Do you hear the drumming?

[he frowns when she gets up, but the frown disappears quickly. instead, he sits up and holds out his hand] Hey, wait, Eleanor. 

[she stops in place, turning on her heel to face him, eyes meeting his as she says point blank] You don't get to pull my heartstrings, almost fuck up my career, and then leave without a goodbye--I was more than your attorney, Kelson. This was personal.

[he closes his eyes again, reverting back to his mummy-like resting position. progress has been made, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get tired out by putting actual effort into being human, especially after an hour of just that] I’ll consider it. 

[any other person would have quirked a brow or narrowed their eyes in response, but El sat quietly, expression perfectly trained to appear emotionless, standing from her spot on the bed and smoothing out her skirt] Enjoy your nap. I'll have Mark check in on you in an hour for dinner.

[he props himself up on his elbows raising an eyebrow at her] With you, maybe. If you make it through my long list of applicants just begging at the chance to room with the ex-hit man. [he flops back on the bed, pressing his lips together] But maybe not here. 

I'll provide a good review, mention how little you snore and your non-existent smoking habits. [watches as he does so, stating more so than asking] You'll see me before you move out.

[he glances at her this time, and he looks tired, stressed, everything that would accompany his sleepless nights and demanding appointments. his lips turn up slightly at her optimism; it’s a welcome change from how he’s felt lately, if nothing else] Home free. Yeah. 

You're welcomed to stay here, but after seeing me everyday for a year, I'd assume you'd want some separation. [her tone is teasing, biting back the smirk that threatened to form on her lips at his smile] Clingyness isn't very becoming.

[he opens his eyes, but looks at the ceiling rather than her, frowning as his eyes run along the lines in the paint. its not so much that he’s consciously avoiding looking at her, its just that he’s consciously avoiding looking at her. he doesnt move beyond the open eyes] I think my file says I’m “making progress” if that’s what you mean. 

[her expression turns solemn as she pushes him gently, trying to lighten the mood of the room, optimism in her tone] I could have told you that, but look at this way: only three more months  till you're home free.

[he hears the heels and closes his eyes; he knew she’d make it over to him eventually. he’s a little worn out, otherwise he’d get up and answer the door himself, but he doesn’t. he keeps lying on that bed with his eyes closed and tries to ignore the pounding headache starting just behind his eyes. between the questions he’d had to answer and the words his doctor had repeated today, over and over until they rang in his ears and he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t heard them, it’d been a bit of a long day. but still, when he speaks, his voice is normal, practiced. he knows it wouldn’t fool her one bit.] Come in. 

[and so she does, a soft smile immediately fitting her lips at the sight of him, a habit that had formed over the last couple of months where despite the circumstances and everything else going, just seeing him in an arguably better environment where he was safe brought her joy. she takes her usual spot at the edge of the mattress, an action that already crosses the line in the world of ethics, but doesn't move closer unless she's asked in some way, posing the question she's meant to ask despite him growing tired of talking about it] How'd it go?

[so hes in his room, maybe having just come home from a particularly disorienting session, so he’s lying on the bed a little rigidly, his hands folded carefully over his stomach, and the only part of him that moves is his eyes when they have to blink. he might not have said hello when he got back, just went straight to the room and almost shut the door, but left it open a crack instead, because she should know she’s welcome if she wants. not that it would stop her if he had closed the door, probably]

[With the new living situation--the term new loosely being used as this has been going on for the last nine months--the amount of protective spells placed upon the outside of her home had increased, completely sealing the place off for any outside visitors other than herself and their new live in Auror hired to protect the pair as well as accompany Kelson to his occasional hearings and appointments. Having let herself in after a long day's worth of work--or a week rather, proven through the dark circles forming under the concealment charms upon her skin, a much better method of makeup if you ever asked the brunette--she left her files on the kitchen counter, swapping them for an apple from the fruit bowl without so much of a pause between her movements, a hello called to Mark and making her way to Kelson's room, the noise of her heels on marble flooring a giveaway of her arrival, but she knocks regardless on the door, giving him some sense of autonomy in the prison of her home.] 

-smiles gently because she’s probably also missed this banter, finding it amusing more than anything else- I’ve missed your cockiness.

-keeps himself from replying with ‘and I’ve missed you’ and just goes for the smile- You say that now…

-shrugs her shoulders though the smile slips off her lips- I don't think it'll change considering the circumstances.

-smiles slightly at that- I could have helped if I knew.

-shakes his head- No, it was alright. I wouldn’t have wanted… it was therapeutic. 

-quirks a brow- Wouldn't have wanted?

I wouldn’t go that far.

It’s okay to admit it. He’s not around.

-smiles gently because she's probably also missed this banter, finding it amusing more than anything else- I've missed your cockiness.

-raises an eyebrow- But?

Well, I actually didn’t use magic. Not that I couldn’t have, but, yeah. 

-smiles slightly at that- I could have helped if I knew.