[Margot - Valentine's Day]

[inthedeadzone]

Hurrying down the boardwalk toward the Compound, his hair coming loose of his tie, Capa was flicking through his notes as he walked, moving only to avoid people. He didn't glance up at all as he passed others by, barely even acknowledging when someone said hello. It wasn't that he had anywhere particularly important to be, but it wasn't that he had

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[halfafinger]

Valentine's day had gone mostly unnoticed by Margot. She wasn't into romance. Sex, definitely, but the rest of it...not so much. It never stopped other men from pursuing her with roses and so on, but she just didn't notice most of the time.

She pursued men at her leisure, which was why she said hello to Capa that morning. Then he looked up, and she met his gaze.

A mental picture of Richie flashed into her head, just for an instant, and was gone. Afterward she stood staring at Capa, the strangest feeling tight in her chest, and she didn't even notice when her half-smoked cigarette dropped from her lips.

"Hi," she said.

[inthedeadzone]

"Are you... do you..." He felt completely dumb, but a moment later he was smiling again, because, dumb or not, Margot was looking back at him like she completely understood what he was feeling.

"Can I walk you to the Compound?" he asked, offering her his hand without even thinking. The notebook fell to the boardwalk, completely unnoticed and he gave her another smile.

[halfafinger]

How had she never noticed his smile before? It was enough to melt the coldest of hearts. Even hers.

"Yes," she said simply, and took his hand without hesitation, and with a rare smile of her own.

[inthedeadzone]

It felt nice. It had been a long time since Capa had held anyone's hand and it felt nicer than he remembered, especially since it was Margot. He wasn't holding hands with just anyone, he was holding hands with her.

"You look pretty today," he said and managed it without even blushing. "I mean, you always look pretty, but... well." He hoped she knew what he meant.