It's alright, don't worry about me. I just wish I could do more to help. I know you'll both be fine in the end.
[But seeing her so upset... he can't just sit here and watch. It goes against every instinct in his body! So without giving it another thought he closes his relic and instead gets up to cross the hallway into Marc's room, sitting on the bed beside Layla to pull her into a hug.]
Maybe a distraction and then I can tell him once I'm back, yeah? [Whispered quietly now, still hugging her as he talks.] That way, he can get all suspicious after the fact without potentially stalking me.
[Layla should have guessed that Steven couldn't see her cry and not come over here, makes her quietly give a teary laugh as she hugs him back, resting her head against his shoulder as she tries to compose herself. How she was going about this problem wasn't the best, she knows she should try to figure it out, try to talk to someone about it, but she's just been trying to ignore it and make it go away.
Instead it feels like it's just boiling up inside her. Enough to make her tear up at the mere mention it it.]
Yeah, that's a good plan. [She says it back just as quietly, because Marc will absolutely stalk Steven's date if given the chance.] I'll be on distraction duty then, give you a chance to have a nice time without a cat following you around.
[Even without the Legend instincts, he isn't the type to sit around while someone he cares for is hurting. At least he knows he's a great hugger, if anything, and he rubs along her back as they speak quietly like they're sharing some big secret.]
Thank you. Can never be too careful these days when he can just slip around all sneaky and whatnot. [A quiet chuckle.] Though it's nice knowing you both have my back.
We both care a lot about you. [Marc especially, since Steven is so important to the man in a way that no one, not even she, can truly understand.] And you know how protective he is. Too protective sometimes.
[She says it with a watery laugh, something quiet and intimate between them at the moment.
Leaning into the hug for a long moment, she finally pulls back a little, but not all the way, wiping at her eyes a little, but her smile is more genuine again.]
Here, why don't I help you pick out your outfit, hm?
Yeah, it's nice to know, but there have been times where it drives me up a wall. [Like the divorce papers... UNSIGNED ONES. She will never get over that, Marc, you will never live it down.
There is a noise for a second from the living room that makes her pause. Then the next episode queues up and she relaxes.]
Oh it probably is, we will go shopping for something I'm sure. [Not just because she enjoys shopping sometimes but because while she wants to keep him in a style that suits him... well, she has seen the kind of shirts he wears.]
Ouch, but also probably deserved. [He chuckles and then is standing to lead the way back to his room, happy to have his collection of weird shirts totally roasted. They make him happy but that doesn't mean they are date appropriate!]
I'm not sure I can live up to how snazzy I looked at the gala though. We um- [Nervous smile, hands tugging a bit at his sleeves.] We danced too, after you left.
I like your shirts, don't get me wrong, just think you could wear something a little less.. loud for a first date. [She follows, making sure to sneak through the hallway quietly, she's not sure what Marc would think if he noticed them sneaking back and forth from each other's rooms, but he would definitely come investigate.]
You and this Hawke danced? Steven, I'm impressed! Already putting the moves on this man I see. [She teases quietly.]
[He nods quickly in agreement, taking Layla's word on that, especially from a female perspective. Steven hasn't really had that in his life so he's welcoming all the advice. It helps that she knows what would look good on what is essentially a copy of her husband's body (albeit a bit slimmer here in Folkmore).
The teasing has him flush and laughing nervously, shrugging his shoulders like it's no big deal.]
It was a- a friendly dance! Like you and me. Except, I guess, not completely the same... [Oh, he's getting flustered. He focuses instead on his closet, though there's a lingering smile on his face.] I have a feeling he won't care what I wear so long as I look like myself.
[She goes through the closet, eventually pulling out a couple pairs of slacks and goes back to leafing through the shirts, making small comments as she does, an amused smile on her lips.]
Good, then he's not so bad, still, it's less about what he thinks and more about you being confident. If you feel good about how you look then that will give you more confidence, which is much more important. [Layla gives him a sure smile.] So, no matter what I suggest, if you want to wear this goldfish button up, wear it.
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Yeah he mentioned that happened to you. I'm glad it didn't get you as badly as it got him at least.
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You know Marc loves you dearly. He would have never done that willfully, and never to hurt you.
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And.. I do know that, thank you. I don't doubt his loyalty, it's just.. We'll be fine, we just need time.
I'm sorry our problems affect you, being around us while things are so.. tense.
[She feels stupid as she wipes away a tear and forces herself to smile.]
Enough about that though, I'll handle Marc on Friday. Are you going to tell him or should I just try to distract him?
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[But seeing her so upset... he can't just sit here and watch. It goes against every instinct in his body! So without giving it another thought he closes his relic and instead gets up to cross the hallway into Marc's room, sitting on the bed beside Layla to pull her into a hug.]
Maybe a distraction and then I can tell him once I'm back, yeah? [Whispered quietly now, still hugging her as he talks.] That way, he can get all suspicious after the fact without potentially stalking me.
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Instead it feels like it's just boiling up inside her. Enough to make her tear up at the mere mention it it.]
Yeah, that's a good plan. [She says it back just as quietly, because Marc will absolutely stalk Steven's date if given the chance.] I'll be on distraction duty then, give you a chance to have a nice time without a cat following you around.
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Thank you. Can never be too careful these days when he can just slip around all sneaky and whatnot. [A quiet chuckle.] Though it's nice knowing you both have my back.
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[She says it with a watery laugh, something quiet and intimate between them at the moment.
Leaning into the hug for a long moment, she finally pulls back a little, but not all the way, wiping at her eyes a little, but her smile is more genuine again.]
Here, why don't I help you pick out your outfit, hm?
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[Just don't tell Marc that. They've definitely come a long way.
Steven returns her smile with a warm one of his own, and then he's letting out an audible breath and nodding in agreement.]
Alright, alright. If it's utterly hopeless in my closet I am open to an impromptu shopping trip, for the record.
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There is a noise for a second from the living room that makes her pause. Then the next episode queues up and she relaxes.]
Oh it probably is, we will go shopping for something I'm sure. [Not just because she enjoys shopping sometimes but because while she wants to keep him in a style that suits him... well, she has seen the kind of shirts he wears.]
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Ouch, but also probably deserved. [He chuckles and then is standing to lead the way back to his room, happy to have his collection of weird shirts totally roasted. They make him happy but that doesn't mean they are date appropriate!]
I'm not sure I can live up to how snazzy I looked at the gala though. We um- [Nervous smile, hands tugging a bit at his sleeves.] We danced too, after you left.
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You and this Hawke danced? Steven, I'm impressed! Already putting the moves on this man I see. [She teases quietly.]
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The teasing has him flush and laughing nervously, shrugging his shoulders like it's no big deal.]
It was a- a friendly dance! Like you and me. Except, I guess, not completely the same... [Oh, he's getting flustered. He focuses instead on his closet, though there's a lingering smile on his face.] I have a feeling he won't care what I wear so long as I look like myself.
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Good, then he's not so bad, still, it's less about what he thinks and more about you being confident. If you feel good about how you look then that will give you more confidence, which is much more important. [Layla gives him a sure smile.] So, no matter what I suggest, if you want to wear this goldfish button up, wear it.