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[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.

[Sorry Zee, for all your lovely little intimate comments and cuddling, James is finding it increasingly difficult to pay attention. His mind has already drifted off to the land of sleepy times and the only suggestion he's still even vaguely awake is a low 'hmmmm' of acknowledgement. At least he has the sort of mind that'll allow him to wake up in the morning and remember every single thing said.]

[She's not going to go through with this again tomorrow -- and maybe that's why she made a point of saying it while he's on the verge of passing out. It really is for her own benefit. It's true that she cares for him and wants to be honest with him. Under certain circumstances, she'd be willing to give it all up for him. That doesn't mean that she can't be selfish under others.]

Go to sleep. [Careful to leave him room to be as comfortable as possible, she curls up beside him in a way that might actually be comfortable for her to sleep in. She hadn't had much of a stressful day beyond worrying for him, so it's a-okay. Muttering a few choice incomprehensible words, she turns down the AC and magically tugs the covers over them. Goodnight, honeybuns.]

[And with that, he's out like a light, falling into a deep sleep that lasts far longer than normal. He's got a couple of weeks worth to catch up on, after all. At least he should be fairly refreshed by the next day.]

[She's not awake before him for once. Because of relief, maybe. Or maybe it's something deeper, something she still has a hard time dealing with and admitting to, despite the things she has said to him.

He makes her feel safe.]

[When he does wake, it's fairly early, and yet he feels refreshed and awake enough not to consider rolling over and sleeping longer.

He lays there for a while on his back, satisfied and pleased to be back, Zee close by and his apartment still in tact. Things really aren't too bad.

Zee probably won't be woken by breakfast in bed, but instead an affectionate James rolling over and nuzzling and smooching against her neck and ear like an annoying little puppy that licks people awake. Basically he's just after attention.]

[It's for the better. If he made breakfast, she'd feel as if she had to eat all of it, no matter how awful it (probably) would have been.

She doesn't have the same fight or flight instincts as James. They exist, but even in a deep sleep her body recognizes and reaches for warmth and affection. Letting out a groggy huff and a groan, her eyes flutter open. It takes a second to register what is going on and she ducks her head down, pressing her chin against her chest while laughing.

Moments like this remind her that it isn't convenience. It isn't just comfort or reliability or an understanding. That easy confession they had wasn't hollow.

Tilting her head back toward the pillow, she arches her back and playfully pushes him away. Her voice is rasp, but as sweet as ever.] Good morning to you, too.

[James isn't exactly a bad cook, in fact he's rather good considering how often he lives alone, he just pretends he sucks so he never has to do it.

When she stirs, he chuckles, rolling onto his back as he receives the playful shove, and tucking an arm under his head.]

Sorry, did I wake you? [So innocent.]

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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