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[tanker]

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when you float like a cannonball
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[viatorius]

colour me curious.
maybe i want to unravel the great proudstar.

( Is she kidding? Maybe. Maybe not. )

i'd say we're a ... five.
because we've been through some near-death experiences but i still don't know what kind of sandwich you prefer.

[tanker]

you want to *unravel* me?

[ Well, that sounds very close to being a kick on his. Losing control is pretty much what he can never do, and what he wants to do the most when intimate with someone. ]

Cheese, ham, mustard, and the correct amount of pickle.

[viatorius]

maybe.
who knows what'll happen when we get through this?

( She's hiding a smile in her sleeve. )

oh, so you have pickle thing.
i'm the same with mayo. not enough and the sandwich is dry. too much and it wrecks things.

[tanker]

in what way exactly do you want to go about unraveling me
color me curious, too

[ He's very curious, now. Very. ]

i shouldn't be surprised that you'd like mayo. you just have to be a tiny bit controversial, don't you?

[viatorius]

you have to have your weaknesses.
sandwiches with pickle.
shirts with sleeves.
girls who are clearly into you.

( Danger, Will Robinson. )

[tanker]

shirts with sleeves?
they're a weakness?

[ aka he never realized he doesn't wear many of them, but not she's mentioned it... ]

you can't tell me that.
you can't say it's clear.

But I'd like if you unraveled me.

[viatorius]

well, you're kind of against them.
i get it. fabric can't contain you.

( His wardrobe is a problem. )

why can't i?
nvm. i know why it's weird. things have happened.
but before. there was something before, wasn't there?

[tanker]

I just... don't own many. They're not super comfortable to me.

[ His wardrobe is not a problem, thank you. ]

exactly. things have happened. I'm sorry about them.

but there was. there was for me, anyway. it hasn't changed.

[viatorius]

i think there was for me too.
but i need to
i don't know
see for real?

( At least she's being honest. )

[tanker]

we should talk. i'm in my office, and it has a door that locks.

[viatorius]

( Is this a bad idea? She doesn't know. But she's unfolding herself from where she's perched anyway, heading to where John usually resides. )

you really want to talk?

[tanker]

is that not what you want?

[viatorius]

maybe?
if you think we might figure out a direction after.

[tanker]

yeah, exactly.

Get over here already.

[viatorius]

( Knock knock.

Clarice is doing her best not to look sheepish as she ducks inside his office, her eyes seeking his even as she shuts the door behind her. She's not a teenager, she knows better. But when she leans against the wood to watch him, something helpless and youthful rises up inside her. )

Are you thinking about jelly donuts right now?

[tanker]

[ John's eyes are focused on Clarice when she finally comes in, leaning against his desk, phone by his side, arms crossed over his chest. He levels her with a steady look, intent. ]

Couldn't be further from what I'm thinking about. Why, s that what you're thinking of?

[viatorius]

Not really.

( She's thinking about how good he looks, about how she hasn't felt like this in a long time. )

What are you thinking?

[tanker]

[ He keeps his eyes on her. ]

I'm thinking about how beautiful you are.

[viatorius]

I'm thinking that's definitely a line.

( She takes a step forward, and then another one. )

[tanker]

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's not. Since the very first time I saw you, and you threw a coffee carafe at my head, I've been thinking it. But, with everything, I couldn't... I didn't want to put that on you, when you were confused, and hurt.

[viatorius]

And if I'm not confused anymore?

( She stops, just shy of him, her bright green eyes searching his face. )

Let's just say, what happened was kind of shitty. But I'm willing to draw a line under it. What then?

[tanker]

[ John takes a deep, sharp breath through his nose, looking down at Clarice. ]

I don't know. It depends on what you want. If it needs to be made clear, I am into you. I've been for a while.

[viatorius]

Okay.

( She seems to wait a second, weighing up her options. He's still leaning against the desk and her hands fit to the spaces at his side. Clarice has to press up a little to meet his mouth, but when she does the kiss is firm and sure of itself. It's different, from last time. It has to be, because it's real. But she feels like she has it under control.

Well, mostly. Her heart is racing behind her ribs. )

[tanker]

[ John can't help the tiny sound that escapes him when Clarice kisses him. He doesn't have the memory she does, so to him, it is the first time, and he's quick to unfold his arms, reaching up and sliding a hand through her hair.

He can hear and feel her heartbeat, and his is no better, fit to burst through his chest as he presses a little harder, leaning into Clarice, inviting her closer. ]

[viatorius]

( That sound, it ignites something desperate inside of her, hands leaving the desk to curve around the shape of his biceps. There's something about John that appeals to her, a strength that resides in his bones, a surety of his place. She's never felt like that. Or at least, not until now. Clarice likes what he offers, purpose and meaning all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It's not just attraction, and that should frighten her, but instead it makes her want him more.

Clarice strains forward, pressing into the space between his feet, her tongue dragging lightly over his bottom lip. It's a question, something hopeful. An I'm here. She wants them to feel equal. )