forgivetheinsubordination | IC Contact

[Garrus jumps at the yelp, moving forward on instinct to put one hand under the barrel of the gun and his other on Erin's back as he tries to figure out what just happened. She yelped. Why? As soon as the moment of shock and reaction is over, he's... not sure. He blinks and tilts his head at her.]

Uh. You okay?

[If it was possible for a person's face to resemble an emoticon, she's definitely a 8C right now. Eyes wide, mouth somewhere between pout and frown.

...She's embarrassed.]

I'm fine.

[Ok, if she's snapping at Garrus that badly, she's really embarrassed.

Thieves and loud noises. Bad combination. And, okay, yes, she's technically already heard this brand of loud noise, but it was her causing it this time, and it's just different okay?! Don't judge her.]

[Garrus slips the safety back on.]

Let's call that an end to the lesson for today. We can give it another go tomorrow.

[Because she's snapping and probably won't be in a learning-more mood, and he's not sure how much patience he has after the day's earlier events.]

[That is probably for the best. Erin is clearly going to need a little more time to get used to weapons that make loud sounds. She makes a soft, frustrated noise, but doesn't stop Garrus from slipping the safety on. Ending the lesson there is probably for the best; she really isn't meant for this kind of weapon.

Her poor crossbow.]

At least you know I'm not gonna be shooting anyone in the foot anytime soon.

[She could always see if there's someone who doesn't mind parting with theirs. Like Temeraire.]

There's that, at least.

[Provided she keeps the safety on and handles the gun with care.]

I'll expect you to remember how to hold the gun at next lesson.

[No backsliding allowed.]

[The frown is back.]

I'm not a child, Garrus. I won't forget.

[He crosses his arms.]

Students forget things sometimes. Doesn't matter if they're adult or child. That's why teachers review at the start of lessons, a lot of the time, but we didn't go over much this time. Next one will be more difficult.

[Terminology, and how to take the gun apart and put it back together.]

[...This is reminding her of Garrett and in all the wrong ways. She pulls a face and turns on her heel.]

It's cute how you even think there will be a next one.

[So he can add Erin to the list of people he's messed up with today. Good. He'd needed that to get longer. Garrus sighs.]

There will be. Because you need to know how to fight, because things are going to be dangerous. Call me when you're ready, Erin.

[He'll leave it in her hands.]

Edited 2015-02-10 08:48 (UTC)

I don't need to fight, I have you.

[A pause, while she picks up some of her pride and swallows it. Garrus, you are one special son of a bitch, savor what's about to happen.

Erin sets the gun on the ground (gently!), safely pointed away from anyone who might be walking around and turns again. Garrus is still close enough that she can stand on her very tiptoes and fling her arms around his neck--and if he doesn't bend down when she tightens her arms, he's going to end up with her literally hanging off him.]

I have a lesson for you, too. [Her voice is soft, for his ears only.] Don't fall for people who don't love you back. It's not worth it, believe me. Love the ones who love you first.

[He watches her, contemplating saying something about maybe not always having him, and then she's embracing him and he's bending forward so she doesn't wind up straining her back or shoulders. He swallows as he gently puts his arms back around her middle.]

I...

[His eyes close.]

Thank you, Erin.

[There won't be another falling. He'll guard his heart, the same way Noh does. Garrus won't go through this again. But that doesn't change the fact that it's good advice, and probably advice he should have sought a lot sooner. Hindsight is 20/20, and all that. His voice is exceptionally gentle with the faintest whisper of subharmonics as he continues talking.]

And I've got your back. Which includes teaching, for when you don't have me.

[It's advice she should take herself, but she won't. Especially not now that Garrett is awake again.

She hums a little counterpoint to Garrus' subharmonics and holds on for just a few seconds longer. When she finally lets go there's something a little more at ease in her (someone please remind her that contact can be healthy) and she's more cheeky, less snappish.]

Again, still cute that you think there's gonna be a second lesson.

Mmhmm.

[His voice is still quiet, subharmonics still hushed, but his mandibles flicker a tiny bit.]

There will be. Because you know it's better for you in the long run. Go on. Go do whatever it is you do when you're not hanging around me. ...That isn't stealing.

[Thieves.]

I would never.

[Yes, she would. She still has Shepard's blanket, after all!

She retrieves the gun from the ground and makes a point of carrying it safely, if in a slightly exaggerated way, and heads back into camp.]

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