pullmeoutalive | Ramey

[ For a second, he seems caught off-guard by that smile of hers, and without realizing it, he smiles a little in return.

The comment, though, snaps him out of whatever daze he was in and earns another snort – not the most gentlemanly sound he could've made, but there it is – and he shrugs out of his new coat, folding it carefully. ]

Yeah, so long as you're making it. Pretty sure you don't want me within five feet of a stove, anyway.

[ There’s a part of her that finds she likes that little smile of his, but there’s another part that tells her this is dangerous. She knows, which is why she looks away and wanders into the kitchen. ]

Of course! I’m a great cook. You know, as long as it comes in a box and tells me what to preheat the oven to.

[ He follows her as far as the entryway of the kitchen, leaning against the wall and folding his arms over his chest. ]

Pretty sure that’s the only practical way to cook, anyway. Simple instructions with helpful little pictures.

The pictures are a must.

[ More often than not, Madigan just thrives on takeout- usually there’s always something open, no matter the time of night. Vegas is kind of great like that ]

I also have ice cream if you want dessert.

Dinner and ice cream, huh? [ He lets out a breath, as if he were impressed. ] If this is the treatment I get every time I have a shit day, I should have shit days more often.

Orrrr you could not have a shit day, and just come and have dinner and ice cream with me for fun instead.

[ He pauses, as if considering that. Then, ]

Has this always been an options? ‘Cause if it has, I would’ve liked to have known about it, like, weeks ago.

Well, yeah? Don’t you know I have an open kitchen policy? I thought that was in your employment papers.

[ He squints at her, hands dropping to his sides. ]

Wait, hang on. Did I get employment papers?

[ She falls quiet, pausing as she pulls a skillet from a cabinet. Then, after a beat, ] Shit.

I think I’m going to have to rescind your paychecks now.

[ He offers a smug little look, lifting his chin. ]

Joke’s on you, I already spent all that ill-gotten money on Chinese takeout and DVDs.

All of it? That’s a metric ton of Chinese takeout and DVDs.

[ As they’re talking, she fishes out all the necessary fixings for Hamburger Helper- namely the hamburger and the helper- pausing at some point to kick her shoes off and shove them in a corner with her foot. ]

I don’t envy you the heart condition you’re gonna have.

[ he grins, shrugging a shoulder. ]

I mean, factor booze and incidentals in there, but considering the way you’ve got me runnin’ around, I don’t think I’ve got much to worry about as far as staying fit goes.

[ He watches her move around the kitchen for a few seconds, hands in his pockets, before he ventures slowly, ]

You… want any help at all?

Nah. I’ve been working all night so I have energy to spare.

[ She motions to the nearby kitchen table. ] Take a seat. I’ll just bask in the pleasure of your company as I cook.

[ He hesitates, but he wasn’t quite joking when he said he probably shouldn’t be anywhere near a stove. He and cooking are not on friendly terms, and he’s left a long trail of burnt foods behind him in his attempts.

So he sighs a little, taking the offered seat, folding his arms on the table’s surface. ]

Well, if you put it that way, then bask away. I’ve been told I have a very warm aura.

It's true. You're like a ray of sunshine.

[ She may mean that in a deeper sense, at least when it comes to his presence around the club and the way the girls all like having him around. ]

[ He puts on that bashful little look again, ducking his head and wrinkling his nose. ] Stop. You’re making me blush.

[ She’s doing no such thing, though. In fact, he figures she’s just being nice, trying to lift his mood after the shock of seeing Wickman and the others. Kind of her, he thinks, and very much in line with what he knows of her, but he hardly needs it; the gift did more than enough to help him try to put this night behind him.

It’s why he says lightly, ] As much as I appreciate it, you don’t have to keep tryin’ to make me feel better, you know. I think I’m good.

[ It's jut as well that he doesn't seem to sense something genuine in that sentiment ]

I'm just teasing you, sunshine, but if you want me to stop, I will.

[ He waves a hand, as if to brush off the words. He smiles wryly. ]

Did I say I minded?

I mean, I love praise, especially the unwarranted and overblown kind. I just wanna make sure you know you don't have to keep it up unless you really want to.

I'm not in the habit of doing things I don't want to do.

[ He settles back in his chair, spreading out his hands with a bright little smile. ]

Then, hey, as long as you're doing it for you and only a little for me, then play on. I won't stop you.

And that's what I like about you, Peter. You're so generous.

[ He grins. ]

Thank you, thank you. I try my best to be charitable, especially when it happens to benefit me the most and results in a gorgeous woman saying ridiculous things about me.

You think I'm gorgeous?

[ With a flat sort of look, ] Of course I think you're gorgeous. Me and the entire sighted world think you're gorgeous.

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