Despite the punishing pace of the day, despite all the disasters he was juggling and tasks he was overseeing, a part of Rodeo's focus was always here-- on Lita. From the moment that two prospects came to tell him she'd arrived and was at work in the triage tent, Rodeo felt a part of his mind latch on to that fact and hold on tight. All day long he felt his gaze turn to this dark green tent at the center of camp, and he knew she was there, doing what she does best. What a strange comfort it became. With each tally carved into the count of structures damaged and people hurt, he looked to this tent like a light on the horizon-- She's here. She's here. Rodeo has no misgivings about the reason why Lita came here. He knows it's because of the wounded, knows she'd go anywhere she was needed this way. He knows it has nothing to do with him, but her presence doesn't comfort him any less because of that understanding. He passed through this tent all day-- taking in injured, carrying supplies, checking in just for his own peace of mind-- and every time, he watched her a little. When one prospect helping him unload some supplies caught him staring at Lita as she ordered a massive man called Goliath to hold still with such authoritative force that he actually listened, he turned to the other man and grinned a little boastfully.
"That doc? She was my lady," he bragged, but it stung to say was. He didn't mention the fact that Lita had only been his lady for seconds at best. Just long enough for a kiss. That, he decided to omit.
Maybe it should feel weird to have Lita here, when once he believed this was a place she could never see while simultaneously longing so much to bring her here. Maybe it should feel a bit like worlds colliding, seeing her in the midst of his family and friends, but he can't quite get himself to feel that way about it. Perhaps it's because she doesn't look out of place. She handles the frenetic energy of the Dog Park with the same capable poise she does everything else. If she's bothered by the way they live, she doesn't show it. He wonders how she sees it, wonders if she looks at all the dust and rust-eaten trailers and feels glad that she didn't get sucked into this world with him. Glad she dodged a bullet. Glad she's rid of him.
He watches her brush her hair from her face, and he has to glance away for a moment because he can still remember so clearly what it felt like to brush her hair back himself. He listens to her tell him that she doesn't know what to do with herself, and he has to smirk a little as he brings his gaze back to her face. He knows the feeling-- there's little else he can do right now, but he's not quite sure how to just stop either.
Rodeo has to laugh when she asks if he's eaten. He slides his hands into his pockets, shifting back a step restlessly as he glances over the tent and then looks once more to Lita. "Have you?" he counters. He shrugs up his shoulders, bites the inside of his cheek, and then decides to go for it. He expects to be turned down, expects Lita to want to avoid spending any prolonged time with him while she's here, but he has to ask anyway. "If you want... if you're hungry, you can come over for a bite. I mean, mine's probably the best place to eat around here. I got it all, darlin'. Got that Hormel Chili, got some Chef Boyardees, even could fix ya Spam and Spaghettios if you're feelin' like somethin' fancy. You wanna-- you wanna eat with me, maharani?"