[ she's almost bracing herself for more of a fight, for more protests, for something insistently noble that, ultimately, feels poorly placed. emma does not see herself as a woman in need of protection; she neither needs vasquez present to keep her safe nor needs some honorable gesture that falls flat. if he leaves, she'd rather it be because he feels he has no reason to stay — not because it's for her own good to see the back of him.
but given how long he's been in her home, how many new excuses he finds to keep himself occupied and present... she can only assume that he wants to be there.
(with her, though she pushes down that quiet flicker of warmth and the accompanying flutter of— something. something she hasn't felt in a good, long while.)
but when he agrees— her relief is nearly palpable, and the tension slides out of her shoulders. she exhales a breath she hadn't quite realized she'd been holding, an uncertain smile finding its way to her lips. tentative, but hopeful. ]
Good.
[ she steps away from the tree, a bit closer to him, though not enough to close the distance between them. ]
Now, I do believe there's actually something that needs to be fixed in my home.
no subject
but given how long he's been in her home, how many new excuses he finds to keep himself occupied and present... she can only assume that he wants to be there.
(with her, though she pushes down that quiet flicker of warmth and the accompanying flutter of— something. something she hasn't felt in a good, long while.)
but when he agrees— her relief is nearly palpable, and the tension slides out of her shoulders. she exhales a breath she hadn't quite realized she'd been holding, an uncertain smile finding its way to her lips. tentative, but hopeful. ]
Good.
[ she steps away from the tree, a bit closer to him, though not enough to close the distance between them. ]
Now, I do believe there's actually something that needs to be fixed in my home.