Therex had become more and more of a bar person over the past year. He had probably consumed more drinks the past six months than the rest of his life combined. Sure, the Army was exciting, but you didn't get to have all that fun without some sort of stress release. Some turned to smoking, other to drinking. Some even turned straight to suicide.
Shaking his head, Therex returned to reality. He was sitting in a booth at one of the bars near the Eclipse barracks. In one hand he caressed a small glass of spirits from his home planet. The other dangled loosely to one side, occasionally brushing against his drinking partner's hand.
Raising his head, Therex looked at her. Terre Rae. The girl who had become an integral part of his life here in the Vast Empire. She had brownish blonde hair that seemed to flow over her shoulders. Her eyes were a hazel, but they almost seemed infinite.
Therex smiled, remembering their exploits. One in particular had happened on their last mission. Therex could still feel her lips on his when he thought about it. Shaking his head again, Therex caught her lighting up a cigarette. He knew her well enough. She only did that when she was stressed about something.
"Hey," he said, trying to sound as comforting as he could as he slid an arm around her shoulders. "You okay?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice betraying her. "I'll be fine."
"You don't sound like it," Therex replied cooly, sipping slowly from his glass. He tilted his head down at her. "Wanna talk to me about it?"
"Therex," she said, sighing, "I dunno..."
"Please tell me," he pleaded, leaning closer.
"I think I'm falling for someone," she finally admitted, "And everything's been kinda slow lately..."
"Who?" Therex asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shifting under his arm, Terre turned away slightly, slowly breathing in on her smoke. "I need a life."
"You have one. Right here, with us," Therex said, turning her back slightly. "Who are you falling for?" he asked again, only slightly more firmly.
Avoiding him once more, she scanned the room for the waitress, muttering about getting more whiskey. Therex sighed heavily. He knew her. She was not one to avoid answering him. That meant that this was far more important.
"Terre!" he said, his voice just under a yell.
"What?!" she spat back, not startled, but more aggravated.
Softening his voice, Therex tried again.
"Obviously, it's disturbing to you, or you wouldn't have brought it up. Who are you falling for?"
"Therex," she said, barely audible.
"Yes, that's me."
She turned her head, finally looking at him. "I know."
Small gears turned in Therex's brain but no click was felt for a good twenty seconds.
"Wait..." Therex said, still processing the comment. "What?"
"I'm falling for you..." Terre whispered.
"Terre," Therex said, his voice almost a sigh. He knew that she had had feelings for him, and until now... Therex hadn't really thought a whole lot about it.
"See? I knew I shouldn't have told you..." Terre buried her face in her hands, trembling under Therex's arm. "I didn't tell you at first because I was afraid I would make it awkward... I would rather be your friend than be rejected by you..." She sniffed softly, slamming her forehead against the table.
"Hey, hey, hey," Therex comforted softly, pulling her close, wrapping both arms around her. "The only person you made this awkward for is yourself."
Suddenly the sobbing stopped. Therex smiled inwardly. She had gotten the message much faster than he had. Slowly she turned, the look on her face one of shock and confusion.
"Excuse me?" she choked out, her hands rubbing furiously at her eyes. "You mean you...? But.."
Therex stayed silent as Terre requested a fresh glass of whiskey, regaining some of her composure. When she turned back, Therex gave her a smile and just continued the silence. When she reached up, Therex tensed slightly, until she touched his face. Her hands were soft, smooth, warm... Slowly she stroked his eyebrow, her fingers brushing the scars from his childhood. If it could have been called that.
Slowly he reached up his own hand and placed it on top of hers. He closed his eyes to slits and leaned into it, much like an animal does when you pet it. But Therex was comfortable. The most comfortable he had been as far back as he could remember.
- OOC:
- WC: 746