[Luck Harris]

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[attr="class","post-frosttalon-title-small"]SOMETHIN BOUT STARLIGHT ON KANSAS

[attr="class","post-frosttalon-subtitle-small"]the way a wheat field dances, fence posts as far as the eye can see

Luck pursed his lips and blinked thoughtfully as Bridget explained a bit about her Gift — that, though she could talk and understand speech like it was near-nothing, she wasn't able to read it with the same ease. He thought of all the lettering painted on the buildings and steps of Greece — everywhere it seemed — and how he'd taken pictures of so much of it, thinking he'd be able to research what it all said once he got home. He'd had little success. [break][break]

He supposed, if she were there (and feeling comfortable and friendly enough), she could simply ask someone around her to read aloud what things said. It was an interesting thought. [break][break]

When the conversation shifted to the Sector and their tricks... as he thought she might, Bridget seemed to empathize with his sudden, subtle bitching. He couldn't stifle a quick snort at her immediate "fuck them". His lips pulled tight with amusement and the feel of it loosened a bit of the threatening knot in him. He nodded his agreement, eyes half-lidded with knowing. She then offered herself as someone to talk to about it, if he needed to, and he made the conscious effort to keep his face fixed in that "easy" expression when he shot her a grateful look. [break][break]

"Ahhh... I'll be alright," he said quietly, doing his best to make the words sound weighted with conviction. He would be, he was sure that much was true, but he knew too, that it'd be harder to work through than it usually was. Nate had always been that overwhelming, grounding presence he sought (and came home to) when things shot off at work. Or when anything shot off anywhere, really. But he wasn't going home to him anymore.[break][break]

Realistically, he knew that Nate would still be there, were Luck to reach. He knew him well enough to presume he wouldn't turn from anyone who needed him (even if it exasperated or inconvenienced him in any way). But still, it wouldn't be quite the same. And it could even be unfair of Luck to ask it of him, especially so soon. In any case... Luck could figure it out himself. He'd managed to work through all sorts of shit — albeit, in far less effective and healthy ways — before Nate.[break][break]

"Thanks, though," Luck tacked on, keeping the amused smile in his voice. Even though his fingers tightened a little bit more around the steering wheel beneath them, he thought he sold it pretty well. And, when Bridget shifted the subject to traveling once more, he gratefully let the redirection beat back anything else from his mind. [break][break]

"I've been to Argentina," he offered after a moment of thinking; recalling a mental map of the country's borders and how close he might have come to one of the three that'd been at the top of her list. He dismissed the thought with a quick, amused breath and a fluttery roll of his eyes, only able to recall how busy the trip had felt. How much they'd tried to pack in it. "It was exhausting. Ten nights and... four flights? Not including the flights from and back home." He shook his head, wondering briefly if that would sound insane to a lot of people. [break][break]

"A couple nights in Buenos Aires... then a few around Bariloche and the lakes... then Mendoza... Iguazu Falls, and back to Buenos Aires." He lifted his brow, unable to stop his mouth from curling as he chuckled. "Thought we'd have a great last night in Buenos Aires before we went home but... by then... we were so beat, we ended up just knocking out for most of the day." [break][break]

"It was crazy beautiful, though. All of it." He was sure that, even with ten more days and four more flights, they would have seen hardly a fraction of what there was. And they'd seen and done a lot. If asked, it would be difficult to answer what had been his favorite stay of the whole trip. All of it had been so breathtaking, especially the waters and mountains of the Lake District. And the vineyards and wineries of Mendoza... maybe they'd been a little too good. Every bottle of wine he and Nate had shared since, no matter how nice it was, earned a little frown. Even if it was just a jesting one (accompanied by a wink and a smarmy comment: 'hmm... not bad... but definitely not the best I've had'). [break][break]

"Such a massive country. Lots of shit going on in all different parts. A little bit of everything. I think if I ever went again... I'd take it a little easier. I was probably a bit too 'go, go, go' at the time. Wanted to see as much as I could." He shrugged. "Maybe next time I'll stick to one... maybe two provinces... and really soak them up instead."[break][break]

Rolling to a stop in the turning lane that'd start them toward the busier business district and the Sector's headquarters, Luck let his hands fall to his lap and settled back a little easier; glancing at Bridget with an agreeing nod. "Yeah, South America's definitely a great one for the bucket list." He narrowed his eyes and started a thoughtful hum, mouth pulling at one corner. "We'll have to compare passports sometime." [break][break]

Have you filled one up yet? He wanted to ask, with a cheeky sort of grin, but just managed to bite it back. Rather than playfully daring or challengingly curious, it ran the risk of sounding braggy. Or assholish. And, really, the only reason he was on his second was because he'd been relentlessly adamant about dragging Nate back to Mexico a number of times after their first trip across its borders.[break][break]

"We can compare field notes. You give me recommendations about where you've been... I give you recommendations about where I've been..." the light turned green and he returned his attention through the windshield, but his grin widened and he huffed a quick laugh. "And then you give me better recommendations once you've gone and got all those authentic, local dives scoped out. It's the perfect plan."

it ain't like smoke gets in your clothes, naw[break]it cuts through my skin and digs in way down deep

Tag: Bridget Lacey [break]
Messy, messy, messy, but YOLO~[break]Give me a nudge for any changes or if you need less/more![break]
Also, feel free to have them arrive/get parked or anything like that if you want sdfjhsdf~

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[Bridget Lacey]

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A cold beer on a Friday night

A pair of jeans that fit just right. And the radio up.

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Luck said he’d be alright, and Bridget wasn’t the type to push. There was a way about him that was reminiscent of home, of friends and family she’d grown up around, people who had a similar disposition. Whether he was really all good, or he just wanted to work things out on his own, she was going to respect that. She trusted that he had people, that he’d reach out to someone if he needed to. She knew that support network was probably a bit smaller now, after his recent split, but she assumed there still had to be someone he’d be comfortable talking to. [break][break]

When he added a ‘thanks’, clearly directed at her offer to be a listening ear if wanted (or needed), She smiled and waved it off. There were so few of them who would understand all that they saw and dealt with, being Gifted and working for the Sector, that the least they could do was stick together. And while they didn’t know each other all that well, Bridget felt like she understood Luck a bit more than she would have expected to. They certainly seemed to have more in common than she’d realized before. [break][break]

He went on, explaining how he had traveled in Argentina. Packing as much as possible in the days that he’d been there. It sounded like it had been exhausting, chaotic, and absolutely wonderful all at the same time. She could see herself doing exactly the same, and not regretting it one bit. So what if she was exhausted when she got home? She would have the memories and the experiences to remind herself it was worth it, even if it was a bit too much packed into one trip. [break][break]

“Yeah, you say that now… But would you really, though?” She smirked, thinking about planning a more low key, relaxing trip, but then still doing too much, trying to cram in just one more activity, visit one more museum or lake or small town. “I don’t know if I’d be able to resist the temptation to see as much as possible.” [break][break]

Bridget suppressed a sigh as they turned onto the road that would bring them back to work, back to reality. She would much rather be headed to a land far away, a new adventure, than to the office. But she supposed it wasn’t like she didn’t like most of her job. Just a couple parts of it sucked. [break][break]

“I’m down for comparisons and recommendations.” She smiled, thinking about some of the best places she’d been in places like Mexico and Spain, where she could speak and read the language. “I’ve definitely got a couple places I could recommend.” [break][break]

As they pulled up to the Sector building, Bridget glanced at her watch. She hadn't lost much more than an hour, maybe an hour and a half of working time since she’d informed her boss that she was having car trouble, so she could realistically just try to call it her lunch break and not have to use PTO to cover it. It wasn’t like she’d be going anywhere for lunch at this point anyway, so that wouldn’t make much a difference. [break][break]

“Thank you for doing all this.” Bridget was still a little worried that she was putting him out in some way, taking advantage of his time, but he’d said he didn’t mind and it gave him something to do, so she was trying to let that be enough to keep her from feeling guilty. Asking people for help wasn’t something she was great at, and she always felt like it was a burden when she did. [break][break]

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Luck Harris | Sorry this took forever.. Let me know for changes.

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[Luck Harris]

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[attr="class","post-frosttalon-title-small"]SOMETHIN BOUT STARLIGHT ON KANSAS

[attr="class","post-frosttalon-subtitle-small"]the way a wheat field dances, fence posts as far as the eye can see

When he said he would be alright, Bridget didn't dig at the topic any further — she only smiled and waved off his following thanks. She offered her support and left it there, for him to pick up or leave. And Luck was grateful for it. It was always unpleasant for him to have to insist. To have to convince someone he was okay. Even when he wasn't okay, being made to admit it only made him double-down (with growing resentment) that he was. He just wasn't someone who could be pressed into sharing. Couldn't be pushed or forced. [break][break]

He knew some people found it easy. Being open and vulnerable. Even with people they didn't know well. Strangers sharing life-stories with other strangers on a long flight. Bitching about their home life with someone they didn't know in a grocery line. Trusting someone they didn't know all that well to give a shit. But that wasn't how he'd grown up — most people back home, especially boys his age, just didn't do that. Even as old as he was now... as much as he'd grown and improved within himself... sometimes sharing his thoughts and feelings (the difficult ones, at least) still felt like pulling teeth. Or like vomiting in someone's lap. Something he should be embarrassed to do. Even with people he trusted, he struggled more often than not. [break][break]

He smirked when she answered his intent to "take things easier next time" with a dubious sort of accusation — a knowing little 'would you though?' He looked sidelong, and upon the discovery that his smirk only matched her own, couldn't help the amused breath that slipped from his nose. She admitted she didn't think she'd be able to resist the temptation and he nodded. "Yeah... reckon you're right. I'd probably be just as bad as always."[break][break]

And really, it wasn't such a terrible thing, he supposed. The memories and pictures were worth it. At least he wouldn't return home with the regretful wish that he'd done more with his time (even as he bitched and groaned about the shin-splits and bone-deep exhaustion an insanely-packed schedule had left him with). [break][break]

They approached their work building and Luck turned them into the employee parking lot. After the man at the gate glanced at the sticker in the bottom corner of his windshield, he let them in and he circled to bring them as close to the employee entrance as he could; coming to a stop along the curb in front of the sidewalk that'd lead Bridget to the doors where they scanned their badges. [break][break]

"Sounds like a plan then," Luck replied warmly, pleased by the idea of future conversation about favorite places and vacations as he parked the truck and settled back.[break][break]

She thanked him and, in the subtle tone of those words, he thought he could detect a suggestion of apology — an unspoken 'sorry for the trouble' tucked behind the gratitude. He watched as she began to gather her things, making sure she didn't pocket her car keys or toss them in her bag out of habit, then lifted his gaze. "'Course," he toned low, making the one word purposely slow and weighted with decided sincerity — the unspoken volley ('it's no trouble at all') slipped into the easy rumble. [break][break]

And... even if it was a whole lot of trouble... even if it'd been a much larger and tasking job than simply replacing a relay... that was precisely the kind of trouble that Luck enjoyed. A problem he knew the solution to and could solve with his hands. Was confident he could solve. It was far preferable to the types of trouble he ran into at work and in the office. It was much easier diagnosing some confounding knock in an engine bay than trying to puzzle out what people needed and how he should best help them. Or what the fuck he'd typed wrong in some spreadsheet cell to send it into a squirrely fit. [break][break]

He'd take ten hours slaving over a car, wiping sweat from his face and grease from his hands, than half that time on the phone. Or sat across a table from someone he couldn't figure out. Or trying to find the words he needed to say, as well as the conviction he needed to say them with, to persuade someone dangerous. Any day. No contest. Washing oily grit from his arms and from under his fingernails after a grueling labor was a lot simpler than cleaning his mind of all the less visible grime that came with a bad day in the office.[break][break]

When Bridget stepped down from the truck, Luck spoke again. "I'll have Tawny text you my number..." he trailed, shaking his head suddenly and shifting in his seat to pull the phone from his pocket. "Actually, no, I'll text you my number. If she knows I'm out and about, she'll beg me to bring her lunch." And it wouldn't even require that much pestering — she knew he'd do it because he was usually bored and restless on leave. He unlocked the screen, navigated from Nate's open conversation and to his contact book, then started a new listing. He handed the phone across the truck to Bridget. "That way you can let me know if you dip out early or if anything comes up where you need a ride."[break][break]

He imagined a good portion of her work was unpredictable; that she was often called out to some scene or meeting where someone hadn't expected to need a negotiator or translator. Those sorts of things were hardly ever planned.

it ain't like smoke gets in your clothes, naw[break]it cuts through my skin and digs in way down deep

Tag: Bridget Lacey [break]
Give me a nudge for changes! Figure we can wrap this one up, unless you want to do another Bridget post, or you want to pick up and continue "after work"?? In either case, Bridget's car will have a new air freshener and bumper sticker. >:]

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