Come As You Are // Open Post

[therealbrianna]

P.Y.T. [ Pretty Young Thing ]

(Taken during THAT mission that we do not speak of.)

Comments

[icarusalsoflew]

I've had a LOT of experience handling girls with good taste.

[See also: Tala. And later: Selene.]

I suppose, as well, that this is my way of saying thank you for coming with me. It's... easier, with company.

[That smile on his face? You might be a little familiar with it. The first time you saw it was during that fateful coffee shop date a long time ago. And then that Ball.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Peering at him with a smirk as if to say Really? ]

I thought we were way past random acts of gratitude?

[icarusalsoflew]

[That makes him chuckle, at least.]

You mean you DON'T like getting random, amazing gifts from me?

[He has money to burn, you know. Might as well spend it on you.

...And yeah sometimes he doesn't have to spend money, so.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Sticking out her tongue at him and grinning. ]

Oh I do. I love it when people shower me with gifts! I'm just used to yknow, surprise material gifts I can hold, and possibly fit in my house or even room?

[ Gestures with both arms to the ferris wheel. ]

But I like it. I love it when I get to spend time with you when you're giving me... gifts.

[icarusalsoflew]

We should probably do this more often.

[Wait. Hold up.]

The walk doesn't always have to be included.

[therealbrianna]

[ She giggles at that. ]

I really don't mind. Wouldn't want to be the kind of daughter who's only in it for the fun, right?

[ She leans her head against his shoulder because Yep, she's already made up her mind. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[And it's almost frightening how easy it is to respond to that on instinct, with an arm around her shoulders and a kiss on the top of her head. It's hard, knowing that inevitably, he will lose her. She will watch him die and be reborn at least several times over. She will end up, at the end of all of that, going ahead of him permanently.

It isn't healthy to think like this: he knows that. So he's turning his thoughts away from that direction, and focusing on the moment. Lots of people have been telling him that he needs to do that more often; might as well practice.]

Well, for my future reference, you better give me a list of things you'd like to do, and place that you'd like to go to.

[therealbrianna]

[ Heee. Smiling at that, cause lol she has no idea what's really going on in his mind. ]

I can do that! You're going to end up with a really long list though.

[icarusalsoflew]

[Chuckles.]

I've got the time to work on it. You'll just have to excuse the occasional interruptions.

[therealbrianna]

[ Rolls her eyes jokingly. ]

Right. I do have to remember that I'm not the most important part of your life.

[ Heee. Have a :3-faced Brianna peer up at you while her cheek is pressed to your arm. Kinda like Mitsuru...? ]

[icarusalsoflew]

It's not just that.

[Smiling at you now, but he's got that look in his eyes again. The sad one.]

I won't always be around, whether I won't like it or not. It kind of comes with the package.

[You know. The whole dying and coming back thing.]

[therealbrianna]

Well, that's okay too.

[ Smiling at him, trying to ease his sadness. ]

Wouldn't be fair to like you only for the good parts, right?

[icarusalsoflew]

That's true. Well, at least you'll have Tala, Selene and Alistair for company.

[Among other people, but... yeah.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Giving off a short, weak laugh. ]

It's not like you have to worry about me.

[icarusalsoflew]

You worry about me.

[Tweaking her nose.]

It's only fair. Besides, telling me not to worry about the people I care about never works out well.

[therealbrianna]

[ Playfully swatting his hand away. ]

Yeah well I worry about you cause you're old. But then again, guess you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.

[ Trying to tease him just to get a genuine smile on that face again. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Excuse me, young lady. I NEVER look my age, and I DO learn quickly.

[A pause, then a crooked smile.]

When I choose to, anyway.

[therealbrianna]

And that's the problem.

[ Crinkling her nose at him, hihi. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

I'd like to think that it's just a natural product of my discerning mind.

[Yeah, he's relaxed again. And they're also slowing down, because the cars are being unloaded for a new batch of riders.]

Hmm... I guess we both ought to go home after this.

[therealbrianna]

[ And just as she lets out a yawn, too. ]

I'm okay with that.

[icarusalsoflew]

[So he's smiling at that, and dutifully getting off first once they're turn. He holds the door open for her, and then holds his hand out in her direction once they're both far away from the crowd.]

I'll take us both right to your doorstep.

[therealbrianna]

[ Silently taking his hand with a smile and preparing herself for the walk back. ]

Surely!

[icarusalsoflew]

[And once their palms have made contact, they're standing on the road closest to Brianna's home. No lights are on, of course: everyone in there is asleep.

He doesn't let go of her hand, even as he's walking her to her doorstep. Have a kiss to the cheek, daughter, once you're there.]

Sleep well, Bri.

[therealbrianna]

You too, daddy.

[ Moving in to give him a tight, warm hug. ]