Mid September 2012; Leena's B&B

[damncompass]

Things are actually wonderfully, completely settling out. Thank everything.

Steve's settling in quite well, if a bit over-questioning of Artie sometimes, Myka's back, much to everyone's relief, Helena is much more relaxed, and Joshua is taking a couple days to just freaking do nothing.

Thus, he has installed himself on a couch in the living room, much to Leena's chagrin with his 3Ds, a 2-litre of pop and a bag of potato chips. Watch out, Joshua, you're going to turn into Pete before long.

Comments

[thebettersort]

"At least you and Claud have each other." Myka knows that's not a total consolation, but it's certainly a big one.

[damncompass]

"Yeah. Well, we did until I went and was an asshole." He shrugs, sighing a bit. "We're getting better again, though. Learning how to be adults at each other."

[thebettersort]

"You weren't an asshole," Myka says gently. "You had a drive to prove something. We all get swept up with that sometime or another."

[damncompass]

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. "Everyone keeps telling me that. Maybe I'll believe it one of these days."

[thebettersort]

"Sometimes," Myka pauses as she tries to figure out her words, taking a deep breath. "Our need to do something overwhelms us to the point that we cannot think of much else. Whether or not it's justifiable isn't really the point, because it's suppressed our ability to even see that. Sometimes it ends badly, sometimes it ends well. What matters is what we make of ourselves in the end."

She's been looking at her lap as she says this, wringing her hands there a bit, but she glances at him now. "I think - I know - that you've made quite a spectacular person since then."

[damncompass]

"I hope I have. I mean... I can't let all of Claud's work go to waste. She likes to say that I gave up so much for her, but when it came down to it, she gave up more for me." He pulls into a parking space in town, and reaches over, putting a hand on her hands. "I... it's hard to believe that I wasn't an asshole, but I think I'm starting to believe it."

[thebettersort]

Myka turns her hand over and takes his in her own, squeezing it lightly. "A big part of family is sacrificing for each other. It's unfair to try to measure those sacrifices, because each person measures the actions differently. What you see as small means the world to her, and vica versa."

[damncompass]

He nods. "That's just the way things are. I give up things for Claudia, and she gave a hell of a lot for me." At the moment, he's not letting go of her hand. "And it's not just Claudia. We're all a family."

[thebettersort]

She won't let go until he does. His hand is very warm and it makes hers tingle in ways she hasn't felt often in years - with the exception of Helena. "And you are very good to your family. The fact I'm even here is an example of that."

[damncompass]

There's something about her, something that he just can't put his finger on. "Well, I care about my family. I have to make sure that all of my family is ok." He squeezes her hand again, just sitting awkwardly in the car. "So... um."

[thebettersort]

"And that," Myka says, "Makes you wonderful."

She gives him a smile. "Even if you don't see it, others do."

[damncompass]

"I really don't know about wonderful. I'm just a scientist." He shrugs. "Realizing slowly but surely that I'm not a shitty person, but I don't think I'm all that exciting."

[thebettersort]

"And I'm just a secret agent," Myka says gently. "But did we not just have a conversation about how there are no 'justs' in our world?"

[damncompass]

"Yeah, yeah." Joshua shakes his head. "We don't do things simply." He smiles, still blushing. "Maybe we should... get out of the car. We probably look like crazy people sitting here like this."

[thebettersort]

Myka laughs at that comment. "I think I'm used to looking like a crazy person by now." She reluctantly lets go of his hand and opens the car door. "But it's a good idea to get a move on. We can still talk just as easily."

[damncompass]

"Well, yes. We're not Artie here, we can talk and move at the same time." Joshua grins, and impulsively holds out an arm for her. He has a rather deep chivalrous streak when the strong ladies around him let him bring it out.

[thebettersort]

Myka grins back and takes his arm. "Such a gentleman," she comments. "A change from what I'm used to."

[damncompass]

He laughs. "You're used to Pete who makes a bull in a china shop look elegant." Joshua shrugs slightly. "I'm just awkward, but I try."

[thebettersort]

"While you're trying, he's off stuffing his face full of Claudia's food."

Heh.

[damncompass]

"Oh man, I've heard about that for years." Joshua laughs. "I think it's turning into a full-blown war now. Getting things technically for each other, but eating them on the way home."

[thebettersort]

"It gives Pete an excuse to buy even more food than he already does. Sometimes he stuffs a whole suitcase."

[damncompass]

"It's going to come back and bite him in the ass one day, you know. I don't know exactly what, but it will."

[thebettersort]

"Perhaps in the form of an artifact." Myka smirks.

[damncompass]

"I really don't want to have to save Pete's ass from his own bad food choices." He rolls his eyes, but he's laughing. Mostly.

[thebettersort]

"I imagine it would be something like his ass grows larger and larger per extra gram of sugar."