xmutanthigh | [closed thread] flying times. like old times!

Entry tags:

[closed thread] flying times. like old times!

Characters: Julian, Rogue.
Setting: Outside. It's fall. Super pretty and colorful.
Content: Stuff happens.
Status: Complete.

[Julian's decided this nice, crisp fall evening is just as good as any other evening to go for a quiet flying session. He's deep like that. It's been an okay week; things have calmed down considerably the last few days, so he feels the need to take a breather. He's floating high in the air, parallel to the ground as the sun's starting to hang low in the sky, bundled up in a light jacket.

He peeks down and what do you know? Rogue's walking a path below him. Just the girl who's avoided him all week. Or maybe she hasn't, he isn't sure. God knows he's been keeping himself busy. Then again, he's been dead to her in the Danger Room.

He smiles a little, drifts downwards and hangs upside down in her way, arms folded across his chest.]

And where do you think you're going, sugar?

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[Well, ouch. That stings. The sting is more or less passing in his expression as he looks down though, the hand that had touched her finding his other free pocket. After a blink or two, he looks back up.]

So you don't want to talk about it, you just want to keep avoiding me, and I don't know anything. I just want to be clear.

[She doesn't say anything for awhile as she studies the ground a bit more, biting her lip again.] It's not so much that I'm mad at you, okay? [The words, when she finally says them, are muted and she still doesn't meet his gaze.]

[He definitely has feelings for her, otherwise he wouldn't feel so goddamn emotional at that. She might as well have just admitted she feels the same way, not that she's not mad at him. He could punch himself.]

Then what is it?

[Her hands drop and start wringing in front of her. Her voice is barely audible at this next bit.] You... you were right before.

[He looks down at her nervous fingers, thinks about taking his hands out of his pockets, stilling hers like he had before. His own voice is low, only a few decibels louder than hers.] Which part?

What... what happened the other day. It wasn't something I... that I ever wanted anyone to see much less know about. [Yeah. She still can't even look at him. The embarrassment's starting to come back a bit.]

[He doesn't know what to say to that, so he doesn't respond for a long moment. Finally, he responds in some way, hesitating as he brings his hands out of his pockets, slowly lets them hover over hers, giving her ample time to pull back, flinch, whatever she wants to do. Still, he doesn't lift his gaze either, not until he begins to speak.]

I'm not sorry I saw it. I'm just sorry that I couldn't... do more. And I'm sorry that you... feel like you do about my seeing it. For what that's worth.

[She doesn't flinch away from his touch this time. There's enough time for her to force her instinctive flinch away.] There's nothing... nothing that anyone can really do when... it happens. [It's such a careful line she has to walk here. It's already bad enough he saw it; she can't handle him knowing what was actually going on. But she finally looks up at him for the first time in awhile.] I just wish you hadn't seen it.

[He takes her hands as she speaks, squeezes them gently. It hurts him a little, that she wishes that. But he understands. There are so many things he keeps buried, things he wouldn't want anyone to dig up. Maybe how much he cares is because of that. Partly, at least. Because looking into her eyes, he knows the other part.] I wish you wouldn't. Because I'm... I want to... [He smiles a little at himself, looks down for a second.] I don't know, sweetheart, I just... feel better knowing. For you. Like if something happens, maybe there is something I can do, to help you. Does that make sense?

[She can't help that bitterly amused and dry little laugh.] Makes sense but there's really not anything you can do to help with this.

[The laugh brings in back to himself and the situation more, and he takes a moment to think her sarcasm over, licking his lips before bringing his eyes back to her.] So when I found you, I didn't help at all?

[Cue Rogue being really really really uncomfortable again. She shifts anxiously from foot to foot for a moment before mumbling an inaudible reply.]

[And even despite the seriousness of the situation, he thinks she's adorable. He tugs gently at her hands a little, bowing his head a few inches to better catch her words.] What was that, beautiful?

Maybe a bit.

[That effectively pleases him. Julian Keller likes to be needed, okay? That's why he's smiling a little soberly as he looks down at their clasped hands. He's a goner for her. And he's going to stop smiling like that soon.

Now.

Okay, now. Maybe he doesn't succeed fully, but it's not as bad. And now his smile is light and playful and he's just trying to move past the hard part of this conversation, like he's sure she wants.]

You know, I think that what you really need right now is to let me take you flying.

[Her eyes go wide as she looks up at him. Flying? What?]

You think we should what?

I promise it's safe. I've been flying since I was sixteen, beautiful. And it's fun. And I promise you'll forget whatever's bothering you.

You're so going to drop me or something and I'm really not in the mood to plummet to my death tonight, sugah.

Sweetheart, if I drop you--and that's if--you really think I'd let you hit the ground?

...yes. [This is Rogue's disbelieving and untrusting look.]

[And he gives her his own look that says, Lair. He pulls her hands up, lets them hover, still clasped in his, over his shoulders.]

Cute, sugar. All you have to do is hold on. [Then, because he's a big dork, he adds:] I can show you the world, beautiful. Shining, shimmering splendor and all that bullshit. Do you really want to pass that up?

[Even Rogue can't help but laugh at that.] That has got to be the cheesiest thing I've ever heard you say, sugah. Which is definitely sayin' a lot. [But she's putting her hands on his shoulders anyway even if she's not entirely sure why she's doing it.]

[Because she's totally falling for him. He grins broadly at her laughter, his arms encircling her waist. Maybe it's not necessary she's flush against him, but he certainly isn't going to tell her that.]

Yeah, but it made you laugh, so I guess it served its purpose.

[They hover off the ground, further and further up into the sky. Julian, of course, the big sap, doesn't look away from her face once.]

[Rogue's not looking at the big cheese ball though. Probably because she's looking down at the landscape with just a tiny bit of anxiety. It's been awhile since she's flown or been flown and the sensation takes a few minutes to get used to.]

[He's laughing at her on the inside. Her fear of falling is cute, really. They are quite high, though. Way above the trees high.]

You okay there, sweetheart?

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