Who: Eve and Kristof What: A drink with a dash of awkward Where: White Wyrm When: Friday July 21 (Backdated) Warnings: low Status: g-doc
Eve picked The White Wyrm for a drink because it wasn’t as loud as Verdant, but also way classier than Lou’s. The only real downside was that the Wyrm had werewolves who worked there and so the idea their conversation would be private went out the window. She tried not to dwell on that too much and was thankful she could at least let herself enjoy a drink.
She got there a bit early, dressed in her normal dark jeans and t-shirt which is what she had, thankfully, been wearing before she turned back to a ghost. The thought of being stuck in a hospital gown for six months was terrifying.
Corporeal now, she picked a booth near the back and ordered a martini, then pulled out her phone to mindlessly scroll while she waited for Kris.
–
The Wyrm wasn’t exactly Kristof’s style, but neither was Lou’s – or Verdant. Verdant would’ve been closer, but he’d agree with Eve that it was louder. And loud wasn’t always helpful.
He’d made sure K-Mart could watch the kids before heading out. It was still so weird to think about how old they both were – and at the moment, he really wasn’t going to think about it outside of a vague acknowledgement, because he didn’t need to get wrapped up in his own thoughts when he was meeting someone for a drink.
Because really, that was just bad form. Even if he was fairly certain Eve would understand the sentiment.
Once he’d walked into the Wyrm, it didn’t take him long to find where Eve was and make his way over.
***
As usual, he looked good and like he belonged at the Ritz rather than the middle of Indiana - or wherever they were now. She smiled when she saw him even if she was a little nervous about tonight. Maybe nervous wasn’t exactly the right word, but she wasn’t entirely at ease which sucked considering that what she always was with Kris back home.
“Looks like they haven’t adopted any new alien liquor yet, if you were feeling in the mood to experiment.” She got up and greeted him with a hug before sitting back down. “I was kind of hoping The Fates couldn’t reach wherever this is, but I’m guessing The Dome keeps them tied in somehow.” Which was just her kind of luck.
“How’ve you been? Rescue anyone from falling buildings lately?”
–
“I feel like it’s only a matter of time before they go for the alien liquor,” he said with a laugh as he took a seat himself. “That just seems like a thing they ‘d do.”
Which no doubt meant at least two of the staff members were really going to have fun with drink names.
“I’ve been good,” he said. “It’s been pretty uneventful, really – well, what passes for uneventful in Madison Valley, considering…” He trailed off, making an all-encompassing gesture meant to refer to, well, everything that’d happened lately. “How about you? No falling building incidents?”
***
She nodded at his gesture. Having been here long enough now, she understood exactly his sentiment. Uneventful had an entirely different definition when you lived in a place like this.
“No, no buildings. But - well, there is something.” She trusted Savannah not to have told Kris yet because she had asked their daughter to let her do it in her own time. It had taken maybe a little longer than she should have, but Eve had wanted to be certain about a few things before this.
Eve looked at Kristof, her gaze to anyone else would look the typical hard-ass Eve Levine gaze, but for people like Kris or her daughter, they’d be able to spot the affection too. She worried her lip just slightly before she decided to rip off the bandage. “I’ve started seeing Matt Murdock.”
–
That… was not a thing he would’ve expected her to say. He studied her for a long moment, sizing her up and trying to get a read on her feelings. “Do I get to give him the ‘hurt her and I kill you’ lecture?” he asked finally, lips quirking in what she could easily identify as a smile.
Not that he thought Eve couldn’t take care of herself, he knew damn well she could, but like he wasn’t going to make the joke? (That also might not have entirely been a joke, but ssh.) And he wouldn’t lie – though he wouldn’t actually admit it to anyone – he was always going to be a little protective of Eve, no matter who she was with.
He really did want her to be happy, though.
***
Eve blinked. Somehow that answer was both strangely expected and also not at all. Her lips twitched in an almost smile as she processed and then a small smile formed. It was genuine and warm and muddled a little with confusion that she was trying to mask.
“If you do, ask Savannah to film it.” Her retort had come easily, but then she paused. The thing was, this wasn’t like Eve. She was normally pretty self-assured, but this was Kris. She had spent almost two years pining after him in Madison - not that she’d openly admit it - and she needed reassurance here.
Carefully, she said, “I wanted to get your blessing.” Since you’re not ready to be with me and may never again she added in her head.
–
“I’m trying to figure out how to say it without literally saying ‘you have my blessing’ because that sounds more than slightly condescending,” he said with a slight laugh. “But no, seriously, I want you to be happy. You deserve it. And if you’re happy with Matt, then I fully support it.”
A beat.
“Though I really will kick his ass for you if you need me to.”
Oh, just shush and take the sentiment behind it.
***
Eve was a little surprised at how she felt. It was a mixture of relief, of happiness, and a weird mixture of hurt and annoyance Kris was so okay with it. The last part Eve decided to analyze later. For now, she felt free to pursue her feelings for Matt and that was good enough for her.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She offered him a small, wry smile. Truthfully she didn’t think she had to worry too much about Matt, but she did appreciate the sentiment.
“It’s definitely never boring being here, huh?”
–
Kristof laughed slightly at that. “No, it is definitely never boring being here,” he agreed. “I think when it gets boring is the day we’ll have to worry even more, truthfully.”
Because Madison Valley was predictable in its unpredictability, he’d been around more than long enough to see it in action. “Though I have to admit, lately it’s been even more interesting than usual.”
He’d been fielding questions from the kids every day since the town had changed over.
***
She exhaled and then sat back. “Alright, well, with that awkwardness out of the way, let’s get some drinks and you can tell me how the kids are doing.” Eve might not be related to Kristof’s children, but they were important to Kris and so Eve cared for them. Plus she liked the idea that Savannah had siblings, even if they were much younger than she was.