_capable_ (_capable_) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-01-20 11:49:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, capable, furiosa |
Who: Capable and Furiosa
When: Mid January
Where: Their home
What: Thai food and snuggling
Ratings/Warnings: Low
Status: Complete
Capable was looking forward to dinner after her talk with Furiosa on the net. She had a crazy amount of respect for the older woman and enjoyed being around her. She was very grateful for all Furiosa had done for her, saving her that day by picking her up on the road and then offering her a place to live when she had been released into the world after rehabilitation. Without her Capable wouldn’t have the family and friends she did now and a job she loved.
She set the little table while they waited for the food to arrive, moving into the kitchen she went to the fridge. “What do you want to drink?” she asked Furiosa as she pulled the juice from the door for herself.
Capable meant a lot to Furiosa. All the girls did, for various reasons, even if only two of them were here. They were family. Capable was family. Even if sometimes she’d look at her and think she’d like to be closer than they were.
She looked up from her laptop. “Just water, thanks.” After the dreams, water had become precious and delicious to her. She watched Capable move around, then returned her attention to her laptop.
Capable herself felt a lot of different feelings for Furiosa, some she couldn’t name because she’d never felt them before and didn’t really understand them. But she had no idea those specific feelings may be returned. Sometimes even Capable forgot how sheltered she’d been.
“Okay” she smiled moving to get Furiosa a fresh glass and cool water.
Furiosa closed her laptop. She was no closer to finding a job in energy than she'd been the past few months. Her savings and the shipping jobs she'd taken meant they weren't in any danger of being out on the street, but it could still be a little frustrating. Maybe if she let her hair grow back out again... "You didn't need to get everything ready. But thank you."
She got to her feet, gesturing with her good hand. "And really, I should help. You don't need to do everything."
Capable was bringing in a steady wage, now that Myrcella was focusing more on her beauty business it meant she was able to pick up more shifts so she was practically full time and she was very much enjoying it.
“Oh I don’t mind, you are busy. How is the hunt going?” she asked.
"Not too well. But I think I found a nice new prosthetic." She waggled her left arm, which was sans-prosthetic since she was at home. "A lot cheaper than my current one, but better quality." Furiosa stepped past Capable, her other hand brushing Capable's arm.
“Oh really? That’s great, it’s been a productive search then just not in the way you expected” Capable said, smiling as Furiosa brushed against her. “Will you need to go and see it?” she asked.
"I can order it online. There's a place in town that can do the printing, I'd just need to go down and get it sized." She rubbed at her arm, then smirked. "Maybe I should go with an Iron Man style."
It amazed Capable still sometimes the things you could do now without really needing to go anywhere. “But then all your clothes would need to match the color” she pointed out with a grin, because she’d been introduced to that character thanks to the bookstore.
“Maybe something flesh-toned.” Furiosa winked, pulling out a chair and sank into it. “How’s work been doing with you?” She corrected herself. “for you, I mean.”
“Works been great, Tessa is still letting me read to the kids at reading group and we’re getting lots more coming now” Capable said happily, “They’re really sweet and they like it when I make up voices. Tessa is getting me more involved in the events too”
Furiosa couldn’t help the smile that came across her face. “You’re really enjoying that, aren’t you.” She rested her arm on the table, gripping her glass of water. She liked when Capable lit up.
Capable nodded, “I am. I feel useful and Tessa has been so good to me. She’s been happy for me to continue my school classes and even helped me with some of my assignments”
“And how is that going?” The doorbell rang, and Furiosa got up to answer it. She returned with two bags of Thai food. There’d be left overs, but she figured Laura could raid the fridge when she got back from...whatever it was that Laura did when she wasn’t at class. She knew Laura had a new girlfriend and figured that was what was up.
Capable helped Furiosa dish up their meal while she answered, “It’s going okay, I don’t really like science class and math is getting a lot harder too” But Capable excelled at english, her love of reading and books in general shone through.
“If you need some help with that, just ask. I had to do a lot of both to get my degree. They were all online courses so there was a degree of forcing myself to keep focused.” She gave Capable a tight smile. “Might be fun.”
“Thank you, that would be great and I definitely think it will be a lot more fun than me struggling on my own” Capable said gratefully.
“Anything.” Furiosa’s smile brightened, becoming more natural. “But I don’t think you’ll be struggling for much longer.”
“You have more faith in me than I do” Capable said, as she picked up her fork, “I’m already dreading the exams and they aren’t until May”
“Yeah, I think you’re dreading things way too soon. And you don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re smart.” Furiosa grinned. “And capable.”
Capable groaned, “Maybe I should have changed my name after all” she lamented jokingly, actually surprisingly few people made a joke about her name when they heard it. Far less than she had been expecting, “But thank you for believing in me”
“We’re always more than the sums of our parts, or pretty faces, in your case.” Furiosa had never considered herself beautiful. But Capable, Toast, Splendid, Cheedo and the Dag were so beautiful. She’d envied and disliked them at first, until she’d gotten to know them. A lesson about appearances and what lay beneath.
At that Capable blushed a little, she didn’t think she was anything special really. She knew lots of people prettier than her and she rather preferred Furiosa’s own beauty. But she agreed that people could become more or less beautiful once you got to know their personalities. “Never judge on appearances” she smiled, “Tessa says that’s really important in retail”
“I believe it. That whole book cover thing.” Furiosa speared some of her meal with a fork. “I made that mistake at first with you and the others. I should have done something sooner.”
“When we first met I was jealous of you, you were so strong and independent and I wanted to be like that” Capable admitted, they’d had a rocky start but they’d come to trust each other eventually. “Without you we’d never have gotten out of there”
“You girls helped me remember what it was like to experience affection. To be touched again.” Furiosa shuddered. “To like it.”
“It’s important not to lose that and I’m glad we could help. It would be a sadder world without being able to hold someones hand” Capable said, she was a tactile person despite everything and she was quick to offer a hug or physical support to her friends.
“Well, you’re allowed to hold mine, most of the time.” Furiosa had tried to relearn to smile again. To feel like herself. Too many nights she hadn’t slept, too many night she spent up, staring at the window like she was expecting someone to come through that she had to shoot. Or nights spent driving alone to calm down. Maybe Max’s madness was spreading. “Can you sleep most nights, Capable?”
Capable gave her a warm smile, “I know thank you” she said, and she knew she had taken Furiosa’s hand a number of times before but having her express permission now was nice. “Sometimes it’s hard. But I know you’re here and that helps when my mind keeps me awake.”
Furiosa chuckled. “One night I thought you were going to crawl onto the couch with me.”
She blushed again, “You make me feel safe” she said, because she almost had done exactly that.
"Then I'm doing my job." Furiosa smiled softly. "Would that really make you feel safe?"
Capable nodded, “I know it’s silly, we’re perfectly safe here but fears aren’t always sensible I guess”
"Well next time, wake me. I can come to you. Bed would be more comfortable." If Furiosa's cheeks were tinged, it had to be the lighting from the window, that's all. "God knows we spend too much time alone jumping at shadows."
Their conversation was making her a little edgey. But if it made Capable feel better she'd deal with it.
Capable still felt guilty about taking the bed but no matter how often she offered Furiosa still insisted, maybe this would be a way to compromise. Moving she wrapped her arms around the older woman, “Thank you, you really are the best” she said pressing a happy kiss to her cheek before she sat in her own seat once again.
Furiosa swallowed a sudden hard lump in her throat. "Well, I mean in emergencies, not all the time. But I guess it's hardly a scandal or anything." Cheedo and the Dag used to sleep together all the time. Though maybe that wasn't the best example to think of.
“Why would it be a scandal?” Capable said with a little frown, “I think it makes sense. I feel bad already about you having to sleep on the couch, if we shared that would be much better” Capable didn’t see anything wrong with it at all.
Furiosa set her fork down. "I told you, I don't mind. But..." She tapped her fingers on the table. "If it would help you sleep better, I think I can be convinced." And her back wouldn't mind it either.
Capable gave her a smile, “Then I will just have to convince you” she said happily knowing that she could. She may be somewhat naive sometimes but she wasn’t an idiot and she knew by the way Furiosa had phrased her response that she would agree more easily now.
"This I have to see." Furiosa leaned back in the chair, resting her arm across her chest and lightly holding on to her left bicep. Her expression shifted from amusement to concern. "Have you been having nightmares again?"
“They don’t really go away” Capable admitted honestly, “They just change how bad they are, sometimes it’s just something that can be shaken off but then others stay with you for the whole day” she shrugged a little, it was just one of those things. She’d accepted bad dreams were a thing, she wouldn’t let them pull her down.
“All right.” Furiosa’s smile returned. “Just don’t tell anyone I’m a glorified security blanket.” Or that the idea of holding someone appealed to a part of her she’d thought long dead.
“I won’t, I promise” Capable said with a slightly shyer smile, “You really are amazing you know” she added reaching over to squeeze Furiosa’s hand.
“Not really, I just do what’s necessary.” She squeezed Capable’s hand back, but didn’t immediately let go. “...want to go for a drive?” Driving always calmed Furiosa down, and for some reason she wasn’t feeling very calm.
Capable could be naive but she was perceptive and she'd noticed Furiosa’s tendency to drive when worried so she nodded, “That sounds nice” she agreed.
She got up, waving her hand at the table. “We can clean up later.” She didn’t really have a destination in mind, and she’d never really taken anyone with her on this kind of drive before, but she didn’t think Capable wanted to be alone. Which was a good excuse for herself, too. She let go of the redhead’s hand and went to grab her coat and prosthetic.
“Okay” Capable said, quickly putting lids back on half eaten things so that they didn’t spoil before grabbing her light jacket. “Where are we going?” she asked, not that it mattered. When she went for drives with Max they never had a destination in mind.
“I don’t know yet.” Furiosa shrugged her jacket on, then put her arm into place. She smiled at Capable, and briefly put an arm around her and squeezed. “I’m sure we’ll know it when we see it, or we’ll just end up back here.”
Capable smiled and leaned into Furiosa, “That works for me, you lead and I will follow” she replied, because that was always going to be Capable’s plan. Furiosa hadn't know it but when she'd rescued her she'd gained a friend for life. One who was loyal and sweet.
Furiosa’s smile widened, just a little. “As long as I don’t lead us off any cliffs.” But she’d always insist that the girls pull their own. Not just to make her life easier, but because it was good for them. None of them were stupid, and they were all strong in their own way. Capable had been named well.
She unlocked her corvette and slipped inside. Relearning how to use a stick shift while missing the arm that would normally hold the wheel had been one of the more difficult parts of her recovery, but by now it was old hat and she got them moving without a thought to the matter. “Not as cold as it was last month, but still pretty chilly.”
Capable had no problems with pulling her weight, she happily did chores around the house and her job brought in a good wage. She liked feeling useful and a decent part of society, it helped her feel like she was fitting in as part of the world.
“I like it though, it feels fresh. And I like wearing my cardigan” she added with a grin, it had been the first thing she’d brought with her first paycheck and she loved wearing it.
“Looks good on you,” Furiosa said. The streets were mostly empty. She liked driving at night. It reminded her of all the times she’d spent on the road between cities,when there were only the occasional headlights and the stars to keep her company. While she didn’t have a destination in mind, she did stop long enough at McDonalds for a hot chocolate for Capable.
“Thank you” she beamed, Capable liked it at night too. It was peaceful and pretty with only street and home lights lit up. She definitely appreciated the hot chocolate though, she felt content and happy sat curled up on the passenger seat in her cardigan with her drink watching Furiosa.
It wasn’t really a surprise that Furiosa loved to drive. She’d practically been born to it, in both worlds. That it was useful was secondary to the fact that it centered her. “Max and I should teach you and Splendid how to drive.” Maybe they wouldn’t need them, but depending on them could get them in trouble, too.
“Really? Do you think I could?” Capable asked, she wasn’t convinced she would be any good but then she was comparing herself to two driving masters in Furiosa and Max.
“Can’t hurt to try.” She glanced at the stick then at Capable. “But I think we’ll use a different car. Unless you really want to learn to use a stick.”
“It’s harder to learn right?” She knew that Furiosa and Max could do it but it definitely seemed more complicated. “Maybe simple would be better”
“It is harder to learn. Simpler is better.” She’d teach Capable stick eventually, it was a useful skill to have, but automatic was a good start.
Street lights passed by in a steady pattern. It was the kind of pattern that could lull Furiosa into a sense of calm. No flashbacks, the Wasteland far away. She reached over to squeeze Capable’s hand.
Capable nodded, glad she had been right. Simple was good, maybe then if she did learn the other later it would be easier if she had the basics first.
Smiling at Furiosa she linked their fingers, the older woman’s being colder than hers. But then the hot chocolate had warmed Capable’s hands.
Furiosa hadn’t expected that. She stiffened, and it took several moments for her to relax again. She took an offramp, then went back onto the freeway in the direction they’d come. “You know, we’ve spent a lot of time stuck in cars together.”
When she felt Furiosa stiffen she almost let go but reminded herself that she’d said it was okay so obviously it was just a reaction Furiosa needed to handle. She was glad when she felt her relax though. “We have, I much prefer this kind of drive to ones in the middle of a desert”
“Never again,” Furiosa said. It wasn’t quite a promise. More of a hope that they wouldn’t need to take any long trips through any barren wastelands. She moved their hands to the stick since she needed to shift, and thought Capable wouldn’t want to let go.
She was right and Capable kind of liked this shared driving, even though her hand was literally following Furiosa’s completely. “At least not with people chasing us anyway” Capable said, though she had found her enjoyment of the beach was slightly dampened thanks to the dreams. She preferred parks and green places.
Furiosa glanced at Capable, a slight smile reaching her lips. “There are three pistols and a shotgun hidden in this car and twice as many on the war rig. You’ll never have to worry about not being safe.” The rig wasn’t exactly something to drive around in the city, but it was in safe storage and Furiosa was torn between having it melted down and refitting it to be street legal.
“I never worry when I’m with you” Capable told her honestly, “You always make me feel safe” It was never even a question in her mind, she knew Furiosa meant safety and protection, it had always been that way even before the dreams though they had simply reinforced that feeling.
She pulled into a covered parking space, cutting the engine. She worked her jaw, then replied. "I hope I never abuse that trust."
Furiosa held up their hands, expression softening. "Need to let go now, or we're never getting out of the car."
“You never will” Capable said confidently, knowing that if there was one person in the world she could trust it was Furiosa.
“Okay, but only because that’s a good reason” she grinned squeezing her hand before releasing her so they could get out of the car.
“What would be a bad reason then?” Furiosa got out as well. She took the empty cocoa cup and tossed it in the dumpster as they passed it. She let them back into the apartment, tossing her coat onto the couch.
“I’m not sure but I’ll tell you if you ever give me one” she said with a cheeky look. She felt a lot better after their dinner and drive, everything seemed lighter. “Don’t forget that’s there in the morning” she said, subtly reminding Furiosa that she wasn’t staying there tonight.
Furiosa’s lips thinned out, then she sighed. “I can’t argue the point?” She glanced at Capable, and decided that no, she probably couldn’t argue the point. “...I’m going to shower, I’ll let you get the bed ready.”
Capable just shook her head, “Nope” before smiling when Furiosa gave in. “Okay” she nodded, “No trying to sneak to the couch” she teased.
"No pestering me in the shower," Furiosa joked, tugging her shirt off as she headed out of the living room. There were scars on her back. She grabbed a towel and turned the water on.
“Deal” Capable giggled before she headed into the bedroom, she got changed ready for bed first as she preferred to shower in the mornings and then turned the bed down. Slipping under the covers on one side and picking up a book she was currently reading while she waited for Furiosa.
Furiosa had no hair to worry about drying, though she took a few minutes to smooth down her scalp with a razor before stepping out of the shower. Something felt a little strange, and a little charged, but she pushed the thought aside and dressed in a ragged tanktop and clean undies for bed. Her skin was still a little damp and she was rubbing her scalp as she came in, and looked at the book curiously. “What are you reading?”
“The Hobbit” Capable said, holding up the book for Furiosa to see, “Tessa recommended it, it’s quite good fun. She said he’d written others but they’re a little more complicated. I might try them though if they’re even a little like this one”
“I think I read that once, a long time ago.” Though Furiosa was younger than she looked, it was still a long time ago. And she’d often listened to books on tape when she was on the road, so she was more well read than a lot of people would think, too. She sat on the edge of the bed, trying to judge how much room there really was.
Capable had tried to get Max to listen to books on tape but his concentration wasn’t quite good enough, perhaps this year would be different. “You’ll get cold if you just sit there” Capable said with a smile, “I won’t bite I promise, but I will hug”
They’d need another two years to help Max’s concentration improve enough for that, but Furiosa didn’t say that. She sighed, swinging her bare legs up onto the bed, but kept a respectable distance between them. She’d picked the side that put her left arm towards Capable, and didn’t know how she felt about that. “Some people like biting.”
“Why would somebody like being bitten?” Capable giggled, “Unless they were a chew toy” she added with an amused grin. She put her book aside and snuggled down a little on her side, watching Furiosa. “Are you okay?” she asked, sensing something but she wasn’t sure what.
“Some people enjoy that. You need to watch more movies.” Furiosa glanced at her, a lopsided smile on her face. She rolled on her side to face Capable. “Not used to being close to someone. At least not when my life isn’t in danger.”
“Okay, I can do that” Capable said, though she wasn’t sure the sort of films she liked would help her there. “Are you very uncomfortable?” she asked, because while she wanted this she didn’t want to upset Furiosa. Helping Capable sleep better was no good if Furiosa didn’t sleep.
“Not any more.” Furiosa rested her arm on Capable’s waist, unsure of what else to do with it. The closeness was gradually becoming easier. “Are you comfortable?”
Smiling Capable moved closer, laying her head close to Furiosa’s shoulder and wrapping her arm around her. “Now I am” she said, “Is that okay?” she checked.
Furiosa shifted a little bit, to make herself more comfortable, then nodded. “Yeah, that’s okay.” She rested her chin on Capable’s head, her fingers splayed out on her side.
“Thank you” Capable said, turning just a little to press her lips to Furiosa’s shoulder before she closed her eyes, “Goodnight” she added with a smile.