You saw, as always, clearer than me [closed]

[craaazyisland]

Even after his conversation with Luke, it took Steve a day or two to finally work up the courage to seek out Claire. He got close on the second day and then chickened out, then retreated to his room to try and figure out exactly how he was going to phrase this. It was all in the approach, after all.

So he decided today he'd stop by the precinct for... something, he'd probably find something he could do around there-- and if he ran into Claire, then he'd talk to her.

And he ran into her in one of the conference rooms. Shit. Why was it always a conference room?

"Hey- uh... Claire?" he said, clearing his throat. "Are you busy?"

Oh god. What was he doing? This was the worst idea ever.

Comments

[craaazyisland]

He still felt that pressure in his chest, so he was still doing his best to relax by taking deep breaths. His shoulder tensed up when Claire gripped it, but he was grateful for it anyway.

"Maybe not to you," he pointed out.

[letmelive]

Claire sighed, tilting her head slightly to the side in a weary manner.

"So much for things not being weird."

[craaazyisland]

"Yeah, no kidding. Story of our lives." He managed a tiny half-a-smile at that and after a moment, also managed to glance over at her.

Awkwardly.

Very, very awkwardly. And there was still some inner voice of his that wanted to brand this "romantic tension." Dammit.

"So, um. Just FYI? I am not okay with this."

[letmelive]

Claire couldn't help but smile a little at that, despite how not funny the situation was.

"Funny, I couldn't tell."

[craaazyisland]

"Yeah. This whole getting-shoehorned-into-my-first-kiss-ever-from-the-girl-I-like-five-minutes-after-she-shuts-me-down thing is just. Awesome."

At least he could be sarcastic about it quietly now.

[letmelive]

The smile melted off her face at that, and she sighed, glancing up at the mistletoe on the ceiling again before leaning forward to kiss Steve on the cheek. She hoped that would be enough, otherwise she was going to need to call someone else. Because it was just unkind to do this to the poor kid.

"Don't be so dramatic."

[craaazyisland]

He involuntarily held his breath the moment he saw Claire starting to lean towards him, and by the time she pulled away his face was just about the same color as his hair.

"Thank you for your participation," said the computerized voice, and there was another faint hum as the barrier presumably disappeared.

This left Steve there, red as a fire truck, quickly bringing a hand up to his cheek. "Um. Thanks..." For what? God, you're an idiot!

[letmelive]

Claire was quietly relieved that the kiss on the cheek seemed sufficient, and she leaned away from Steve, smiling a little. At least he didn't self destruct from embarrassment, although he did look like he was just about fit to explode. She patted him on the shoulder, tilting her head slightly.

"Don't mention it."

[craaazyisland]

He swallowed and turned to eye the door behind him. Though this time, he was wary about making a quick exit, even if he felt even more like he needed to.

"So can we never, ever, ever mention this ever again?" he asked a moment later.

[letmelive]

"Yeah, sure." She was pretty content to let this whole thing slide into the category of things that just were not going to be talked about ever again.

[craaazyisland]

As was he. Though it would undoubtedly be popping up sooner or later in the form of suffocating awkwardness.

"So I should. Probably go. Before something else happens," he muttered, looking away from her again. Maybe the ship would throw down a barrier that wouldn't let you go until you lost your virginity, or something else that would make Steve think killing himself would be a better option.

[letmelive]

Claire nodded her head a little, but reached out to grab Steve's shoulder again before he could escape.

"Steve, don't be a stranger, okay? I know this is gonna be a little weird for a while, but I don't want you to cut me out of your life." Unless of course he felt that was the only way to get over her.

[craaazyisland]

It took him a moment to respond to her, reaching up to rub his face again. Man, he must have been practically burning red.

"Okay," he said quietly. "I just..."

Long pause. "I don't know. Forget it. You know I don't want that either."

[letmelive]

She sighed a little inwardly at his hesitation, knowing there was still something, but knowing he probably didn't want to discuss it anymore. Instead she nodded, squeezing his shoulder gently before letting go.

"Okay, good."

[craaazyisland]

He shrugged, shaking his head. Finally he looked up at her over his shoulder and gave her half of a corner of a smile. A pathetic one, too.

"I'll be fine. I just need to. Chill out for a while or something." Read: lock himself in his room and cry and kick the wall until he calmed down.

[letmelive]

She nodded her head again, smiling back at him. "Yeah, of course. You go chill out." And she'd try not to get too upset with him inevitably avoiding her.

[craaazyisland]

He turned back towards the door and headed out, without rushing this time but still giving off the undeniable resemblance of a puppy with its tail between its legs.

As soon as he was out of the room he let out a breath it felt like he'd been holding for ages, and reached up to wipe away tears it felt like he'd been holding for even longer than that. He lowered his head and headed back to his room as quickly as humanly possible.