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[Relieved to see he’s physically okay, Daisy moves to take a seat next to him on his bed.

He doesn’t have to say the last part to know, and she reaches out to put her hand on top of his.]

You want to talk about it?

There is nothing to talk about.

[ Only there is, he just isn't any good at expressing himself or talking about feelings, so he doesn't. ]

How are you?

[Daisy knows that’s not true, but she doesn’t push. Not yet anyway. She looks up at him before looking at the wall across his room, shrugging as she debates whether or not to be honest.]

Wishing I could’ve done more, but my powers were too weak.

[ While he can understand the sentiment, it's a lot of blame to take upon oneself. Especially since - if he understands it right - her powers make things move and shake. He isn't sure how they are relevant to escorting a line of people through a portal. The problem had been they simply hadn't enough time for those who wished to leave. ]

What do you think your powers would have done that you yourself did not?

Helped shield them from the asteroid, maybe even broken it up.

[Daisy’s gaze falls to the floor for a few seconds before she turns her head to look at him again.]

[ His brows lift up in surprise. That was something he didn't want to envision failing. ]

Have you ever been tested against something that powerful before?

[Daisy smiles faintly at the question. It’s not like he could know what she’s been through, especially when she’s not exactly open about what her life had been like back home.]

Not an asteroid, but I’ve been against pretty powerful things before.

[ He isn't really sure how to respond without admitting that he wouldn't have trusted her shield to not break in that scenario. They only had to touch the orb to leave, but had they let Daisy cast her shield and it broke, not only would they have all died, but that would have made the orb scenario even worse. ]

It would have been a great risk. Perhaps fate didn't want you to attempt it.

It’s not fate that my powers don’t always work to their full potential.

[There’s a slight bite to her words, but none of it is directed at Joric.]

I’m not in control of when I have my powers here. Or how strong they’ll be.

[ He wonders if perhaps the tone of her voice indicates a frustration she's had on missions. A frustration that he's shared. While he might not think himself any good at talking, sometimes words do come out but whether they will help or hinder remains to be seen.

He reaches for her hand and slides rough fingertips against her skin until he can settle his fingers in the spaces between her own. ]

I know what it feels like to not believe I am doing enough. Every mission it seems like the solution is casting a spell, or talking someone down from their intentions and I am not able to cast magic or speak well enough to make a difference. I do not even speak well enough to uncover anything useful.

[ He exhales a slightly frustrated breath. ]

Perhaps we need to keep trying and one day we will excel without it being because of your powers or my skill with a sword.

[Looking down at their hands with a frown, Daisy turns her hand over so her palm is facing his and laces her fingers through his. All the while listening to him, looking up at him once he’s finished.]

I’m a good fighter, and amazing at hacking.

[She knows this about herself, and there’s no reason for her to be humble.]

But my powers could’ve helped during this mission. They should’ve worked.

Daisy...

[ He sighs. ]

I know what it is like to feel you should be able to do something and yet cannot.

[ It's a hint at something, but he makes no move to explain further. ]

We must focus on what we did, and not what we weren't able to do.

[He isn’t the first person to tell her not to beat herself up, and he definitely won’t be the last.]

If you know that then you know it’s not that easy to just let it go.

I know, but you cannot turn back the days and change things. Those days have passed.

[ A pause. ]

All we can do now is remember them, because thinking what could have been is of little use.

I know.

[Except that’s not true at all. Daisy has changed a lot back home, because it was actually possible. Now isn’t the time to talk about it though, because there’s no going back there.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Daisy wipes at her cheek with her free hand before squeezing his hand.]

Thank you. I needed to hear that.

[ He offers a shrug. ]

Usually I say the wrong thing so... it's good it helped this time.

[Daisy smiles at that, even if it hadn’t been his intention.]

That’s not true.

[She moves to rest her head on his shoulder if he lets her.]

You’re good at saying the right thing.

Well, I'm glad you think so.

[ He has no plans to move, so her head can go ahead and rest on his shoulder. Closing his eyes, he breathes in the scent of her hair and absorbs the quiet moment for what it is; not taking it for granted. Being alone for too long has meant that now as he's become reintroduced to the concept of society that it's too precious a thing to not appreciate. ]

You too, you know. You say the right thing.

[ He's speaking just in general, really. Even though their talks often led to sex or even just hair stroking in a hammock, he likes the talking bits too. ]

[Daisy tilts her head to look up at him with a tired smile,]

Like what?

[ Oh. Way to put him on the spot. He's silent a moment, trying to pin down something specific she's said. ]

You know, you... look out for me. When that asshole in the tavern kicked me in the ribs you wanted to get me ice. And when you said my idea about using the crab shells was smart. You always ask if I'm hungry and give me food.

[ There's a pause and he gently untangles his hand from hers, slipping it around her back to hold her. ]

When we were talking in that big forest about my people, you remembered my sister's name. I didn't say it then, but I appreciate that you did.

[Daisy’s smile turns a little sad when he lists off his reasons for thinking that. From the way he talks about it, it’s hard not to assume that he isn’t used to that kind of thing back home. Having others looking out for him, or acknowledging when he comes up with a good plan.

Leaning into him when he wraps his arm around her, Daisy rests her cheek against his upper arm.]

We all need to look out for each other here.

[And maybe it’s hypocritical of her to say that, considering she struggles with accepting that herself. But he doesn’t have to know that.]

Edited 2023-04-11 15:33 (UTC)

[ It hadn't been so long ago that these concepts were familiar to him, but he hasn't had anyone looking out for him before coming here, so he's been taking notice when someone does. ]

Mm hm. You're good at it, is what I'm trying to say.

[ He's quiet a moment longer before adding: ]

You sound tired. Do you want to sleep?

[Out of habit, Daisy almost dismisses him, but in all honesty she’s too exhausted to deny the fact that she is so tired. To the point that her body aches, the adrenaline having completely disappeared from earlier.]

Is it okay if I sleep here? Just for a little bit.

[She knows her room isn’t far away, but she doesn’t want to be alone.]

It is. You take the wall side.

[ It's simple habit. When a bed is pushed against the wall he wants to be on the outside in case there's danger. ]

When you feel like leaving, you can crawl over me. Or wake me up.

[ He gets up and moves so she can lie down first. ]

[Relieved that he doesn’t reject her, Daisy kicks off her toes out of her shoes.]

Are you going to sleep too?

[She’s starting to feel safe around him, and that became apparent to her when she had fallen asleep next to him in the woods. Laying down on the bed, Daisy leaves him as much space as she can. She wouldn’t turn down being held right now.]

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