wickedchouette | (no subject)

Long enough.

[ That's as far as Root is willing to think about it. She'll blame surgery for that.

Gingerly, she puts a hand on Shaw's arm. It's as much of a hug as Root can give right now. ]

And then the Machine will help us again. Because She'll be okay. We'll all be okay.

[ She wants to see everyone. Harold and Lionel and Bear-- even John, though he doesn't have to come and say hi. The others do, though. ]

Are you hungry? We can share my jello.

Nah, I ate already. Stole some chips and a donut from the cafeteria downstairs. And you should eat everything they give you; you need your strength after that surgery. Just let me know if you need me to move.

[Granted, she says this against the skin of Root's clavicle, her face resting in the crook of her neck.]

You're perfect like this.

[ In every way. Root turns her head slightly, nestling her chin in Shaw's hair. ]

Please eat some protein before you go back out there. I worry enough as it is. About all of you.

Give me your wallet; buy me a steak. You think anywhere around here does delivery?

[She says it lightly, joking, but now that she thinks of it--

Wiggling her hand down to her pocket, she pulls out her phone and starts scrolling through Google Maps.]

It's in the drawer.

[ But, ah, the sweet "sound" of the Machine's voice. A warm blanket on a chilly afternoon, the scent and taste of fresh brewed coffee, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves, sunset colors, the serenity of knowing they're safe.

Root chuckles very softly. ]

She can order one for you, if you want. Her treat.

What about two, can it manage that?

[Both for her, obviously. Root is in the hospital and should not be eating outside foods.]

[ Another quiet snicker. ]

Just tell Her how you like them. She'll have them delivered.

[ Root has to work her way back up to solids. Very little is appetizing right now. ]

Medium rare is the only right answer to that.

[Shaw digs her nail lightly into the skin of Root's arm in a way that's intended to be affectionate.]

Thanks.

[ That's her little food-motivated Sameen ♥ ]

They'll text you when they're here.

[ She pauses, smiling, dipping her head a little so she strokes Shaw's head with her chin. ]

Of course. And thank you. For everything.

Are you petting me with your face.

[Root, you weirdo. She snuggles in, careful not to press any part of herself against Root's abdomen.]

Keep doing that.

[ In response, Root chuckles and does it again. 'I love you' is the easy (and very much true) next thing to say, but she thinks back to the Barge and how she learned to communicate the sentiment differently.

So-- ]

I feel so warm right now. The anesthesia had me feeling cold and weak. But now, with you... everything feels cozy and relaxed.

Not too warm, right? You gotta tell me if I'm overheating you.

[But her eyes drift closed, half-lidding.]

I'm warm, too. My, uh--

[She'd learned her own lessons on the Barge: about picking out physical sensations that might match well with emotions.]

My muscles are relaxed, even though they were tense a few hours ago.

Perfect warm.

[ Root carefully manages to turn her head enough to kiss Shaw on the head. ]

Relaxed is good. Nourished is good. You'll be back to kicking ass in no time.

You, too. Not quite as quick as me, though.

[Shaw closes her eyes, settling against Root with a soft sigh.]

I can sleep here tonight. Unless the nurses kick me out; if that happens I'll go hide in a supply closet and sneak back in later.

[This is said with the utmost seriousness.]

I'm not above begging them to let you stay.

[ After all they'd been through even before the Barge, Root is a big fan of not wasting the time they get together. ]

But if you have to step out... think you can bring Bear?

You're on the second floor. I bet I could sneak him in through a window.

[This is not a joke; she's already plotting out exactly how she could make this happen.]

Perfect. My favorite girl and my best boy.

[ Root closed her eyes. It's taking her a little more effort to talk. Healing is hard work. ]

I'm gonna fall asleep soon. Stay and eat here? I won't be mad if you have to leave.

[ But she won't particularly like it, either. ]

Unless some big emergency happens, you're stuck with me.

["Some big emergency" is, obviously, not out of the realm of possibility. They're fighting a war, and one that they're nearing the end of; just because the final big push isn't happening right now doesn't mean it couldn't start at any moment. But that's all the more reason for them to rest when they can.]

So, food first, then Bear? I bet he'd be good at hiding in supply closets.

Yes. You need to eat a proper meal first.

[ Or something better than protein bars. Root gives Shaw the gentlest squeeze. ]

No one else I'd rather be stuck with. I'll make it up to you as soon as I'm able.

You're making it up to me right now.

[She's making it up to her just by being alive.

And right at that moment, an Uber Eats driver walks into the room, followed closely by a very unamused-looking nurse.]

You're on a restricted diet.

[She tells Root sternly, just in case she's looking at the meal and getting any thoughts (please, as if Shaw would let her). ]

And visiting hours end in fifteen minutes.

[ Root is not above begging or making the saddest, most pitiful faces, but of which she does now. ]

But she's my girlfriend. It's her dinner. I almost died. She has to stay.

[ :C ]

I won't let her eat any of the food. Puppy-dog eyes don't work on me; I can deny her without feeling an ounce of guilt.

[Surely this is helping, right?]

[ The delivery driver, clearly ready to get on with their evening, puts the paper bag on the table farthest from the bed, murmurs a quick thanks, and scuttles out of the room before anyone can say anything else. ]

It's true, [ Root says, backing Shaw up. ] Besides, nothing is appetizing right now.

[ The nurse sighs but does not roll her eyes. She's dealt with worse, and at least these two aren't being aggressive or vulgar at her. ]

Let me verify your chart. [ Then, to Shaw-- ] If you're not authorized, you're not staying. No exceptions.

[ She heads off to the nurses' station to check. ]

You're authorized, [ Root tells Shaw. ] She took care of it.

[ It's really nice, being friends with god. ]

[Mark this down as one of the very few times that someone has spoken with Shaw and deemed her "not aggressive".]

You ever worry that this is going to go to my head?

[Shaw loops her leg around Root's, pulling her in closer.]

I mean, we both know it's gone to your head, but I could go mad with power too.

[ Nurses deal with some kinda nonsense. Shaw being Shaw is a breath of fresh air. The nurse is much less sharp with them when she pops in briefly to let them know Shaw is okay to stay, then goes back off to keep working. ]

No. You're the level-headed one between the two of us.

[ She sighs, smiling. ]

But what would you do if it got to your head?