moritat | [stanley kowalski voice] BELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Thanks. [He does appreciate it, even taking the time to twirl it about before sipping at it.]

You did what?

[His laugh rings through the empty hall as he pictures the men's faces on discovering her prank. Clearly she comes by her name honestly, because as disgusting as it is, that she'd do something like that is incredibly charming.]

How old were you?

[Late. Early. Whatever. Although the faint buzz of tiredness nags at her hindbrain, a meal, a drink, and reasonably good company help stay the need for rest. The Empire's no slouch in decor and atmosphere even with the lights dimmed.

But that might be because all of it belongs to Bella, who sinks with relish into the plush chair she owns.]

Old enough to know I deserved the spanking I got. I might've earned another since, but nobody's fool enough to have a go at my arse. [As though discussing weather changes, she sips the brandy.]

[Hyde would have something sarcastic and lewd to say to that, and the thought occurs to Robert, but he doesn't let it get past that stage for even a moment.]

Ah. Well, I hope it was worthwhile even so. It sounds to be.

[How could it not be, really.]

I really admire that.

Mm.

[The food's gone lukewarm. Bella tucks in, hating waste. Times weren't always bountiful. The meat wasn't always this succulent, vegetables this fresh. The liquor coats her tongue and throat for one hell of an aftertaste.]

Really? It was all childhood silliness. The stakes are higher for us now.

Of course, not only that, I mean now too.

[But he's so shy about saying that, his throat dries up and he has to struggle to swallow away the lump in it, avoiding her gaze, or giving his in return.]

[Bella's not nearly drunk enough to gloss over it, or mistake his withdrawal for anything else. Slowly, she places fork and knife on either side of the emptied plate.

If he dares look up, there she'll be. Her eyes could drown a man or pull him out of deep waters. Depends.]

And that sounds like more than a compliment. Am I wrong?

[What the hell kind of drumbeat is her heart playing at?]

It's- [He chances a glance. But that was a mistake.]

I mean it as I said it, I admire you for it, it's a - an attractive quality.

[Could he possibly be more careful about what words he chooses? Probably, actually. If he was going to do as good a job of avoiding as he wants, he wouldn't have called it attractive.]

[The beginning of their reconciliation had come with unspoken rules. They never discussed what transpired between them, she didn't mention Lily's duplicity, and actually grew to respect the woman after her part in dismantling the traffickers' organization.

Mostly, they never put out the thought of resuming her and Hyde's trysts. Or starting again. It was unheard of.

This time Bella looks away first. Her chest is on fire.]

Attractive to?

To? That doesn't particularly matter does it? It's only my opinion.

[What does it matter if he thinks she's attractive (in more than just a physical sense), of course whatever they had is over. It's just good to be friendly again. And as a friend, he thinks she's very impressive and desirable. And he can't seem to feel or hear anything but his heart beating.]

Yours.

[Her rash impulses dictate what she does next: stand, abruptly scraping the chair back an inch, and circle the table in two steps to stand by him with hawkish intent. Intent to... ?

To get the truth from him. Bella just wants-- or needs, if her burning insides give any indication-- Robert to give her truth.]

Y-yes, mine.

[If she must know!! But he still stands by that it doesn't matter. Who else would he be referring to anyway!

Does she really have to stand so close, he won't be able to keep a grip on himself like this. Where's that medication...coat pocket. He fumbles for it.]

[She watches him panic without making a move to interfere. Bella's not sure where she's going with this, either. It feels foolish, but natural all the same. Her fingers wrap around the back of his chair but hardly brush him.]

What're you frightened of now? Think I'll ... snap you up?

No, of course not, I - there's nothing I'm frightened of.

[But he's definitely not doing so well. This requires more than just a spray or two. He takes about five doses.]

And you, are you...angry?

[That's bizarre. Obviously it's a symptom of the pressure he's feeling. If she were kinder, she'd retreat. Bella won't do that yet.

She leans away, though, considering.]

Not a bit. Why all this? Why the schoolboy fluttering? And don't give me nonsense.

I'm not sure how I'm meant to answer!

[This whole thing is hard to deal with in every way.]

You must know already what I think of you - how I feel about you.

[But they don't talk about that, so he doesn't want to bring it up. But she asked.]

[But Bella only looks taken aback, perplexed. Evidently she did NOT know what he think and feels about her. She never wanted the discomfort of wondering.]

Something's changed, then.

Has it? I wouldn't say anything has changed only...increased?

[Did she really not know? He thought it was obvious, and most likely obvious that he wasn't getting over it any time soon either.]

[Most of his behavior can be written off as typical Robert skittishness, but maybe that's more an indicator of how he behaves around women he's got a thing for.

Her other hand flattens into the table as she goes on the offensive, trapping him into his chair. This is now an interrogation.]

No, it has. I'm not what you wanted, remember?

[This is now frightening, being trapped.]

That isn't true, precisely...!

[He never said she wasn't what he wanted. He just said there was something else he wanted. There is a difference. A big one.]

Not right for you, though.

[She won't say Lily because it's not about her, not remotely. Robert broke it off because he wanted someone he thought was weaker, who needed him as much as he needed the idea of perfection in a match. Someone delicate. Someone proper.

Bella's breathing too hard to be casual in this line of questioning.]

So how am I right today? Why?

[Of course she's right about it all, to a T. Not something he wants to admit to, but it's true.]

Not just today, I - I realise that I was wrong. [About both her and Lily. And what he did.] I suppose that's what changed.

[Another of those impulses drives the uplifting touch and curled fingers below his chin, to make it more difficult to look anywhere but at her, and to really see him. See if he's hiding. See everything.

Her skin's dry, and cool from the late hour. She'd taken the gloves off for dinner..]

What d'you think could make up for that?

[That hand on his chin might as well be strangling, with how much trouble it gives him in managing a reply. Even worse that he worries the medication might not hold out under all this pressure. His eyebrow twitches with a faint glow in his eye and a few veins bubbling up-- but it all receeds in the blink of an eye.]

I don't know.

[One of the reasons he hasn't tried. Although probably the least of them.]

It was mode important to be civil, and friendly.

[Hyde might try to put the moves on, but Robert wouldn't be about to try that...ever really, but at least not until reconciliation.]

[Maybe it's sadistic, but knowing he's suffered is partial recompense. She had to bury that pain and curse herself for being a fool in love.

If he's done the same, then that could be almost good enough. Her eyes on him are raw and hot.]

Well. This is what I'm like. Having second thoughts?

[Does that mean the aggression she's showing him now (or anyway what feels like it to him, in his state), or in regard to the story? Either way...]

I'm not discovering anything new right now, you've already...made an impression. And I told you I find it attractive...

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