You and me, me and you

[snowburned]

Characters: Kazahana (snowburned) and Simon (pompous_today)
Date/Time: February 20, Dinnertime-ish
Location: Wellspring and on to...?
Rating: Probably PG at worst
Summary: Longtime friends spend some time together and share pieces of the past

Comments

[pompous_today]

Simon had been finding it rather difficult to focus, considering everything that had been happening lately, and the fact that his past was finally starting to come out to those he trusted. He also couldn't deny that, with his friends drifting away or disappearing one by one, in spite of his efforts to make more connections and his sister's love, he was feeling pretty lonely.

So when his shift was over and he'd put on Geranium's coat, ready to just head straight home like he did most days, he was surprised and rather pleased to find Kazahana standing there.

"Evening," he said pleasantly.

[snowburned]

She wasn't sure what she was waiting for, what she wanted to say-only that she wanted to say something. When was the last time they'd really talked, she wondered. And he'd had far more to cope with lately than she had; she wasn't a very good friend if she ignored that.

"I noticed we were both finishing up at the same time," she said, only feeling a little awkward. "I thought you might want to grab a bite to eat together." She tucked a lock of hair back behind one ear. "Only if you don't have plans, of course."

[pompous_today]

"Of course not," he smiled, then gave a small, self-deprecating laugh as he stepped ahead and held the door for her, adding, "I mean to say, I do not have much of a social life nowadays and would appreciate the company. It seems too long since the two of us last saw each other outside of a work setting. It might do us both good to be friends instead of co-workers for a while."

He fought down the almost automatic urge to verbally fuss about his sister; another thing he was working on. He could care about her without being around her every second of the day and constantly worrying that she would disappear if he didn't hold onto her very tightly.

"Qi should be fine, too. Rick and Genius will take care of her if she needs anything."

Considering how badly he and Genius had started off, to start to trust the other man with caring for his sister without the usual swell of jealousy and resentment was feeling strange.

[snowburned]

She held back a wince at the reference to his personal life. It was a rule of hers not to poke her nose in where it wasn't warranted, but she hadn't been blind to his burgeoning relationship, and now...well. And now.

But if he could still smile and relax, that was something. And trusting his sister's care to another was something more. "That's good to hear." She nodded and fell into step beside him. She meant it, too; it was good that Qi didn't need her brother's constant care, and good for him that he didn't have to provide it.

"It's been a strange month," she remarked after a few seconds. "Almost like something in the air. Have you noticed? Or maybe it's just me."