obligatory fourth of july post

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!]

[Come to the roof to do American things! Like have cookouts, and eat watermelon. Stay for the fireworks, too.]

Comments

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

It's something. [I just can't read your mind to find out what that something is.]

...You are going to continue to hide it from me?

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

I'm just... thinking that's all.

[She adverts her eyes to stare at the fake sky again.] Everyone thinks.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

I suppose so...

[Now he's extremely curious and has joined her in 'thinking'.]

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[She feels bad that she's too proud of a person to tell him, but she figures she also shouldn't burden him with things he's already gotten over. It's all in the past for him; she's a bit jealous of that. He doesn't have to think about it anymore, he's learned not to.

She finishes the rest of the saké in her cup, and reaches between them to grab the bottle.]

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

[He glances over and watches her graceful movements.]

...

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[When she finishes pouring the small amount in the ceramic cup, her eyes glance up to see him looking at her. She smiles, the cup close to her lips.]

What?

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

You're just wonderful to watch. Your movements are so gentle and deliberate...

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[Her smile grows and she says nothing for a few moments. Then, with her voice a bit quieter:]

You have to be gentle if you want to be a doctor. Nobody wants to be in more pain than expected.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

Mmmh. More than just a plain, old doctor. You have the adept motor skills of a surgeon. The sheer amount of medical skills that you command is impressive.

I can barely stitch a cut properly. My hands are often rather shaky.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at the compliment and looks down at her own hands.] Thank you. I've worked hard to know what I've learned.

[She looks up at him, smiling.] Your hands aren't a doctor's hands, though. They're a soldiers hands. There's a difference. [Then, she extends her hand out to him.] That doesn't mean they can't be gentle, though.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

[He takes her hand in his and rests his other smooth hand atop hers.]

I try. I may not succeed, but I try.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[She rests her elbow on the arm of the flimsy chair, gently grabbing his hand.]

There's a way to find out, but from what I've already experienced, you're succeeding just fine.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles.]

Hah. If you say so.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

Really! You always think a soldiers hands are going to be... [She waves her free hand in the air.] Rough, or that they'll hurt you some how, but in reality, they know how the hands works, you know? Like, I'm sure if I held a gun, it would be entirely the wrong way, but if you held a gun, you'd know exactly what way to hold it to make it shoot perfectly.

It's the same with a doctor's hands. We know how to find the quickest way to solve a problem, and we need our hands to help with that. [She holds her hand up, showing her elongated fingers.] You get what I mean?

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

My hands were a lot rougher at one point. Sleeping for several years softened them up considerably, but yes- I get what you mean.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

Your hands are perfect, Snake.

[She flashes him a smile.]

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

Perfection is impossible to attain, no matter how hard one tries.

[He smirks back at her.]

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

But imperfections are what make people perfect.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

I suppose on some level this is true.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

It is true. [She takes a sip from the ceramic cup.] Although, I still don't understand how you can like me for my future imperfections.

[They're not even imperfections, she thinks. They're much worse than that.]

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

I told you, I have forgiven you.

One can miss so many wonderful things in life...just by holding an obsessive grudge.

You are a wonderful person, and I really would like to get to know you. The real you, Jane.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

I know that, but there's a part of me that still wonders why you do. Maybe it's because you've had more time to think about it than me, but...

[She gives a weak smile, before downing the rest of the saké in the cup. Again, she winces a little, but she not enough for it too look like it displeases her. Her face is still turned his way, but her eyes cast to the ground.]

I'm-- just an average woman. [She gives a soft laugh.] I'm not complicated at all, really.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

[He just leans closer to her.]

I think you're wonderful. Don't sell yourself short.

[drquacksays.livejournal.com]

[She softly laughs.]

I didn't say being average was bad. I love being average. I'm just saying with me, you won't get to search the jungle or blow up anything, or any of those kinds of 'exciting' things.

[She moves a bit closer, as well.]

I'm sure you'll manage to live, though.

[old-papa-john.livejournal.com]

I don't care about that. I'm just looking to get to know you better and I am happy to take whatever that entails- adventurous or not.

[He smiles at her.]

Yes. I think I will manage.