Lake Tahoe.

[dontchaserabbits]

The elevation in Lake Tahoe is something that requires getting used to. Raleigh's out of practice with altitude but settles in okay once once he downs the water bottle Tendo put in his rucksack like a doting mom. That man needs to get back with his kid, stop working so much.

"We're here," Mako's quiet voice announces, clear as a bell in Raleigh's ear.

"Mmm?"

"You fell asleep. Pay the nice driver so we can get out of the taxi?"

Comments

[dontchaserabbits]

"Next time you go swimming, invite me along? I feel left out now."

[co_pilot]

She kneels next to him, drops hovering on the ends of her hair.

"There will be more swimming."

[dontchaserabbits]

"That sounds perfect."

But then it's just Raleigh staring up at a towel-draped Mako.

[co_pilot]

"Perhaps even tonight."

It will be nice, she thinks, when the sun is setting over the water.

"And again without the suit."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Nnng, Mako. Damn."

Now he's just grinning like an idiot.

"Please will you just kiss me at this point?"

[co_pilot]

When she leans down to kiss him, mouth softly seeking his, the wet ends of her hair graze his cheeks.

[dontchaserabbits]

"See? Perfect."

[co_pilot]

"Or maybe just better than worse," she murmurs, close against his lips.

[dontchaserabbits]

"See, if you keep messing with me, I may have to take that towel back."

[co_pilot]

"You wouldn't."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Are you sure?"

[co_pilot]

A firm jut of her chin.

"Yes."

[dontchaserabbits]

Spoilsport, says his face.

But -- she has her lines, he has his. It's slowly becoming one of Raleigh's favorite bits about her; he knows a lot, but there's still that inch that's hers.

"Okay."

[co_pilot]

She smiles, an expression that's quickly becoming one of her defaults with him, and slowly pushes her way to her feet, offering him a hand up.

"Unless you were planning on going in yourself."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Turnabout, hmm?"

[co_pilot]

"Perhaps."

And maybe she will even be standing there with a towel for you, Raleigh.

[dontchaserabbits]

Near-whisper since she's so close, "Tell me where and when."

[co_pilot]

She represses a shiver - and doesn't do a very good job of it.

"Later."

And then she scoops up the pile of her clothes and heads to the house, leaving a trail of drying footprints.

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh just breathes out (finally) once she leaves, staring up at the sky.

"Oh man. I am less than prepared for this one."

[co_pilot]

The porch that wraps the house is a perfect place for sitting after dinner, and Mako curls herself into the rocking swing that looks out onto the lake, fitting her back against Raleigh's shoulder and watching the sky turn orange and pink in turn.

"What are you thinking about?"

(It bothers her that she doesn't know now, she thinks. Not as readily as in the Drift.)

[dontchaserabbits]

"School. Weirdly enough. I definitely learned a lot in the Academy, but if I'm trying to figure out Life After Jaeger, then... maybe school."

[co_pilot]

"What would you study?"

[dontchaserabbits]

"Mechanical engineering. Or...something. Building and construction, but far more useful than a wall, hopefully."

[co_pilot]

She reaches down between them, slipping her hand into his, their fingers linking together.

"But not very far away?"

[dontchaserabbits]

"Remember what I told you?"

He's not going anywhere anytime soon. Especially not with her sitting next to him like this.

"Are there good universities in Japan?"