doubleoohbaby | IC contact

I might just do that. [She trails behind him, cleaning up his mess. Normally, she might yell at him for lazy, but he seems so very tired. This time, she'll let him get away with it. But if there are any comments even slightly misogynistic in tone, she's going to toss all of his junk into the shower with him. Until the, they'll be folded neatly.

And then she does, in fact, take his suggestion to heart and turns on the water, letting it fill up as the temperature rises; it's steaming a little, but that doesn't stop her from stripping and sliding into the tub with a soft hiss. He's probably hoping that she'll be lounging in it seductively or something, but he'll just have to be disappointed. She takes a washcloth and dips it in, getting it good and wet before covering her eyes and leaning back.]

[James barely acknowledges her clean-up, not out of any usual arrogance or disinterest, just... really not got the energy to register it. Part of his brain is already asleep, the other is only interested in people trying to kill or harm him. Seeing as neither is a viable option right now, he's just focused on climbing into the shower and staying unmoving under the hot spray.

He washes half heartedly, flicks the shower right down to cold and stands without reacting for a minute or two more before finally dragging himself back out, clean but dishevelled. It's only after a lengthy pause that he staggers over to the bath and drops himself in opposite Zee, managing to spill water over the sides with his unceremonious flop in.] Mmm...

[She kind of likes that -- when he's off. At least in this regard. The part where he's still in fight or flight mode, though, is a different story. She suspects that he's beyond tense right now and feels like they should be talking about a million things, but instead, just slides a foot on over to his hip, quietly acknowledging him before removing the cloth to peer at him and smile.]

If you want to sleep, I'll stay awake. [As in, she'll make sure that nothing happens. That he'll be safe.]

[He's already got his head tipped back and his eyes shut, bumping his leg against hers in return for the acknowledgement but, other than that, barely moving.

With an effort he lifts an arm off the side of the bath and waves it vaguely towards the door.] Left my gun out there. [Which is fucking stupid of him, he realises. Lot of good that'll do sitting in another room. But y'know, at least if Zee knows where it is, she can always like. get it or whatever should they get crazy hitmen after them.]

[She holds up her right hand and curls three of her fingers, holding her thumb upright and pointing her index finger toward him, mocking a gun.] Don't worry, I've got you covered. [If it were anyone else it would just be a cute (and not at all reassuring) gesture. But don't worry, she'll turn the crazy hitmen into toads or teleport them to the middle of nowhere in Papua New Guinea.

And. It probably isn't the time, but. Quietly:] Selina came back right after you left. [Zatanna fails to mention that she has forgotten everything, but those are just details.]

[He misses most of that act, as adorable as it may have been. Zee can take care of them, he supposes, but he still feels naked without his pistol right now. Even when he is actually naked. Yeah.

Her words take a moment to sink in, the name reverberating around his head for a solid few seconds before he suddenly looks to her, eyes snapping open and brows furrowed in confusion.] Hnnwhat?

[Insert joke about having a pistol attached to his body at all times, just not one that's useful for protecting them?

She means to suggest that, perhaps, for a brief moment she thought her arrival had something to do with his disappearance. But she doesn't say it. She peers evenly at him, though her gaze says more than she means for it to. Selina may not remember having been here, but Zee isn't sure if that is relieving at all.] I thought that you would want to know. [She's not accusing him of anything, but it's obvious that she still is uncomfortable. Man, for such a hot chick, she really can be pretty insecure...]

[He just stares at her blankly before tossing his head back again with a groan, slinging an arm over his eyes.] Couldn't you have waited until tomorrow? [Now is really not a time to be discussing ex girlfriends and stuff with him, because ugh he wants to shoot all the things.]

I don't know. [She seems genuine about that, at least. It doesn't sound accusatory or angry, but maybe just a little sad. Zatanna slides a hand over her head, slicking back her hair; only parts of it are wet. It mostly remains dry. Without realizing it, she crosses an arm over her breasts in a slightly defensive gesture.]

[There's silence from him for a while, maybe for thinking time or possibly just because he's fallen asleep. It's hard to tell with the arm over his eyes and the usual deep, slow breathing. He does speak eventually, a few long minutes later, a lazy mutter that's meant more as jovial than anything else.] You just knew I wouldn't be moving anywhere in a hurry this evening.

[The deafening sort of silence that she hates happens, then. It feels like forever. She almost gets up and goes to leave, but she'd sat around doing nothing far longer than this in the past. She's waited longer than this. Often, for a man. Not usually one worth nearly as much as James, however. Though the silence was enough to drive her crazy, she still takes a moment before responding.] That hadn't occurred to me. If you really wanted to go somewhere, I doubt being exhausted or hurt would stop you.

I'm not going anywhere, don't worry. [He's pretty sure she'll need to drag him out of the bath for a start, because yeah, his muscles ache and he has no energy.]

Please avoid any further paranoia when I ask; how is she?

I wouldn't hold it against you, if you wanted to. [She means it, too. She really just wants to see him happy.]

Well. She doesn't remember having been here. [Maybe that will make it less uncomfortable. Or, maybe it'll make it worse.] She doesn't want to kill me, so I'd say we're on good terms. Before Talia came along and manipulated us.

[If it hadn't been established, Bond is really too tired for all of this. Especially news of ex-girlfriends returning.] I'm sure I'll catch up with her eventually.

I'm sure you will. [She still isn't being accusatory, at least. Companionable silence isn't bad, but right now... it's not so much that. It's awkward silence. The kind she'd usually break with conversation. She just isn't quite sure how... Forcing a smile, she tries it. Sort of.] I... I could leave, if you'd prefer.

You better not.

[Grumbled, all gruff like as he tilts his head back once more for more shut eye. Awkward silences or not, Bond wants company and he plans on keeping it.]

[She hates when she acts so timid. If she wants something, she goes for it. Nothing should stop her, right? Sometimes, though, there were more important things than what she wanted. Admitting that was difficult. It meant opening up and dealing with all of that scary stuff that she'd tried so hard to avoid.]

You don't seem to be in any condition to chase me down, if I chose to. [A little more like herself.] So I suppose I'll stay. Out of the kindness of my heart.

[On the plus side, James is far too lethargic to start pointing out all her faults and contradictions.]

You're too good to me, my dear. Now drag me out of the bath, give me a massage and sleep beside me, would you? [Mostly tongue in cheek. Mostly.]

[They can talk about their coping mechanisms, fear of loss and betrayal, and desire to drive anyone worthwhile to them away another time.]

You'll have to give me a moment. [She was going to do two of the three without being asked. Dragging him out of the tub might prove a little difficult, but she expects him not to go limp (heh) against her. Zatanna pulls her legs toward herself and presses her palm against the edge of the tub, getting to her feet. Barely a moment passes before she reaches for a robe (that she may have planted in his bathroom several weeks ago) and steps out without a drip; someone might have mostly dried herself off with magic just then. She shuffles around the tub and slides an arm around his, giving him a pull.] Come on, then.

[Bond is all too happy to lay there while she moves about, peering after her with a lazy curiosity and also just to watch her be naked for a brief moment (as if he hasn't seen that before). When she approaches and reaches for his arm, he chuckles deeply and shifts with her, using his other arm to push himself up and ignore his aching muscles. The biggest chore is getting his legs to co-ordinate again, but once that's sorted, he's out the bath and just about standing.]

[Being nude has never bothered her. At least not when she's comfortable. With James, she's never shied away from it. Not even before they were involved, though that was perhaps more... harassment than anything.

She gives him a moment to work through it, to see if he can handle it. She'll carry him, if she must (with a touch of magic to aid her, of course), but this is preferable. She slides closer to him, pressing her hip against his leg to help steady him.] Would you like me to float you on over? You really do seem tired.

Hn, I'd rather you didn't. Just got to get my muscles working again, is all. [They obviously thought the bath meant sleep time and are like, being rudely awoken now. He is basically just stiff in every place except where he wants to be.

A tiny pause and he's off though, snatching for his towel (even if she has dried him, it's habit) and head for the bedroom with a slight need of support from her. Except he mostly just pretends he's hugging okay. Don't ruin his illusion of independence.

Then bed and, yup, collapsed on it immediately.] Mmmm.

Fine, but if I think you need it, I'm going to. [She's firm on that. His muscles need to rest. He looks so exhausted; it isn't plainly visible, but she is still worried about him. More than just on the surface, more than just a need of rest. She won't break his illusion of independence if he won't break hers. Even if she's about to do it herself.

She makes sure that he falls gently, still keeping a delicate hold on his arm while she slides onto the mattress beside him. Her hold remains as she leans over him and wraps an arm around his side, opposite from where she sits. Hesitantly, she presses her cold cheek against his shoulder blade. The tip of her nose can be felt before her lips ghost over his skin.] I drank too much last night. [Her breath is warm, her voice a whisper.] I thought that you were gone. Then, I thought I may never see you again. That you could come back and not know me.

[The second Bond hits the bed, he's practically out for the count. An arm wraps around her out of instinct but he doesn't seem to be doing much attention giving or schmoozing beyond that. Her words only seem to elicit a low hum from him, a sound that lingers in his chest, before mumbling out a low;] M'sorry.

[She's not concerned about his response. It was something that she needed to say. There's a quiet, huffy sound and she offers him such a small nuzzle he might not have even noticed it.] It's not your fault. I was... scared. That's all. Whatever you might hear or see, nothing happened and there was never a chance of anything happening.

[Though comfortable, she shifts so she's beside him laying on her side with her eyes closed. There's some hesitancy, but she keeps going. It's nothing to worry about, so there's no reason to hold back.] I'd never betray you. [A leg is strewn over his hip, foot dangling off the edge of the bed. It's an affectionate gesture.] Thank you for coming back.

LMAO

sh'up

neverrrr

yiiiiis

nooooooo

noooope

...yes?

reverse psychology! /wins

no!! you just confused me, it doesn't count :T

it does so

uhhhhh no

uuh nope

:|a

;D

:/

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