Hello, Lucy. This is Jim. I was wondering if we could meet and talk for a little while? I asked Victor, he said it was alright as long as you didn't mind.
I mean it, really. I do want to get to know you. But I'm not gonna lie to you either, I like Victor a lot and I want him to be happy. I think he'd be a lot happier if we got along. Don't you?
[ Later in the night, once they agree on a time (Victor included), he'll be knocking on the door. He hasn't been around since he first met Lucy, and he's honestly hoping it'll go better this time. ]
[ When Lucy hears the door, she goes to open it a little and sees it Jim. There isn’t a smile or any warmth in her eyes. She looks distant and disinterested. She’s still getting used to Emma’s absence and living with Victor and now Jim..]
Hello.
[ A small greeting and her opening the door wider and letting him inside. ]
[ Jim offers a small little smile, not particularly surprised that he doesn't get one back. It's a start that she's letting him in and is at least willing to talk. Considering what she's been through as of late, and how young she is, it's admittedly impressive she's not outright refusing to see him or give him a chance.
He steps inside, waiting for her to close the door and lead the way to wherever she'd like to have their talk. He's been here a number of times already, but he doesn't think that walking in like he lives there is gonna help things any. ]
[ Lucy didn’t want to open the door, she didn’t want to agree to this but she is trying to be nicer for Victor’s sake. She wants him to be happy and if that means playing nice then fine.
There’s a small shrug of her shoulders. She’s...here. She went to school, paid attention and now here. Her homework isn’t done yet but she’ll get it done tonight.
For now, she closes the door and leads him to the couch and sits on one end of it. ]
How are you? [ Polite just be polite and answer a few questions and she can...leave him alone until Victor gets home. ]
[ He follows her to the couch and takes a seat on the opposite end, turned a little so he's facing her. She's not happy to see him, that much is obvious, but he can't really blame her for that.
Also he's quickly realizing he didn't fully prepare for this so... he's sort of at a loss of where to begin. Well, at least his words will be genuine, and won't come out sounding rehearsed, so there's that. ]
Okay, so... well, first of all, I wanted to say I really am sorry about how we met. The other day. I... I was surprised and I didn't react very well, and I acted stupid. I know that I scared you, but I never meant to do that.
[ He pauses, taking a slow breath. ] I want you to understand that— I'm not here to take you away, or to get between you and Victor. He's just... someone I really care about, and I like spending time with him. But that doesn't mean he'll stop wanting to spend time with you, too. Or that we can't all spend time together.
[ His words don’t sound rehearsed. They do sound genuine. He’s making it up on the spot, that much she could tell. While she wants to believe him....she still isn’t sure about him. He’s someone new. Someone wanting to get close to the family she has and she doesn’t want that taken from her.
He could say he doesn’t want to get in between her and Victor, but actions speak louder than words. But he apologized, so...he gets a few points there. ]
I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. [ But his behavior didn’t help with it and it escalated far beyond than what it should have.
But now to get to the main topic..]
I don’t know if I’m ready to spend time with you. [ It’s the truth and he should know at least that much. ] And I don’t know if I want to get to know you—but I can try. I’ll try because Victor means a lot to me and I want him to be happy.
[There’s a pause As she tries to sort through her feelings. ]
[ He breathes a little easier when she apologizes, smiling and shaking his head. ]
You have nothing to apologize for. I'd have done the same thing, probably. I was a stranger and it was normal for you to react that way.
[ He just should have taken a step back and called Victor. Better yet, he should have called Victor before deciding to show up unannounced.
Nodding slowly at what she says next, his gaze lowers, shoulders dropping just so. ] That's fine.
[ Well, it's not fine in the sense that he misses Victor, misses spending the night with him, curling up and falling asleep by his side. He misses Victor staying over at his loft, or him staying over at his place, and he knows that's not gonna happen again until Lucy's alright with having him around.
Something clenches a little in his chest, but he tries for a smile anyway, though it comes out weak and a little sad. ]
He did. About the Enchanted Forest, and Storybrooke too. He comes from a land without color, though. I don't know which one you're from— Victor never told me... uh, much about you.
[Lucy can see the way Jim's shoulders drop. How his smile is weak and traces of sadness. Guilt starts to eat at her, feeling bad to say she didn't know if she wanted to get to know him. Normally, she would have. She would've been thrilled to talk to another person and learn about their world, but right now she wasn't. Emma was gone, and now she was Victor, and before the dust could settle, there was someone new coming into her life.
It was a lot thrown at her, all at once.
She could only hope Jim doesn't start to dislike her because of it. But if he did, then maybe he wasn't the right person for Victor. Or, maybe she was getting a head of herself. At least he knew about the worlds they came from...and she should've known Victor would not have brought her up. She wasn't his actual kid. Just...someone he was close to.]
I'm not from the same place as he remembers. It's similar, but not exactly the same. Different realms with similar things, but the people--their stories are different.
[But she didn't know Victor couldn't see colors. She does know he's a great artist.]
And Emma...she is--was my grandma, I never got to meet her until coming here. She... [Another pause, trying hard not to start crying as the ache in her heart increases ten fold. She misses her parents, her friends, everyone back in Hyperion Heights.] She was amazing, a-and she... [Ah nope, nope, can't do it. Lucy starts to cry and finds herself wiping the tears from her eyes.]
[ He couldn't hold it against her, not ever. He certainly wouldn't dislike her based on any of this. It's just a little beyond him not to be a little saddened by the thought that it might be weeks before he gets to spend the night with Victor again, or simply show up at his place and hang around whenever he wants.
But he's going to respect those boundaries, no matter how much it might eat away at him. Pushing her into letting him in, or ignoring her own feelings and doing whatever he wants anyway will only make things worse. She might think that just because he and Victor are adults, they have the final say, but it's not that simple. It's also because they're adults that they have to be all the more conscious and careful about all of this.
And Jim... well, he can be patient sometimes, contrary to popular belief. Maybe —hopefully— she would warm up to him sooner rather than later. And maybe his attitude now will contribute to that a little too.
He nods quietly at her explanation, though he doesn't fully understand it. There's a lot about Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest that Jim doesn't even know about yet, wrapping his head around yet another world is bound to be even more complicated.
But he doesn't ask questions now, because then Lucy's talking about Emma, and before he realizes it, he's got a crying child on his hands. Which is admittedly something he's never had to deal with before. ]
Lucy... [ His instinctive reaction is to reach out, but he hesitates halfway, hand hovering awkwardly. It's a touch he's very much unsure of, which likely shows in the way he just barely lets his hand touch her shoulder, the touch light and soft. ] I'm sorry.
[Lucy continues to wipe her tears with the side of her hands. She should go get a tissue, but she feels stuck on the couch. The sadness and ache in her heart are hard to deal with. She missed her family before, but when she was with Emma, the ache of it wasn't as much, but now it's just her and the family she made for herself.
She felt Jim's hand on her shoulder. The very light, and unsure touch of a man who wanted to be closer to Victor, but also showing sympathy for a little girl in need of comfort. She doesn't pull away from him, only wipes her eyes again and tries to take deep breaths to calm herself down. She finds herself scooting closer, telling Jim it's okay for him to be near her, and have his hand on her shoulder.]
It's...it's not y-your fault.
[The words are mumbled out. Another deep breath in, count to three and then release.]
[ He can't really blame her. He can sympathize, even, and honestly, even if she were an adult, no one could dismiss her feelings. Jim certainly won't for one. If nothing else, simply because he understand all too well what she's going through.
He's relieved when Lucy doesn't shrug him off, or even move away from him. He honestly thought she would, and he lets out a quiet breath when she actually scoots a little closer. ]
No, but... I know what you're going through. I've lost someone here too, and it's an awful, painful feeling. I'm sorry you have to go through that too.
[ His thumb brushes soothingly across her shoulder, and he offers her a tentative smile. ]
But you're not alone. I know it feels that way right now— I kind of felt that way a little, too. But you have Victor, at the very least. And... well, there's me, if you ever need anything. You can talk to me.
[Knowing Jim felt this pain too, is a bit comforting. He understands what she's going through--maybe not to the same intensity, but he gets it. He's apologizing for it, being sympathetic towards her that doesn't feel fake. It's genuine...it's sincere.
It was starting to help reshape her opinion on him...especially when he tells her she isn't alone. She could talk to Victor...and him too.
Baby steps. Both of them were taking baby steps with one another. She slow nods her head, wiping another tear from her eye before moving closer to hug him. A big difference from their last interaction.]
...thank you. [For telling her that, and being honest with her. It's very much appreciated.]
[ Well, as they say, misery loves company. It's a little cruel when one thinks of it, but right now Jim's just glad that what he went through when Bones left helps her, even if only a little.
His smile grows just a fraction when she nods, shoulders dropping in relief this time around. He'd worried that she'd dismiss his offer, or just reinforce that she didn't want him around. Instead she ends up shifting closer, and he finds himself pulled into a hug that catches him completely by surprise.
There's a brief moment where he's so stunned that he has absolutely no idea what to do, but eventually his brain kicks into gear, and he puts his arms around Lucy, hugging her back though not keeping the hold strong at all. ]
I'd like that. We can think of something to do until he shows up. [ A thought comes to mind, and he asks. ] Hey, do you like dogs?
[The suggestion is murmured, still hugging Jim because she can. She's been alone for a little and while she was used to it when Emma worked...it's different now. It left a hole in her heart, and she was trying to find things to do and not worry that Victor may not come home because he went back to his world.
And what better distraction than to talk about dogs. It makes Lucy pull back to look at Jim with confusion and concern.]
I'm a kid, why wouldn't I like dogs? [Because, they're cute, friendly, and--wait, doesn't that sound like the beginnings of... No, this wasn't a commercial warning kids to stay away from strangers. Jim was....he's Victor's friend, but he wouldn't do anything like kidnap her.]
[ He's kind of a hoarder, actually, not that Lucy knows that yet. Who knows, maybe she'll get to see the piles of books he has scattered a little all over his place, bookshelves filled with more books than one man should be able to read in a lifetime. Jim eats them all up.
Leaning back too, he lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. ]
No. I don't have any pets. But I made something, and I thought that you might like it.
[ He reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a flip book. It's nothing amazing, and all the drawings are plain sketches, but when she flips the pages, a cute simple animation will play out. ]
Here. You just have to flip the pages really fast.
[Her confusion gives way to skepticism. He likes books?]
....what sort of books?
[Does he know about Victor's story? Possibly, maybe. he said Victor talked about the Enchanting Forest and other places, but it was hard for Jim to grasp. As long as he didn't think Victor was crazy or anything...maybe there was hope for him yet.]
How come?
[So, why no pets? Hm? Did he not like them? Too busy? Would he have enough time for Victor--no wait, they want to hang out together. Okay, they'll make time for one another, that much is obvious.
She peers at the little book and there are sketches. So...something he has in common with Victor. They both like to draw. When she gets to the simple animation, it makes her smile a little. She goes back and forth to it, watching the little dog walk about.]
It's cute. Looks a little bit like a corgi--[Wait. She looks up at him quickly.] You know what a corgi is, right?
All sorts, I'm not picky. I love story books, you know... fantasy, adventure, that sort of thing. But I also like poetry, plays, and... just, a little bit of everything.
[ He shrugs. Books aren't very common where he comes from anymore, people mostly stick to digital copies, and paper copies are a rarity. So maybe he's making up for it by collecting everything he can get his hands on here in the Quarantine.
He shrugs a little at the question, letting out a sigh. ] Pets just... deserve a lot of time and dedication. I thought about getting a dog or a cat, but I'm living alone right now. I just didn't know if I'd be able to be around enough to take care of them, with my job and everything.
[ He did have a pet chicken, but... well, he wasn't in the right headspace to keep Petunia after Bones left, not to mention that it didn't seem right to keep a chicken holed up in an apartment. Finding her a new place with a lot of open space just seemed like the right thing to do.
He lets out a soft chuckle at her question, nodding. ] Yeah, I know what a corgi is. And it does kind of look like one, doesn't it?
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thestoriesarereal
text; un: kirk
Date: 2018-03-09 03:08 am (UTC)I asked Victor, he said it was alright as long as you didn't mind.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:23 am (UTC)Talk about what?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:25 am (UTC)I was also hoping I could apologize to you, for what happened the other day.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:31 am (UTC)I mean it, really. I do want to get to know you.
But I'm not gonna lie to you either, I like Victor a lot and I want him to be happy. I think he'd be a lot happier if we got along. Don't you?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:42 am (UTC)...and she said she would try to practice being optimistic more often. . ]
He would be happier if we got along.
We can meet up to talk.
[ The moment Jim makes a mistake or makes Victor unhappy, she will push him out the door. But best to tell him that in person. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:45 am (UTC)Can I come by Victor's place later, then? Whenever you two are around.
[ So, you know, she can yell for Victor if Jim turns out to be Evil Stepdad or something. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 03:48 am (UTC)[ Why ask? Victor will be happy and it’s not like Lucy will be able to say no.
But she’ll see him later tonight. ]
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Date: 2018-03-09 03:55 am (UTC)[ Later in the night, once they agree on a time (Victor included), he'll be knocking on the door. He hasn't been around since he first met Lucy, and he's honestly hoping it'll go better this time. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 04:07 am (UTC)Hello.
[ A small greeting and her opening the door wider and letting him inside. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 04:12 am (UTC)[ Jim offers a small little smile, not particularly surprised that he doesn't get one back. It's a start that she's letting him in and is at least willing to talk. Considering what she's been through as of late, and how young she is, it's admittedly impressive she's not outright refusing to see him or give him a chance.
He steps inside, waiting for her to close the door and lead the way to wherever she'd like to have their talk. He's been here a number of times already, but he doesn't think that walking in like he lives there is gonna help things any. ]
How are you?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 04:19 am (UTC)There’s a small shrug of her shoulders. She’s...here. She went to school, paid attention and now here. Her homework isn’t done yet but she’ll get it done tonight.
For now, she closes the door and leads him to the couch and sits on one end of it. ]
How are you? [ Polite just be polite and answer a few questions and she can...leave him alone until Victor gets home. ]
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Date: 2018-03-09 04:28 am (UTC)[ He follows her to the couch and takes a seat on the opposite end, turned a little so he's facing her. She's not happy to see him, that much is obvious, but he can't really blame her for that.
Also he's quickly realizing he didn't fully prepare for this so... he's sort of at a loss of where to begin. Well, at least his words will be genuine, and won't come out sounding rehearsed, so there's that. ]
Okay, so... well, first of all, I wanted to say I really am sorry about how we met. The other day. I... I was surprised and I didn't react very well, and I acted stupid. I know that I scared you, but I never meant to do that.
[ He pauses, taking a slow breath. ] I want you to understand that— I'm not here to take you away, or to get between you and Victor. He's just... someone I really care about, and I like spending time with him. But that doesn't mean he'll stop wanting to spend time with you, too. Or that we can't all spend time together.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 04:47 am (UTC)He could say he doesn’t want to get in between her and Victor, but actions speak louder than words. But he apologized, so...he gets a few points there. ]
I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. [ But his behavior didn’t help with it and it escalated far beyond than what it should have.
But now to get to the main topic..]
I don’t know if I’m ready to spend time with you. [ It’s the truth and he should know at least that much. ] And I don’t know if I want to get to know you—but I can try. I’ll try because Victor means a lot to me and I want him to be happy.
[There’s a pause As she tries to sort through her feelings. ]
Did Victor tell you about the worlds we’re from?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 01:04 pm (UTC)You have nothing to apologize for. I'd have done the same thing, probably. I was a stranger and it was normal for you to react that way.
[ He just should have taken a step back and called Victor. Better yet, he should have called Victor before deciding to show up unannounced.
Nodding slowly at what she says next, his gaze lowers, shoulders dropping just so. ] That's fine.
[ Well, it's not fine in the sense that he misses Victor, misses spending the night with him, curling up and falling asleep by his side. He misses Victor staying over at his loft, or him staying over at his place, and he knows that's not gonna happen again until Lucy's alright with having him around.
Something clenches a little in his chest, but he tries for a smile anyway, though it comes out weak and a little sad. ]
He did. About the Enchanted Forest, and Storybrooke too. He comes from a land without color, though. I don't know which one you're from— Victor never told me... uh, much about you.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-09 04:43 pm (UTC)It was a lot thrown at her, all at once.
She could only hope Jim doesn't start to dislike her because of it. But if he did, then maybe he wasn't the right person for Victor. Or, maybe she was getting a head of herself. At least he knew about the worlds they came from...and she should've known Victor would not have brought her up. She wasn't his actual kid. Just...someone he was close to.]
I'm not from the same place as he remembers. It's similar, but not exactly the same. Different realms with similar things, but the people--their stories are different.
[But she didn't know Victor couldn't see colors. She does know he's a great artist.]
And Emma...she is--was my grandma, I never got to meet her until coming here. She... [Another pause, trying hard not to start crying as the ache in her heart increases ten fold. She misses her parents, her friends, everyone back in Hyperion Heights.] She was amazing, a-and she... [Ah nope, nope, can't do it. Lucy starts to cry and finds herself wiping the tears from her eyes.]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-10 03:03 am (UTC)But he's going to respect those boundaries, no matter how much it might eat away at him. Pushing her into letting him in, or ignoring her own feelings and doing whatever he wants anyway will only make things worse. She might think that just because he and Victor are adults, they have the final say, but it's not that simple. It's also because they're adults that they have to be all the more conscious and careful about all of this.
And Jim... well, he can be patient sometimes, contrary to popular belief. Maybe —hopefully— she would warm up to him sooner rather than later. And maybe his attitude now will contribute to that a little too.
He nods quietly at her explanation, though he doesn't fully understand it. There's a lot about Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forest that Jim doesn't even know about yet, wrapping his head around yet another world is bound to be even more complicated.
But he doesn't ask questions now, because then Lucy's talking about Emma, and before he realizes it, he's got a crying child on his hands. Which is admittedly something he's never had to deal with before. ]
Lucy... [ His instinctive reaction is to reach out, but he hesitates halfway, hand hovering awkwardly. It's a touch he's very much unsure of, which likely shows in the way he just barely lets his hand touch her shoulder, the touch light and soft. ] I'm sorry.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-10 04:37 pm (UTC)She felt Jim's hand on her shoulder. The very light, and unsure touch of a man who wanted to be closer to Victor, but also showing sympathy for a little girl in need of comfort. She doesn't pull away from him, only wipes her eyes again and tries to take deep breaths to calm herself down. She finds herself scooting closer, telling Jim it's okay for him to be near her, and have his hand on her shoulder.]
It's...it's not y-your fault.
[The words are mumbled out. Another deep breath in, count to three and then release.]
no subject
Date: 2018-03-11 03:08 pm (UTC)He's relieved when Lucy doesn't shrug him off, or even move away from him. He honestly thought she would, and he lets out a quiet breath when she actually scoots a little closer. ]
No, but... I know what you're going through. I've lost someone here too, and it's an awful, painful feeling. I'm sorry you have to go through that too.
[ His thumb brushes soothingly across her shoulder, and he offers her a tentative smile. ]
But you're not alone. I know it feels that way right now— I kind of felt that way a little, too. But you have Victor, at the very least. And... well, there's me, if you ever need anything. You can talk to me.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-11 10:33 pm (UTC)It was starting to help reshape her opinion on him...especially when he tells her she isn't alone. She could talk to Victor...and him too.
Baby steps. Both of them were taking baby steps with one another. She slow nods her head, wiping another tear from her eye before moving closer to hug him. A big difference from their last interaction.]
...thank you. [For telling her that, and being honest with her. It's very much appreciated.]
...You can wait for Victor with me, if you want.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-12 02:12 am (UTC)His smile grows just a fraction when she nods, shoulders dropping in relief this time around. He'd worried that she'd dismiss his offer, or just reinforce that she didn't want him around. Instead she ends up shifting closer, and he finds himself pulled into a hug that catches him completely by surprise.
There's a brief moment where he's so stunned that he has absolutely no idea what to do, but eventually his brain kicks into gear, and he puts his arms around Lucy, hugging her back though not keeping the hold strong at all. ]
I'd like that. We can think of something to do until he shows up. [ A thought comes to mind, and he asks. ] Hey, do you like dogs?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-12 02:38 am (UTC)[The suggestion is murmured, still hugging Jim because she can. She's been alone for a little and while she was used to it when Emma worked...it's different now. It left a hole in her heart, and she was trying to find things to do and not worry that Victor may not come home because he went back to his world.
And what better distraction than to talk about dogs. It makes Lucy pull back to look at Jim with confusion and concern.]
I'm a kid, why wouldn't I like dogs? [Because, they're cute, friendly, and--wait, doesn't that sound like the beginnings of... No, this wasn't a commercial warning kids to stay away from strangers. Jim was....he's Victor's friend, but he wouldn't do anything like kidnap her.]
Why? Do you have one?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-12 02:57 am (UTC)[ He's kind of a hoarder, actually, not that Lucy knows that yet. Who knows, maybe she'll get to see the piles of books he has scattered a little all over his place, bookshelves filled with more books than one man should be able to read in a lifetime. Jim eats them all up.
Leaning back too, he lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. ]
No. I don't have any pets. But I made something, and I thought that you might like it.
[ He reaches into one of his pockets and pulls out a flip book. It's nothing amazing, and all the drawings are plain sketches, but when she flips the pages, a cute simple animation will play out. ]
Here. You just have to flip the pages really fast.
no subject
Date: 2018-03-12 03:06 am (UTC)....what sort of books?
[Does he know about Victor's story? Possibly, maybe. he said Victor talked about the Enchanting Forest and other places, but it was hard for Jim to grasp. As long as he didn't think Victor was crazy or anything...maybe there was hope for him yet.]
How come?
[So, why no pets? Hm? Did he not like them? Too busy? Would he have enough time for Victor--no wait, they want to hang out together. Okay, they'll make time for one another, that much is obvious.
She peers at the little book and there are sketches. So...something he has in common with Victor. They both like to draw. When she gets to the simple animation, it makes her smile a little. She goes back and forth to it, watching the little dog walk about.]
It's cute. Looks a little bit like a corgi--[Wait. She looks up at him quickly.] You know what a corgi is, right?
no subject
Date: 2018-03-12 03:23 am (UTC)[ He shrugs. Books aren't very common where he comes from anymore, people mostly stick to digital copies, and paper copies are a rarity. So maybe he's making up for it by collecting everything he can get his hands on here in the Quarantine.
He shrugs a little at the question, letting out a sigh. ] Pets just... deserve a lot of time and dedication. I thought about getting a dog or a cat, but I'm living alone right now. I just didn't know if I'd be able to be around enough to take care of them, with my job and everything.
[ He did have a pet chicken, but... well, he wasn't in the right headspace to keep Petunia after Bones left, not to mention that it didn't seem right to keep a chicken holed up in an apartment. Finding her a new place with a lot of open space just seemed like the right thing to do.
He lets out a soft chuckle at her question, nodding. ] Yeah, I know what a corgi is. And it does kind of look like one, doesn't it?
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