Trying to catch up on some sleep.

[dontchaserabbits]

Mako and Raleigh are theoretically in Moscow right now. Or is it Saint Petersburg. Raleigh doesn't even remember anymore.

What he does know is that the door to Milliways opened right after their thirty-seventh state dinner, and he was more than happy to grab his co-pilot and run away for a little bit.

He knew there were rooms upstairs, but tonight is the first time that Raleigh's taken advantage of one. Mako acquires two adjacent rooms for the both of them, and they quickly say their goodnights.

Raleigh's on his belly and snoring in less than ten minutes.

Comments

[co_pilot]

"It is not you."

It is him, technically, but not in the way that he is thinking.

[dontchaserabbits]

"Can I ask what it is, then?"

[co_pilot]

"You can."

She has heard the stories of Jaeger pilots forming - attachments, some that run deeper than the act of the neural handshake.

In the shared connection, some emotions that had previously lain quiet are sometimes amplified. Feelings. Attraction.

It both terrifies and fascinates her.

"I sometimes fear that I say the wrong thing."

[dontchaserabbits]

"You know what helps with that is always saying what you mean.

"So what do you want to say?"

[co_pilot]

"Do you?

Always say what you mean?"

[dontchaserabbits]

"I do my best to."

[co_pilot]

"It is not so easy.

For me," she quickly adds, tucking a blue strand behind one ear as she sets her empty cup to one side, swiveling away from the tray between them.

[dontchaserabbits]

Culturally speaking. Military hierarchy. A lot of things block that from being easy.

"Would it help if I started the ball rolling?"

[co_pilot]

She turns to look over her shoulder at him, eyes narrowing curiously.

"And?"

[dontchaserabbits]

"I like having you in my head."

That's the first thing, the easiest.

"You're the first female pilot that ever kept pace with me, or that wanted to.

"And I'm pretty sure I stare at you when you walk in ways that I'd get keel-hauled for by higher-ups."

[co_pilot]

Stacker would have done as much, she thinks, if his sharply keen gaze had caught it.

It's easier to dwell in that than on the way his words create a small tightness in her chest, lips firming together as she tries to calm the whirlpool of her mind.

"I like having you in my head, too," she says, echoing the sentiment - though it means no less despite being an obvious repetition.

"And I am also very sure you did not realize that the door to my quarters was in possession of a peephole."

[dontchaserabbits]

And Raleigh just laughs.

"Really? Jesus. I really do need to close my damn door."

[co_pilot]

She smiles, some of that tension easing after her small confession.

"It is not such a bad thing."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Oh ho now, Ms. Mori."

Even though it's a joke (and a compliment), there is something highly uncomfortable about the fact that Mako's seen all the scarring from his and Yancy's last tour.

"I promise that if I ever see you in any state of undress, it will not be through a peephole."

[co_pilot]

"If you were to see me in that state, it would be under a highly different set of circumstances."

(She'd seen the scars last night, too, felt them under her fingertips as she'd drifted off to the sound of his stories.)

At least this time she's not blushing.

Barely.

[dontchaserabbits]

"I'm sure it would be."

[co_pilot]

She clears her throat quietly, in the silence that follows.

"I should - "

She's motioning to the door adjoining their rooms, slowly rising to stand.

[dontchaserabbits]

"Okay."

Raleigh stands as Mako does. There are showers to take, things to do, interviews to give back home.

"Meet downstairs in half an hour?"

[co_pilot]

She nods once, stepping through the door, and smiles quickly.

"Half an hour," she agrees, and then disappears on the other side.

[dontchaserabbits]

"Half an hour," Raleigh repeats, back now to the door.

"Whoo buddy."

Time for a damn shower.

[co_pilot]

Mako doesn't quite take the equivalent of a cold shower, though she comes fairly close - and there are clean clothes waiting for her in her room when she reappears, even though she can't quite recall if she'd requested them.

The dress itself is black, accented in blue, with a modest neckline and a scooping back - hardly something she would be caught wearing at headquarters.

But their presence has been requested at a black-tie event held in their honor, and she supposes it is more fitting to wear this than anything she has packed away.

[dontchaserabbits]

Yancy always tried to tell Raleigh to stop being so early to everything, but he never could help it. Even now, he's downstairs waiting for Mako five minutes early - he'd had to ask the bar for something appropriate to wear.

Now he's keeping company with a finger of scotch, trying to not rumple his suit.

[co_pilot]

The dress is one thing entirely - she's forced to pick it up slightly so the train doesn't catch as she's walking down the stairs - but the shoes are a separate issue.

If anything, they cut some of the height difference.

(She only hopes she isn't expected to dance.)

[dontchaserabbits]

Keeping an eye on the staircase makes it only a few seconds before Raleigh notices Mako arriving.

"...Holy shit."

[co_pilot]

She doesn't hear him; she's too focused on not tripping, slipping or otherwise twisting something.

Finally, she makes it to the floor - it's easier to walk than it is to navigate a set of stairs, and her movements are much smoother after she scans the room to find him, crossing slowly.

"You're early."