[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.]
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.]
Edited (Argh typos!) Date: 2025-03-05 06:30 am (UTC)
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.]
[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.
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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?
[It's been a while since he's shared a bed with someone he wasn't sleeping with and in a way it's almost more intimate than if they were naked and fucking, having her cuddle up against him like they're an old married couple watching TV before bed. It reminds him of his own parents and of what could have been if Esme had lived and before he can stop himself he leans his head against hers as they watch the film. His heart beating hard in his chest as a lump forms in his throat.]
[Kate's quite relaxed. Confident that whatever Alfred wants, she is not part of it. Not in the way she had hoped. And so she soon scoots even closer, wrapping an arm around his chest and laughing quietly at some of the ridiculous scenes on the screen.]
[It's hard to resist her warmth so when she snuggles even closer he allows it, slouching down a little further and enjoying her comforting weight on his chest.]
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[getting off the chair, she starts gathering the leftovers and taking them to the kitchen.]
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God you can be such a brat sometimes....
[He mutters.]
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[She pretty much slams the door of the fridge shut, making a startled Lucky raise his head and turn it towards the kitchen.]
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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.]
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[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?
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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.
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[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.
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I'm sorry as well.
I shouldn't have snapped at you like that.
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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.]
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[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.
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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.
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I'm also sorry for dumping all this on you tonight.
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[Which is always cool in her books.]
Hey, you mind if I sleep here with you? The bed is pretty big anyway.
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[He says with a smile and pats the spot next to him.]
You don't have to ask permission to use it.
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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?
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[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?
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[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?
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She's really quite sweet, isn't she?
[Lucky agrees of course, wagging his tail a little.]
No, I should be fine with just the water.
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[He probably does. After all, he's been shot and is clearly a little dizzy.
Climbing on the bed again, this time Kate gets under the covers.]
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[It will help take his mind off how weak he feels.]
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[reaching over at her night stand, Kate grabs the remote and turns the TV on.
She soon settles, finding a fun and classic action film. Kate scoots closer then, almost cuddling him as she rests her head on his shoulder again.]
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We should do it.
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Hrm? Do what?
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[It would be true bliss. Just resting together, watching things, letting Alfred rest and recover. Hanging together.
Before she knows it, she's getting so comfortable against his that she finds herself nuzzling his chest.]
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