Bella Donna Boudreaux is a cheerful assassin (petitmort) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-09-02 13:11:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, bella donna boudreaux, nicholas d. wolfwood |
Who: Belle Boudreaux and Nicholas Wolfwood
Where: his place
What: lots of talking after Wolfwood has Dreams
When: recently, the middle of the night
Warnings/Rating: PG for nongraphic nudity and minor language
Status complete
Belle always slept really well when she was next to Nicholas. It helped a lot that he did his best to wear her out every time. Now that Cerebus was a less pressing threat and she had an analyst working on the data from their labs she had more time to spend with him, which was just fine with her.
She didn’t usually Dream when she was with him, either, which was an added bonus of their arrangement.
Wolfwood slept lightly most nights, but when Belle was over, he tended to sleep longer. He didn’t usually Dream either - usually just slept like a log - but tonight was an exception. He’d started to toss and turn, even grumbling faintly under his breath.
Belle woke slowly. He was a lot bigger than her, his movement was noticeable. She frowned and rubbed her face, before putting her arm across his chest to try to settle him. “Shhhh, cheri. C’est bien. Dors.” She didn’t want him to wake entirely, but he seemed like he was having a hell of a dream.
Wolfwood didn’t seem to notice the words, but the arm helped. He hit against it, grumbling louder, but eventually he did wake, eyes flying open. “Fuck.” He still felt foggy, in that state between sleeping and waking, where he wasn’t entirely sure what was what.
Crap. Belle sighed and scooted closer to him. “What’s wrong?” Her accent was much thicker when she was sleepy. “Bad dream?” Either that or a mild seizure.
Hearing Belle’s voice helped him realize where he was. Wolfwood sat up, shaking his head, trying to snap out of it. “Sorry. Sorry to wake you, hon.” He only belatedly realized the pet name, but ignored it; hopefully she’d chalk it up to him just waking up. “Think it was a Dream.” It was vivid and weird and he could still feel the sand stinging his skin.
She was embarrassed at her reaction to the pet name. Something so simple shouldn’t make her so happy, even if only for a second. “Toldja to wake me if you needed me.” She yawned. “You wanna talk about it?”
He wasn’t sure. After a few seconds, he just laughed. “Honestly, you’ll probably find it funny. I dreamt I was a priest.”
“A priest, hein?” She did find that a little funny. “Findin’ that a little hard t’ picture, actually.” She rubbed his shoulders softly. “What kinda priest?”
“I dream I live on a planet called Gunsmoke. Looks like the fucking sandbox.” Wolfwood said softly, looking over at her. “I grew up with an uncle, who ... well, he was a bad guy.” He felt stupid feeling so ashamed of it - it hadn’t happened to him, for fuck’s sake - “but after I got out of there, I got taken in by this guy Chapel. And after that, I became a wandering priest.” He looked down. “I apparently started an orphanage” - didn’t take too much thinking to guess why - “but I kept wandering, to get money for it and find kids who’d do better there than in their families.”
“Oh.” She nodded as he spoke. “That seems a little more likely. You seem like you’d have a soft spot for people in need. So was the guy named Chapel ‘cause he was a priest, or was it just coincidence?”
“I don’t know? I thiunk he was both that and something different,” Wolfwood said. “He had this huge cross ... but it was like an arsenal. Compartments in it.” Not like any priest he’d ever met.
Belle frowned. “Gunsmoke ain’t just a name, huh?” She scooted around so she could face him. His bedroom was just bright enough for her to make out his face a little. “Could be worse. You could be an assassin.”
“Might wind up being one.” Wolfwood laughed with very little mirth. He’d kind of hoped to escape killing people at least in one life. “Chapel used that cross. I got the impression I was meant to be his successor in whatever he did.”
Belle nodded, stroking his face softly. “Sounds like some shitty dreams you’re havin’. What kinda priest kills people? I mean, I know my own religion ain’t got the best track record when it comes t’ killin’ folks, especially in the Middle East, but I’d like t’ think we’ve all learned since then.”
“I’m pretty much agnostic,” Wolfwood said. Her touch helped him relax a little, and he lay back down, looking at her. “I think most soldiers are either atheists or as religious as ever. Not much middle ground.”
“I can’t blame y’.” She noted, laying down next to him. “Some of the things I’ve seen,” and done, “made me question it all. Hard t’ believe there’s a kind and all powerful bein’ who cares about us when you see children beggin’ in the street.” She wrapped her arm around him, resting her head on his shoulder. “My dreams aren’t as bad as all that, bein’ treated like property aside. At least the people I killed deserved it, and I knew they did for certain.”
He liked it when she was close. “And nobody would dare treat you like property now, Belle.” Wolfwood kissed her cheek. “I don’t know. I know that here, people do horrible things to each other. And I guess it’s true in the other place, too. Somebody else’s religion isn’t my business; I just can’t reconcile it for me.” And he’d never admit how alone he’d felt sometimes, out on the Pakistani border, when his men had been praying.
She nodded. “I feel stupid sometimes, holdin’ on to it. Like a security blanket. When I ask questions I don’t get answers, but whenever I think maybe there isn’t a God It doesn’t make me feel any better about life.” She shrugged, her fingers stroking across his chest softly. “You won’t be alone anymore here. Not if I can help it.”
Her simple words touched him. Wolfwood smiled. “Actually means a lot to hear you say it.” He wasn’t sure how she’d guessed what to say - was it that obvious? - but he didn’t push it. “You grow up Catholic?” Call it a hunch, given she was from New Orleans.
She nodded again. “Oui. After-” she stopped. Nobody knew about her family. Not really. Talking about her mom was just something she didn’t want to do. Why give that bitch any press, good or otherwise? She was silent for a moment. Would it hurt anything to talk to Nicholas about it? He liked his parents, he wouldn’t immediately start unloading his own mommy issues on her. Maybe it would be okay.
“After my mom left it was all my dad really had. He had a tiny little baby and my brother wasn’t even old enough f’r school yet. The church was our family, our lives revolved around it. I made cupcakes for the picnics with Julien an’ the first book I tried t’ read was a book of bible stories for kids.” It was embarrassing, and worse it hurt to think about her family. She’d left them just like her mother. She wondered how her dad was coping with it.
Who the hell was Wolfwood to judge, he figured. “I never got much religion as a kid, so I don’t really have anything against it, just was never exposed to it. My parents were what I’d call secular humanists.” Just, after twenty years in the military, he didn’t have much faith in humans, either.
He smiled at her, feeling like she needed to smile back. “So, I’m guessing you haven’t been to confession since we starting hooking up, huh.” Some of the stuff they’d gotten up to was probably against some church rule.
She didn’t mind his lack of religion. It wasn’t a big deal to her. She did laugh at his last statement. “Oh, don’t worry, I already knew I was goin’ t’ Hell. If I’m already there, might as well enjoy the journey.” She scooted up enough to kiss his lips. “I have been t’ confession, actually. Every Sunday.” It typically took about half an hour.
“Really.” Huh. He wouldn’t have thought she’d have time. “I stand corrected. Well. Lie down?” Wolfwood sighed at the kiss. “I don’t know about going to hell ... you’re a pretty good person. ‘Don’t be an asshole’ is kind of my rule for life. You follow that.”
She settled down again, stretching out a little. “You only know me when I’m nice and happy. I’m a pain in the ass when I wanna be. Beside, if I needed your permission t’ get into heaven I don’t think I’d have t’ worry none.”
“You gonna be a pain in my ass?” Wolfwood asked, amused. “I mean, more than most people.”
Belle snickered. “Only if you’re into that kinda thing.” She couldn’t restrain her laughter at the thought. “I’d need a step stool, though. You’re legs are just too damn long.”
“You think they’re sexy.” Wolfwood settled onto his side. “All joking aside, people tend to be intimidated because I’m the height I am. Kinda glad it didn’t turn you off.”
“I do think they’re sexy.” Belle said with a smile. “It don’t bother me that you’re tall. I like a man that can manhandle me a little bit, and you’ve got plenty of leverage for that kinda thing.” She shivered softly as she remembered what they’d been up to earlier. “For a priest you can be a real demon in bed.” She joked.
“Har har.” Wolfwood had to grin. “God, there are so many jokes about religion on the top of my tongue, but I don’t want to offend you.” He settled for wrapping an arm around her instead.
“Pfft. You’ll hafta try real hard t’ offend me. Only reason I’d get mad is ‘cause I was plannin’ on makin’ the same joke later. If you can’t laugh at religion what can y’ laugh at?” She did like having his arm around her. She hugged him back, snuggling into the crook of his arm.
“I like your outlook.” Not even necessarily about religion. He just did his best to laugh at things he couldn’t control. Otherwise you went batshit insane.
She sighed softly, her body relaxing. “What’cha want for breakfast in a couple hours?” She was about to drop off, but she almost didn’t want to. She really liked to talk to Nicholas.
“I’m just happy to get breakfast.” Wolfwood smiled, starting to feel his muscles unclench. He wasn’t sure he’d get back to sleep, but laying here with her might help.
“Eggs it is.” Belle murmured. “Like your outlook too, by the way.” She yawned again. “Hope you have better dreams.”
“I’ll settle for none at all.” He kissed her forehead, wrapping his arms around her. “You get back to sleep.” He’d try, but he wasn’t optimistic.
Belle sighed at his comment about the dreams. She'd been in his position not too long ago herself. "Only one way t' make sure you don't dream." She sat up slowly. "I don't come here to sleep. You want breakfast now? Might take y' mind off things."
“It’s like 4am, honey. Er. Belle. Sorry.” Awkward. Whoops.
Belle jumped a little when he called her honey again. There was no passing it off as a sleepy mistake this time. In a way she was happy. It meant he cared for her. On the other hand it meant she’d hurt him when she left, and she didn’t want that a bit. She slid out of bed, pulling her nightgown on. “I’m havin’ a cigarette either way, if you decide you’d like t’ try and sleep I’ll join you, otherwise I’ll get food started.” She had to figure out what she was doing. She wasn’t doing him any favors sticking around if he was starting to have feelings.
Wolfwood nodded, though he’d seen her actually flinch a little. “Sure.” Shit. He didn’t mean to put his foot in it. He lay back down, closing his eyes, trying to relax himself and not think about priests or desert planets or doing something to piss off his ... whatever Belle was.
Belle grabbed her cigarettes and left. That stupid ache in her chest was back, and she didn’t know if it was because she was afraid to hurt him or because she desperately wanted to stay in bed with him and talk.
She tried to forget it all, but even smoking couldn’t calm her down. She paced as she smoked, muttering in Creole under her breath about how stupid she was being, how selfish. He deserved better and she was going to hurt him sooner or later. Probably she’d already hurt him.
Even a second cigarette didn’t do much for the tightness in her chest and the general feeling of being an outrageous jerk. She almost lit another, but she knew, deep down, that she was simply stalling. She stubbed out the cigarette butt and went back inside. This time she knew she smelled a little, so she went to the bathroom to wash her hands and face before going back to the bedroom. “Make up your mind?” She tried to sound normal, like she wasn’t bothered by anything. It was the only way she’d make it through this.
He didn’t answer right away. At first he debated trying to pretend he was asleep, but that was kind of a pussy move. “Was going to try and get back to sleep,” Wolfwood finally said. “I’ll be a bitch if I don’t. I don’t want to be a bitch to you.” But he did just like lying here with her. He didn’t know what had upset her, but he wasn’t about to push. Women yelled at you when you pushed.
She nodded and took her nightgown off again before she got back into bed. “I don’t want t’ be a bitch to you, either, so I better get some sleep too.” She smiled softly at him before laying down. This time she didn’t snuggle up against him. She needed her space again. “I hope you sleep well.” She stroked his face and for that moment her smile was more genuine. “Good night, Nicholas.” She turned her back to him so he wouldn’t see that she didn’t have her eyes closed. How could she sleep now?
Wolfwood eventually got back to sleep, but it took a while. He awoke with a start after a dream - a normal dream, vague and inchoate - and sat up, leaning over, elbows on his knees. The middle of the night came back to him in a rush, and he felt a sour taste in his mouth.
Belle dozed but didn’t truly fall asleep again. Every time he shifted it reminded her that she was upset with herself. When he sat up she decided it was as good a time as any to give up on sleep. She studied his back for a minute, then cleared her throat and said, “Morning. Still want some eggs?”
She sounded better, but she was a really good actress. “Sure. Thank you, Belle.” Make a point of using her name. “I’ll eat ‘em any way except hard boiled.”
She almost said, ‘I like a man that’s easy to please’, but considering the situation she didn’t. “I’ll have ‘em done real quick. You sleep okay at the end?” She grabbed her nightgown again, but it smelled pretty smoky. She made a face and grabbed the shirt she was planning on wearing for the day instead. It would work for now.
“Eventually.” Wolfwood got up, walking naked into the bathroom. “I’ll be right out.” He felt sick, though, and after the quickest shower in history, he came into the kitchen. “Whatever I did last night, I’m sorry. Something’s off, and I’m just hoping it’s not my fault.”
She was still setting up the eggs to be scrambled when he came back into the kitchen. Belle sighed when he spoke. “It’s not you I’m mad at. You didn’t do anything wrong.” She searched for a whisk, putting the bowl of eggs and milk on the counter. He’d probably be upset when she told him what the problem was, but he was going to eventually get upset either way.
“Anything I can do, then?” Wolfwood suddenly felt awkward in just a towel.
“Where the hell is your whisk?” She asked with a laugh. “As for the other thing, honestly I don’t know. Just afraid, I guess.” She was a good actress, but she hated to lie when it wasn’t necessary. She had to lie too much for her job, lying outside of work was just too much.
“Of what, me?” Well, he could understand that much. She was really gun shy, not like he really blamed her. Wolfwood went over and got the whisk from the drawer at the far end of the kitchen, handing it to her. “Seems like you’re not that great at living in the moment.” Again, not like he blamed her, but it was the truth.
“Not of you.” Belle noted, accepting the whisk. “If you’re not plannin’ ahead then you get blindsided when things go t’ shit. I didn’t live this long t’ get caught with my pants down by anyone.” Except of course now she was unprepared and she had no strategy for dealing with this. The government didn’t give you a packet on avoiding emotional entanglement that said anything more useful than ‘don’t give a fuck about anyone’.
“You’re talking like it’s a mission.” Wolfwood pointed out, crossing his arms. “Like there’s some kind of goal besides having a good time. We talked about this. We know what might happen.” What probably would happen. “You’re about as prepared as you can be without saying fuck it to the whole thing. Which is an option.” He wasn’t going to put her in a place where she felt trapped if he could help it. If she chose to never see him again, he wouldn’t like it; he’d probably get shitfaced with Shepard a few nights, but he’d eventually move on.
“I just don’t want to hurt you.” Belle said with a shrug. “It’s fine t’ fool around as much as we like, but if one of us gets too attached it’ll make it harder t’ make the right choices when they come up.” She was already dreading being reassigned. Part of her hoped that Winston’s condition would deteriorate far enough that he really would need someone around to keep him from spilling state secrets in a fit of senility. Which was a horrible thing to wish on a man who’d been so kind to her.
“Belle, losing you will suck even if it’s casual, just because I like being around you.” Wolfwood shrugged. “And I don’t know. I don’t fear spending time with people ... I mean, shit, if I kept myself aloof from every man I met in the sandbox, I’d have no friends.” He looked over at her. “Do I feel affection toward you? Yes. Am I in love with you or something? No. Don’t think so, at least.”
She was quiet while she thought about what to say next. The more he knew about her the more opportunities he had to like or dislike her. She didn’t think he’d kick her to the curb for anything she might say.
“I’m not a soldier. Camaraderie isn’t necessarily encouraged in my line of work. Think Vanille’s my first friend and I’ve known her a few months. I get along well enough with Tyra and the others I met while I was workin’, but it’s not the same.” She’d have no problem doing what needed to be done if any of them went rogue. Even Winston was fair game to her, to a certain degree. She knew in her heart she could never do anything to hurt Vanille, and she was wondering what she’d do if she found out anything about Nicholas.
It was stupid, childish, maybe even patronizing, but it was the first thing he thought of that slipped out of his mouth. “You must get so lonely.”
She shrugged. “I’m hardly ever alone, and if I talk enough and make enough acquaintances it ain’t too bad. Rememberin’ what I’m workin’ for is helpful. I’m real grateful I met Vanille, she’s reminded me why I chose to do what I do.” Or at least part of the reason she’d picked her life. “You ever talked t’ someone whose family is real poor? Just. . . barely eatin’, maybe has a house sometimes poor? Family is the only thing you have then. Literally the only possessions. Kids and parents become so tightly knit they can’t break away, don’t even wanna try. I felt like that as a kid. Only my dad and brother meant a damn thing t’ me. But I left, and I haven’t talked to ‘em in thirteen years. I decided I’d rather have nothin’ of value than have no food.”
He didn’t entirely know what to say to that. Eventually he asked, “So what are you working for?” Wolfwood’s tone was gentle, but he hoped it wasn’t patronizing. This woman didn’t need it. “Because, and seriously, correct me if I’m wrong, it seems like you’re not working toward an end goal. You’re working toward the next assignment, and the next. And that’s fine for a while. Shit, that’s what I do. But I know that eventually I’ll want to stop getting assignments.” He wasn’t sure she felt that way.
She didn’t want to say why she didn’t have an end goal in mind. It was way too morbid for this conversation. “I want people t’ be able to be safe in their homes. I want anyone who would disrupt that safety taken care of as quickly and cleanly as possible.”
“That’s pretty laudable, but how are you going to know when that happens? Or do you think you can do it alone?” Obviously not, but he was being rhetorical. He just wanted her to think about what was rattling her so badly. He didn’t expect her to change her outlook or whatever. Just to think. Wolfwood crossed his arms, then cursed as the knot in his towel started to slip.
Belle couldn’t help but notice when his towel slipped a little. “No, of course I can’t do it alone, and there’s not really ever going to be an end t’ the work. People are people, and that means there’ll always be some bad eggs. Hell, when I first signed up I woulda told you that I was out there protectin’ the American people so they could live up t’ the dreams we had when we settled this crazy place, but now I’m older and smarter. Who knows how much smarter I’ll be in thirteen more years. Maybe then I’ll consider a goal and an end game.” If she made it that far it would be a miracle.
“Thirteen years? What’s that signify?” Wolfwood managed to get his towel back around him. He wouldn’t have bothered, really, but naked in the kitchen was never a good idea.
The eggs were almost done anyway. “I left my family thirteen years ago to train for my job. They normally like people t’ be older, but my dad got into a bit’ve a scrape and my brother wasn’t deemed fit t’ take care of me.” She grabbed plates and forks and headed toward the table. She didn’t have any of the buttons done up on her blouse, so there was quite a bit of skin on display when she took her seat.
Wolfwood wasn’t about to delve into that. It wasn’t his business. Instead he appreciated the view, coming over to sit across from her. “Something I’m curious about,” he said, picking up a fork. “Whenever you do retire or get drummed out or whatever. Are you going to be bored? Or are you going to feel like you’ve put in a lot of work and you did your part?”
“Probably both.” Belle said with a laugh. “I’d assume it’s about the same for you, right?” She took a couple bites after she asked her question, eager to get some of the heat off of herself.
“Probably. But when I retire, I’ll have wanted to. Unless I get my ass shot off.” Wolfwood said, eating a few bites of his own.
“The overwhelmin’ likelihood for me is that I won’t need t’ worry about retirin’ on my own. I’ll either get made and taken out or injured too bad t’ work. Most don’t last as long as I have in my career already.” She tried to be matter of fact about it, because she really didn’t want the conversation to become about how high the likelihood that she’d die was.
Worked for him; he didn’t think he was in love with her, but the idea of her getting shot in the head somewhere remote did make his stomach turn. So Wolfwood just nodded and set to eating. After a while, though, he just said it. “If you ever want out, don’t tell me you’re thinking about it, don’t give me a long explanation. Just tell me you want out.” He didn’t want to dissect what would probably hurt. He just wanted to get the wound and go to healing.
She couldn’t help but smile. “I will. I promise.” She didn’t think it was likely, but she wouldn’t deny that the thought tempted her sometimes. “If we end on good terms I’ll try t’ send you a note now and then.” She couldn’t guarantee she’d keep in touch, but she knew she’d keep tabs on him.
“Should I insult you somehow, so you don’t have to?” It was a joke, but probably not a funny one. Still, he’d been the one to say it was okay. So it had to be okay.
“Depends on you. I know that kinda thing might cramp your style down the line, I don’t wanna endanger your chances at the kinda life you want ‘cause I’m sentimental sometimes.” She laughed a little. “I doubt you’d be able t’ get a reply back, anyway.”
“I was mostly teasing.” Wolfwood shrugged. “I like you. You’re smart, you’re gorgeous and sexy as hell. I’ll enjoy it while I can. I can only hope you feel the same way about any good qualities I might have.”
“Sorry. I’m all serious ‘n’ shit.” She shook her head and tried to lighten up. “You’re a wonderful man, Nicholas. Gentle, funny, and more than a little sexy yourself. I wanna be with you as long as I can, which is I guess why I’m afraid. It’s a new feelin’, and I don’t really know how t’ deal with it.” There, that was the heart of the problem, really.
“We just have to accept that it’s gonna end sometime, and enjoy the hell out of it while it lasts.” Wolfwood wiped a bit of egg off his mouth. “And hell, if you wanna talk about me in the future, at least make me sound good.”
Belle snorted. “Nah, I’m gonna tell all the ladies you snore.” She said with a smirk. “Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure your legacy is safe with me.”
“Well, don’t think you need to talk bad about me to Vanille, you’re already ahead of the game there.” He teased a little. He didn’t think Vanille hated him or anything, but he doubted he was totally welcome.
Belle laughed. “Now here’s the thing you gotta understand about Vanille. She’s a wonderful, sweet girl. She blames herself for what happened, and she’s not mad at you at all. I think she’s okay with you. After all, it was more my fault than yours.”
“Oh, she seems nice enough, I just get the feeling she’s kind of scared of me. Like she thinks I’ll yell at her or something.” Wolfwood shook his head. “I don’t feel any long lasting effects, so I have nothing against her.”
Yeah.” Belle admitted. “Think she’s worried about that. You should talk t’ her, clear the air. Think you’ll both feel better.”
“I tried, but she didn’t believe me.” Wolfwood chuckled. “But I’ll try again in a couple days, maybe. Maybe it was just too close to when it happened.”
Belle sighed. “She gets caught up. I’m sorry. I think you’re right, a little time and distance will help. I’m sorry it got so messed up. I shoulda texted her.”
“How were you going to know she’d come home early? Things happen.” He smiled a little. “I’m just glad she’s got somebody. I’d kind of feel like an ass being the other man. Other person. You know what I mean.”
“Yeah.” Belle made a small face. “Clearly I’m not used t’ actin’ like a normal person.” She felt legitimately shitty about that, too.
“Hey, you did what you had to do for you.” Wolfwood frowned. “You broke up with her before we hooked up. If things don’t work, they don’t work.” That was how he felt about this, too.
“I suppose so.” Belle said with a nod. “I’m more used t’ leavin’ in the middle of the night with no note and hopefully all my underwear.”
“I haven’t found any panties here yet.” Wolfwood said helpfully, grinning. “And what you do with your underwear at your place is your business.”
Belle smirked. “I’m just hidin’ ‘em really good.” She said with a wink.
“So wait, I’ll pull out a pillowcase and there’ll be like, four pairs of panties in there? Shit.” Wolfwood laughed, liking her smirk. She really was sexy, and he could at least keep that in his mind whenever this ended.
“You’ll pull out your box of cereal and it’ll just be full of panties.” She said with a laugh.
“You are lucky only like, two or three other people come over here.” Wolfwood chuckled, finishing off his eggs.
“Yeah? Your other girls gonna get jealous?” She teased. She wanted to be okay with that, but part of her actually wasn’t.
“Believe it or not, I have only slept with one other woman since I’ve been home.” Wolfwood said, raising his eyebrows. “And I think I met her before I met you.” Come to think of it, he hadn’t talked to her since.
Belle laughed a little. “I only had sex with one other person beside Vanille and you, but that was a drunk self-pity pick up. And I motorboated Hermione Kirk.”
“That doesn’t really count.” Wolfwood laughed. “And I can’t say I’ve ever met the lady.” Though now his mind was going interesting places, mostly because it could.
“Then I guess you’re it for me.” Belle said with a chuckle. “Congratulations.”
“Aw, I feel special now.” Wolfwood said, smiling over at her.
“You are.” She said with a smile. “I don’t hang around regular people.”
“Neither do I.” He looked at her with something approaching fondness. Damn the consequences.
She decided to enjoy this as much as she could. “I’m sorry I freaked out. How’s breakfast?”
“I get why you did.” He might have his own sometime; he just hadn’t yet. “It was good. I’ve told you before, the fact that a woman likes me enough to cook for me is still new and fresh.” He grinned.
“Yeah, well, you’re my kinda crazy. Beside, I like t’ cook and it’s just as easy to cook for two as one.” She finished her food and stood up, collecting his plate as well. “I’m not due in until later, do you work this mornin’?” If not she’d probably try to hang around.
“Ten.” Wolfwood craned his neck to look at the clock. “So I should go in like an hour.” He usually worked ten to seven.
She nodded. “Want me t’ take off, then? I guess I could find stuff to do t’ fill the time.”
“Don’t have to yet, not if you don’t feel like it.” Wolfwood honestly just liked spending time with her.
“Not particularly. I’m gonna have a long shift, might as well have a good mornin’.” She smiled sweetly at him. “An hour is enough time t’ talk a little more.”
“Works for me.” He smiled genuinely, feeling surprisingly warm and content.