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

I don't think we need to go to that extreme. We can just... omit certain truths. You and I both know we're looking at lecture come tomorrow.

Claire. I was in the Navy. I'm pretty sure I can sit through any lecture they're planning to throw my way.

[ He crosses his arms over his chest, leaning a hip against the counter. ]

They're not your parents. Hell, even if they were, they can't dictate who you can and can't see in your free time.

Then help me out here, Owen. It's been a long time since I've dated anyone, and I've never had to do it with angry execs and reporters breathing down my neck.

[ He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. ]

Unless you've got something in your contract saying that your bosses can dictate who you're dating -- a boyfriend clause or something -- then ignore them.

You make it sound so easy.

[ Also ignoring her bosses?? People do that?? ]

That's because it is.

[ He watches for a moment, but then he sighs, as if the fight's gone out of him. ]

Whatever you wanna do. Whatever you're comfortable with. If you want to keep-- us quiet, then we can work with that.

But clearly you don't think it's necessary.

You're right. I don't.

But that's because I think both of us have handled worse things than a couple of slimy headlines in tabloids and magazines. And I think our bosses can go screw themselves, after everything that's happened.

[ Another shrug. ]

But it's not just about what I think. I want what will work for you, too. And if it's keeping quiet for a while, testing the waters, then fine.

[ She gives a derisive snort ]

At least the dinosaurs were straightforward about wanting to eat us alive.

[ Not so, with the press. ]

[ He laughs, nodding his head as if to concede the point. ]

Yeah. I'd rather face down a pack of hungry lions than a group of reporters any day.

[ She’s glad she got a laugh out of him if nothing else. Here she was worried she’d somehow offended him in some way. ]

I think a group of lions is actually called a pride.

[ The corner of his mouth tracks upward slightly -- a hint of a smile. ]

Semantics.

Still, as rough as some jerks with digital recorders will be, it's still nothing we haven't handled before. But if you want to wait for an official press release, then fine.

[ She sighs a little, glancing off to the side. He does have a point- he has several of them, in fact. She's letting the situation dictate her life, and she shouldn't be.

She's lost control and she needs to take it back. ]

You just have to make me one promise.

[ A larger smile this time, wry and crooked. ]

Let me guess: no board shorts?

[ That gets a grin out of her for sure. God, this really all did starts with board shorts, didn't it? ]

Okay, two promises.

[ he tilts his head to one side, eyebrows raised. ]

Alright, let's hear it.

One, no board shorts.

Two, let me handle the reporters from now on.

One -- a strong maybe.

And two-- [ He pauses, as if considering. Then, ] I'll consider it.

One- we're not in Central America anymore, Owen. You don't need board shorts.

Two- at the very least don't physically assault them.

We're not in Central America, no, but we're still in California. Not sure if you've noticed, but it can get pretty hot here, too.

Are you really that attached to your board shorts?

[ He lifts his shoulders, making a quiet noise at the back of his throat. ]

I like being comfortable.

Fine. I'm willing to be lenient about the shorts. Not so much with punching the paparazzi.

[ A longer pause of consideration. ]

Fine. I'll avoid punching slimeball reporters.

But I still maintain he deserved it.

I've yet to meet one that doesn't. But you still can't punch them all.

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