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[unmoor]

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[nineteenfortyfive]

[Oh, Christ. Claire sits there with her mouth open slightly for a heartbeat, then shakes her head.]

I apologize, Killian. It's none of my business.

[Claire Fraser. Code name: Debbie Downer.]

[unmoor]

I do call him a crocodile from time to time. After all he's as foul as any reptile. The misunderstanding is understandable.

[ :| ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

A man did this to you. [No question. Slowly, Claire reaches over to touch his sleeve, the one she tends to avoid. A hook is better than nothing, especially on a ship, but it's still rather crude.]

Did you kill him?

[unmoor]

[ well, yes, but he'd prefer to call him a monster. now Milah hasn't been brought up so he's just cold, not emotional like last time. ]

You already know the man I speak of.

[ so no. he's very much alive still. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

What? [She looks up from where she's left her hand on his arm.]

[unmoor]

[ he bites his lower lip, wishing there was some way to explain this to her without words. he finds himself struggling with this story every time. ]

The same man who killed the woman I loved.

[ oh there we go. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Oh. There we go indeed. He lost his lover and his hand all to the same man. Claire opens her mouth to say something, but what? What could be said?

Her lips press together. Maybe an apologetic silence will suffice.]

[unmoor]

[ enough has been said. enough sad silences has also been had. he gets up. ]

Next time I'll bring you the bottles.

[ sorry to ruin a fun cake tasting evening, he really is. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire stands, getting in his way.]

Killian, wait. I'm sorry.

[Her hands wring together before she drops them at her sides. She felt pretty wretched the last time he made an abrupt exit, and she doesn't want him to leave like this, after she's opened up old wounds.]

Please. Let's not making this a regular happening.

[unmoor]

[ upsetting people who have been kind to him does put him in a bad mood. it's just sad that he's so terrible at dealing with said feelings. ]

Why?

[ he stops, staring down at her. a darker tone creeps to his voice and his smile doesn't reach his eyes anymore. ]

Was there something else you wanted from me?

[nineteenfortyfive]

I don't want anything from you. [Aside from reassurance that he's not going to crawl into a bottle and disappear for weeks on end. She presses a hand to his chest, a slight nudge back to the couch.] You're upset. The last time we... [had a deep talk] you disappeared without a word.

Stay a little longer.

[unmoor]

[ he's too much of a drama queen to calm down now. he only glances at the couch and then turns his attention back to her. ]

... Well, if you truly insist, [ here he pauses and leans in, something altogether threatening about the way he moves. ] I can help you with your contract, love.

[ his defend mechanism. shutting off all kind characteristics he might have once had and attacking those close to him. the result of countless years of desperation, anger and loneliness. awful, simply awful. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[To her, it's clear as day what's happening. Killian hasn't much height on her--and inch, maybe, making him several shorter than Jamie and not nearly as broad-shouldered or intimidating, yet her heart thumps loudly in her chest.

Claire could just as easily slap him, but she places her palm against his cheek, looking him in the eyes.]

Killian. I want your company, not your body. [He can't run, so he's trying to scare her off. She frowns.] I want to be sure you're all right. You're doing a good job of letting me know.

[unmoor]

[ the gentle touch seems to snap him out of it, at least for now. he frowns and glances to the side as he takes a small step back. usually people response with anger or disappointment, providing him with the means of an escape. that isn't happening now. ]

Your concern is greatly appreciated, but I'm all right.

[ he sounds super all right. maybe just a little brooding and bitter. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[There was a slap on the menu if he didn't check himself. Claire's relieved she didn't need to go that far, and a breath she didn't know she was holding is quietly released.]

Sit.

[unmoor]

We already finished the tart.

[ points it out as a half-hearted attempt at an excuse but in the end he sits down anyway. he almost looks like a sulking child waiting for a lecture. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[That's good and well since he's pretty much about to be lectured. Claire pushes the tin aside and sits on the coffee table, directly across from him.]

I am sorry we often speak about unpleasant things. Truly, I am. You and I have a sort of understanding, I think, and I am grateful for it. And I think you are, too. It's why you answer my questions. Why you volunteer information, even when you could easily not.

But if it hurts you, I... God, we can't make this a regular occurrence. You've told me so much already that you can tell me to stop, Killian. I won't take offense.

[No more than him all but running out the door.]

I consider you a friend.

[Meaning she worries about him and all that.]

[unmoor]

[ his eyes wonder from her face to the floor and other surroundings throughout the said lecture. the words hit close to home but he's not going to show it. she can probably figure it out anyway. ]

I'm fine.

[ he sounds dismissive, ready to end this topic of discussion once and for all. ]

I thank you, Claire, truly, for your kind words, but I know how to take care of myself, know when to stop talking. You needn't worry about that. [ there's already so much he hasn't told her. definitely not! feeling! guilty! about that. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

As you say. [She's said what needed to be said. No need to press the matter further. Claire stands, but leans down far enough to brush her lips against his temple. She gets it.

But one more thing.

The hand that finds his shoulder grips it firmly.]

But don't you dare try to intimidate me again, Killian Jones.

[unmoor]

[ he firmly keeps his gaze downward. a kiss and a threat. he'd be amused by her methods if he wasn't feeling so godawful about this whole matter. ]

No, I shan't.

[ his reply is curt, very unlike of him. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Thank you.

[Claire sighs and sits next to him now, regarding him with a small smile.]

You can look at me, you know. You won't turn to stone.

[unmoor]

[ at this moment he might even prefer that state. ]

That's a relief.

[ it's a lame attempt at a joke but at least it's there. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[The effort is appreciated.]

... do you want to go?

[unmoor]

No, I'm not in any rush.

[ leaving now would be admitting defeat. and he doesn't actually feel like escaping anymore. ]

If you'll have me, of course.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Of course. [She's glad. It's evident in her smile.]

I imagine you'd like a drink.