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[flippin_peachy]

A place for threads to go when captcha sets in

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Thanks for moving us after doing the impossible on the Sunday Texting meme!

[hawk_shot]

Really? This is all you ever wanna do with your life?

[Does she sound like she's judging him? Maybe. But it's unintentional.]

I'm sure it wasn't just us but we do have awesome long threads ;)

[flippin_peachy]

You make it sound like it's not worth anything.

[He points out, his smile disappearing.]

Which maybe to you, it is.

Oh no, it was clearly a good sunday of threads for everyone. But ours is awesome, as always! <3

[hawk_shot]

What? No, that's not what I've said.

[She frowns, now worried about him as she fidgets with that chopstick, the trick forgotten.]

I just have a hard time imagining you doing this forever.

<3

[flippin_peachy]

It's not what you've said but that's sure what it sounds like.

[He sits back far in his chair, looking at her coolly.]

I've worked hard to become my own man, to start a business and when you come from absolutely nothing that's a much harder road to go than you'd ever be able to imagine, Kate.

[Finally he turns his gaze away from her, looking down at Lucky who is nuzzling his knee.]

I'll do it for as long as it serves me.

[hawk_shot]

[Putting down the chopstick on the table, Kate's chair screeches as she suddenly turns it to look at Alfred more pointedly.

She reaches out, putting a hand on his arm.]

Hey, that's not what I meant. You know I don't look down on you. What - What you've done is impressive, Alfred.

[flippin_peachy]

[He pulls his arm away from her touch.]

Really? You might want to tell that to your face then, because the look you just gave me said it all.

[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.