls, setting the bottle again to one side so it isn't in the way. Both their cups have been empty a while, and if Malcolm decides to fill them, she'd certainly be okay with it. ]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
He reaches to refill their glasses, but a surprise kitten hops up on the table and scampers about, and somewhere between her playfulness and Malcolm's surprise, he accidentally spills from the bottle. Thankfully doesn't drop it, but there's a mess to sop up.] I'm sorry, I'll mop that up. [Just let him grab some napkins or something and yep no harm no foul.]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[playful kitten is fished free of the puddle on the table, and there's a fond if exhasperated look given to Malcolm] It's fine, don't worry aout it. I'll get her something to eat and grab some towels. You stay there.
[she's up and already moving, wriggling cat under one arm, and there's quiet scolding to be heard as she rummages for food packets. It won't take her more than a couple of minutes to find what she's looking for, to pour the soft food packet out for the tiny cat. Then look to see where she stashed the patented absorption pads Bifrons claimed could clear up any spill.]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[said even as Malcolm's reaching to take one of the absorbant cloths from her. She doesn't notice the movements of their reflection, movement close but not at all a perfect match for reality, busy giving Malcolm a knowing and slightly disgruntled look for his efforts - she's perfectly capable of cleaning this herself, you know]
It's not like it got on the floor. Though I guess I should be grateful for a lack of white carpet.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Ah, but neither of them are going to back down on such a simple matter, and they're both going to reach for the spill, and in one way or another, they're both going to get in some form of contact with the liquid. And instead of making some kind of quip about the carpet, Malcolm instead looks at Carolina with both surprise an expectation, a lick of his lips. Who knew that they could get along so well as to be so physically tangled together? He hasn't wanted to kiss anyone so badly in quite some time... (Previous reflection still trailing off at the end notwithstanding.)]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
It's hardly a thought she'd never dabbled in, just...not involving the man beside her -- let alone one involving two partners! But seeing it play out in the minds eye makes it very clear it could work, and work more than just well, makes it especially tempting to see for herself when she at least has Malcolm at hand.
She reaches again, grasping his wrist to very deliberately stall him from attempting to continue cleaning. He had, after all, been in need of a distraction.. ]
I told you. I can handle everything here, Malcolm.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Everything, hm? Maybe I'm not entirely convinced of that.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Not convinced, though. She can hear the challenge in the tone of his words, in the smirk she'd like to kiss very thoroughly off his face. She can fix that. Fix it by pushing Mal abruptly back, leveraging her standing position to pin him against the back of the couch, sliding onto his lap, straddling one leg, with an half-lidded look.
Then a pause, licking her lips a moment. Does he want this? ]
Would you like me to show you?
Action; Day 158 - late morning
I think I'm up for a demonstration.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
[ And then she's kissing him, firmly, fiercely, letting his hands slip free to settle at her waist as the one that had held his wrist finds purchase in the cushions behind him while the other slides up his chest, hooks around his neck in order to cup the back of his head. She's fast, yes, and thorough, a soft hum of appreciation in her throat following as she presses up against him.]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Action; Day 158 - late morning
It's been far too long since the last time she's been relaxed enough to do this, to press up against someone else, to want and feel wanted - even if not all of it is real, even if it isn't hers. Or rather, not hers specifically. It's nice. It's more than nice, and her smile is crooked as she draws back briefly from the kiss, more than a little appreciative. ]
You are good at that.
[Kissing, that is. She could almost envy York that, except she doesn't have to because she's the one kissing him right now, isn't she?]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Why thank you. Comes with practice. [He grins boyishly, leaning in to leave little pecks along her jaw.] I can give you plenty of that if you'd like.
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Practice does make perfect.
[and goodness knows she's always been something of a perfectionist, tilting her chin up and head back to let him trail kisses down her throat if he wishes.
Yet something feels off, at least there's a quiet insistance in the back of her head that tells her so. She tries to set that feeling aside and yet.. (--A lack of quick and clever fingers running over both of them and no warmth from--) ]
Action; Day 158 - late morning
Action; Day 158 - late morning