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Post by MP on Aug 20, 2021 0:37:50 GMT -6
The first page was more detailed, more polished than later text. Aaron had apparently been in the process of fleshing it out into a proper report when he'd succumbed to sleep. His initial words described a city, possibly subterranean, though he'd been careful to avoid speculation. He'd made up for his lack of certainty with architectural descriptions, the color of stones, observed styles of clothing. He'd listed buildings he'd encountered according to function: treasury, library, ballroom - some kind of organic building? Spirit? Deity? The notes became confused around this point, and Aaron had relied mostly on quotes from a friendly entity, Tock, to fill in the gaps.
Sara could see all this with a glance. But the notes went on, and familiar names leaped out at her: Kiyohara Nagi, Simon Groves, Dr. Faolan Mura. From here, the report went into a rough summary of events and the team's part in it. But if there had been others involved, they didn't appear on this initial section of the report. Nor was there mention of the threats the team had faced.
Aaron made a soft, muffled sound in his sleep. His fingertips twitched faintly. But he hadn't noticed the movement, and he soon relaxed into gentle breathing. Sara had gone unnoticed for now. But she would have to read further for real answers.
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Post by tsukikoko on Aug 20, 2021 18:48:04 GMT -6
A mixture of terrible curiosity and an emotion that bordered on desperation curdled inside Sara's gut as she registered just how much she'd already read. Though already knowing it to be the case, she really did have to give the Agent credit, he was incredibly thorough. A part of her so badly wished to know what her friends, her fiancé, had been through, to better help them in any way she could. To know, either way, of her own involvement - figment or not.
Another part of her recoiled at the very idea.
It wasn't just the fear, or the conflict over whether it was better to know or be kept in the dark, it was the fact she was snooping while Aaron slept. To do so felt... invasive.
The shifter swallowed, her hand flinching slightly as Aaron made a soft sound. Her curiosity got the better of her in the seconds that followed, leading Sara's eyes to scan a couple more paragraphs, before she abruptly closed the laptop with a quiet 'click', regardless of what else she'd gleaned. She just couldn't bring herself to read any further; not underhandedly like this.
In the morning, perhaps, he'd let her see.
Carefully, oh so carefully, Sara extricated the computer from her partner's hands. She paused as it came free, listening and watching his silhouette for signs of waking. In the dark and the quiet, her mind drifted to the words she'd seen, heart beating just a little too quick.
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Post by MP on Aug 23, 2021 22:28:31 GMT -6
When the laptop was eased from his hands, Aaron sucked in a breath. His fingers tensed reflexively, looking for a weight that wasn't there, and he raised his head with a muddy sound.
"Mnno I'm coming up."
He blinked at Sara, his eyes slowly focusing. A drowsy recognition returned. He leaned his head back with a soft thump, rubbing his eyes.
"I fell asleep."
His voice was still hoarse from waking, but there was enough tone in it to be abashed. He glanced around for the laptop, relaxing when he saw it safely in her hands. He reached out and saved the document. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to keep working. Instead he closed the laptop, pushing to his feet.
"Okay. I'm done."
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Post by tsukikoko on Feb 17, 2022 15:21:11 GMT -6
"I fell asleep." At this, the shifter smiled, leaning in to brush Aaron's hair from his forehead so she could place a soft kiss against his skin. "Why aye, but it's alreet, like." For a moment, she thought he was going to go for 'just five more minutes', but the Agent instead closed his laptop with a sense of finality. Sara released a soft breath of relief at that.
In the soft whisper people often adopted once the lights were out, even though only she and Aaron were home, Sara asked, "Want tah try this 'ole sleepin' thing again with me, like?" Her fingers reached for his, walking a step in the direction of the stairs as though if she didn't lead him to bed he might return to working anyway. Then, she paused, eyes sliding towards the laptop. "Or is thinkin' abowt what ya were writin' just gannin' te keep ya up?" There wasn't any judgement in what she said, rather a tone that implied similar situations in the past and more than a hint of concern. She didn't want him to just lie there wanting to work.
Though, given how she'd found him, perhaps not even Aaron could keep himself awake for this one.
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Post by MP on May 15, 2022 21:22:37 GMT -6
In the first disorienting moments of waking, he forgot the maze, and Sara's touch was a comfort rather than a condemnation. Aaron stood to follow her, hand in hers, the way as he often did after late night shifts. The memory of the labyrinth crept gradually back, but there was also still her hand in his. Aaron felt no uncertainty in that touch, and he clung to that in place of the prickling guilt. Sara knew, and she still forgave him for what he'd told her. For what he hadn't.
He glanced at her as they walked. There was something like tenderness in his eyes. Something like an apology. But he only pressed her fingers in his and followed her up to bed. He still wasn't sure he could sleep, but he could try. He could feel Sara's warmth against him, and he could close his eyes until he couldn't tell the difference.
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