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WHO: Kenzi and Gil
WHERE: Their apartment
WHEN: 7/5; afternoonish?
WHAT: Kenzi gets really clingy when friends go vanishing on her and then show back up. ~~Dumb not!couple continuing to be dumb about their not!feelings.~~
WARNINGS: Kenzi is involved so probably some language. Emotional whiplash is likely.

[Yesterday was the Fourth and the day Gil finally returned to the apartment. Lucky for him it was a holiday so Kenzi was busy partying much of the day so she wasn't busy clinging to him. Not that Gil wasn't on her mind but there was free booze and food and fireworks to be had, Kenzi couldn't really pass those things up.

Unfortunately it's now the day after said holiday and Kenzi is very much hungover when she finally drags herself out of her room around noon. Sunglasses on and mostly hunched over. Sir Apple, on the other hand, has been up all morning and likely following Gil all over the place so long as he's around.

She drops onto the couch with a groan and immediately pulls a blanket around herself.]

Booze. Evil. [She mutters. It's only now that she's out of her bedroom that Sir Apple decides to stop bothering Gil and attempt to perch on Kenzi but she's not having any of it.]

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[ While Kenzi spent the day basking in Fourth of July celebrations, Gil's day off had been spent at the apartment tidying up, doing the laundry he had wanted to before he had been ported out, and trying to use the internet on his communicator to continue his research into the Fates. Most buildings had been closed for the day, so he couldn't walk into a library. Given the long weekend they've been presented, he'll have to wait until Monday at least before he can stop by one of them.

Kenzi had spent the morning sleeping in, so he wasn't going to disturb her. She deserved some time spent doing something fun. Though he's aware by now what it often means, so he's soup and apple juice prepared for whenever she's up. Of course Apple bugged him at every opportunity and he tried to shoo him off, but to no avail.

When he hears Kenzi finally up, he steps out of the kitchen to find her flopped over the couch. Gil sighs. ]

Don't you get tired of making yourself sick like this? [ He moves closer, extending a hand to help her up. ] I've made soup. There's fresh apple juice, too.

[The little dragon ends up sprawled on the couch after Kenzi shoves him off. From there he watched the two, tail twitching in a manner similar to a playful cat's.

Kenzi grumbles something incoherent that might be English or not as she gives Gil a dirty look. Of course she gets tired of making herself sick but she doesn't think much about that when she's having fun.]

But I want pancaaaakes. [She whines as she takes his hand and lets him pull her to her feet. Once she's up so is Sir Apple, rolling onto his feet and hopping down off the couch to prance after them when they start for the kitchen.]

You need to re-hydrate yourself.

[ He helps her up slowly, rolling his eyes for a quick second before he begins to lead her toward the kitchen. He only stills to let Apple scamper off first, not wanting to trip over a little dragon and dragging Kenzi down with him. ]

Eat some of the soup. You'll feel better.

[Kenzi makes a grumbly noise but that's as much of a protest as she puts up. She knows he's right and just trying to look out for her like he always does. Honestly it makes her very happy to have him back.

She settles down at the table and watches him as she sips the juice.]

[ He focuses on clearing up the counter, using a clean rag to wipe up any liquids that have spilled over while preparing the soup. Just a few specks; he's not a messy chef, thankfully.

He can feel Kenzi's eyes on him. He's been worried about her temperament, especially after how curt she had been on the network with him. He probably deserved it, but it doesn't make him feel any less concerned. ]

Is the soup alright?

[She's only staring because she's afraid he's going to poof on her again and she's not sure she can deal with that again. It's her turn to be the creepy one.

His question prompts her to put down the juice and spoon some soup into her mouth. She makes a pleased sound as her answer and continues to eat, occasionally stopping to stare at Gil again.]

Yes, thank you.

[ Most men would indulge in the fact those eyes were focused on them and only them, but Gil is not most men. ]

You're welcome.

[ He fold the rag in half and lays it neatly against the side of the sink. Then he glances back at her, to Apple, to the floor... to Kenzi again. ]

... Is everything alright?

[She seems to realize she's staring and quickly goes back to spooning soup in her mouth.]

Yeah. [Said between spoonfuls. She's afraid to get into it. Talking about feelings is just wrong because feelings are gross.]

[ Considering their last conversation, he knows something is up. Is it because he had been ported out? She knows he can't control that and it seems irrational to be mad about it. ]

You were...

[ He trails off, unsure how to bring it up without offense. ]

[She's not mad at him for being 'ported out, she knows he has no control over it. She's just mad it ever happened and that she was so upset over it.]

What?

[She pauses to look over at him as innocently as she possibly can with a hangover.]

... That night I ported back in.

[ He pauses for effect. ]

You were... I mean... You seemed angry.

[Kenzi pauses, dropping her gaze to her soup as she lowers her spoon.]

I...guess I kind of was.

[Looks like feelings talk can't be avoided.]

[ He doesn't like uneasy air filling up the apartment they share together. He may be awful with confronting these situations, but he doesn't like to see her upset, especially if he's the source of her frustration. ]

I'm sorry. I would have contacted you sooner, but there were a few messages I thought it was best to use the network.

[ A beat. ]

And for not coming back sooner. I had something to take care of before heading back.

[She drops the spoon into the bowl and looks up at him.] Seems you got a lot of somethings you take care of.

[ He grimaces instantly, keeping his distance from her, but raising his hands in mock surrender. ]

I...

You were this mad the whole time?!

[She found out some stuff with him disappearing and it worries her.]

I wasn't mad the whole time I just... [She sucks in a breath then heavily lets it out before speaking quietly.] I really missed you.

[ The tension pinching his shoulders begins to slowly lift and his eyes widen a touch with surprise as he stares back at Kenzi, refraining from breaking his gaze too soon. ]

... Ah.

[ He finds himself tongue tied suddenly. ]

I had been gone for a while, hadn't I? [ Does he owe her another apology? ] I didn't mean to upset you.

[It's Kenzi that breaks the gaze quickly, face reddening a touch as she reaches for the juice.]

Not your fault. [She busies herself with drinking, gulping down quickly.]

I just worried you might not come back and worried about what I'd have to do then.

Oh, that's right. I haven't made any plans in the case...

[ That he gets sent back permanently. As much as he wants to return home (and he aches for it), he hardly feels good about disappearing on his friends in this world. They deserve any kind of closure he can afford them.

Gil lets out a sigh. ]

I'm not sure either.

[She plays with the glass in silence. It's rare for her to be so quiet, hungover or not. She clearly has more on her mind but she isn't sure she wants to voice it. It could ruin everything.

Finally she speaks,] Should probably do that.

I know it's a difficult thing to do, let alone ask...

[ He doesn't avoid her gaze purposely this time. His expression is more pensive, but soft. ]

Losing our friends is never easy, but you shouldn't be sad. I'll be fine back home. I have Oz. Even the Stupid Rabbit.

[ It feels he's asking too much from her. It's impossible for most to control their feelings where friends are involved. Being sad is completely normal, but he feels it's worth pointing out there's still a bit of happy ending there.

And she'll be alright. She's strong. ]

[And again, Kenzi is the first to break away. She nods slowly.]

Yeah, I know. [There's no reason to say more, no reason to bring up anything else that's been bugging her.]

I'm done with the soup. [She pushes the bowl toward him then picks up her juice again. She barely touched the soup but she's really not that hungry, especially now.]

You haven't even eaten it.

[ He says as soon as he's taken a look at the bowl. He quirks a brow, pushing himself away from the edge of the the sink and moving closer to the table. ]

You need to eat something, Kenzi. You need to re-hydrate and replace the nutrients in your body after drinking so much.

[ He frowns. ]

Are you feeling that ill?

The juice is enough. Speaking of... [She pushes the now empty glass toward him.]

More please?

[ He steps toward the fridge to get out the plastic container of apple juice marked NON-ACIDIC! and pours her another three quarters of the juice. Just as he puts it back onto a shelf in the fridge, he decides to bite the bullet. ]

Kenzi. [ He calls quietly, biting down on his lip. ] Is everything alright? Not just about the food.

[ He wonders what this tension is. It settled into the apartment over a month ago and hasn't dissipated since. ]

You've been acting differently for a while now.

[Kenzi watches him take the glass and refill it. She's starting to feel better, not just getting past the hangover but she thinks she's going to be able to squash down her feelings and not talk about them. Because that is completely healthy.

The question and accusation throws her off, however. For a few moments she's silent before she forces a more cheerful and innocent tone.]

What do you mean? I've been my normal self.

[ Now that's just difficult to buy. She'll deflect soon, too, he thinks. He's not sure if now, while she's recovering from her hangover is the appropriate time to press either.

Maybe he needs to ask someone else for advice on this. ]

Sometimes... but other times, I'm not sure what it is. [ He inhales slowly. ] Is it something I said or did?

[ He hasn't been entirely upfront with her about his new found "friendship" with Loki. He probably deserves a berating for it. ]

Maybe more of what you haven't said. [And maybe a little of what she's done...or rather who. She does feel guilty about sleeping with Cu because she's trying to bury her feelings.]

And maybe things you've done that I don't know about. But whatever, it's your life. You don't need protection. [She's angry and it's beginning to show in her voice.]

[ There's a flicker in his eyes, something that says "I knew it".

But he shrinks back somewhat when her temper flares up. ]

Is this about the other day? I was going to tell you what I was looking for. I wasn't trying to keep that from you.

[ Every time he wants to, something comes up. They're ported out, or something happens that calls on imPorts to save the day, or days where Kenzi isn't feeling too hot. ]

This isn't about protection.

[Kenzi pushes away from the table and rises quickly only to fall back into the chair and lower her head to the table. She mutters in Russian about getting up to fast. After a moment she looks over at Gil.]

Don't. You say you came up here to protect me but who the fuck protects you from all the shit you're getting into?

Careful ―

[ He makes a motion as if to step closer and help her up, but the moment she locks eyes with him he backs off.

His chest feels tight. ]

I've been fine. I'm not getting into trouble. [ He waves a hand. ] It's not like that at all, Kenzi.

Igun.

Broken arm. Deals with Loki. God knows what else. [She stares up at him, blinking a few more times than necessary when she feels the familiar sting of tears.]

[ She doesn't need to say much for each word to drive into him like a sharpened knife. His throat is dry and tight, stomach twisting in the uncomfortable ways he didn't think possible. He's barely able to look at her when she's like this.

And she has every reason to be angry, he thinks. ]

I... I can explain.

[ What happened with Lucifer was a result of his cowardice from his perspective, despite the fact it was simply a case of wrong place, wrong time.

He's not sure how he's become so entangled with the god of mischief again. ]

[Three little words that make her gut twist. What could he possibly say? More lies? He seems to be better at lying about things than Kenzi thought in the first place. Or maybe it's just because he doesn't say anything at all. Lying by omission, one of her top skills.]

Can you?

[ Maybe. He can't be sure she'll like the answer either way. ]

We went to the ocean to look for clues regarding the Porter. The head scientist of the military told me it was recovered by the coast.

[ His shoulders fall. ]

Apparently there are threads there. Intangible, violet threads. They connect to some constellation in the sky. [ With a shake of his head, he sighs. ] I don't know what it means.

[She squints at him before shaking her head.]

Threads? Connected to a constellation?

[She sighs and runs a hand through her hair.] That it?

Loki said something about a portal. As if a door had been opened somewhere around there once, but been closed.

[ He winds up shrugging. ]

We didn't find anything else.

... But I wasn't in danger. Lightning was with us as well.

[ She's saved his life already and he knows he can trust her to have his back.

As for Loki... Loki is complicated. ]

[Kenzi remains silent for a few moments.] And is that it? Just investigating the 'porter with Loki?

That's mostly it.

[ Other than the scar he's taken care of for Gil and him sensing there's something Gil is hiding. ]

I won't say he may not be trouble, but he's been useful so far. Maybe even kinder than he likes to admit.

[Kenzi frowns but seems to accept what he has to say.]

Just...keep me in the loop on stuff. [She sighs and sinks back in the chair, rolling her head back to look up at the ceiling.

Sadly this has little to do with her attitude prior to his return.]

I know... I will.

[ Strangely, it still doesn't feel like it's safe to move on from the subject, or release his breath for that matter. ]

... Is that it?

[ He's doubtful. She still doesn't seem pleased about something. ]

Good.

[She nods as she looks back over at him.] Yeah.

[That's not all of it but she won't talk about it unless prodded enough to do so.]

[ He's at a complete loss at first, standing there feeling awfully stupid while he fumbles for the right words in his head. ]

There's something else, isn't there?

[ She gets angry, but she doesn't stay this angry as far as he can recall. ]

What's going on, Kenzi?

[ He wants to help, to be able to do something. After all, hasn't she done so much for him in the past couple of years they've known each other? ]

[Kenzi rises again, this time not so quickly so she doesn't nearly fall over.]

Nope, nothing else. [She quick with her response, avoiding looking at him, before turning to head back into the living room.]

[ He doesn't utter even the feeblest of protests. Intead, Gil lets Kenzi go and draws back himself, wondering what else he's said or done ― or hasn't that's upsetting her to the point she won't talk with him.

He'll eventually find her wallet laying around and feel even worse he's missed her birthday, but he won't have an idea how to approach her for as long as this unnerving atmosphere stays situated between them.

Maybe... just maybe he needs to get advice from someone for once. ]

[She's surprised when he doesn't push for anything more. When he doesn't at least protest her walking off. But she doesn't stop to look back at him, she simply keeps moving until she's settled on the couch.

The truth is she isn't made at him, even less so now that they've talked about one thing that was bothering her. But Kenzi is stubborn and not willing to talk about the feelings she's been dwelling on and trying to bury for a long time now.

She also doesn't care that he missed her birthday, everyone kind of did.]

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