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]

"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."

[damncompass]

Joshua makes a string of faces. "God, Myka. I did not need to be thinking about Pete's ass right now."

[thebettersort]

Myka giggles. "Let us hope you do not spend much time thinking about it at all."

Helena may have to worry then. myka as well

[damncompass]

"No. It's not even that impressive, really." Joshua shrugs. "I mean... uh. Not that I've looked. Much."

[thebettersort]

Myka raises an eyebrow.

"Is there something I should know, Joshua?"

She tries to keep her tone neutral to hide the fact she's joking around.

[damncompass]

"Not with Pete. Ew." He wrinkles his nose. "I totally don't go for that type. Got the wrong end of the stick with them a bit too much in high school." It wasn't bad, and he wasn't really bullied, but teenagers are fuckin' mean, yo.

[thebettersort]

"More for the Steve style of man?" Myka winks.

[damncompass]

There's a tiny blush around Joshua's cheeks. "I guess so. Less muscle, more personality." He pauses. "Er, not that Pete doesn't have personality. Just... not as overbearing. Or... something."

Oh, look. Joshua's awkward has appeared.

[thebettersort]

Myka giggles and pats his shoulder. "Don't worry, I understand. And I fully agree."

She might wink at him if she was not too self conscious for the act.

[damncompass]

Joshua shakes his head. "You're just teasing me, you." Without much thinking, he reaches over and takes her hand, just falling silent and walking down the street.

... oops.

[thebettersort]

Myka glances down to look at their hands together, squeezing his hand and blushing a little before giving him a smile.

[damncompass]

He smiles back, doofily, uncertainly. This is so different than Helena. Helena was comfortable, there was a confidence in his love for her.

With Myka, there was a silly puppy-love aspect to it.

Joshua just keeps silent, wandering through town holding her hand. He's not even certain what to say at this point.

[thebettersort]

Somehow, it feels like they're saying everything by just holding hands. She can feel his warmth and feel his heartbeat, and that's more than enough for her. Her skin is tingly and her stomach feels gooey and other than Helena, she hasn't felt this way in years. It's strange, but... better than she might have anticipated.

"Are you hungry?" she finally volunteers, because one of them probably needs to suggest something.