reconnaissance | ic contact.

[It's really silly, but all of that combined with the stress and anger of the day just makes her feel kind of overwhelmed for a moment.

She's totally looking at Ellie like she's magic.]

I love you.

[She's already said it once, but just... she sounds a lot more serious, this time.]

( Oh. That sure is a sentence. She said it before but it was kind of flippant, and this is definitely more serious.

Oh, boy. )

Um. ( Wow, Steph. There's jokes on the tip of her tongue to kind of buffer herself from this: wait until after you have those potatoes, or I bet you say that to all the girls, but they kind of stick at the back of her throat. ) Yeah. I love you, too.

( A little stilted, just because she's surprised, but she does. She really does, it's just. Saying big serious things. )

[She doesn't quite regret it, but she does feel a little guilty for springing it on Ellie without warning, and she's almost considering dismissing it, before Ellie manages a response.

Except Steph isn't sure what to say, now, so she just smiles as she gets out of her seat so she can give Ellie a kiss on the cheek, nothing too demanding after that.]

( The kiss is nice. She probably looks a little too pleased, but whatever. She's just sliding an arm around Steph and steering her in the direction of their bedroom. Technically speaking, she's really just leading her in that direction. ) Feel like company?

( Which will probably just be Ellie reading while Steph sleeps, really. )

[Steering is fine, she's more than happy to be lead to the bedroom.]

I'd appreciate it, but it's okay if you've got stuff to do.

[As she moves away from Ellie a bit, just so that she can work off her boots and both layers of the suit, grabbing a t-shirt to pull on.

Idly, she remembers it's the first of the month, and adjusts her planned nap time to just an hour, so that she can go poke around the courtyard later.]

I'll tag along.

( A little shrug, grabbing her book up from the shelf and settling down on the bed. ) You're a good bed warmer.

( Because that's the only reason, for sure. ) Hey, Jesse'll have free bikkies down at the Hold if we swing by later.

( free food, she whispered to the wind )

[Bed.

Excuse her while she happily wriggles under the covers and gets comfortable. She's definitely gone longer without sleep, but it's been a while so she's finding herself crashing harder than she usually would.]

Good to know why you keep me around.

[As if Ellie isn't the one who basically insinutated herself into Steph's life.]

Free bikkies sound good. I'm sure there'll still be some left by the time we get down there.

[She's calling them bikkies because she loves Ellie.]

( Ellie is certainly not grinning. Except she is. Excuse her while she plays with Steph's hair between reading. )

Comfie?

( A quiet uhuh, as if she is just placating Steph by pretending to pay attention. ) God knows how we'll cope without 'em.

( The horror. Such deadpan horror. And, a kiss to Steph's temple: ) Go to sleep.

[She is more than okay with that, tucking herself a little closer against Ellie's side and closing her eyes.]

Mm. [the comfiest, and despite the remaining anger and worry, she's tired enough that sleep isn't going to be difficult. It helps that Ellie was here to give her hugs and food and to be a physical comfort amongst it all.] I'll make you some if they're all gone.

[already sounding a little slurred with sleep, and there's another agreeable hum. She will definitely go to sleep.]

You can worry about that later.

( Another kiss to Steph's temple, lingering as she smiles. Another little squeeze for Steph, and Ellie's going to leave her be and stop talking, hoping she nods off soon, Ellie keeping as still as she can as she settles in to enjoy her reading. She's totally happy to be there for Steph - it's just what they do. And besides, Steph goes above and beyond for so many people. Least Ellie can do is have her back. Probably a little over-protectively, but whatever. )

ic contact.

you're a champion

aren't I just

the most champion

should i be offended

maybe

weeping

sad trombone

womp womp

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