[ She doesn't reply (which might make things even more ominous oops??? Her hands are kinda full right now.) but a minute or so later there's a light knock at his door. ]
[Oh, good, Tim's just going to worry and stare at his phone for that minute or two, waiting for her to reply until the knock startles him.]
[He goes to the door quickly, and Angel can probably hear the thump from when he accidentally hits his shoulder into a corner on the way there. He throws open the door.]
[ Angel, observant as ever, notices Tim's frazzled state and begins to worry herself. ]
I- yes? Are you?
[ In her hands is a medium sized basket with a warm looking wool blanket draped over the top, and though it looks light enough to be held one handed Angel carries it carefully with both. ]
[Tim steps aside to let her in. Okay, everything's fine, everybody's good, Jack hasn't done something horrible recently that they need to run damage control on.]
[ Angel enters, delicately setting down the basket before turning to make sure the door is securely shut. It would be bad if the baskets contents escaped.
When she turns back to Tim, she begins to lose her nerve a little. What if he does't like it, or want the extra responsibility? She's never given a gift so big even if for now it's small in form.
She kneels down beside the basket to pull at the blanket cover. ]
I know Mercenary Day, or it's equivalent here has come and gone but...this gift took a little longer to acquire than I initially thought it would.
[ And she removes the blanket completely, pushing it aside to reveal a very small tabby-kitten sitting inside. ]
[The blanket is removed and there, in the basket, is an adorable little kitten and Tim can feel the higher functions of his brain just kind of switch off from being in close proximity to a kitty.]
[It's a kitty.]
[Tim kneels down next to the basket and his vision kind of goes a little wibbly because there are actual physical tears in his eyes. He reaches in with his stupid big hands and scoops up the kitten, which mews and bats at his fingers with its tiny paws. He brings the kitten to his chest and holds it and looks up at Angel.]
[The kitten kneads at his shirt with its little kitten paws and little kitten claws, and it kind of stings because those things are like needles. Tim doesn't mind, though.]
[These are the happiest tears, Angel.]
Noodle.
[He already knows, because he's a dork. Don't question his naming choices, okay.]
I'm going to call him Noodle. Aren't you cute? You're the cutest, yes you are, Noodle.
[Tim is briefly distracted because of the number of kisses that he's giving this kitten-- this will be the most loved cat, Angel, you can be sure of that. Tim loves him because he loves all cats. Cats are a good.]
[He laughs a little and shifts the kitten into one hand so that he can wipe at his stupid eyes with the other.]
Why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you. God, thank you, Angel.
[ Really? Angel is really taken aback by that sentiment. She's so used to bringing destruction and pain to people, bringing someone happiness, "the best thing" is truly foreign to her. She doesn't have words for how glad she is right now. ]
Because...for the six months that I've been here I have been so alone...I haven't been able to truly tell anyone who I am, and even if I did I don't know if they would have understood my position.
[ She takes a deep breath, being this forward is hard after ten plus years of piling on secrets and lies, but she doesn't want to live that way anymore where she can help it. ]
I have not had the option of being honest about myself in years...You are the first an only person I have been able to talk to candidly like this. For the first time since Jack-- since Jack put me away I do not feel completely alone.
[Tim stands, and he wishes that there was more that he could do for Angel. She's sweet and kind-- more than he'd ever expect from someone raised by Jack-- and she didn't deserve a fraction of the terrible things that happened to her. He wants to do more than just be the friend she can complain to about her awful dad.]
I know it's not a lot, but... I'm glad that you talk to me about this stuff. And about whatever you want, not just... you know. We're stuck in this whole thing together and I want to help you.
[ It takes a moment for Angel to really register Tim's request, and even when she does a part of her remains disengaged. It's such an unfamiliar request. Regardless she still stands to meet him, nodding an okay. ]
[He shifts the kitten in his grip so that he won't smoosh the poor thing when he goes in to hug her. Only after Angel stands and nods in acquiescence does he move in, wrapping one arm gently around her back for a hug.]
[She seems small, compared to him. Jack's not exactly the biggest guy around-- and therefore neither is Tim-- but his daughter is slim and maybe a little fragile? In more ways than just physical build, probably.]
[Tim doesn't want to hurt her. There are so many ways that he could, without even meaning to.]
Though Angel had agreed to the hug in theory, a near abstract concept at this point in her life, she hadn't realized how much she had needed it. Something so thoroughly missed that she had forgotten how to miss it at all. She can't recall the last time someone held her, let alone a time when it was welcome, where the gesture symbolized safety and warmth and not possession.
When she blinks she's surprised to feel something warm and wet rolling down her cheek, as she carefully raises her arms to return the hug. ]
[Tim is a little worried at first, because it takes a little while for Angel to actually reciprocate the hug. Maybe this is a little forward of him? She did agree, but he doesn't want to force her into doing something that she's not comfortable with, just because she doesn't want to upset him. Especially... because of the face he has.]
[He gives her a gentle little squeeze. He likes hugs, he really does, and hopefully this one isn't going on for, you know, longer than the Standard Friend Hug Timeframe? They're probably getting close. Just a little bit more? Right. Okay. Let go before it gets weird, Tim, remember what happened in middle school.]
[Plus, Noodle is starting to get wiggly.]
I do mean it, Angel. [He lets go.] I would be really lonely without you.
[ If only Tim knew. The face is always present, a looming factor in their friendship, but Angel has begun to draw a distinct line in the sand. It helps that him and Jack are so different in almost every other way.
When he lets go she quickly swipes at her eyes, does her best to feign it as her being tired rather than unexpected tears though her voice coming out a little choked up may betray her. ]
[He suspects that there were tears when Angel pulls away, but she had gotten kind of mad when he'd brought it up in the library, so Tim is totally fine with just letting it go. Nothing to see here, no tears, everyone is completely emotionally fine right now. This Is Fine.]
[Tim smiles at her; beams, really, because it's been such a long time since he's had a real friend.]
I am, too. I'm glad that I met you.
[Since he never got the chance to, back home.]
And, uh... [The smile fades into something more sheepish.] Sorry for the things I said when I met you? I don't think I said sorry for that. It was probably really... weird. For you.
[ Well, if there was anything Tim could have said to instantly sober the mood and shift it out of "awkward, but touching" to "awkward, and really awkward" it...would be that... ]
Oh, um...thank you? It's- you had no reason to think I was related to Jack. It is not as though I was public knowledge.
[Look, he feels like he should apologize for asking if she was having sex with her dad. Like, that's a thing you should probably apologize for. He'd just intended to be kind of rude when he'd asked, not brain-destroyingly horrifying.]
Great, then I'd like to propose that we never speak of it again. Ever.
[ Har har. Though remembering Tim's...unfortunate presumptions has her remembering some things she needs to apologize for herself. Idly she reaches out to give Noodle a pat on the head, kitty purrs really do calm nerves. ]
And...I'm sorry too. For lying to you about who I was, but more so for referring to you as one point oh. You are...you are your own person, Timothy. You always were.
[Okay, so that was dealt with. What she says afterwards, though, makes him go still. He considers it, probably more than most people have to.]
I guess so. For what good it does me.
[Jack told him that the surgeries were permanent, and Tim believes him. He doesn't doubt that Jack would tell the truth so long as it hurts. Tim will never be rid of Jack, because he'll see him every day in the mirror.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Is something wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?
no subject
no subject
[He goes to the door quickly, and Angel can probably hear the thump from when he accidentally hits his shoulder into a corner on the way there. He throws open the door.]
Are you okay?
no subject
I- yes? Are you?
[ In her hands is a medium sized basket with a warm looking wool blanket draped over the top, and though it looks light enough to be held one handed Angel carries it carefully with both. ]
no subject
[Okay, so this was a false alarm? Angel looks okay. She doesn't seem upset or anything.]
...What's that? [The basket, he means.] Oh, sorry, do you want to come in?
no subject
She gives him a curt nod to his invitation ]
I hope I didn't come at a bad time.
[ And then the basket makes a noise: a little rustling and a small high pitched mew. ]
no subject
[And then-- that little baby mew.]
[Tim freezes.]
What's in the basket?
no subject
When she turns back to Tim, she begins to lose her nerve a little. What if he does't like it, or want the extra responsibility? She's never given a gift so big even if for now it's small in form.
She kneels down beside the basket to pull at the blanket cover. ]
I know Mercenary Day, or it's equivalent here has come and gone but...this gift took a little longer to acquire than I initially thought it would.
[ And she removes the blanket completely, pushing it aside to reveal a very small tabby-kitten sitting inside. ]
Happy belated Mercenary Day.
no subject
[It's a kitty.]
[Tim kneels down next to the basket and his vision kind of goes a little wibbly because there are actual physical tears in his eyes. He reaches in with his stupid big hands and scoops up the kitten, which mews and bats at his fingers with its tiny paws. He brings the kitten to his chest and holds it and looks up at Angel.]
I love him.
no subject
But then Tim says he loves him (er, she thinks it's a 'him'? Not that it really matters) and Angel breaks out into a warm smile. ]
He doesn't have a name yet.
no subject
[These are the happiest tears, Angel.]
Noodle.
[He already knows, because he's a dork. Don't question his naming choices, okay.]
I'm going to call him Noodle. Aren't you cute? You're the cutest, yes you are, Noodle.
no subject
I remembered from your profile that you were a cat person so...
[ She presses her palms together and looks away for the next part, he voice quieting a little. ]
Thank you, Tim.
no subject
[He laughs a little and shifts the kitten into one hand so that he can wipe at his stupid eyes with the other.]
Why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you. God, thank you, Angel.
[He smiles at her, a big, genuine one.]
This is the best thing anybody's ever given me.
no subject
[ Really? Angel is really taken aback by that sentiment. She's so used to bringing destruction and pain to people, bringing someone happiness, "the best thing" is truly foreign to her. She doesn't have words for how glad she is right now. ]
Because...for the six months that I've been here I have been so alone...I haven't been able to truly tell anyone who I am, and even if I did I don't know if they would have understood my position.
[ She takes a deep breath, being this forward is hard after ten plus years of piling on secrets and lies, but she doesn't want to live that way anymore where she can help it. ]
I have not had the option of being honest about myself in years...You are the first an only person I have been able to talk to candidly like this. For the first time since Jack-- since Jack put me away I do not feel completely alone.
no subject
I know it's not a lot, but... I'm glad that you talk to me about this stuff. And about whatever you want, not just... you know. We're stuck in this whole thing together and I want to help you.
[He takes a few steps over towards her.]
Can I... is it okay if I hug you now?
no subject
no subject
[She seems small, compared to him. Jack's not exactly the biggest guy around-- and therefore neither is Tim-- but his daughter is slim and maybe a little fragile? In more ways than just physical build, probably.]
[Tim doesn't want to hurt her. There are so many ways that he could, without even meaning to.]
Thank you for being my friend, Angel.
no subject
Though Angel had agreed to the hug in theory, a near abstract concept at this point in her life, she hadn't realized how much she had needed it. Something so thoroughly missed that she had forgotten how to miss it at all. She can't recall the last time someone held her, let alone a time when it was welcome, where the gesture symbolized safety and warmth and not possession.
When she blinks she's surprised to feel something warm and wet rolling down her cheek, as she carefully raises her arms to return the hug. ]
no subject
[He gives her a gentle little squeeze. He likes hugs, he really does, and hopefully this one isn't going on for, you know, longer than the Standard Friend Hug Timeframe? They're probably getting close. Just a little bit more? Right. Okay. Let go before it gets weird, Tim, remember what happened in middle school.]
[Plus, Noodle is starting to get wiggly.]
I do mean it, Angel. [He lets go.] I would be really lonely without you.
no subject
When he lets go she quickly swipes at her eyes, does her best to feign it as her being tired rather than unexpected tears though her voice coming out a little choked up may betray her. ]
Me too, Tim. I am so glad you woke up.
no subject
[Tim smiles at her; beams, really, because it's been such a long time since he's had a real friend.]
I am, too. I'm glad that I met you.
[Since he never got the chance to, back home.]
And, uh... [The smile fades into something more sheepish.] Sorry for the things I said when I met you? I don't think I said sorry for that. It was probably really... weird. For you.
no subject
Oh, um...thank you? It's- you had no reason to think I was related to Jack. It is not as though I was public knowledge.
no subject
Great, then I'd like to propose that we never speak of it again. Ever.
no subject
[ Har har. Though remembering Tim's...unfortunate presumptions has her remembering some things she needs to apologize for herself. Idly she reaches out to give Noodle a pat on the head, kitty purrs really do calm nerves. ]
And...I'm sorry too. For lying to you about who I was, but more so for referring to you as one point oh. You are...you are your own person, Timothy. You always were.
no subject
[Okay, so that was dealt with. What she says afterwards, though, makes him go still. He considers it, probably more than most people have to.]
I guess so. For what good it does me.
[Jack told him that the surgeries were permanent, and Tim believes him. He doesn't doubt that Jack would tell the truth so long as it hurts. Tim will never be rid of Jack, because he'll see him every day in the mirror.]
How many does he end up making that are like me?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)