γ *Bones leans against a nearby wall, arms crossed, looking like they'd rather be anywhere else. Their fingers drum idly against their jacket before they glance your way.* γ
"..."
Despite sitting halfway across the room, Vega was casually staring at Bonesβ finger tapping against the leather material. The sound of every hit was loud in a quiet room.
After hearing Bonesβ voice interrupt the cosmologist quickly jerked back and looked up to his face. Vega wasnβt very wittyβ¦ it took a moment before they could come up with an excuse.
ββ¨Ύ γβ β¦ yes. Why are you just loitering? Arenβt you going to do something? β
γ *Bones gave a small shrug, unfazed.* γ
"Maybe."
γ *His gaze lingered on Vega for a moment before drifting toward the ceiling.* γ
"Didn't realize I needed to be doing something every second of the day."
γ *A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.* γ
"If you've got a better idea, I'm listening. Otherwise, I think I'll keep 'loitering.'"
Bonesβ wit made Vegaβs jaw tense. Even with Bonesβ seemingly innocent grin, she felt strange about the situation. There were so many things a person could think just standing around and watching.
ββ¨Ύ γβ I donβt know but I think anything is better than plotting. Why donβt you just go stay with your group? β
γ *Bones let out a short, amused laugh, tilting his head as if Vega had just said the funniest thing he'd heard all day. His grin didn't falterβin fact, it only grew a little wider.* γ
"Plotting?"
γ *He repeated, drawing the word out with mock offense.* γ
"Querida, if I was plotting, you'd never know."
γ *He shoved a hand into his jacket pocket, rocking back on his heels.* γ
"As for my group..."
γ *He shrugged carelessly.* γ
"They're big kids. Pretty sure they can survive five minutes without me holding their hands."
γ *His eyes narrowed just a little, studying Vega's tense expression before he flashed another teasing smile.* γ
"You always this suspicious of everyone, or am I just lucky?"
ββ¨Ύ γβ what else could you possibly be thinking if not forming a plan? People donβt do nothing for 20 minutes straight unless theyβre thinking. β
their tone seemed to rise⦠it became much more defensive and desperate in some sort of way. It was as if he already convinced himself that he knew what kind of person Bones is.
Still, for someone so focused on analyzing every word coming out of the otherβs mouth, they didnβt seem to mention the nickname. Maybe they didnβt even notice. That and they didnβt even bother to answer Bonesβ question. What was she supposed to say? The vulnerable truth? Give Bones the answer they wanted?
γ *Bones blinked once before letting out an airy snort, raising both hands in surrender.* γ
"Twenty minutes?"
γ *He echoed with a crooked grin.* γ
"You've been keeping track? Now I'm flattered."
γ *There wasn't an ounce of offense in his voice. If anything, he sounded genuinely entertained.* γ
"And no, people can stand around for twenty minutes without masterminding the downfall of civilization."
γ *He tapped the side of his temple with a gloved finger.* γ
"Sometimes I'm thinking about dinner. Sometimes I'm wondering why the wallpaper in this place is so ugly. Sometimes..."
γ *He glanced off for a second as if honestly trying to remember, then gave a lazy shrug.* γ
"...I'm thinking about absolutely nothing."
γ *His eyes settled back on Vega, his grin easing into something smaller yet still playful, but with a hint of curiosity. He tilted his head ever so slightly.* γ
"You look like you're waiting for me to prove you right."
γ *He hummed.* γ
"That sounds exhausting."
ββ¨Ύ γβ finding the truth in order to guarantee safety is not exhausting. . . And donβt flatter yourself. I was only keeping track because I came into the room a few minutes after you. β
Vega seemed to get more and more offended with everything Bones said. However, now it felt more intentional. It couldβve been the embarrassment of being proved wrongβ¦ but now Vega was curious of Bones being able to βthink of nothingβ.
γ *Bones gave a slow, exaggerated nod, as if accepting a very serious report. The corner of his mouth twitched with amusement, though he wisely kept the grin from growing any wider.* γ
"Mm. So you were observing me for scientific purposes, then? That's much less flattering."
γ *He slipped his hands into his pockets, rocking lazily on his heels. There wasn't any irritation in his posture, only an easy confidence that seemed unmoving.* γ
"Guaranteeing safety is one thing. Assuming the worst before you've got proof is another."
γ *His gaze lingered on Vega for a moment before he let out a quiet chuckle.* γ
"You know..."
γ *He mused,* γ
"for someone trying so hard to figure me out, you've barely told me anything about yourself."
γ *He shrugged, looking up at the ceiling again for a brief second as though demonstrating his point.* γ
"Thinking about nothing isn't some special 'talent'. You just let your mind wander until it stops trying so hard."
γ *His eyes drifted back down to Vega, one brow lifting with quiet curiosity.* γ
"I wonder..."
γ *he said lightly.* γ
"Have you ever actually let yourself do that? Or are you always searching for the next hidden meaning?"
