(no subject)

[souffle_girlek]

Oswin has just taken the kettle off the stove and is pouring it into the teapot when the doorchime goes off. For this, she got out the big pot, and her very biggest mugs. Thankfully, she had scones already made - she already knows she'd be useless baking in a hurry.

"Hang on, the bots will open it in a mo, don't you go wandering off now." She calls through the open comms line. "I've got a hot kettle in my hands so I can't get it myself."

Comments

[iprotectyou]

Baze still has no idea what set her off. Was it a discussion of Sinric's telepathy? He can see how that might have been a trigger. What about his own irritation? That might have scared her.

Whatever the reason, Baze knows he'll have to limit his bitching in the future. He can't stand to see his friends in pain, and if he can do anything to prevent that, then he'll do it, come hell or high water.

He immediately folds Oswin into his powerful arms, tucking her against his chest and resting his chin on her head. He leans back on the arm of the couch, carrying her with him. Snuggling is something Baze is good at, having practiced and enjoyed it, so he does his best to hold her now.

"I'm sorry," he says, muffled by her hair.

[souffle_girlek]

"Not your fault." Oswin replies, melting into his hold, quite content to stay where she is now. "You've gotten the broken model, I'm afraid. Bit more patched up than before, but... not terribly sturdy." This cuddling is actually ideal. She can hide her ashamed flush against his overalls and no one has to know.

[iprotectyou]

Baze could joke, could tell her that he likes repairing things, but there are several problems with that. First, this isn't a joking matter. Secondly, she's not a thing. And, finally, the most important fact: her hurts are impossible for him to fix, try as he might. It's not his responsibility to fix her, either, but he wishes he could ease her pain somehow.

Cuddling will have to do, and that, he can provide.

"Well, I don't mind broken models," Baze murmurs, stroking her back. "And like it or not, you're stuck with me. I'm in it for the long haul."

Baze is here. He always will be.