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[ She goes ahead and tries a sip of the coffee after a sip of the beer herself. The main issue with it is the temperature change, though the flavors themselves are pretty good together. ]

Mm. Too hot.

[ She tilts her head in response to what he said. ]

I've learned a lot about these alternate universes in the time since then. Whatever forces there are out there that can pull us in can time it so it looks like we're dead at home. And...

[ She extends an arm and glances at it. ]

...clone us bodies. Though I guess this world we're in now is a simulation of some kind.

[Yeah... it's never really occurred to him that she might not know that he'd been unknowingly tooling around in someone else's body before she arrived. And it's something that part of knows he shouldn't think too closely about.

Honestly, he just assumed they did the same thing to her.]

You know, for all they fuck up here- at least they got the bodies part right.

[He smiles and takes another drink.]

[ She snorts at the expression on his face. ]

Was that meant to be a compliment?

Uh... I mean, you know- in general.

[Crap.]

If it was though- just hypothetically... would it piss you off?

[ She lifts her beer glass just enough to tap one edge of the bottom on the table. ]

I like it when people say what they mean and mean what they say.

[ Which is something he should know. ]

[He snorts.]

And I prefer not getting hit if I can avoid it.

[She can't deny that it's a valid concern.]

But yes. For the record... I do -in fact- think you're hot.

[ She smirks. ]

I happen to think so, too.

[ She eyes him for a moment. ]

They didn't skimp on yours, either.

[ Since the subject would have been likely to come up. ]

[He flushes just the faintest bit and gives her a crooked grin.]

You should see the rest of it.

[He says it without thinking -that same bravado that teased Tucker about his switch. But, as soon as his brain catches up, he pauses and clears his throat.]

[ She raises an eyebrow, but it's a cover-up over a suppressed mirth that she isn't entirely able to hide. ]

Aren't you the brave one?

[ She reaches forward and puts a finger on his chest. ]

We have to get some things clear before it's okay for you to talk like that, okay?

[ She removes her finger, raising her hand enough to flick him on the chin, before setting her hand back on the table. ]

First of all, no matter what you're thinking about how well you know me, we've barely spent any time together.

[It's almost funny how quickly that bravado evaporates when she does that. The touch a concrete reminder that this is Tex he's dealing with. Not Allison and sure as hell not Tucker. The flick is oddly reassuring though... even he does flinch just a little bit.]

Right. Sorry.

[He nods and takes a deep breath.]

It's just... it's hard to ignore all the memories.

[He runs a hand through his hair.]

They feel more real than the actual truth.

Then that's the first thing we need to work on.

[ She pauses, a slight frown crossing her features before she evens it out. ]

Depending on how much you even want to know about... You know. Before.

[He snorts]

I don't want to know any of it. That doesn't mean I don't need to know some things.

[He sighs and takes a drink from the beer.]

Wash took me to Epsilon.

Edited 2021-05-20 20:13 (UTC)

[ She nods. ]

I had the feeling you'd had an encounter with him.

[ A finger traces the rim of her glass. ]

Was it okay? Or not so much?

It was... a lot.

[He isn't quite sure how to explain it.]

Like being hit with a truck- if that truck was actually made of images and feelings.

[Most certainly 'not okay'. He takes another breath and a drink.]

I've been trying not to think about it all at once.

[He'd rather not think about it at all... but that's the problem with dreams isn't it. Can't control what you brain chooses to process when you're asleep.]

Oh.

[ She takes a long, contemplative sip of her beer. Something she's never become all that great at, in her time in a human body, is concealing the emotions that show on her face, and because of that she wears the grief and guilt on her face. It's all her fault for failing him, for being unable to save him. And now she's even unable to keep the truth from him to spare him. ]

[He frowns when he notices the look on her face. It wasn't his intention to hurt her. Shit. He shouldn't have said anything and brushed it off like it wasn't a big deal.]

...Hey...

[He offers her a weak but hopefully reassuring smile. He doesn't blame her for what happened.]

At least I don't have to worry about not having a fucking clue while I go rampant.

[Probably not the best joke to make but...]

You know, I owe you an apology for all the raging bullshit I did. I don't know how you didn't kick my ass more often.

[ She rolls her eyes at his joke. No, that's not a very good one.

At the latter statement she looks momentarily surprised. But then she schools her expression and smirks a little. ]

You're right, you do.

[ Her expression softens and she says sincerely: ]

Thank you.

[His smile warms at her thank you.]

Well. I'm sorry.

[It's blunt but it's heartfelt.]

I had plenty of time on my own to think about things. Mostly how I should have said it sooner. You know, when I actually had the chance.

[Not just when he realized it in Gamma's bullshit simulation.]

I'm sorry I waited this long to say it. You deserved better.

[ She shakes her head a little, still smiling slightly. Realizing something when it's too late is still realizing it, she supposes. ]

Church...

[ A slight sigh. ]

I'm not very good at, like. Emotional stuff. But...

[ She pauses and takes a sip of the beer. ]

I'm glad you decided to say so. Is all.

[He chuckles.]

Like I'm really any fucking better.

[Emotions are so damn difficult sometimes. It took him years and legit dying to actually get around to saying it.]

And I'm probably never going to apologize for anything ever again. So enjoy it.

[He moves to cover his grin by taking a drink.]

I should get some ice for the coffee.

[ She smirks. ]

I'll remember that.

[ She glances at her coffee when he says that. ]

Get something to eat while you're at it. An appetizer or something.

I'm a waitress now?

[He raises an eyebrow before standing up. Well, he was planning to go up anyway, might as well.]

Anything in particular you want?

[You know, since he doesn't actually know what she likes. Or what they even serve here.]

[ She rolls her eyes. He had been volunteering to go up. ]

Something that'd be good with mocha, I don't know. Cinnamon bites or something like that.

[Hey he volunteered to get ice. Not buy snacks. But whatever.]

Sounds good.

[He'll even come back with some pretzels for a bit of salt to balance all the sweet.]

Ho-ly crap, you would not believe how expensive all this was. Next time you're buying.

[ She arches an eyebrow. ]

Are you kidding me? It's cheaper to have this stuff at home.

[ But she'll reach for the treats, popping a cinnamon bite in her mouth and gathering up a couple of pretzels before he even has a chance to react. ]

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