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[underachievement]

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[underachievement]

[ He may be knocking down the ruinin' dominoes but she set them up, still edgy from the rawer words they dredged up for each other. Her gaze bores into his back, like she can read the lines between his shoulder blades to confirm if he's being passive aggressive or not. Maybe she shouldn't try so hard to keep him and Trish apart, if there's any chance they'll cancel each other out. ]

A little. [ She does her best impression of his tone: Dry, genuine and loaded. Like she was gonna quit drinking today? ]

[oorah]

[ not. at least, not on purpose if she finds any there. he even dumps in the alcohol for her into the penguin cup before covering it with too-hot coffee. he hands her the drink, no judgment to be found in his expression as he leans back against the counter after scooping his mug back up. he hugs it to his chest while he watches her. ]

Why do we do that? Play that game. [ aka torture each other. they've done it a few times and it always ends the same way, no matter who wins (or quits.) frank takes a shallow sip of the steaming liquid without ever taking his eyes off her face. ]

[underachievement]

[ Well, there goes her theory that she'd rather talk about anything other than her drinking solution. Jess takes her coffee and swirls it gently in hand, hissing softly when a droplet escapes and sears down the back of her hand. ]

We can stop. [ Which is by no means an answer and she certainly has one. Her reticence to be straightforward is kind of one in and of itself. Once her coffee has spun to a stop, she looks at Frank for his reaction. For all that she complains about their DIY shrinkage, she wonders, keeping her dread holstered, what would take its place. ]

[oorah]

[ he doesn't think he wants it to stop, he realizes suddenly, in the midst of another sip even as it sears his tastebuds and the roof of his mouth. ]

Do you want to?

[underachievement]

[ She shrugs without thinking, instinct taking over to minimize her stake in the answer. Jess cocks her head to the side, breaking eye contact. ]

No. I don't know. [ An agitated sigh, then she raises her cup to her mouth. ] It's easier. [ "than the alternative' but he's Mr Questions right now and she'd rather not expound on that either. ]

[oorah]

[ he notes the shrug, the way she says 'no' but then backs it up. frank takes another sip and tries to listen to the things she's not saying just as carefully as the rest.]

I kinda like it. [ he admits, crossing one leg over the other as he leans back into the counter with all his weight. it is... easier. a way to air things they otherwise have no means of airing. except those few times they've gotten weird and honest at around 2 am. it's also simple, for as much as it's also challenging, and it gives them each a way to occupy their minds for a while without spiraling out. maybe it's even... healthy?? shudder to think, really. ]