awhitecrow | [ luceti appointments ]

[she'd expected a protest. She hadn't expected that.

Setting the mug on the counter, she turns to face him, a small smile on her lips. It's only her eyes that show more than teasing, a hint of sadness in them that this was the first reaction that came to him.

She's surprised, yes...but not as much as she wishes.] Jon.

[it's soft...chiding, but not harsh. Not at all]

You don't owe us anything. And you certainly don't owe apologies.

I hope you aren't cooking breakfast every morning because you think you have to. And, if I find out you are, I'll just make it my goal to get up before you every morning and set the record straight. [it's teasing...but not.] But from getting to know you- [as much as he'd let them] -I think you like doing it?

And I do, too. You've been looking after us. I'd like to return the favor.

[the corners of her eyes crinkled just slightly, amusement turning up the corners of her mouth] So. Sit.

I-- [He wanted to explain himself...

But she did a good job of it.

He knew, he supposed, that he didn't have to cook for them or the like. But it gave him a purpose. Made him feel like less of a burden. Helped him feel as if he were not simply taking up their space and getting underfoot. He'd rarely been of use to his shipmates, so the chance to do something here...

But she meant well. Very well, actually. Better than most people he'd known before he came here, at least in regards to him.

He actually smiled a little, nodding slightly before he went to do as he was told and sit at the kitchen counter.

For all of that, he can quietly offer one thing and hope it won't be taken as sounding like obligation:] It's how I'd like someone my sisters took in to treat them.

[she slides the mug of coffee to him, before turning back to the stove. With this as her focus, she's actually fairly good at it. It won't be anything fancy...just eggs and a bit of bacon...but considering her usually lack of attention it was an achievement. So long as she didn't have a painting to distract her]

Honestly, you've saved us countless kitchen disasters. Really. I think we're all of us domestically challenged.

[with his decision to sit, it's more conversational...and a small concession. She doesn't want to tell him to stop what he's been doing for them. Far beyond the selfish joy of coming home to homecooked meals, she knew what it meant to be useful. Helping people-

It was how she'd learned to feel more like a person, herself.

But she knew that wasn't the whole lesson. Learning how to take care of others had been her redemption...but learning how to let others take care of her-

It wasn't something she'd perfected, even now, but she knew that it was the key to keeping from burning out completely]

I-- I really am happy to do it.

[He tries not to talk about where he came from or what happened before he arrived at Luceti... After all, it's better that they not know. They might not want him around if they knew.

It's selfish. He knows it is. But he likes it here. Unless the curse starts showing itself again and they start getting hurt... he doesn't want to leave.]

It's-- The company is nice. Always.

[Even though he rarely eats with them and the like.]

Agreed.

[For a moment, it was enough to have the sounds of the pan sizzling over the fire. She let it fill the gap between them, without demand, until the eggs started to brown just slightly.

Turning the dial to extinguish the flame, she reached up into the cabinet for two plates.]

You know, you're always welcome to hang out more. It'd be nice to see more of you.

Edited 2012-03-26 04:44 (UTC)

I--

[He bows his head to cut off the initial thought.]

Thank you. [That needs to be said first.]

I'm... used to very different living arrangements. [Where it was best to just keep to himself.] I... I hope I haven't seemed unfriendly. I... don't mean to be.

[setting the plates on the counter, she raises the pan to let the eggs slide down onto the two platters, splitting the contents evenly. On the stove, the bacon still crackled under the heat.]

You haven't. Not at all.

[the bacon was next, crisp slices picked out of that pan with a pair of tongs.

With both plates filled, she turned back to him, moving to join him at the counter. Her smile had turned from teasing to something more serious.]

Sometimes you need your space...either to sort your thoughts or just adjust. And we all need a lot of adjusting, being here.

[she smiled softly] I haven't lived with this many people since I had a room at a boarding house. This is a lot nicer...but after living on my own, I needed to get used to it again, too.

But we do like you. All of us.

Solitary or social.

I...

Thank you. All of you. Very much.

[He couldn't help but smile a little more, looking at her.]

It's... not what I'm used to. Where I was before... I was always just sort of in the way. And I... don't want to be in the way. Especially not here. When I have a chance to... do something.

You've been a huge help, here. Not in the way at all.

I... I'm glad. I wish I could do more.

I don't think it's how much you do at any one time. It's whether you'll do what you can when you can...and you've already proven that much.

[He looks up at her, colour draining from his face and his eyes widening a bit.]

Nothing has been asked of me.

[By the look in his eyes, he's not sure he's worth her assumption that he'll do what he can when the need arises.]

Which is exactly why you've already gone above and beyond.

[a soft smile] Give yourself a break, Jon.

I-- Yes, of course. [He ducks his head, looking down again.]

....I could be wrong, but if you're telling yourself all the ways you haven't, that's the opposite of giving yourself a break.

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