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

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

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[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?

[ex_micromanage449]

No comment. [ Though he does manage to get something like a smile out of her. ]

[enraptored]

[ That's something, at least; he takes it as a win. ]

If we're being honest, I figured we would've at least gotten one successful date in before you invited me home.

[ex_micromanage449]

Considering the paparazzi likes to spring up wherever I go, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

[enraptored]

We don't have to go out, you know. Quiet night in. I'm actually a decent cook, whether or not you want to believe it.

No punching. I promise.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She really does appreciate the way Owen looks at things- simple and straightforward- because whether she’d admit it or not, she’s a goddamn mess lately. She barely has time to sit and think, and more often than not just goes in whatever direction her handlers at Masrani Corp push her. All she has left is the pretense of control, and it’s becoming clear that even that is slipping.

But a night in? A simple dinner and good company? It sounds almost too good to be true, and the thought gleans another almost-smile from her. ]

I think I’d like to take you up on that.

[enraptored]

Yeah? [ And he seems pleasantly surprised by that. He had almost expected another dodge. ]

Well, we can figure something out, then. Whenever you're not busy getting interviewed by Diane Sawyer or whoever.

[ex_micromanage449]

It’s going to be a while before I have anything like free time again. [ She pauses, considering him for a moment. She knows their lives are hectic right now- hers especially- but she’s missed him. So it’s oddly spontaneous, but she offers, ] But I’m free now.

[enraptored]

Really? Now?

[ His head tilts, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth ]

Sure you don't want to put together a schedule real quick? Or is one formulating in your head, even as we speak?

[ex_micromanage449]

[ Now it’s Claire’s turn to roll her eyes. ] I am actually capable of spontaneity, you know. And it’s not as if today has gone as planned at all anyway.

We should take the chance while we have it.

[enraptored]

[ His smile comes out full force, though he subdues a little when the expression pulls uncomfortably on the cut on his upper lip. ]

Any chance your pantry's actually stocked? Or have you just been getting take out all this time?