sunflower

he doesn't want to consider such things ( never does ), and thus sticks with the statement. ( it's simpler that way. )

the point stands, regardless. you can't just take the sheep out of the incident. do, and you get something wholly different.

❛ see, that wasn't so hard. ❜

well, not really.

in the midst of their bickering, they had actually blown past the inn they were staying and continued arguing for two more blocks, but who was counting? bumping their shoulders together, she nudges him to turn around.

"Maybe some people think that." Yo doesn't; no one's that good or that nice. Everyone's got their shit. Some are simply better at hiding it.

making her way around the pool table, dana leans on her cue as she waits for christine to take her shot. she's been playing for longer than most of the people she's out with tonight have been alive. it's a terrifying, but factual thought and one she prefers not to linger on for too long. "i thought you'd be wanting to hang with the young ones. y'know you don't have to pity me and keep me company all night if you've got better things to be doing."

"No," Jo hisses back. "You're delightful, but annoying when you want to be." The same could be said about them, Jo knows. Well, actually, maybe not the delightful bit. They are, after all, their father's child and Jo has his temper to match.

they might even separate them.

Then, he snorts. "Well-seasoned sounds more like Bones."

Jim presses his lips together, thinking. "Maybe," he admits, but he knows Christine right to make the observation. It doesn't bother him as it once might have. He's been captain a long while now; he's seen the Federation shift, albeit slowly. Personnel have rotated through their posts on the Enterprise.

❛⠀ it is,⠀ ❜ she agrees, finally, reason having reasserted itself, a grumble echoing in her tone. ❛⠀ i don't disagree, i am just... adjusting to this new version of you that can consider staying in without bolting at the first sign of sunlight.⠀ ❜

it was like that after their very first night together. at first, she thought it was just how he was after a one-night stand; it took a few more nights for her to realize that it was, but it was also one of her first real glimpses into the man behind the captain's seat.

now she got to learn him all over again.

it was wonderful, really, how many times you could fall in love with the same person.

"it ain't really righteousness if it's just tryin' to pass this shitstorm of a class so we can get into the real stuff. they're just going to make us redo the whole thing if everyone fails and then where will we be?"

the grunt that comes is more introspective, and only after the implication that he was present in the last class. perhaps that's why he's flustering so much to get through all the studying he missed while under the pretense of being ill.

he wasn't ill.

habit, she supposed. they were usually a little more responsible than this (well, she was, anyway), and she was hoping through sheer osmosis she might pick up something or other during the study session so she didn't outright fail the class.

Unable to help himself, Robby gently catches her hands as they fiddle with his lapel, offering them a firm squeeze as though to relay he hopes her touch will linger in his. After all, how often are they permitted soft, intimate moments like this, just the two of them? If he could have his way — were he to indulge his selfishness — he’d have her all to himself like this every day.

“Right. No telling Dana…”

This is hardly uttered above a gravely whisper, for he’s too occupied by the dazzling glimmer in her eyes when the light catches them just right.

Smile creasing the corners of his eyes, his thumb brushes over her knuckles as he adds, “Feel free to stop me from gawking like a complete idiot any time now. Might need to maintain a shred of my dignity for this shindig.”

fear poisons the softness of his touch, and she pulls away with a twinkling laugh, reaching her for her phone.

she should know better than to fall into the same trap she did before, but instead, she dangles her feet over the danger, opening up her heart to get trampled, thinking that as llong as she holds onto the ledge with the skin of her nails, she'll be fine.

DIALOGUE

i don't think i'm meant to have my life figured out yet.

are you skipping, or just strategically absent?

you're my favorite procrastination partner.

how are you this calm during finals week?

i think i bombed that exam.

i don't think i could do this semester without you.

are you dropping the class?

i can't believe we met like this.

i'm avoiding my dorm on purpose.

you don't have to stay if you're busy.

you going to the party, or pretending you hate parties?

i forgot what day it is.

i hate group projects. i hate them so much.

did you actually read the syllabus, or are you guessing like the rest of us?

you're way too hard on yourself.

that party was a mistake.

do you ever miss home?

why does adulthood hit this fast?

i can't believe this class is mandatory.

you wanna study, or stare at the wall together?

you don't have to be strong all the time.

you feel different than everyone else here.

i can't afford another textbook.

i forgot how loud dorms are.

stop spiraling, it's one grade.

don't talk to me before my second coffee.

you're my favorite distraction.

why does every assignment feel personal?

are we actually friends, or just trauma-bonded by this class?

i should not have signed up for an 8 a.m. lecture.

you're the only reason i passed that class.

this campus feels empty at night.

are you okay, or just academically okay?

i'm glad you're here.

i can't tell if i love this major or regret it.

you smell like coffee and regret.

you wanna walk back together?

are you scared too, or just better at hiding it?

you look like you just crawled out of a group project.

did you pull an all-nighter again?

i trust you more than most people here.

can we just stay in tonight?

you make this place feel less overwhelming.

you're telling me that's due tonight?

you're shaking. did you drink enough water?

i didn't expect college to feel this lonely sometimes.

i think i'm burning out.

this campus feels like a city that never sleeps, but i do.

i didn't expect college to change me this much.

you're living off instant noodles again, aren't you?

you look really good for someone this tired.

why is the library always freezing?

i didn't know who else to call.

i didn't come to campus to be this stressed.

i don't think my brain works anymore.

i forgot to eat today.

don't apologize, we're all barely holding it together.

you're my safe person on this campus.

i'm so tired of pretending i'm fine.

i have not slept in thirty hours, so if i'm mean, that's why.

stay a little longer.

you wanna sit together, or is that weird?

i didn't think we'd get this close.

i don't feel like going back to my room alone.

i swear this professor hates me personally.

ACTIONS

( cram ) : for OUR MUSES to cram for an exam last-minute.

( comfort ) : for SENDER to comfort RECEIVER after a bad grade.

( lecture ) : for OUR MUSES to sit together during a long lecture.

( save ) : for SENDER to pull RECEIVER away from a situation at a party.

( nap ) : for OUR MUSES to take a nap between classes.

( pregame ) : for OUR MUSES to pregame drink before a party.

( crash ) : for OUR MUSES to crash on each other's dorm floor.

( skip ) : for OUR MUSES to skip class and stay in bed.

( rant ) : for SENDER to rant to RECEIVER about a professor.

( breakdown ) : for RECEIVER to breakdown with SENDER present.

( cook ) : for SENDER to make a poor dorm-meal for RECEIVER.

( avoid ) : for OUR MUSES to avoid their roommates together.

( walk ) : for OUR MUSES to walk across campus late at night.

( call ) : for SENDER to call RECEIVER during a late-night spiral.

( wander ) : for OUR MUSES to wander campus with no destination.

( party ) : for OUR MUSES to lose each other at a crowded party.

( food ) : for OUR MUSES to split one sad cafeteria meal.

( stay ) : for SENDER to ask RECEIVER to stay the night.

( leave ) : for OUR MUSES to leave a party early together.

( move ) : for OUR MUSES to help each other move dorms.

( notes ) : for SENDER to lend RECEIVER class notes.

( seat ) : for SENDER to save a seat for RECEIVER in class.

( share ) : for OUR MUSES to share earbuds while studying.

( coffee ) : for SENDER to bring RECEIVER coffee during finals week.

( confess ) : for SENDER to confess burnout to RECEIVER.

( finals ) : for OUR MUSES to stay up all night during finals week.

( study ) : for OUR MUSES to study together.

( bed ) : for OUR MUSES to share a dorm bed.