Pouring down whatever’s left of the beer bottle down the sink.

“i noticed.” how could she not? any trace of the time they’d spent together, a lifetime ago, wouldn't go unnoticed. “looks great on you. did you dig up some grimy, old photograph for reference?”

an eyebrow was raised, smile tugging on her lips. “i’m flattered, honestly.”

her breath hitched, footsteps frozen in their spots. “i wouldn’t exactly call this ‘sneaking around’.”

“tea will get you coming back to my place every now and then? i guess i’ll add more to my grocery list.”

⠀ ◝ just don't leave me ⠀ ⠀ alone wondering ⠀ ⠀⠀where you are . ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

“i got a cat scratching on my window every day for food, you can’t beat that, james.”

Y͟ou’ve trained yourself ⠀ ⠀to 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓. I’ve ⠀ trained myself to 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

UNTIL I WAS THE VERY BEST

“you could never bother me.” her brows furrowed, though, she’s still smiling.

“c’mon, you know me,” she’d jokingly tease, nudging his arm gently.

and so does she—it doesn’t feel right to constantly look back and judge anyone, especially people like the two of them. “this kind of nonsense is the only one i could tolerate, believe it or not.”

he had always been so nice to her, despite everything she had done. “i know you’d hate to hear this from me,” she said with a soft chuckle. “but you can always ask for help. if it gets tough. or lonely.”

she couldn’t help but feel invasive, somehow. “and you’re doing everything alone again?”

the mug had been sitting a little too long in front of her face—hovering, not sipping. she recognized that look, or at least she thought she did. “something from the past or something new?”

“i’ve been keeping myself busy,” she said, looking at him over the rim of her mug, letting the warmth reach her face—hiding her curious gaze from him. “and you?”

“and a little sweeter, i might have to add,” her own ceramic mug met her lips, warmth seeping into her palms.

“so this is all fake, then?” she said, pouring the hot water into a mug ‪﹠. handing it over to him.

embarrass me, james? i thought we made it out of moscow already.

it’s always a challenge.

a little kinder, and maybe a little slower.

of course i do. you’re still the same person after all these years.

you’re so dramatic. take a seat, just relax.

⠀ ⠀ 〝 from this day FORWARD, #𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴 OF YOU 𝘢𝘳𝘦 ( ..͟.͟.͟ ) SA̲FE. ׅ⎖ 〞 ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #DCRP ⠀

sadly doesn’t mean that we can’t get hurt—still just a human skin. invulnerability sounds fun, though.

well, give it a minute.

boiling the water would take no time. green?

that would be an understatement, but yes, rough night.

a warm cup of tea ‪﹠. bandages. cold night.