[Sometime during AU week]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[meanwhile at the dorms, a half-pirate and some girl who managed a +3 lockpicking skill in her bag of tricks are trying to break in to "their" room]

This lock is way more sophisticated than the others. You'd think they were worried about unsavory people trying to break in...

Comments

[the_ex_in_excessive]

The degree's a line on a resume. I mean, the training and art theory was important, but I don't really think about a lot of that when I think about college.

[the_ex_in_xp]

It's what got you your job and all your other fun adult things. Meanwhile, I gave you tons of bad date stories you can share in your social gatherings.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

And, you know, other, more important things. But yeah.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[eyes flickering briefly to your tattoo before covering it up with the excuse of running her hands through your hair and over your shoulder]

I thought stuff like a very visual demonstration on fire safety was pretty important.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[lapsing from the insecurity to smile in spite of herself at both the comment and the hair-touching]

That one was actually pretty helpful, yeah...

[the_ex_in_xp]

[since that seems to be working better than talking about feelings, using it as an excuse to keep her hand there]

See? That could potentially save lives. Or destroy incoming zombie hordes if you want to use the molotov cocktail part...

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[reaching up to hold your hand]

I'm going to hope that that bit of information never becomes relevant, sweetie.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Apparently there are zombies here too. But they're lazy and don't even bother shambling towards people, so it's not exactly relevant...

[letting you hold hands, her face that confused expression where too many feelings are going on at once to really make a display]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Oh. Well, hey, there's something I definitely don't want to sketch.

[she knows that face and is just going to reassuringly run her thumb across the back of your hand in the meantime]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[chuckles]

Yeah, it's not greeting card appropriate. Unless you count Halloween, but they're not even photogenic zombies...

You think I could get a sketch of this place later? Not the dog costume one but just...one in general. As a reminder that this hasn't been a weird fever dream, or if it is, you shared it with me?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[smiling warmly again!]

Of course you can. I guess the sketches would be the proof...

[the_ex_in_xp]

And a nice memento. Or at least the nice part of being suddenly kidnapped into an alternate universe.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

I think I need proof on your end too, though. Do you have a phone?

[the_ex_in_xp]

Uh, sure. What kind of proof are you thinking of?

[awkwardly pulling out a phone with the hand currently not being held]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Maybe some photos?

[the_ex_in_xp]

[blinks, because she doesn't really use her phone for photos unless it's insurance claims but alright]

Okay. We can do that. --wait, how do you not have a phone that takes a billion pictures?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

I do, but these are so you have proof on your end too.

And so we can take photos together, because they're fun.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Proof that isn't a sketch anyway.

[still has a dubious expression because she's never done selfies before but offers you her phone since this is your idea :\a]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Exactly.

[taking it and opening up the camera app, letting go of your hand so she can wrap her arm around your shoulders instead]

Ready?

[the_ex_in_xp]

...yes?

[trying to relax into the half-hug but her expression is probably something more like bracing for a punch with a smile]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[okay, she's rubbing your shoulder and turning on the smile again. You know the one, the one that's practically like a sun lamp radiating warmth and empathy.]

For the record, you look amazing and this photo's going to be awesome and we'll only have to take the one. Okay?

[the_ex_in_xp]

You always say that...

[but she's smiling for real in spite of reservations because damn your super altruistic feelings, Richter]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

But this time I mean it, because since college I've kinda become a pro at this. Usually you do take a lot of shots either way, but I'm definitely way better at getting the subject to relax and picking the right moment...

[like right now. Snap!]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[blinking after, like she was expecting a flash to go off]

Where'd the family portrait experience come from?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Well, in senior year I basically paid my tuition by doing headshots for the drama department. Plus when I started working after college sometimes I had to take photos for reference stuff too.

[showing you the photo! It's a good one.]