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[flippin_peachy]

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[hawk_shot]

[She looks shocked at him after her pulls his arm away like that.]

I didn't give you a look!

[flippin_peachy]

You did, and your tone shifted to something close to judgment.

[hawk_shot]

[Kate sinks back on her chair, aware that there's no point in arguing.]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. [She takes a deep breath.] You know I care about you, don't you? And I look up to you in many ways, you're a pretty inspiring guy, Alfie.

[flippin_peachy]

You can care about someone and still think they're a tosser.

[He says and gets up from the table, clearly still upset but after taking two steps he turns back to her.]

But while we're on the subject, who are you to question if I'm going to do this forever? What about you? You plan on hanging off rooftops and shooting arrows at bad guys for the rest of your life?

[hawk_shot]

That's so unfair! You're putting words in my mouth. I never said that and I definitely don't feel that way.

[She huffs, worry turning little by little into anger too.]

.... How would I know! I - I guess? I'm not good at planning ahead like that, Alfred. All I know is that I wanna help people.

[flippin_peachy]

So what makes you think I've got everything planned out either?

[hawk_shot]

I don't know, that's why I asked!

[flippin_peachy]

Well next time you might want to watch your phrasing.

When you say 'Really? This is all you ever wanna do with your life?' [He says, saying her phrase back at her with the same tone.] it tends to sound a lot less like a question and more like a shitty judgment.

[hawk_shot]

Fine! It was a shitty thing to say, but I didn't mean it and I already said I'm sorry.

[getting off the chair, she starts gathering the leftovers and taking them to the kitchen.]

[flippin_peachy]

[Alfred turns away for a moment, not because he's angry but because standing up so suddenly has made the room spin a little and he doesn't want Kate to see how pale he is.]

God you can be such a brat sometimes....

[He mutters.]

[hawk_shot]

How am I a brat now? Because I apologized but you're still mad?

[She pretty much slams the door of the fridge shut, making a startled Lucky raise his head and turn it towards the kitchen.]

[flippin_peachy]

Because you're acting like your apology means more than my feelings and that since you said sorry once I shouldn't have anything else to say on the subject.

And because you're slamming things about because I dared to point out that you did something wrong.

[He explains as he puts a hand on the table to steady himself.]

[hawk_shot]

I'm not pretending my apology is more important! But what else do you want me to do? Cry and get on my knees to--

[But she notices it. The second she turns around to keep yelling at him, she notices the way Alfred leans his weight onto the table.

Without thinking it twice, she comes to him, holding his shoulders in the hopes that will steady him. Only then does she notice how pale he is looking.]

Hey, you okay? Why don't you sit down a second?

[flippin_peachy]

[This time he doesn't pull away, instead he sags against her. His head dropping forward for a moment as he pulls in a long breath.]

I'm fine. It would just be nice if the room stopped spinning for a second.

[It's a poor attempt at a joke but he lifts his head back up to look at her, his expression softening.]

I don't want you to cry, Kate. But listening would be nice.

[hawk_shot]

Hey...

[The second his head sags, Kate cups his cheek and pulls him towards her, letting Alfred rest his head on her shoulder. But she notices that look first. She embraces him, making sure he feels supported.]

I really am sorry, I never meant to hurt you. And I'll try to listen, I promise.

[flippin_peachy]

[He stands motionless for a moment before wrapping his arms around her, hugging her back.]

I'm sorry as well.
I shouldn't have snapped at you like that.

[hawk_shot]

[For a moment she says nothing, just shakes her head and buries her face on his shoulder as they hold each other.]

I don't know what will happen in the future, but the one thing I know for sure is that I wanna keep working with you.

[Or at least, having him in her life.]

[flippin_peachy]

None of us know.

[He agrees and tightens his grip on her a little.]

And I'd like that, I might give you shit sometimes but I do consider you a friend.

[hawk_shot]

[One of her hands, with her fingers spread, moves up his spine. But she is careful of not touching too close to the wound. She moves head head, her cheek touching Alfred's.]

You're one of my few friends here. A real one.

[But she's just that. He doesn't let her get anywhere closer.]

C'mon, you should lay down.

[flippin_peachy]

[For once he doesn't argue with her and instead lets her lead him back to her room and to the bed, sitting down on it with a sigh.]

I'm also sorry for dumping all this on you tonight.

[hawk_shot]

Trust me, that's the last thing you should be worrying about. And hey, I learned a new skill.

[Which is always cool in her books.]

Hey, you mind if I sleep here with you? The bed is pretty big anyway.

[flippin_peachy]

It's your bed, luv.

[He says with a smile and pats the spot next to him.]

You don't have to ask permission to use it.

[hawk_shot]

[She snorts, turning towards her closet to go grab a pyjama.]

Just checking in case you kick in your sleep.

[Heading to the bathroom, it's not long before Kate comes back in an oversized t-shirt and barely visible shorts, climbing on the bed and onto the spot next to him.]

Do you need anything?

[flippin_peachy]

No, you're safe on that front.

[Now waking up in a cold sweat due to nightmares? That's a different story, but he doesn't mention that to her. Usually the people he shares a bed with don't notice and when she exits the bathroom in her pj's he can't help but give her a look over.]

Can I be a bother and ask for a glass of water?

[hawk_shot]

You'll never be a bother.

[She reassures him before slipping off the bed again. As Kate goes downstairs to get his glass, Lucky heads upstairs and joins him, curling next to Alfred and resting his head on his legs.

Kate returns, handing him the glass.]

Do you need another blanket or pillow? Painkillers? Privacy now that someone else stole my spot?