Haven, Maine, over the weekend

[betterthanaplan]

The last time Octavia had been to Haven, she'd gotten arrested and Gloria had had to go yell at the Chief of police.

The last time Duke had been to Haven, he'd gotten arrested and Gloria had had to go yell at the Chief of police.

They could both be forgiven for being a little nervous pulling into the harbor now, even without the "let's go meet our mutual therapist in person" part of the deal.

[for one! NFB due to distance]

Comments

Re: Arrival

[seaoftroubles]

"C'mere and give me a hug, kiddo," Gloria said. "You look like you could use one."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

Octavia dropped her hand, slowly, and for a moment it looked like she wasn't going to go for it.

But then she did, stepping up to Gloria and practically throwing her arms around her. Not tight enough to hurt but - surprisingly tight, all the same.

Re: Arrival

[seaoftroubles]

And Gloria hugged back just as tight, rubbing little circles on Octavia's back.

Duke ducked his head, turning slightly away and rubbing his head as he tried to hide his relief. Gloria eyed him.

"You're next, kitten. Don't think you're not."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

Octavia choked out a sound that was a little like a startled laugh. Just, a lot rough.

And a little wet, though she'd pretend it wasn't.

It'd take her a moment to pull herself together.

Re: Arrival

[seaoftroubles]

That was fine. Gloria was retired, she had no other plans for today.

"You missed Nathan," Duke said.

"And neither of you got arrested by him this time? Good job."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

"They didn't try to come aboard," Octavia mumbled, trying to mask the strained note in her voice with a drawl. (Just breathe, Tavi.) "So I didn't have to defend our home."

Yeah, she was not interested in even pretending that risking arrest hadn't been on the table.

Re: Arrival

[seaoftroubles]

"Well, you know how cops are," Gloria said.

"They called away before they could try," Duke said. "Something going on up at the Freddy."

Gloria sighed. "That'll be a trouble, then. Maybe it'll be nice and stay contained up there."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

Octavia gave Gloria one final squeeze, then finally pulled back.

And stubbornly refused to wipe at her eyes, even as she felt like she should have.

"What's the Freddy?"

Re: Arrival

[betterthanaplan]

"Local mental hospital," Duke said. "Shit, that's not where Claire works, is it?"

Gloria reached up to smack him on the head, then dragged him into a hug. "Would I do that to you? The Freddy's in-patient only. Claire's got her own office not far from the station."

Duke hugged her back almost as firmly as Octavia had. "Good. Audrey seems like good enough people, but I'd really rather not have another run-in with Nathan if I can help it."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

Okay, so Octavia did wipe her eyes with the heel of her hand once it seemed they were both too preoccupied to notice.

"Agreed."

Re: Arrival

[betterthanaplan]

"So, uh." Duke clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "Lunch. Preferably somewhere we won't get threatened out of."

"Second Chance?" Gloria suggested. "They're opening in just a couple weeks, I'm sure Geoff would love to have you come by and make fun of pigeons."

Duke tilted his head at Octavia. "What do you think? It's pretty much guaranteed to only be us."

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

"I don't know what that is," Octavia pointed out, as if the name didn't speak to her and as if 'pretty much guaranteed to be just us' wasn't a major selling point. (It did and it was.) "Sure?"

Re: Arrival

[betterthanaplan]

“My friends’ restaurant. They’ve been shut down for awhile, fixing the place up. It’s a gorgeous spot, right by the water. . . .”

“Kitten, you’re babbling.”

Duke sighed. “I do that, yeah.”

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

"I like places by the water," Octavia offered, with a look up at Duke.

Because she didn't mind the babbling.

Re: Arrival

[seaoftroubles]

"Well, what are we waiting for, then? Get your asses in the car." Gloria patted Duke on the back and gave him a shove.

Re: Arrival

[okteiviakom]

Octavia didn't need to be told twice to get moving.

A private space and Duke's actual friends sounded perfect for right now.