Template:Featured Articles/23-2021
 "Alright Lee, out with it." “That’s just it. I don’t fucking know where to start.” Jubilee picked up a spare coaster and started to twirl it with her hands, attempting to flip it through her fingers before she looked back up. “You got any questions?” "Not really. Emma gave me a solid overview of the history. Or, at least, the other universe history. Lee, you look rattled. What is it that you're expecting here?" “Anger, probably. The fact you haven’t poisoned my alcohol is weirding me the fuck out.” Jubilee turned her gaze to the room, noting the exits and the people near them before focusing back on Kevin. “We basically lied to you the moment you walked in the fucking door. Like, literally. How the fuck are you so calm?” "50 years with the CIA and you think lying would piss me off? Shit Lee, I thought your Remy hired you because you were smart." Kevin drained his glass and waved for a refill of the table, including the drink she hadn't touched. "I'm not saying being part of a dimension gumbo is easy for me, but I'm going to think about it before I get angry." “Not smart enough, or they’d still be alive.” She ripped the coaster in two and then proceeded to tear it into smaller chunks, not sure what she expected from Kevin or herself. She placed the drift of cardboard to one side after she finished. “You realize we never talk about anything but work? I mean, like, it was easier cause I hate getting close to people but that other place... I’m not sure I want so much distance anymore. And like, this isn’t a proposition dude, don’t have a heart attack but, I know next to nothing about you. I’d like to know more.” "And do you think I want that?" Kevin said mildly. "I'm learning how this shop works for real now. I get your background. Why do you think I want to share more?" That hit harder than she thought it would, and honestly, why wouldn’t it? Her history. Her struggle. When had she ever thought herself worthy of anyone for more than a second, or even less than that? “50 years in the CIA, you didn’t just exist through all that time without connecting with anyone. It’s a fucking cold world, Kevin, and it doesn’t get less empty the longer you’re in it. Too many damn people never saw anything worth fucking knowing in me for too fucking long. I’m not here to convince you my friendship is worth a damn if you don’t want it. I’m worth more than that, to myself at least.” "Good lord, Lee, this is why I don't want to share. Do you need my history for us to be friends? Do I need to explain my divorce before the next time I've got your ankles over your head?" Kevin gave her a look."I'll answer any questions you want, but if you ask me if I need to share, the answer is no. I don't need all the details of your story to be your friend. I don't even need you to be honest to me to be your friend." |
