Numb3rs : A Dance of Proxemics
Title: A Dance of Proxemics
Author: Avari (sunlesslands)
Pairing/Characters: Megan/Larry
Rating/Category: PG13 Gen
Spoilers: Spree, Two Daughters and When Worlds Collide
Summary: The most difficult thing about leaving is knowing how to say goodbye.
Notes/Warnings: I had more false starts and frustration writing this than I expected, and I’m still not really happy with the end result. However, I do like how the experiment in present tense turned out and the general tone of the piece. Feedback is greatly appreciated.
“Like gravity, the influence of two bodies on each other is inversely proportional not only to the square of their distance but possibly even the cube of the distance between them.”
-- Edward T. Hall
They cross the threshold together, hands linked. Megan’s arms pebble instantly in the rush of freezing air. Even the sunshine at her back, filtered through the airport’s automatic glass doors, does nothing to keep her warm. A family of four, loaded with more duffle bags than will be allowed as carry-ons jostle her into Larry and for that she’s grateful. He drops her hand to hold her, his arm encircling her waist and the screeching noise level diminishes.
He smells spicy, like the Ethiopian restaurant they ate at last night, and of fresh grass from the monastery’s lawn.
“Megan? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, just a little trampled, that’s all.” Megan’s laugh is distracted as she fusses over her luggage. He reaches over to brush back her hair as it falls in her face, studiously tucking stands behind hear ears.
“Ah, yes. It is a bit of a madhouse, isn’t it? Here, let’s get you out of the charge zone.”
“Thanks, Larry.” The kiss is hardly more than a brush of lips, he’s an impression of stubble and she’s soft skin and a breath of fruity shampoo.
Behind them, the doors sigh open again and a new influx of warm air and people surge into the airport. Megan grabs onto Larry’s t-shirt, hand a first at the small of his back when a group of black-suited business men threaten to sweep her up with them. Next to her, Larry shoulders her duffel and guides them painstakingly through the mass of people. She lets him navigate to the roped off check-in line.
A young mother with a toddler on her hip is arguing with the one clerk working. Megan sighs and rests her cheek against Larry’s shoulder, breathing slowly and memorizing. The height difference makes it difficult but his cheek against the top of her head makes it worth it. “You know, I always loved Gary Oldman in that movie.”
“Really? I’m surprised.” Megan’s shrug is surprisingly easy, her smile amorphous enough to put Larry in mind of the Mona Lisa and dark matter and the nature of wormholes. “Well, he was certainly charismatic but I rather thought - ”
The line moves ahead, making her straighten and focus while his arm tightens. She tilts her head, surprised by the simple, instinctive reaction and their hands find each other again. He entangles their fingers while she rubs her thumb across his knuckles.
Two more windows open and Megan is suddenly at the front of the line. The clerk’s tapping is slowing down as the tickets print.
“Okay, well, I guess this is it. Um, Larry? I need my bag.”
“What? Oh. Yes.” He lets the duffel slide down his arm and offers it to her, still holding onto the strap as she slides it over her shoulder.
“Larry?”
“Yes? Oh! Right, of course.” They stand like that for another moment, fingers clinging and his hand moving from strap to shoulder and then both hands in his pockets again. Ahead of them, the mother is gathering her belongings, scattered during the process of checking luggage. Larry clears his throat, brushing her cheek awkwardly. “I -”
They haven’t said the word ‘miss,’ not once. She smiles tightly and nods.
“Though we are to be spatially separated, our quantum states remain entangled and the night sky, through the celestial bodies we can both see, may serve as a common bond as it did when you were looking up at me, and I down at you.”
Megan nods, and the second kiss is shared toothpaste and his hands, fleeting and light on her face. She doesn’t have the heart to tell him; there’s no way to see stars from the city.
This fic was written for the Angst vs Schmoop Challenge at numb3rswriteoff. After you’ve read the fic, please rate it by voting in the poll located here. (Your vote will be anonymous.) Rate the fic on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the best) using the following criteria: how well the fic fit the prompt, how angsty [or schmoopy] the fic was, and how well you enjoyed the fic. When you’re done, please check out the other challenge fic at numb3rswriteoff. Thank you!
Author: Avari (sunlesslands)
Pairing/Characters: Megan/Larry
Rating/Category: PG13 Gen
Spoilers: Spree, Two Daughters and When Worlds Collide
Summary: The most difficult thing about leaving is knowing how to say goodbye.
Notes/Warnings: I had more false starts and frustration writing this than I expected, and I’m still not really happy with the end result. However, I do like how the experiment in present tense turned out and the general tone of the piece. Feedback is greatly appreciated.
“Like gravity, the influence of two bodies on each other is inversely proportional not only to the square of their distance but possibly even the cube of the distance between them.”
-- Edward T. Hall
They cross the threshold together, hands linked. Megan’s arms pebble instantly in the rush of freezing air. Even the sunshine at her back, filtered through the airport’s automatic glass doors, does nothing to keep her warm. A family of four, loaded with more duffle bags than will be allowed as carry-ons jostle her into Larry and for that she’s grateful. He drops her hand to hold her, his arm encircling her waist and the screeching noise level diminishes.
He smells spicy, like the Ethiopian restaurant they ate at last night, and of fresh grass from the monastery’s lawn.
“Megan? Are you all right?”
“Yeah, just a little trampled, that’s all.” Megan’s laugh is distracted as she fusses over her luggage. He reaches over to brush back her hair as it falls in her face, studiously tucking stands behind hear ears.
“Ah, yes. It is a bit of a madhouse, isn’t it? Here, let’s get you out of the charge zone.”
“Thanks, Larry.” The kiss is hardly more than a brush of lips, he’s an impression of stubble and she’s soft skin and a breath of fruity shampoo.
Behind them, the doors sigh open again and a new influx of warm air and people surge into the airport. Megan grabs onto Larry’s t-shirt, hand a first at the small of his back when a group of black-suited business men threaten to sweep her up with them. Next to her, Larry shoulders her duffel and guides them painstakingly through the mass of people. She lets him navigate to the roped off check-in line.
A young mother with a toddler on her hip is arguing with the one clerk working. Megan sighs and rests her cheek against Larry’s shoulder, breathing slowly and memorizing. The height difference makes it difficult but his cheek against the top of her head makes it worth it. “You know, I always loved Gary Oldman in that movie.”
“Really? I’m surprised.” Megan’s shrug is surprisingly easy, her smile amorphous enough to put Larry in mind of the Mona Lisa and dark matter and the nature of wormholes. “Well, he was certainly charismatic but I rather thought - ”
The line moves ahead, making her straighten and focus while his arm tightens. She tilts her head, surprised by the simple, instinctive reaction and their hands find each other again. He entangles their fingers while she rubs her thumb across his knuckles.
Two more windows open and Megan is suddenly at the front of the line. The clerk’s tapping is slowing down as the tickets print.
“Okay, well, I guess this is it. Um, Larry? I need my bag.”
“What? Oh. Yes.” He lets the duffel slide down his arm and offers it to her, still holding onto the strap as she slides it over her shoulder.
“Larry?”
“Yes? Oh! Right, of course.” They stand like that for another moment, fingers clinging and his hand moving from strap to shoulder and then both hands in his pockets again. Ahead of them, the mother is gathering her belongings, scattered during the process of checking luggage. Larry clears his throat, brushing her cheek awkwardly. “I -”
They haven’t said the word ‘miss,’ not once. She smiles tightly and nods.
“Though we are to be spatially separated, our quantum states remain entangled and the night sky, through the celestial bodies we can both see, may serve as a common bond as it did when you were looking up at me, and I down at you.”
Megan nods, and the second kiss is shared toothpaste and his hands, fleeting and light on her face. She doesn’t have the heart to tell him; there’s no way to see stars from the city.
This fic was written for the Angst vs Schmoop Challenge at numb3rswriteoff. After you’ve read the fic, please rate it by voting in the poll located here. (Your vote will be anonymous.) Rate the fic on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the best) using the following criteria: how well the fic fit the prompt, how angsty [or schmoopy] the fic was, and how well you enjoyed the fic. When you’re done, please check out the other challenge fic at numb3rswriteoff. Thank you!