delincuente | IC Inbox

[He grows silent for a moment. Alex doesn't like physical affection, but this is a bit more serious, so he takes off his shirt (he still has that white tank-top underneath) and motions for her to place her hand over his heart.]

She sounds like the exception to the rule. [Stefan's trying - and failing a little - to keep his voice even.] My heart doesn't beat as often as it should, but it's still there.

[Alex moves her hand slowly across to his heart - when she feels a beat underneath her fingers, she smiles.

And doesn't move her hand.]

Good to feel for myself that you're not a zombie.

I'll let you know if I start craving your brain.

[He returns the smile, suddenly consciously aware of how fast his heart's beating - it's not much faster than a human's, but it's fast for him.] In the meantime? I think we're gonna be fine.

Good. I've heard it's not the best part of me, though.

[She isn't sure if that's meant to be flirty or self-deprecating, but either way just hearing the words come out of her mouth make her suddenly uncomfortable. She so used to throwing out casual innuendos, but the intimacy and the honesty and her hand still over his heart are more than she bargained for. She drops her hand, awkwardly landing it on his arm instead.]

... Sorry.

[His face turns really red, really fast - he's sure he could be mistaken for a tomato at this rate, and he's also sure it looks as embarrassing as it feels.

He awkwardly scoots back, almost tripping over himself.] What? No, you've got nothing to--you're crazy smart, Alex.

I shouldn't have, uh,... I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have been this close to you in the first place.

[Alex catches him by the arm, leaning upwards to follow him, but not going too far. She isn't sure how much of it is moral values and how much is personal hesitance, and she doesn't want to toe the line too hard. But she needs to let him know -]

You don't have to do that. The whole... dangerous monster shtick, okay?

[She loosens her grip a little, sinking back down to sit on her knees.]

I can take whatever you throw at me.

[Dangerous monster? Him? Stefan stiffens at her touch, not because he's afraid he'll lash out - the opposite, actually. Their shared quarters isn't going to help how he feels. Not when his heart's beating too fast and he was too intimate with someone he's not married or related to.]

I know. [He manages a smile, though it's thin. His mom so raised him better than this...] I just believe, there's... I... [Words. What are words.] I respect you better than this. So I'm still sorry.

[Deep breath.] I'll go ahead and get some food ready. See you soon?

[She sinks back, leaning against the bunk's metal bars, and self-consciously tugs up at her tank top, suddenly embarrassed of everything that had been running through her head and her veins. Right - that's not something he does, and she should know that, and respect that, and now she's made herself sound like a total tramp in front of him. This is a perfect day. It's perfect and she doesn't miss Jason at all-]

Yeah. Yeah, that'd be...

[She toes at the blankets, and considers just getting underneath them for about the next twelve months.]

I'll be there in a few.

[He can't blame her, because she's got a right to flirt with him, and be coy, and do things like hold her hand over his heart and touch his face like he means something. No, this is entirely his fault for getting so spooked and sending her mixed signals.

So as he jumps down - his secret's out, it's not like he has to hide anymore - he smiles at her, as genuinely as he can.]

Sure. I'll even get the fish out this time. [He turns towards the door, pausing only long enough to say:] Hey, I... I don't blame you at all, okay? This was all me.

[Alex slides her legs under the blanket, staring down at her hands like they've insulted her. She wishes she was back in Paradisa, with Sirius or Rise. She needs someone who will hold her, and want to hold her.]

No, it's not. Just...

[She shakes her head, and lays back down on Jason's pillow.]

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