Re: [The barn: Raven and Atticus. Now with added Steve!]
"Knew you were going to say that." The teeth-grit No.
Listened as Steve talked. Even feeling like he did, Atticus had to smile at Steve's tone. Could imagine him in one of his Old Man's war stories right then. Could almost see the blue suit, dirt on the Captain's cheek and soldiers looking at him with the last remaining bit of trust they had in the world. Also knew this bird. Knew she would say no, so Atticus didn't move immediately to finish swiping his fingers over the phone screen. Lifted a dark and bushy brow. Didn't mind waiting the last few seconds. Had no personal desire to go to jail for some imagined domestic violence incident. Atticus' bucket list only included positive experiences.
Who the fuck was he kidding? Didn't have a bucket list. Too much effort to compose a bucket list.
Laughed when Raven took a deep breath and shoved herself to knee and foot. Was impressed. "Such a fucking impossible bird." Atticus, himself, was nowhere near as graceful as her while he found his feet. Stumbled twice, sagged back against the wall. Was a good thing he wasn't modest or trying to impress anyone. He coughed twice more, and then he pointed from Steve to the woman. "Go on. Take her up to mine." Will get Matt.