OOM: Room #100 - for Doc Scurlock

[ikissdhimbck]

[following this:]


It's been a while since Kate has spent any considerable amount of time in her own room, so it has remained rather tidy. The only real exceptions are a stack of clean laundry on her desk chair she hasn't gotten to yet, and the bedspread, which is a little disheveled from stolen naps here and there between checking on and being with Doc. On her desk is the book of poetry she had taken from his room, along with the little orange paper crane that marks her place. The poetry and favors from the wake are spread out, including several little steel green cranes, which sit awkward and deformed in some small way ('first attempts' at origami that weren't so bad as to throw away). There's also a rather extraordinary little music box, and a half-eaten box of chocolate. On the table in the corner, there are a few newspapers and posters, handmade notes about Cuero, and the like.

The real focus of attention, however, is the bathroom; complete with all its fancy little soaps, and relaxing scents, and nice, hot water. That's Kate's focus, at least, once she unlocks her door and steps inside.

.

Comments

[ikissdhimbck]

"It's not--"

She looks up at him, disengaging their hands so she can reach out and stroke his cheek.

"I ain't sayin' I wish you was different. I love you; I fell in love with you. I may not have known what I was gettin' into at the time, but I do now, and I wouldn't change you."

She bites her bottom lip.

"It just... It's unsettlin', at times. Especially when y'leave, and don't say nothin'. I know I don't look like much no more, an' I know I've done things myself that'd make my momma cry and let my daddy down, but... but it's still strange, bein' alone in a room with a man that ain't you. And it's still... hard, sometimes, when you go off with your lady friends like it's no big thing."

[scurlock]

He looks up at her and there's a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"...y'don't look like much no more? Are y'bein' serious, darlin'?"

Doc shakes his head, a quiet sense of disbelief in the air.

"You...you are...the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on. Everythin' about you is perfect, no matter what. Each time I lookit you, s'like m'seein' a fine piece of artwork, hundreds of little details that make...a masterpiece. You...you're beautiful, Kate. I mean that."

[ikissdhimbck]

She smiles crookedly when he starts talking, and it only grows with every word he says. Eventually, she's laughing, quiet and bemused.

"I meant," she whispers, shifting closer to him. "I don't look like much of a lady. Not a proper one. I don't have a fine closet no more, or the reputation t'match."

She quirks her mouth again, though her expression is a bit sad.

"Y'really think I'm a masterpiece?"

[scurlock]

"I do."

Doc shifts and wraps an arm around her body, leaning in to whisper quietly, his forehead almost touching hers.

"You could be wearin' rags and still be the prettiest girl I ever seen. But don't you worry none 'bout that, I got a feelin' we'll manage t'keep your closet fine and full."

Her reputation will change, obviously. But that's to be expected.

"And I even promise that if y'want me t'git dressed up, too, I will."

[ikissdhimbck]

She really wishes she had on more layers when he pulls her close to him, and the friction of his warm, bare chest against hers sends prickles of heat through her flesh.

She smiles, and snickers softly when he assures her that her closet will not be bare.

"Will you, now? Put on your finery, like y'did for the Fourth? Dance me around the square?"

[scurlock]

"Dance y'round the square 'til the stars go t'sleep with the risin' of the sun," he promises. "Whatever you want, darlin'. I promise."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Whatever I want..."

Her voice is almost sinister. She smiles, and brushes her lips against his chin.

"An' I'd let you gussy me up, however you like."

[scurlock]

"I'll hold y'to that."

Doc grins.

(Politely.)

[ikissdhimbck]

Mm-hmm.

She sighs softly, content to share a pillow with him for a quiet moment.

Eventually:

"I trust you."

She brushes his hair out of his face tenderly.

"Just... include me, next time? I don't wanna keep secrets from you."

The 'and I don't want you to keep secrets from me' goes unspoken.

[scurlock]

"Of course."

He squeezes her hand lightly.

"I want t'travel with you. Show you places. Go on adventures."

Together.

[ikissdhimbck]

She smiles.

"I want that, too."

And, permitting for a bit more seriousness:

"You're sure you ain't mad about me goin' off with Ben? It'd be okay t'tell me. If y'were."

She still remembers how he had angrily called her out.

'I suppose now we're even for you runnin' to Wade 'fore you left here without word for months.'

[scurlock]

"I ain't mad. M'glad that you had someone there t'watch you and keep y'safe from harm. I'd rather y'had someone watchin' your back than you out there on your lonesome."

Doc looks down.

"If anything, I'm mad at myself for not bein' here."

[ikissdhimbck]

She shakes her head.

"That was my fault."

Snuggling in a bit closer, so she can wrap her arms around him, she lets her forehead fall against his.

"And trust me, cowboy: I don't plan on goin' anywhere without you again."

[scurlock]

"Good, 'cause I'd hate t'have to come up with some sorta flypaper device t'keep us smushed together all the time," he teases, closing his eyes as she wraps her arms around her.

He would come up with something, but he doesn't want to.

(But he will if he has to.)

"I love you, Kate. M'gonna be with you for a long, long time. I ain't goin' nowhere."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Mister, your hands are sticky enough without you needin' t'be conjurin' up devices t'keep me bound t'you."

She exhales a breathy chuckle, nuzzling up against his stubble.

(She knows he would -- and could -- if she gave him call to.)

Sighing softly, she kisses the underside of his chin.

"I am, y'know. Bound t'you. So you best not go no place you don't want me to follow."

No more dying on her.

[scurlock]

"Mm, good."

He sighs when her mouth meets the underside of his chin, lips curling into a smile.

It's quiet for a few moments.

"Y'make me feel so safe. I don't wanna go anywhere."

[ikissdhimbck]

"You are safe."

She runs the tips of her fingers down the length of his spine, watching his face with quiet curiosity. His eyes are closed, and it's a good thing, too, because he won't be able to see the concerned furrow of her brow.

She hasn't told him everything.

But he looks so peaceful.

"Nothin' could ever harm you, while I'm here. No bounty hunters, no lawmen, no Pinks or ghosts. No bad dreams. It's just me and you. You're safe."

[scurlock]

"S'been a long time since I been this safe. Here'n your arms though, nothin' s'gonna hurt me."

He keeps his eyes closed, but he does smile.

[ikissdhimbck]

A smile pulls at one corner of her mouth to match, and she sighs.

"You can fall asleep, y'know."

She continues pulling her fingers up and down his spine slowly.

"I won't mind. You pro'ly still need it."

[scurlock]

"Y'sure y'don't mind sharin' a bed?"

He's already stretching out and getting comfortable, as he speaks.

[ikissdhimbck]

She smirks crookedly. What's she gonna say? 'Yes'?

"I don't mind. Fresh outta the shower y'don't smell too awful bad."

She bites her bottom lip.

[scurlock]

He cracks his eyes open in a mock glare.

"Well bein' that I smell like you...I would hope not."

[ikissdhimbck]

She grins.

"I like that y'smell like me."

It's that subtle hint of possession.

[scurlock]

Doc smirks.

"I like it, too."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Maybe we'll hafta make a habit of it."

She pulls back a little, letting him get settled down for a nap. She isn't tired, but she has absolutely no qualms with watching him sleep for a while.

"I'll worry if y'start wearin' my perfume, though."