[The offer is tempting. It'd be nice to not feel like she's drowning in a room full of strangers and not knowing who to trust. At the same time, she's not going to get over this aversion if she doesn't actually spend time with these people.
So she shakes her head.]
No, I'll go. I'm not going to get used to them if I don't actually spend time with them.
[She just may duck out early. But she'll let him know if she does.]
I haven't said it. Because I didn't know - ( How he'd feel. ) But, ( He still can't, he just leans in, pressing his chin against her forehead, breathing with her. )
[She leans into him, soaking in the familiarity of it. The years after the fire of it being just the two of them, the only people they could rely on, come rushing back and she doesn't want to pull him back into that space again. To make him think that she needs him like that.
Derek is still Derek, even if he's changed, he still feels the same. He still feels like family.
She wishes she hadn't missed it all, but she's glad she gets to be here now.]
It's okay.
[Whatever he wants to say, she can take it. Or if he doesn't want to put it out there, he doesn't have to.]
( But, that's emotions and feelings and they run deep. He wanted to say it's good to have her back, but, he doesn't know if it is. Fundamentally it is. But, is it good for her? )
Say the word, we can leave the party. My girlfriend's back in New Orleans, so I'm not beholden to anyone.
[She laughs, her first real one since she's been back, and while it does feel a little rusty, it also feels good. It helps her feel a little more alive.
She'll get there. One day at a time.]
Sounds good.
[And with that, they'll get ready to head out to the party.]
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no subject
( He does rest a hand on the mantle as he thinks through the invited guests he knows about. )
There will be vampires there, but, all vampires we trust.
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[But that may be her bias showing and she holds up her hands.]
I know, everyone's all friendly now. I'm just ... still wrapping my head around it.
no subject
( He wants her to feel comfortable. )
You don't have to go tonight, if you don't want to. We could stay here. Order something. Let everyone else be in the crowds.
no subject
So she shakes her head.]
No, I'll go. I'm not going to get used to them if I don't actually spend time with them.
[She just may duck out early. But she'll let him know if she does.]
no subject
( He draws her close, around her waist. )
I haven't said it. Because I didn't know - ( How he'd feel. ) But, ( He still can't, he just leans in, pressing his chin against her forehead, breathing with her. )
no subject
Derek is still Derek, even if he's changed, he still feels the same. He still feels like family.
She wishes she hadn't missed it all, but she's glad she gets to be here now.]
It's okay.
[Whatever he wants to say, she can take it. Or if he doesn't want to put it out there, he doesn't have to.]
no subject
( But, that's emotions and feelings and they run deep. He wanted to say it's good to have her back, but, he doesn't know if it is. Fundamentally it is. But, is it good for her? )
Say the word, we can leave the party. My girlfriend's back in New Orleans, so I'm not beholden to anyone.
no subject
[But she flashes him a bit of a smirk to start.]
Might as well take advantage of the free food though.
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( But, her smirk earns her his own. )
Spoken like a Hale. Let's get upstairs. Get ready. I'll put on my nicest henley.
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She'll get there. One day at a time.]
Sounds good.
[And with that, they'll get ready to head out to the party.]