milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Teller is over by the fireplace, enjoying some chocolates for a holiday he doesn't celebrate (which means he didn't get anything for the gift-giver, as he wasn't expecting to get anything in the first place).

He's trying to ignore that this is the first time he's been in this place for a few months, which has the effect of making him look like he's trying to ignore the place at large. Rather hard to blame him, though, all things considered.

Tiny Jumpy Tag: Teller

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At some point before a handful of gifts ended up under the tree, because Millitime is a lovely thing, Sariel came drifting fireplace-wards.

She's two steps from an open seat when she looks around properly at who else is nearby, and then she brightens. Someone looks less battered, which has to be a good sign. She'll get to the nervousness in a minute. "Hello, Teller."

He starts -- very slightly, but noticeable -- before smiling up at her.

He offers some of his chocolates that someone had left for him.

If Sariel didn't notice those sorts of things, she wouldn't be herself. For a couple different reasons, even. "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?"

She does accept one of those chocolates, but that open seat gets claimed first. "And thank you."

He nods lightly. Just fine. Not at all upset at the strange turn his life has taken.

Nope.

Which is why he also doesn't at all look completely knackered. That is just a figment of your imagination.

And Sariel totally doesn't pick up on either cue. Noooope.

If you believe that, she's got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you, and she's never even been to New York City.

Cue concerned, searching look. "You look exhausted, are you sure?"

Is something wrong, sir?

He smiles politely. The sort of smile that says that no, he's not, but he has no idea how to even start talking about it.

And then he eats a bit of chocolate, just to have something to do.

It rather figures, when Sariel sees that expression, that she draws the conclusion she does. Mmm chocolate--hang on a second.

"Did something happen with your--" she chooses the next word carefully here, "--partner?"

How's she to know she's a few lightyears off base? The one *did* try for the other's attention by throwing knives around...

He shakes his head quickly. For a moment, it almost looks like he's about to say something, but he eats some more chocolate instead.

Sariel's not going to press him, whether she noticed him almost speak or not. His answer is a relief just the same.

"I'm glad to hear that, anyway." That momentary flicker of a frown she wears probably says a few things. Soooomeone's still a teeny bit protective, la la la--ahem.

Beat. "And you're better than you were, after--" oops, return of the frowny look, "--the incident you had?" That she'd ask rather figures too.

That just earns a dismissive shrug. He's... dealing. Coping. Surviving.

Truth be told, he's not handling it well at all, but how could anyone blame him?

Sariel certainly can't. She has her own

blade with a jagged edge

issues to deal with, after all. The way she sees it, Teller has every right to process things in his own time.

Oh, if she only knew...

"Is there any way I can help?" That's not pitying; it's a genuine question.

Teller considers this.

Yes, actually. He moves over and just leans against her, totally disregarding any social protocol about personal space.

Sariel?

Looks totally, justifiably surprised. Teller's getting a look conveying exactly this, too. "Teller, are you--?"

She's not sure how to end that sentence. In need of a hug, afraid you'll go unconscious, going to try and kiss me--she doesn't know. And even then, part of her is saying that's ridiculous, he wouldn't just out of nowhere, and he isn't--

Surprised she is. Startled she is. But she doesn't move away.

It's a fair bet she's more concerned about the first two possibilities than the third, now. She's Starfleet. And--well. She's herself.

He's just looking for a bit of a cuddle, and rests his head on her shoulder, which he follows up with a very dramatic sigh.

Really, he's quite content to just stay like this all evening.

That fairly conclusively rules out the second possibility as well as the third. Sariel's relief at both realities shows on her face, but given he's leaning on her, Teller might have trouble spotting it.

She still isn't moving away. Mind you, she isn't all that used to being leaned on, but this is a friend. And he rather looks as though he needs it.

As for the sigh, how's she to know how much of it is real drama and how much is acting? Or if any of it is acting at all?

She can't look directly at him, not the way he's leaning, but when she speaks, there's still no pity in her voice anywhere. "I'm sorry," she says. "It isn't easy, is it?"

The last may technically be a question, but it doesn't come out sounding like one.

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