the_lioness | (no subject)

(no subject)

By all accounts, it's a lazy day. Sprawled on the couch, Alanna taps one foot on the floor and stares at select pieces of red hair, contemplating cutting it as she tends to do when she's worked up about something. She has been up for hours, but Adam is only just now getting dressed. Muffled curses sound from the bedroom as he hunts for clothes and drags them into the bathroom.

Alanna sighs and worries about the wisdom of leaving that note for Thom, although it's likely too late for second thoughts.

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Thom knocks on the door outside.

Alanna goes very still before swinging into motion. She almost opens the door immediately, but thinks better of it, taking a moment to tuck the necklaces below her collar.

"Thom," she says with a smile as she opens the door. "That was quick. How are you?"

Despite any and all nerves, she looks very pleased to see him.

He steps in and kisses her cheek. "Charming as always."

Pulling him into a hug, she closes the door with her foot.

"Naturally."

Thom nods. Vaguely, "Adam."

That's a greeting.

The person in question (or in whatever), finally dressed, peeks his head out of the bedroom door.

"Did I hear my-

Oh, hullo, Thom."

Smiling uneasily, Alanna pulls her brother further into the room.

"Want something to drink? We have..." She glances at Adam. "Water?"

"Water, water or cider."

Don't try the cider, Thom. Adam's been Experimenting.

He leans over and kisses Alanna's cheek before going to grab himself a drink.

(Water.)

No, I'm good.

Alanna chews thoughtfully on her thumb, waiting to speak until Adam is back in the room.

"Notice anything different?"

She smiles and turns in a slow circle.

*Thom stares at her.*

You're . . .

Getting taller?

Adam puts his drink down and stands behind Alanna, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"Not quite," she replies dryly. "I let Adam finish healing me the night of the party."

Alanna leans back against Adam with a small sigh.

Finally.

Adam can't help but laugh and grin when he says that, even as his fingers run gentle lines across Alanna's collarbone.

"That's what I said."

Well, or something like it.

She grumbles under her breath, "I had my reasons."

Yes, but they were dumb.

Another kiss to the side of her face, another grin.

"Look, Thom and I are agreeing on something. Aren't you pleased?"

Stubbornly, "my reasons were not dumb."

But she smiles, a little, and reaches around to touch Adam's side.

She really has no idea how to do this.

"You've agreed on things before!" she blurts out.

Like . . .

Think, Adam think.

Fact is, they used to agree on a lot of things.

Used to.

And Alanna, well. It's not like Adam has any better ideas on how to handle it.

He blurts something out, too.

"Don't kill us."

"I've heard you both refer to Jon as a ponce?" Alanna hazards.

She makes an odd sound and nods quickly, eyes going big and round. Her hand lifts to her neck, rubbing a red spot above her collarbone.

"It's not as sudden as you might think. Really."

*Thom grins.* Why would I want to kill you?

His hand reaches up to cusp the jewel in the necklace he got Alanna.

"Maybe you won't."

The bright he's trying for fails.

"Maybe," she says hopefully. "I let him heal me for a reason, Thom."

Her fingers brush over Adam's and then tug slowly on the laces of her shirt, revealing a bit more of the necklace and emberstone.