#ro:laurel

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Something went wrong, as it tends to do. The two of you were out on a recon mission to [redacted] when you were discovered. Stupidly, or smartly, the opposition shot at a small gas line or tank or something close by. You felt the reaction boil in the air and threw yourself over Laurel, figuring with your capabilities you could dampen the heat and shock from the small explosion.

It was logical. You take most of the blow because you can actually survive it.

Laurel did not agree.

When you wake up in your bed, you wake to her standing next to you with her arms crossed and a glare on her face.

"Drink this." She hands you a water bottle. You take it and drink until your throat is coated and she grabs it back.

"Why did you do that." A question formed into a statement. She's angry.

"I-"

"Shut up, you idiot. Don't ever do that again." You feel her get angrier the longer she stares. Angry. Frustrated. Not scared, not sad. Not grateful. A mix of emotions that you weren't expecting.

"You're such a fucking idiot, I don't need to you to that kind of shit. Why would you do that?"

Please don't do that.

"Laurel, I-" you try and explain but she slams her hands into your pillow on either side of your head and comes nose to nose with you.

"If there is ever a situation where you need to choose between you and me or anyone, you need to choose your fucking self. Do you understand?" Her speech is stilted, she's trying to hold back. Trying. Emotions percolate beneath.

I need you to stay alive.

"I won't-"

"NO. You fucking will. You fucking will, this whole thing?!" She pulls back a bit and gestures to the room around her, "all of this? You being here? It's not worth it, MC!" She's almost boils over, her voice is raised and it cracks at the sound of your name.

I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.

"Laurel-" You start getting irritated, you saved her life and she's angry? She won't even let you speak. She won't even let you explain why it was better for you to take the blast. Why won't she let you? She never lets you.

"No, fuck!" She yanks herself off your pillow and throws the water bottle into the corner of your room. It bounces off the wall and the ground. Your eyes widen at her outburst, at how inappropriate it is, at how out of character it is.

She runs her hands through her hair, you can see her pulling at it "you shouldn't even be here!"

I want you.

"It's not worth it, this? This?! Me? It's not worth it, it's not worth you!" She gestures towards you and shakes her head. She pauses herself, forcing a breath down her throat. In and again. Breathe. She looks at you with conflicting emotions written across her face. She wipes it.

I need you.

"I- fuck." She breathes out and turns away towards the door, pausing as she opens it.

It's barely a whisper, but you hear it nonetheless, "I'm not worth it." She walks out and slams the door as a final word

Jace: Will not miss a beat and makes a flirty comment right back, placing one hand on the MC's hip. Using the other he leans up a little bit to narrow the gap between the two. Looking at the MC's lips he gets a breath closer... before suddenly pushing them off of him, one hand still on their hip and the other swinging around to balance their back. He carefully pulls the MC up to a standing position before putting a respectful distance between the two of them with a playful smile.

Leo: His eyes flicker between both of the MC's before completely registering what they said. A smile grows on his face at the realization that it was flirty before slowly sliding his hands from their thighs to their hips, without breaking eye contact. A silent challenge. Would then proceed to make casual conversation in that position until the MC breaks and moves to get off. Leo would never make the first move to push them off, but will tone down his flirting if the MC feels too awkward.

Laurel: Takes a second to register what the MC just said. When she realizes it was some sort of pick up line she scoffs and asks them if that was really their best. She will dryly tease them and say there are better ways to try and get her attention. Then she realizes they are still on top of her and will push them off ungracefully. Hops to her feet, looks down at the MC and just rolls her eyes. When she walks away she subconsciously puts more swing into her hips in the hopes that MC is watching.

Mickie: Starts to make a flirty comment to the MC at the same time the MC tries to make a flirty comment to them. Starts laughing because of it and tries to make another cheesy comment about the two of them being on the same wave length. Will then make it into a competition with the MC, who can come up with the best 'falling for you' pick up line. Mickie will not stop smiling the entire time, probably not even noticing that the MC was still on top of them. They just love talking to them.

Jace:

Mickie and Laurel fall asleep against him all the time, so he's very used to being a human pillow. But with MC it's different. He hasn't felt his heart do this little pitter patter in a very long time. Honestly, he didn't think that it could happen again. But here he is. A grown man smiling like a little boy. He will enjoy this moment while he can, before he starts overthinking, before he starts questioning if he even deserves to feel this kind of happiness. Yes, just focus on the warm light feeling growing in his chest, before it twists and snaps into something more cold and heavy.

Laurel:

Laurel was just minding her own business before MC decided to violate her personal space and sit in the chair next to hers. Does their Homeworld not have that rule that you don't sit next to someone if there are other seats available? Ridiculous. Wait... what's happening. Fuck, come on, the MC just placed their head on her shoulder. This is so inconvenient. Idiot, who falls asleep in the middle of a meeting. Why would they trust Laurel to fall asleep on, don't they know sleep is one of the most vulnerable states to be in? They're so annoying... with their stupid eyes and pretty eyelashes... and their stupid face that for some dumb reason Laurel can't look away from...

Mickie:

Wow this is one of, if not the most, boring lectures of all time. We get it, Lane, human body not compatible with old serums. Do not inject... blah blah blah... Oh, what's this? Okay, okay, it's happening. MC is falling asleep on Mickie's shoulder. Okay, don't fuck this up. Just be cool. Mickie doesn't think they've ever been so aware of every single part of their body before. They swear they can feel their finger nails growing. Now their head itches. Nope. Don't move. Now they feel like they have to sneeze. Come on. Stop. Why is their armpit twitching, it's never done that before, why now?! No, please don't wake up, don't wake up- "Hey MC! Yeah, you fell asleep a little bit but... I really don't mind" Mickie gives them the best smile they can muster while rubbing the back of their head.

Lane:

Lane's reaction really depends on when in his crushing stage this happens. Even if he has a crush, at the beginning he would feel uncomfortable and would slide away as the MC accidentally slid towards him. Even if it ended up with him on the armrest or completely turning his body away. He would probably slide a pillow between them or try to wake them up.

Further down, once he feels more comfortable: Lane's eyes widen and his body tenses when the MC's head comes in contact with his shoulder. He feels his hands grow a little clammy. They had been pouring through his research all night. Did they not find this subject ever tantalizing like he did? To each their own... His eyes drift over and he smiles down at his notes. He never thought anybody would go out of their way to get to know him like the MC did. He's always had difficulties ingratiating himself with others. And he usually hates unnecessary touching, but when it's the MC? The person he's been able to share secret jokes with? The person who he felt safe showing his art to? Yeah... his shoulders relax as his smile grows wider, he doesn't mind this at all.

Leo:

Jace, 30-32 yrs old, 6' 1":

Huge music person, listening and playing.

Loves to dance with his partner, will hum a tune if music isn't already playing.

Hums and sings quietly to himself if no one is present.

Easily amused, it's really easy to make him laugh.

Laurel, 28-30 yrs old, 5' 8":

Loves math and puzzle games.

Will double check everyone's finances.

Has every type of (knockoff) Rubik's cube.

No, Mickie, you cannot borrow one. Not after dropping her 7x7 and losing a bunch of pieces.

Secretly keeps track of everybody's favorite things. She goes out of her way to obtain said thing and secretly deliver to person. If found out and asked "how did you know?!" she will glare and ask "are you stupid?"

Mickie, 24-26 yrs old, Michelle- 5' 6", Michael/Mika- 5' 8":

Demands absolute silence when carrying containers of liquids. Will inevitably spill some anyways.

Always trying new recipes in the kitchen, but always insists that they don't need to follow the instructions.

Has a weirdly good sense of smell.

Very touchy, loves giving surprise high fives, hugs or kisses.

Lane, 26-28 yrs old, 5' 11" (6' 0" if you count his hair):

Very particular about his hair.

Has a large collection of hats that he never wears.

Loves painting and drawing. Absolutely will sketch the person he's interested in.

Contrary to his shy personality, he's secretly the best at roasting people.

Leo, (a year older than the MC) so somewhere between 24-30 yrs old, 6' 0":

Hates anything bitter or sour. Carries a secret pouch of sugar with him just in case. One could say he has a giant sweet tooth.

Can be very charming/persuasive when he wants, but thinks everyone around him is an actual idiot (except MC).

Very very tone deaf.