nyc --> london ♔ and as the vision fades | i'll say i was blinded by your eyes

[postergirl]

♬ It Happens All the Time - Depeche Mode

WHO || Failboat, Des, Rafael, Isabella, Burt, and more~ [closed]
WHAT || The Knights finally say their goodbyes and head back to the castle
WHERE || NYC hotel; flight to London; London, England
WHEN || March 16th
HOW || Actionspam or prose

What was supposed to be a night to unwind wound up with a confrontation between Failboat and Keijen Blade that didn't exactly go the way the team was hoping for. However, in the process, they at least managed to get Isabella back and extract Dumage from her long term undercover assignment.

The remainder of the night is spent back at the hotel, recuperating, in order to catch the flight back to London the next morning. This also means saying goodbye to those who will be going back to Chicago: Isabella, Burt, and Rafael.

Comments

[romanticidal]

Does it truly change so much? The mission seems to have been something you came to even without knowing it. Perhaps it is merely who you are - and that is what makes you the right person for the job. Because it is the job you would always choose to do, destiny or no.

[slay]

Maybe. [ she hunches her shoulders. ] Makes it harder to walk away from, though. [ she couldn't have beforehand, but at least it felt like her choice. ]

[romanticidal]

I think we have both seen that you are not the person who walks away from something they consider their responsibility. [ there's a sad twist to it, but he sounds like he admires it. ] That is strength, carina.

[slay]

Maybe I don't wanna be strong. Maybe I'm tired of it, and I just wanna be happy instead.

[romanticidal]

[ ♬ give you back - vertical horizon

he reaches over and puts his hand on top of hers, squeezing it. ] What you deserve is both. You should not have to give up who you are, to be happy.

[slay]

[ she looks up when he touches her hand, and a surprised look morphs steadily into an appreciative one. ]

Yes, because happy endings so often come via riding off into the sunset firing crossbow bolts at big scary monsters. [ she tilts her head, considering. ] Maybe I shouldn't have to, but we all know how life and fairness get along.

[romanticidal]

Si, but... I retain the right to pray that the rules get bent this time, for you.

[slay]

Well, you're praying to the right lady, that's for sure. [ she watches him for a moment longer, smile wide, and then she turns to grab the remote and turn the tv on at a low volume. she settles back into a snuggly position. ] This'll do for now.

[romanticidal]

[ he squeezes her hand once more, leaving his there as he rivets his attention more on the tv for a few minutes, a warm, companionable peace in the air. finally he looks down, seeming lost in thought. ] I have one more thing to say, tonight. Although I think it should go without giving voice to it.

[ he shifts his attention back over to her. ] That if things go badly for you, if you feel you ever need to, that I will be here to speak to you, at any time you pick up the phone.

[slay]

[ her smile as she looks back over is awash with relief and gratitude. it may have been something she'd guessed, but it makes it more likely that she'll take him up on it for him to have voiced it. she nods. ]

I know. [ she squeezes his hand back, leaning in a little bit and crinkling her nose to finish up with some sass. ] But what about if I just get really bored of action movies at 2 a.m.?

[romanticidal]

[ ♬ crash and burn - savage garden ]

Whatever your reasons may be. [ his eyes light up with amusement as he watches her. ] I want you to know I am there for you, as you have been for me every time I could need you.

Promise you will not forget this?

[slay]

[ she searches his eyes for a moment, smile saddening. he's insisting - which, to buffy, means he's not convinced that she'll call. and honestly, he's not wrong to be doubtful. she's not very good at reaching out when she needs a hand up from drowning. the offer by itself makes her feel less alone in this, though, and she wishes that she could express that adequately.

instead, she nods. ] I promise. [ after a beat; ] Just as long as you promise you won't forget me.

[ she has no problem generalizing it, opening herself to that vulnerable state where she admits her fear of losing him to the time they're separated for. with rafael, that fear feels safe to express. ]

[romanticidal]

[ he turns to pull her against him in a tight sideways hug, no hesitation whatsoever in the sure, strong way he embraces her. ] Buffy, I could not do that even if I were fool enough to try.

[slay]

[ she welcomes it and slides one arm around his waist, burying her face halfway against his shoulder and halfway against the couch, turning into it. she picks up her head and nods, finally. ]

Good.

[romanticidal]

[ he seems very loathe to break this hug, so he's just gonna... stay there. ] If you ever find yourself coming Chicago way...

[slay]

I'll look you up. [ she smiles. ] Assuming you haven't gotten rusty in all that time singing instead of fighting. Because, let's be honest, if I'm in Chicago, it's not for the pizza.

[romanticidal]

Even if I turn out to be no help because I have gone, as you say, rusty. [ he smiles, drawing away finally ] I doubt you would need my help, to stop anything.

[slay]

Maybe. [ she straightens and draws out of the embrace out of obligation once he begins to. she watches him with the kind of affection that hasn't entirely disentangled, however. she's hugging him ~with her eyes~ still. ] But, I'm better with you around.

[romanticidal]

[ he returns said eye-hug (yeah, i said eye-hug) with a small sad smile accompanying it ] We both are.

[slay]

Glad we're in agreement. Now, let's be our best selves watching bad action movies. [ she settles in against his shoulder and turns to look at the tv. a yawn slips out. ] Until we pass out.

[romanticidal]

As you say, si. [ and he glances over at her out of the corner of his eye, smiling to himself and THEN THEY WATCHED MOVIES ALL NIGHT until he drifted off because it was comfy and cozy. ]