[closed] this christmas we don't need to get away

[controlledvariable]

Date & Time: December 2010
Location: Chicago
Characters: two losers
Summary: ew
Warnings: unhinged laughter
Notes: please blame heather for the cut text i am so sorry. also gif warning under the cut

Comments

[controlledvariable]

Oh my god, yes.

[As if they're suddenly talking about the Holy Grail or something, because that sounds like the best thing in the entire world right now. Weeks of barely even picking at food has suddenly caught up with her.]

I bought a pen. [good job, Steph.] We can start a list once we've got coffee. Or when we get to the hotel. [oh wait a thought, she looks up at him with a hopeful grin] Can we stay at a fancy hotel?

[Things she's never done before: that]

[5055034455]

[SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T EAT, STEPHANIE?

Saul nods. Coffee first; the list can wait. And then he's smirking, brows raised just slightly in surprise that she would even consider the possibility of not doing that.]

As if I'd settle for anything less.

[Never mind the times he's settled for roach motels filled with drug addicts and hookers.

That was for business.

w/e]

[controlledvariable]

Yeah, yeah, we're not all fancy lawyers.

[One of the things she's liked about Exsilium is that it puts everyone on an equal playing field, money wise.

After spending the last few years surrounded by Bruce and Tim's money (and having to listen to Jack Drake complain about being middle class), it's nice to not have to worry about anyone looking down on her for how she grew up.]

[5055034455]

What a world it would be if we were.

[Literally the worst world.

He has to try to not laugh about the "fancy" part, though. Even though he knows she's joking.]

But — gosh, Steph, you really think I'm fancy? It's the pinky ring, isn't it?

[controlledvariable]

Oh, come on, like you're not rolling in it back home.

[There's no way he's as involved with Jesse and Walter as he seems to be and not have been making a significant profit from it.]

[5055034455]

That's unsanitary.

[But she's not incorrect.

He shrugs, all sudden nonchalance.]

[controlledvariable]

What, you don't get it laundered first?

[Steph that's not funny.]

[5055034455]

[AND HE JUST

STOPS

WALKING]

[controlledvariable]

[whup.]

What?

[The most innocent expression in the history of human existence is on her face, right now.]

[5055034455]

Steph.

[Look at this super serious pause.

And then his straight face promptly disappears when he says:] I love you.

[controlledvariable]

[There's a brief second where she thinks she might actually be in trouble, but she laughs at that I love you.]

You too.

[She gives his arm a tug, to get them walking again.]

But not if you keep me from getting coffee.

[5055034455]

I would never.

[He practically skips back into step, because everything is stupid as hell.

At least they're only a few more blocks from their destination.]

[controlledvariable]

Good boy.

[She really needs to stop calling him that, because she's going to end up saying it in polite company and it'll be awkward.]

Hey, do you have a credit card with you?

[Because there's a trick Babs taught her that she wants to try once they sit down.]

[5055034455]

[She needs to never stop calling him that.]

Yeah, a few, but I don't think they'll work here.

[controlledvariable]

I can fix that.

[stop looking so smug, Steph

It'd only be a temporary fix, anyway, but still.]

[5055034455]

[It is literally not possible for him to fall any harder for her.

And yet that just made his big ol' heart skip a beat.]

Seriously?

[controlledvariable]

Seriously. I'm not as good with computers as Oracle so we'd probably get caught eventually, but since we're only here for a week...

[who cares!]

[5055034455]

Can you stop being so amazing?

[controlledvariable]

[She shakes her head, looking so very apologetic.]

No can do, sorry.

[5055034455]

[He sighs. It's loud, it's melodramatic, it's totally fake.]

[controlledvariable]

Don't act like you didn't know what you were getting into.

[He knew she was amazing before they started doing... whatever it is they're doing.]

[5055034455]

[Saul knew, but he had no idea.

The arm he has around hers tightens, drawing her in a little closer.

And since he's not quite sure what to say to that, the rest of the walk to Starbucks is silent.]

[controlledvariable]

[She squints at him a little suspiciously for a moment, waiting for a smart remark, but when nothing comes she's happy to shut up for a little while.

At least until they get inside, and then she just breathes in deeply, sighs, and mutters:]

I'm in heaven.

[because that's the appropriate reaction to Starbucks, right?]

[5055034455]

[That is the only appropriate reaction to Starbucks after months and months and months of not having set foot inside one.

Saul does the same, except it seems he's been rendered speechless.]

[controlledvariable]

[She lets them both indulge in that for a moment, before giving his arm another tug, leading him over to a table.]

People are gonna think we're weird. [no shit.] What do you want?

[Apparently it's her treat, since she's setting down the bag she brought with her and fishing her wallet out of her pocket; she still has money left from Baltimore, and she can pull small blls from her utility belt, so the coffee can be her treat.]