wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[It's been a long, full day of walking, and by the time they reach the house, Alfie is ready to be inside. There's rarely heat in any of these buildings, and the cold permeates them enough that it's never fully warm even behind closed doors - but it's at least warmer, and without the biting wind. He sheds his coat and kicks off his boots, and turns to Fiona.]

I'll check the upstairs if you check downstairs.

[It's a system they've developed, for the nights that they're together - they split the search of the house so that it'll go quicker. Each has learned what items, tidbits, and clues the other might be interested in, and they'll take note of them for each other, to share when the search is done. Over time, they've both come to trust each other not to keep things hidden - and not to steal from each other. Alfie never thinks twice anymore about swinging his pack off his shoulder and leaving it unattended with her downstairs.]

Looks like a big house. Could save some of the searching for tomorrow.

[He always likes to do a once-over to look for any dangers or unexpected surprises, but in-depth supply searches are better done when they've had some rest - especially on the days like today, when his back has been bothering him for miles.]

Tired, Fiona?

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[Fiona's list of "people" is getting longer and longer. For a long time, it was just Sasha and Felix, so it's... strange. She's not sure if she likes it or not yet. There will always be that little part of her telling her not to trust anyone, left from years of Felix repeating it over and over, but she does trust Alfie.

So, she doesn't hesitate to dump her pack by the door before she plops down on the couch, tugging off her boots. It's a longer process for her than it is for Alfie; there are all sort of buckles and straps to undo. She used to just leave them on until she went to sleep, but taking them off as much as possible is a habit she's picked up from him. Trench foot isn't a thing she's ever worried about, but better safe than sorry.

She glances up at his question as she stretches, eyebrows going up.]

Never. I'm fresh as a daisy. We can take a nap if you need one, though.

[The obnoxious teasing will never stop.]

[He grunts, but not disagreeably. She might be joking, but he really does want to take a nap - or at least to stretch out and close his eyes for half an hour or so.]

-- Yeah. Five minutes to walk through the house, then a lie-down.

Or... [She pushes herself up off of the couch.]

You could take your nap and I could search and take all the good stuff.

You could. Yeah.

[He moves into the next room, giving it a quick onceover.]

Serve me right, wouldn't it.

[She shoots him a grin before she heads for the bathroom, giving the drawers a cursory look through.]

It sure would. Guess I'm feeling nice.

[He goes upstairs now, calling down:]

And don't I feel honored.

[Once he's sure the upstairs is clear, he collapses on the mattress in the master bedroom with a groan.]

[Fiona finishes up downstairs and then follows him up, not bothering to avoid getting into his space when she sits down beside him.]

Anyone would.

[Then clearly she won't mind him lightly running a finger up and down her arm.]

Fresh as a fucking daisy, eh?

Always.

[She doesn't mind at all. In fact, she'll do him one better and flop over on her stomach to drape an arm over him lazily.]

Must be all that radiation or something.

[Ugh, radiation. He frowns, but still teases back.]

Perks you right up, eh?

[First rule of Coping the Fiona Way: Make stupid jokes about the things that terrify you. Fiona smirks back, eyebrows going up.]

It doesn't perk you up?

[It's a coping mechanism he's very familiar with, thanks to his time in the war.]

Sure. Don't I seem perky to you?

You could be perkier. You were just whining about wanting a nap.

I do want a nap.

[He smooths a thumb over the streak in her hair.]

Alright. I'll stop being so amazing and distracting, then.

[And, true to her word, she settles down beside him. She does toy with one of the buttons on his coat, though.]

[Eyes still closed, her murmurs:]

You're still being a bit distracting.

[But he's not complaining, and it shows in his tone.]

Shut up and go to sleep.

[She's teasing, and still playing with that stupid button.]

[He gives a little rumble, low and pleased, settling his own arm around her and sinking further into the mattress. For a while he lightly teases his fingers along her sides, once or twice briefly slipping under her shirt to brush against her skin, but eventually he drifts off. He really is exhausted.]

[Fiona lets out a soft, pleased hum at the touch. She was absolutely lying—she's exhausted, but she hasn't been able to sleep much lately. Even when she does manage, it's never restful. She feels like she's constantly vibrating with energy, like her thoughts won't shut off. So, once Alfie falls asleep, Fiona curls her arm under her head and reaches up to trace his scar with her fingertips, doing her best to relax and failing utterly.]

[Despite how tired he is, Alfie doesn't fall asleep completely. He dozes, still just alert enough that he's aware of the feeling of her fingers on his face, the weight of her arm over his middle, and the warmth of her body against his side. It's honestly really, really nice.

He stays silent at first, but after a while - he's not sure how long - he speaks up, quietly.]

Can't sleep?

Not tired.

[It's a lie, and she doesn't even bother to make it sound convincing. She lets her fingers trail down along his jaw and neck, then settles her hand on his chest.]

I'm fine.

[He reaches for that hand, twining his fingers loosely through hers, the metal of his rings still warm from being shoved deep in his coat pockets all day.]

You feel tired enough.

[Her body is heavy, and her voice is weary.]

[She smiles, something warm and genuine at first, and then it edges into a smirk.]

You gonna help me fall asleep?

[In answer, he lets go of her hand and tilts her chin up with a finger, giving her a kiss on the lips.]

[That gets Fiona to relax, shifting to press closer as she kisses him back. One hand threads up into his hair as she lets out another soft, pleased noise.]