(Untitled)

[hero_farmboy]

Clark doesn't help all that much with the food. Cutting bread doesn't really count and frankly, Anna not only seems to have things under control, she likes it that way, so he figures staying out of her hair is the best option

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[downsidedarling]

The couscous was, sadly, unsalvageable. But Clark was quite helpful in cleaning it off the floor.

The table's set, the food is ready to be served...

"Are you sure this is the right place, Chloe?" comes a voice from the door.

Looks like the guests have arrived.

[hero_farmboy]

Chloe hovers briefly at the edge of the kitchen, watching the two of them move silently around each other and then clears her throat quietly.

"Thanks for dinner, Anna, but Jimmy and I, we really should be going. Early day tomorrow and everything, but it was wonderful and I hope we get to do it again sometime." And then she motions Clark off to the side.

"You call me, okay?" She says it softly, and in a tone that suggests it's not a demand for details, but an offer of support. Clark just nods and gives her another tight hug.

[downsidedarling]

At this Anna goes to stand by the window.

Jimmy walks up behind her, taps her on the shoulder, and whispers "No. Seriously, just no." in her ear.

They share a quiet giggle, and Anna turns back to make her farewells to the departing guests.

"Bye, guys," she says. "Nice meeting you properly, Chloe. I'll take you up on that girl talk thing sometime."

[hero_farmboy]

"Anytime," Chloe smiles and then ushers Jimmy toward the elevator and inside.

Once they're gone, Clark sighs loudly and goes back into the kitchen. It might sound like he's throwing the dishes around, but he's not. He's just close to it.

[downsidedarling]

"Sorry," says Anna quietly, knowing he can hear her. "I'd honestly forgot where I'd learned it, and it is good food. Am I going to be eating all that chocolate mousse by myself?"

[hero_farmboy]

"Well, that explains why you killed yourself over it." Clark snorts and then does drop a plate. "Dammit."

[downsidedarling]

"Oh, fuck, you--"

If it's possible for someone very suddenly not being angry anymore to make a noise, Anna makes that noise right about now.

"That was supposed to be private," she continues softly, coming into the kitchen to help Clark clean up his dropped plate.

[hero_farmboy]

"We all heard a noise when you were in there, I just wanted to make sure you were all right," he says shortly, carelessly picking up broken pieces of ceramic and dumping them in the garbage.

"A little over dramatic, don't you think?"

[downsidedarling]

"It wasn't drama." Still with the not-being-angry, although it may be clear it takes somewhat of an effort to stay that way as she aids Clark with picking up the broken ceramic.

She cuts herself on one, of course. Accidentally. It simply isn't something she thinks to avoid.

While running her hand through cold water: "It was to help calm myself down. Worked, too. Reboots the body, flushes out all those unpleasant mood chemicals. Old contractor trick."

[hero_farmboy]

"How convenient for you," he says blandly, leaning against the counter. "Shame us livelings just have to muddle through with all our moods."

[downsidedarling]

"Very funny," she says, giving him a look. "Fine. I also did it because I'm a fucking pain addict, are you happy now?"

[hero_farmboy]

"No, I think we pretty thoroughly established earlier that I'm not happy."

[downsidedarling]

"All right. Anything I can do to make it better?"

Her tone levels out and, by the end of the sentence when she shuts the water off and wraps a dish-towel around her cut hand, she's speaking amicably again. It wouldn't do to have him think that wasn't a completely sincere blanket offer, after all.

[hero_farmboy]

"No." It's softer this time, as is the sigh that accompanies it.

[downsidedarling]

Resolutely: "How sure are you of that?"

[hero_farmboy]

He raises an eyebrow. "This instant? There's nothing I can think of that you can do that would immediately make me feel better."