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[That mission had taken an emotional toll on her, for more than one reason. And after taking a long shower, Daisy sits around in her room for a while before her thoughts start to consume her. There are times where it’s easier to bring herself back out of it than others, and she finds herself wanting to be in the company of someone else.

Getting out of bed, she makes her way down the hall to Joric’s door and knocks on it softly, just in case he was asleep. It was pretty late after all.]

[ It is late, but he hasn't drifted off just yet. Probably like others on the station tonight, he's remembering the looks on the faces of the Hivawei at the back of the line as the asteroid lit up the sky. They knew they wouldn't make it. He wonders if they found peace before the end; if they accepted it. He doubts they were all thinking the same thing when it hit, but hopefully some of them did. Jyn said the worst part was the noise, but that it was over quickly and didn't hurt. He'll keep reminding himself of that.

The knock on the door has him pulling himself up out of bed, shirtless but with a pair of pants on. He opens the door and smiles faintly when he sees who it is. ]

Hello. Come in.

[ He doubts she's coming to tell him about some emergency. The ear piece would be full of news if that were the case, so he's left to assume she wants to see him. ]

Hey.

[Daisy smiles as she steps into his room, giving him a quick once over, silently checking him over for any injuries.]

How’re you doing?

[ He gets the sense she's looking for new injuries and not just checking him out, so he gives a little turn so she can see his back is also clear of any wounds before he heads to the bed for a seat. ]

As well as can be expected, I think. It was a lot of work.

[ ...and not everyone made it. ]

[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)

Night of their return to the station

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