Twenty-Six Bells: [Action] Forward-dated to December 20th

[noprevaricating]

[Archie spends the first half of the day moving new furniture-stool and chairs, mostly-to the Britannia. Something about getting stuck in your own ship and having to burn the furniture for warmth in the galley stove makes one run out of furniture. While he’s in the store, he finds an item that delights him-a wooden box with Horatio’s name engraved

Comments

homework? what homework.

[slaying]

[ and while archie is putting up that wreath, buffy is on her way to stop by. say hi. get a little socializing in now that some paths have been cleared and she is back from her stint on the draft.

she unpocketed a mittened hand when she spots the sailor on his porch. a wave. ]

Hey. Archie.

2/2

[noprevaricating]

...Damn.

[That explains it.]

[slaying]

It's been showing up everywhere. Along with the lights.

[noprevaricating]

I saw the lights. I didn't see that. [He wishes he had. He makes sure to go in first, then beckon her forward.]

[slaying]

A very small child named Yotsuba caught me with a cheek kiss pretty early on and clued me in. I've been timing my entrances and exits very carefully ever since. Only waiting for the handsomest of men.

[ and once beckoned, she advances. ]

[noprevaricating]

Was I insulted, just now? [Teasing. He knows he's her bro.]

[slaying]

Apparently? You are now officially too clean-cut and respectable to be my type. I...cannot believe those are actually words that have to be said, now.

[noprevaricating]

Apparently? What do you mean, apparently?

[He still has some chocolate hot from when he serves Ginia, so he sweetens a cup for Buffy.]

[slaying]

Oh. Does this mean it's time for a fun fact? Also known as -- terribly truths from Buffy's love-life? Jack Sparrow's the first man I've ever dated to actually do the facial hair thing. So. Yes. Apparently, my type, it is a changin'.

[ watch her make herself GLORIOUSLY at home on the first piece of furniture she can stumble across. ]

[noprevaricating]

[He brings her the cup and makes sure she's got hold of it before sitting beside her. Sweetened like crazy, just like she likes it.]

Is it possible to take that bloody mistletoe down?

[slaying]

Honestly? Five bucks says a new sprig'll sprout the moment you're not looking.

[ she gratefully takes the mug and sniffs it -- approvingly -- before taking a sip. ]

[noprevaricating]

Damn. [His face grows hot again at the memory.]

[slaying]

What? Just be cautious. [ a playful beat. ] Or not.

[ lies. buffy summers wants you to be EXTRA cautious because you belong to her baby sister and she will make ridiculous frowny faces when she learns about your alterna-crushes. ]

[noprevaricating]

[He rubs his eyes with one hand. Don't worry too much, Buffy--at least with Ginia, the kiss more or less discharged the sexual tension instead of increasing it.] Did everyone make it home? Captain Aubrey, and the doctor?

[slaying]

There were rough patches. There always are. All of our close circle made it out okay. I can't say I kept the best tabs on everyone else -- it was dark, down there. Hard to tell.

[noprevaricating]

[That's pretty disturbing. Archie doesn't usually like sitting out drafts, not really, but this sounds like the one to miss.] Did we prevail?