027. - Thanksgiving backthread spam for Claire.

[brokenweapon]

The dinner had gone well - it was the first Thanksgiving he could remember. People were filtering out of the common room, sleepy and full, a state which Bourne both enjoyed and was wary of (because being sleepy meant you weren't on your game, and not being on your game meant you were dead).

Pretty soon, it was only him and Claire left.

And yet he still wasn't good at talking. Not even to her.

Comments

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

Claire could only nod, unsure of what to say.

"And the girl in Russia? What happened with her?"

Because she was looking for more detail there, how she reacted, if she forgave him.

[brokenweapon.livejournal.com]

"She was in shock. I don't blame her. I didn't stick around long enough to see if she forgave me. But when I left, she was crying.

"I hope what I told her helps. I hope she's happier now, knowing her mother didn't kill her father and then herself. Not like the reality is much better. They're still dead."

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

"Understandable. On all counts. And...I think you did the right thing. It's easier knowing. At first, I didn't know it was Sylar's fault for Meredith's death." Claire paused at the onslaught of unhappy memories, but pressed on, swallowing hard. "It helps knowing."

She fell against his side gently, closing her eyes. She didn't have to play games with Jason. She could relax and feel safe here, as emotional and exposing as their alone time could be.

[brokenweapon.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry," he said, trying to sound sympathetic. He still wasn't good at empathy, or sympathy. Or really any of the '-mpathy' words.

What else was there to say? The rest of his story could wait. If she felt safe here, if she could be calm leaning against his side, then who was he to begrudge her that? Especially here on the Barge, where it was difficult to feel safe. Slowly, he put a gentle arm around her shoulder.

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

She shook her head, frowning. "Stop it, you don't have to say that. I didn't tell you because I wanted sympathy, I told you to try and put yourself at ease, because, as usual, I can sort of relate to the fucked-up-ness."

Because sometimes, fuck is the only word good enough.

Claire drew in a deep breath and released it just as easily. "We make some team, huh?"

[brokenweapon.livejournal.com]

"Claire, I said it because I am sorry," he said. Had she not known him long enough to know he didn't say what he didn't mean?

But at least she could relate. It was in some ways a blessing - so she knew what he meant - but it was also a curse. She shouldn't have had to go through those sorts of things.

"Yeah," he said, trying to crack a smile, "some team."

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

"I know," she said softly, pressing into his side for forgiveness at her being short with him. "Sorry. I know you meant it."

Claire craned her head to look upward at his face, her cheek still pressed against his shoulder. She reached for the arm around her and linked her fingers into Jason's hand, not saying anything but her eyes saying just enough.

HERE, HAVE SOME RAMBLY INTERNAL MONOLOGUE

[brokenweapon.livejournal.com]

It was funny. He was getting used to having her around. Yes, it had taken him a while, and he still couldn't always express himself properly, but Claire had definitely helped him heal. When he had come onto the Barge, it had been only six short bloody weeks since Marie's death, and he hadn't been able to deal with it. Since then, he'd made great strides - and most of it was due to Claire's assistance.

He still wasn't over it. Not completely. He doubted he ever would be, and he kept his deal with the Admiral in mind. But he also had to come to grips with the fact that he actually really liked Claire. A lot. They were good friends at the very least.

LOVE.

[some-kinda-hero.livejournal.com]

"I think it's sleepytime." She gave pause, debating her next choice of words. "Walk me to my cabin?"

Part of her wanted to stay here, out of fatigue and out of comfort, but Claire couldn't find the words to ask. For once.

<3

[brokenweapon.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Bourne said, standing up after a moment.

"And next time, you have to tell me more about your life, okay?" he asked as they left towards her cabin. "I feel like I'm talking too much."

For a man of as few words as Jason, he really had been talking a lot. She seemed to do that to him.