RO > call me out; a forever open RP post, version 2

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

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[enraptored]

[ He returns the stare, challenging, but--

Well. Owen, to his credit, knows a losing battle when he sees one, and he sighs. ]

You want me to sit down?

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She motions towards the kitchen table with her free hand ] Be my guest.

[enraptored]

[ He takes a seat as directed, huffing out another breath. He looks down at his hands, flexing his fingers experimentally. Nothing broken, which is nice. Apparently the reporter's skull wasn't thick enough to crack his fingers on. ]

Maybe I oughta hang around. Make guys think twice about asking sleezy questions.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She pulls up a chair next to him and resumes wiping the grime from his face.

At his suggestion, she pauses, biting her lower lip. ] I don't really think that's a decision either of us can make.

[enraptored]

Isn't it? I mean, we're both adults. The only one that can stop me from palling around with you is you.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She motions to herself ] Face of the company, remember? And you're the guy who just beat up a reporter.

[enraptored]

What, they're controlling your personal life now, too?

[ex_micromanage449]

They have been, to a degree. I'm under a lot of scrutiny.

[enraptored]

[ The corners of his mouth draw downward, gaze hardening, but he keeps his mouth shut. It's clear enough, though, that he doesn't like that answer. ]

[ex_micromanage449]

What do you want me to say? "Hang the rules, I'll see whoever I want"? I wish I could. I didn't ask for this.

[enraptored]

[ He doesn't hold her gaze, keeps his voice flat. ]

Yeah, I know. I get it. Your job's important. You've got a lot of people depending on you.

[ex_micromanage449]

Owen... don't do this. I'm not trying to tell you I don't want you around. It's just... complicated.

[enraptored]

Is it? 'Cause from where I'm standing, it seems pretty simple to me. And it seems an awful lot like you're hiding behind rules and procedures and embargoes to avoid making your own decisions.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She blinks at him a couple of times, shocked, but she quickly slides her gaze away. ]

That's not-- [ Her hands drop to her lap, balling into fists ] I have to do this.

[enraptored]

Do you, though? You could just as easily tell them to go screw themselves.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She doesn't look up. She keeps her eyes fixed on her hands in her lap ] When they-- the reporters-- when they ask me if I feel responsible for what happened, I'm not allowed to say yes.

[enraptored]

[ With her hands fixed on her lap as it is, she can't see the way he suddenly looks stricken. ]

Hey. That wasn't your fault.

[ex_micromanage449]

Isn't it? I had the chance to close the park and I didn't take it.

[enraptored]

[ He pauses, mouth pressing into a line, then, ]

That was a mistake. [ He says it slowly, carefully. ] It was a mistake, but you took steps to correct it.

[ex_micromanage449]

It doesn't feel like enough. It never feels like enough.

[enraptored]

It's probably never going to.

You did what you could, and you're still doing what you can. You can't take all the blame on yourself.

[ex_micromanage449]

Leave it to you not to pull any punches.

[ there's a long pause before she finally glances up at him ] I'm sorry. I'm way out of my depth here.

[enraptored]

[ He offers a crooked little smile, something more rueful than reassuring. ]

Honestly, I know you've got a back up plan for your back up plans, but I'd be shocked if even you had this situation under control. Not everyday someone survives something like this.

[ex_micromanage449]

I guess not.

[ she heaves a sigh, gaze flicking towards the ceiling ] This isn't how I imagined inviting you to my apartment, you know.

[enraptored]

[ He allows himself a smirk. ]

Be honest. [ He gestures to his shirt. ] I'd be wearing less, right?