milliways_bar | (no subject)

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If you watch carefully when Bonnie enters tonight, you might just notice that she does so while hurriedly jumping out of a window.

She has, at least, managed to do so fully dressed, though it's a dress she's wearing rather than her usual overalls. But it's when she gets over to Bar that she notices she's left something behind.

"I'm gonna need some shoes." she whispers to Bar, who obliges.

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"Bonnie?" Autor says as he approaches, looking decidedly less green. "What happened? Did you just jump out of a window?"

Bonnie goes red.

"Maybe." She says.

She ponders how to phrase it without him telling her off.

"I spent time with a gentleman friend, and I didn't want Turtle to see me."

Autor furrows his brow. "And why wouldn't you want Turtle to see you? If you spend time with someone, it's none of his business."

"Because it's his new wife's father?" Bonnie says, with a half smirk half grimace.

"He cain't stop me, but neither of us need the aggro."

Autor presses his lips together. "Oh, Bonnie. What does aggro mean?"

"Aggrovation. Picked it up here somewhere." Bonnie says.

"It was just dinner, it was his birthday. Gerry's lonely, he's a widow."

Autor holds up a hand. "You don't have to defend yourself to me. Though I am curious as to why you're lacking shoes."

"I didn't grab 'em fast enough when Turtle knocked on his father-in-law's bedroom door?"

Autor could ask her how dinner ended up in Gerry's bedroom, but the boy isn't naive. He could also ask if she knows whether there's more than one family to find romantic partners from, but that would be cruel, so he stuffs the thought.

As it is, he simply tilts his chin up. "I understand."

She's not sure he does, but she gives him a little smile.

"Thanks honey." she gives him a little nudge. "One day you'll be an old thing and you'll want someone to make you feel attractive now and again. Ain't gonna be no more weddin' bells, I promise."

"I don't mind if you marry him," Autor says, lifting a shoulder in a half-shrug. "Do what makes you happy."

Bonnie shakes her head.

"I ain't goin' through that again. Ain't puttin' the kids through it neither. It's just dinner and company."

Company that clearly involves taking off shoes. "I understand," Autor says again, inclining his head. "Like I said, you don't have to defend yourself to me."

Bonnie nods.

It sure feels like it.

"How are you doin' honey? Feelin' better?"

"Yes, thank you," Autor says, his shoulders stiffening. "Rae is back, but she's been injured and needs to heal on her own so that there aren't any questions back home."

"Is she badly hurt?" Bonnie asks, in concern.

"Her arms and neck were burned fairly badly," Autor says, adjusting his glasses.

"Is she in the infirmary?"

"As far as I know, she's resting in her own room," Autor says, shaking his head. "She already has ointment and painkillers--not that either is doing much good."

"Bless her, I'll keep an eye out fer her." Bonnie says.

"Good idea," Autor says, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll keep an eye out for her, too. And I'll watch out for you as well, though you don't need it."

Bonnie sighs. She's half tempted to tell him they only spooned, albeit that wasn't for lack of trying on either part.

"Before I forget, can I make over yer room here? Build you some new furniture?"

Autor blinks at her. "Um. If you want to, I wouldn't mind. Why?"

"Well, every time I go in there, it's all sorta... dishevelled." Bonnie says. "And that's how my house gets when things are bad."

"I haven't slept in that room in a couple of months," Autor says, looking away. "You should see my room at Wilford's house. I keep it neat as a pin."

"I ain't criticisin'." Bonnie says. "I just want to help."

Autor sighs, shaking his head. "I know. Thank you, Bonnie. What would you build?"

"Whatever you like." Bonnie says. "Nice big bookcase fer all yer clever learnin', perhaps. Or a big cupboard to store all the stuff off yer floor."

"That... would be nice, thank you," Autor says, tilting his head. "And maybe a bed frame."

"I can definitely make you one of those." Bonnie says. "One with better memories."

"I appreciate that, Bonnie," Autor says, reaching out to touch her shoulder briefly. "I don't have as many nightmares in Wilford's world, so maybe it really is the bed."

"A calm room can help with sleep." Bonnie says. "I found that after we got on top of the hoard."

"Good," Autor says, inclining his head. "I'm glad you're sleeping better. If there's anything I can do to repay you for building furniture for me, let me know."

"You do more than enough fer me." Bonnie says, giving him a squeeze.

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