bronzini | eudio inbox.

Yeah, well. I trust you. And I know you're not going anywhere.

[ and gwen always seems to respond in the right way. she's never once made him feel stupid for getting upset, never once made him feel like a child throwing a fit. she doesn't leave any room for him to hate himself over it, either. ]

I'm definitely not going anywhere. Possibly ever. I'm gonna live in Eudio and make scientific innovations and - yeah. I'm set for life.

[ basically. is that weird? whatever. ]

You know...

[ he pauses at that, thoughtful. he doesn't think gwen wanting that is weird. he's been advised the same. ]

Had a friend tell me I should look into that.

[ but by his tone it's clear he's still unsure. seems right to bring it up, though, if it's something gwen has thought about herself. ]

Did you?

[ casual, so casual. ]

I guess - I mean, it'd kinda make sense. Or not. I mean, I wouldn't judge you either way.

[ nailed it. ]

I'm thinking about it.

[ his fingers catch on a lose thread of the couch, picking at it. eddie's not sure if he could settle down here guilt free. ]

Trying to see if I can twist it into not feeling like I'm giving up and running out.

[ and he'd miss the ka-tet. not that he would see them more if he went home, but there'd be nothing instead. ]

I get it.

[ she's never hidden anything from eddie before, but the favor she asked in changing her incentive for both of them still looms large in the back of her mind. ]

You don't have to make any decisions right now, though. It's not easy to think about, either way.

[ she reaches for one of her couch cushions, hugging it to her chest. ]

Yeah, I've got time.

[ factually, he does, since he could ask to extend his stay until he makes a decision if the reps come to him about completing his incentive, but... it's hard for him to really grasp that. time is already a loose concept to him, but more so knowing what's waiting for him at the end of his own. ]

If you stick around, Eudio's gonna be revolutionized. You're going to make so many discoveries they'll have to give you those fancy scientific awards.

[ she smiles a little to herself when he alludes to having plenty of time. at least they can be sure of that much. ]

I think I'll be sticking around for awhile now, but I can't say for certain it's the scientific discoveries keeping me around.

[ yes that is her version of flirting. they're pretty good at that. ]

Oh yeah? What's keeping you around?

[ and eddie loves playing along. she's making him smile, though, turning so he's lying on his back on the couch, staring up at his nondescript ceiling. ]

Mm. Well, I kinda met this great guy. Not that I'm the kinda girl who'd change her life around for a guy or anything. Or maybe I am. Who am I kidding? And what's so wrong about liking someone that much anyway?

[ they're doing the same thing, staring up at their respective ceilings, only gwen's got this pillow squashed in her arms. she loves it when he plays along too. ]

[ he laughs softly, back to feeling easy and good. it's great how she does that without even trying. ]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm sure this great guy would love hearing all that.

I dunno, he's kinda shy about his good qualities. [ she sighs dramatically, swinging her legs over the end of the couch. ]

Not that I let that stop me, of course. I'm kind of a jerk about it.

I think you might be helping him with that.

[ it's oddly sincere, for their kidding around, but then he goes back to that fake-pretend tone. ]

You know — and don't ask me how I know all this — but something tells me he doesn't think that's true.

I'd like to.

[ her own voice softens, letting the moment settle before she moves on. ]

I would hope not. I don't wanna be a jerk to him. He's kinda important to me.

[ eddie lets out a contented sigh, shaking his head even though she can't see. reflex. ]

You're not a jerk. Bet he thinks you know just what to say every time.

I apply scientific consideration to all my statements.

[ she's grinning, even though he can't see. ]

So this whole saying the right thing every time is a science?

[ he sounds on the verge of laughter. ]

You should start giving classes to the less fortunate in that department. You're clearly a pro. Or that's what that guy would say. Probably. Since I don't actually know him or anything.

It could be. [ she's on the verge of laughing too. ]

That guy makes me feel pretty important. Like - like I'm someone special. SOmething like that.

[ don't go getting all mushy now, gwen. ]

You are.

[ yeah, don't, gwen, because if you get mushy so will he, and you don't want that. ]

He'd be happy to know he makes you feel that way. S'kinda what he wants. Or, y'know, what I assume.

You're pretty good with your assumptions. I mean, you're a smart cookie. I've noticed.

[ she puts her hand over her eyes, still smiling. she doesn't seem to be able to stop. ]

[ he may or may not be grinning. one of those goofy love struck ones. ]

Have you? And yet I've got no idea who this mysterious guy might be. Feel like I'm really missing something there.

Mm, I wouldn't beat yourself up about it, Eddie. You aren't a detective. And I've been pretty subtle about it.

Oh yeah. The master of subtlety. A quality we both possess.

I think I'm detecting a little sarcasm coming my way, Eddie Dean.

See, there it goes. My subtlety. Walking away from this conversation.

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