but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[thirtysix]

No, you do not. In fact, I'd say your far more well-preserved than I am.

[If he didn't know better, he'd think she was younger than him by a good decade.]

[fifthbase]

You say the most romantic things. But, perhaps, we should shy away from terms that make me sound like a corpse.

( Or like she's just come out of the morgue. )

[thirtysix]

[He holds up his hands.]

Mea culpa. I am a little rusty.

[Not thirty years rusty, but it has been a little while since his last partner.]

[fifthbase]

( reaching out, she delicately takes one hand in hers, the one she's not eating with, and brings it down. she holds his hand across the table. )

Mea culpa.

[thirtysix]

[His head tips to the side, thumb brushing against the back of her hand.]

And what are you apologizing for?

[fifthbase]

Oh, dearie, I'm accepting yours.

( She has nothing to apologize for, in this case. He barely does on his side. But, she can do things playfully. )

Not that I was actually offended. I am, technically, dead.

[thirtysix]

Still, I can see how it would be a bit gauche to draw attention to it.

[It clearly doesn't bother him, though, given that they're here.]

I do appreciate how you don't let a silly thing like death stand in your way.

[fifthbase]

( Only a bit. )

And why should I? I would be the only monarch in Hell who didn't spread her legs. I did reform down there, but I missed the world.

( and the world missed her. )

[thirtysix]

So what's next?

[She's conquered Hell, but she's clearly not done yet.]

Do you have another mountain to conquer?

[fifthbase]

Well, I can't just disappear, we know what happens when there's a power vacuum. But, taking my own time. Months here and there. More... here than there.

( She takes a bite of her food. )

Have dinners with handsome friends.

[thirtysix]

[He smiles at that.]

Well, I'm more than happy to cook for you any time.

[fifthbase]

I'll let you.

( They settle into pleasant conversation and light flirtation. By the time dessert comes and goes, she wipes the corners of her mouth with a napkin. )

You outdid yourself.

[thirtysix]

Thank you.

[He gets up to gather the dishes for later washing. The pots are already set to soak, but it's a future problem to deal with.]

How much longer can you stay?

[fifthbase]

How long would you like me?

( There is a wrong answer. )

[thirtysix]

[There probably is, but he also believes in managing expectations.]

For right now? I'm not expected back until the day after tomorrow.

[His head tips to the side with a smirk.]

But beyond that, as long as you'll allow me.

🎀

[fifthbase]

Then let's start there and see where we two end up.

( She waggles her eyebrows, smirking, before moving things in a less PG direction. They spend the next few days together, probably with his son and Cordelia sending updates on the recently returned. )