Only if for a night

[minded]

Date & Time: February 9th
Location: Their unit/apartment
Characters: Superboy & Miss Martian
Summary: Sometime after this.
Warnings: PG? Possible fluff? idk feels!

[ I'm sorry. Those words combined with the lasting image of her expression before she had cut the feed, the fleeting touch of her conscience on his—something Conner had been missing for too long—and the jumble of emotions from her coming through the brief connection had pushed him to leave the apartment unit and enter the rainy day without an umbrella and without thinking to seek her out.

Unconsciously he had tried to latch onto her the moment she had entered his mind to convey the apology. His mind's first response had been to immediately shut her out, push until she couldn't get so far but Conner honestly longed for the whisper of her mind's touch against his. Bitterness, discord, anger; none of it existed, and if it did then it was no longer directed towards her. Through it all M'gann might have been able to sense that longing amidst the desperation, confusion and unhappiness which came up from time to time whenever it came to seeing or speaking to her.

Head ducked against the rain, Conner hurried to where the restaurant sat. He went in and within two minutes came back out, alone and looking frustrated. Where are you? he couldn't help but think as he stood beneath the overhead shelter above the main entrance. Could she have returned to the apartment once her meal was over? Or was she at the library now?

Was there any point now trying to find her? They had to have just missed each other, or the time it had taken him to get there was when she had take off.

Conner kicked at a loose pebble and set back out into the rain, moody and soaked through. It took him another ten minutes to get back to the units, his steps wet and making horrible squelching sounds with each one he took through the halls until he stopped at the door to let himself in, frowning. ]

Comments

[mgann]

[As soon as M'gann closes the link between them, she pays for her food and leaves, not really having a plan in mind. She just knows that sitting around would leave her time to dwell, and at that moment, dwelling is a bad idea. Shifting into camouflage mode, she rises from the ground and hovers for a moment before heading towards the apartments at a slower than normal speed.

He wanted to fix things between them. That thought is still at the forefront of her mind as she flies, ignoring the rain pattering against her. Did he mean make amends? Make things livable and less awkward? What about friendship? Was there a chance he even meant--

M'gann stops herself from going down that road. She's with La'gaan now. They're happy together. Anything like what she was considering wouldn't be fair to him. To them. She doesn't want to mess up anything else she has, and yet...

It's been months, she remembers. Months without him, and months with Conner. Sure, things had been tense and awkward, but they were improving, little by little. The two of them are able to hold a somewhat pleasant conversation without getting angry or walking away. Heck, they've even laughed a few times. That definitely counts for something. He even waited by her bedside that one time. Remembering that brings a very small smile to her face without her even realizing.

Reaching the outside wall of her room, she phases through and sheds camouflage, shifting back to her normal appearance and attire. Over to the door she goes, opening it and moving into the living room with a sigh. It feels as if the couch is beckoning to her: pillows placed haphazardly with a blanket draped over the back. M'gann allows herself to take a seat and pull the blanket around her shoulders before she brings her knees up in front of her and rests her chin on them.

If Conner wasn't around, she'd let him be. They'd talk when he was ready, and not a moment sooner. Closing her eyes, the martian exhales softly, not taking in the squelching noises getting closer to the front door.]

[minded]

[ The door opens. There's another two squeaking steps along the linoleum floor of the main hallway. The door then clicks shut. Conner takes a few seconds to look down at the shirt stuck to his torso like a second skin. He has no idea that she's there, he figures the apartment is empty with only Sphere and Wolf being lazy in his room. The fabric is peeled off his body and pulled over his head, water dripping all over the floor.

Once Conner has his boots kicked off and left by the front door, he comes out with his shirt in hand with the idea that a hot shower might get rid of the chill that seems to have settled under his skin, and freezes when he sees her there on the couch with the blanket around her shoulders looking just as wet and cold as he feels with her hair matted to the top of her head and brow as his own is.

Why does he feel like he should put his soaking wet shirt back on all of a sudden? ]

You're here.

[mgann]

[She looks up as the door opens and Conner comes in. When he peels off his shirt, she glances away momentarily, as if to give him some semblance of privacy, even if she's seen him that way many times. It doesn't feel right at this point.

Her attention is brought back to him when he speaks, finally noticing her presence in the room. Suddenly, she feels unsure, doubting her decision to come back. Maybe it was too soon. Could he be angry about her entering his mind again after what she'd done? M'gann couldn't blame him if that was the case.

She clutches the blanket around her a little tighter, unconsciously giving off all the signals of her uncertainty regarding the situation. How does she respond to that? Words bubble to the surface, and a few slip out without her thinking over what she should say.]

Should I not be? I understand if you need time to dry off and think and figure out what to-- [Control is regained as she cuts herself off, glancing slightly downward.]

Conner, when you're willing, we need to talk. I think we both know that much at this point. [Her gaze is brought back up when a thought hits her.]

Is that why... Is that why you went out?

[minded]

[ As much as he wants to step into his room to quickly grab a fresh and dry shirt, Conner's afraid she might take the opportunity to slip out. The vibe he's getting from her is that she's ready at any moment to. It's uncomfortable not just for him, but obviously for her, that he's standing there without a shirt and just in his pants so Conner unravels the wet shirt and pulls the cold piece of clothing back on and down his torso. The muscle in his jaw twitches as he grits his teeth against the shiver running through him once the shirt settles on his skin. ]

I went out to find you.

[ Conner stays where he is and doesn't take his eyes off of her, arms at his sides. ]

[mgann]

Go get changed. I'll be here when you get back, I promise.

[It doesn't take her telepathy to tell that's why he's hesitant to go anywhere even when he really needs to. In fact, she stands up-- blanket still around her shoulders as she leaves the couch-- and makes her way towards the kitchen, which, coincidentally, involves walking right passed him. She pauses when she reaches him, and offers a small, sort of forced smile.]

I'll make tea.

[minded]

M'gann...

[ Conner acts without realizing, a hand moving to slip past the blanket to curve over her waist and stop her from moving any further. He can feel her warmth through her shirt beneath his palm and fingers. ]

[mgann]

[Phasing through his hand would be easy, a way to bypass what might come, giving them time to sort things out a little before doing anything they might regret. She could step to the side, move backwards, or even remove his hand. All of those would be a simple step, a message to send. They would tell him she isn't ready for this, that it's a bad idea.

Of course, none of those happen. Instead, she stops and tenses, looking up at him, her eyes wide and questioning, full of worry. It feels like it's been ages since they'd been like this, and she's not sure what to expect at all.]

Conner, you're freezing...

[minded]

[ How cold he feels is the last thing on his mind. His hand tightens on her waist as he looks down at her, taking in the wide amber eyes as they stare back. Then warm palms but cold finger tips press on either side of her jaw; what he does next might take her by surprise as it could mean so many things between them.

There's no hot press of lips slanting over lips in the desperation of seeking out something familiar. Instead Conner is lowering his head to rest his damp brow against hers, blue eyes piercing as they watch hers so up close. They have their own methods, or at least he does. ]

I'll be fine...

[mgann]

[M'gann can't help but inhale sharply as he takes hold of her. Taken by surprise doesn't even begin to cover it, and she feels her heart beat a little faster when Conner closes the distance between them. Her mouth is dry, her eyes wide. She wants to find words, but it's hard, especially when he's so close, his brow to hers.

She lifts a hand and tentatively places it over over one of his that rests on her cheek. The other stays at her side, clutching the edge of the blanket hanging off her shoulders. Quietly, she breathes in once more, much slower than her previous gasp. Lids slowly descend, and soon, her eyes are closes, his touch the only thing in front of her.

A long moment passes before Conner might feel that very familiar sense in his mind. It's light, even more so than before, but it's there, questioning everything going on right then. Is this what he wanted?]

[minded]

[ His fingers press in lightly against her cheekbones and ears, thumbs absently brushing over the apples of her cheeks. Conner closes his eyes as he allows the light touch to caress his mind and slowly knit with his.

This was exactly what he had wanted, what he had missed. ]

... Hey.

[mgann]

[She could feel the familiar connection instantly as he responded. Though she wants to dive straight in, she knows it's best to go slowly, which is what she does instead. Exploring new yet old territory is exciting and nerve wracking. He has indeed changed some since their last "meeting" but overall, the sensation is the same.]

Hi.

[minded]

[ His eyes open then. He can feel her reaching out and unconsciously Conner goes to put up a block on just how far she can go. One step at a time. It's not intentional, but it is something he'll have to learn to ease up on.

Right now Conner's trying not to focus on how close she is and how her breath is warm and fanning against his mouth. It would be so easy to tilt her face closer... ]

Still awkward?

[mgann]

[The block goes up, and that snaps M'gann back to reality, causing her to withdraw from their link and leave nothing in her wake. Of course he would do that, not that she blames him. It's what she needs, though, for him to remind her that this isn't an instant connection again. The easier something is to break, the harder it is to fix.

Her eyes open as well, and her expression sombers. She pulls away slightly, letting her hand drop from his. Eye contact still remains, however.]

You tell me. [Her tone isn't upset or hurt or angry. It's a simple request, one she hopes he can comply with easily.]

[minded]

[ And there it goes, she's slipped out of his mind and while she left nothing in her wake, it's empty and hollow again. Afraid that she'll pull away completely, Conner's holding on all the more. He's leaned back as well, their brows no longer touching, but he doesn't want to lose the closeness. ]

No. It's not.

We both have things we need to work on, but if you're willing to then so am I.

[mgann]

[A nod is what Conner receives in response first, though it's a small one, as he still has hold of the sides of her face. M'gann makes no move to break that contact, either. In fact, her hand goes back up to cover his once more in affirmation.]

I'm willing.

[minded]

[ The feeling of relief is nearly overwhelming when he hears her reply. ]

We've both made mistakes, but I've learned in my years on the Team that mistakes are there to learn from. You've been there since the beginning, M'gann, and it's been... [ It's been so hard- Conner trails off on a slow exhale, letting the unspoken words hang between them. ] --my mistake was letting you go.

[mgann]

Don't. [Don't tell her you're the one who made mistakes. She's the one who drove him to do what he did, and she fully accepts that blame. What she's hearing now nearly breaks her heart into pieces. What she'd attempted to do and what she ended up doing in the process... she'd give anything to take those back.

She bites her lower lip and moves once more, this time to rest her forehead in the crook of his neck. Her arms slowly move from the blanket to wrap around him gently. She doesn't care if this is too much too fast. He needs to know she's there now, that she won't mess up again.]

Conner, I'm so, so sorry. [Her voice is muffled, and she does her best to let it waver too much. He needs to know-- to really know how sorry she is.]

[minded]

[ It feels so good to feel her warmth pressed close to him again, even through his wet shirt. His arms move to return the hug, wrapping around her tightly and holding her flush against his front. This was also something Conner had really missed, the physical side of their past connection. ]

I know. I know now. [ Conner wants to believe that he's always known, since the day she made the attempt to go into his memory and erase the argument.

His head lowers and then he's burying his face into the soft slope of her shoulder, breathing in softly. ]

I missed you. I missed this.

[ Not lifting his head he adds: ] I should have been more understanding.

[mgann]

[He should feel her shaking her head against him, tightening the hug. As nice as it is to be back here, M'gann can't help but feel she's not deserving of it then, but even if she tried, she doubts he'd let her move away.]

No, you were doing what you should have done.

[minded]

[ Conner lifts his head and his gaze focuses down on her shoulder. ]

And yet you stayed. You could have walked away, you could have ended things.

[mgann]

You stopped on your own. I probably never would have if you hadn't--

[She cuts herself, not wanting to go down that road. There's too much going on, and adding another thing to the pile isn't currently the smartest move.]

You're still cold.

[minded]

[ It's probably for the best that they don't go down that road just yet. One thing at a time. ]

Right. Sorry...

[ Stepping away from her altogether Conner leans down to pick up the blanket that had fallen behind her. He pulls it back around her shoulders despite how he's probably gotten her shirt wet from the hug. ]

[mgann]

[One hand moves to clutch the recovered blanket while the other hangs uselessly at her side. Her eyes follow his movements, and she tries to process what all that had been.]

It's fine. You should go change. I still have tea to make...

[minded]

[ Conner had forgotten about the tea. He nods and lingers for a moment longer as if he too was still processing things and the conclusion they had reached. ]

Tea will be nice. [ Since he doesn't care for coffee and all. Not that he drinks the stuff, that's more Black Canary' department. ]

[mgann]

[The martian nods, not wanting to be the first to move just yet. She feels like doing so might erase everything that just happened.]

Your usual?

[minded]

Sure.

[ Conner returns the nod. Still he lingers, eyes lifting to the auburn hair darkened by her walk in the rain. Moving out of the room he disappears for all but a moment, and then returns with a towel. ]

For your hair. You don't want to catch a cold.

[ The towel is held out for her to take. ]

[mgann]

[M'gann moves as well, heading to the cabinets for tea supplies when Conner speaks, obviously returning. She moves to face him, mugs in hand. With a blink, she sets them on the counter and walks over to take the towel from him.]

I doubt I would, but thank you. [Hair drying commence!]

[minded]

You were sick once before already. It could happen again. [ All that calamity from that time aside, Conner just doesn't want to see it happen again. ]

Besides - we're not as familiar with this world as we are our own. We don't know what could happen if you were to get sick, or anyone.

[mgann]

[Pausing beneath the towel, she stares at him, eyes widened slightly. It's hard to believe she had almost forgotten that, and even after all this time, he's able to bring it up. Her hands drop to her sides, and a mug floats over for him to take. Inside is a bad of green tea, the closest she can find to his favorite back home.]

I see your point. Go get changed, and I'll put on the water.

[minded]

[ A hand reaches out to grab the mug from mid-air, fingers curled in the handle. Conner nods once and he turns to head off to his room, setting the mug on a table in passing that he'll pick back up on the way out.

That aforementioned talk is something they really need to have. Is today going to be that day? Or will they sit in awkward silence over tea? There's only one way to find out. ]