psl.

[theycalledmeacurse]

the mutant and the machine.

Comments

[redcosmedic]

Knock Out finally stops what he's doing to give Rogue his full attention, expression a mix of consternation and compassion. "You shouldn't. We're not the same. You don't hold me to human standards, why would I hold you to a mecha one? As long as we're finding a middle ground, we're doing all right."

Her phone chirps sincerity/emphasis/reassurance in glyphs, even as Knock Out's tone softens further. "And you do understand me, Rogue. Moreso than I'd have ever expected from someone else. I'm grateful for it."

[theycalledmeacurse]

Glancing down to see the glyphs that pass on her phone, she can't help the smile as he offers her a sweet assurance. The words are a balm to her soul and she's so grateful that he's shared them with her.

"You mean a lot to me, Knock Out," she tells him in turn, meaning every word sincerely. "Thank you for letting me have the chance to understand you."

But do you understand me?

It's a question she wants so badly to ask, the words on her lips but refusing to budge further than that. Because she knows the answer and to hear him confirm it... All she's ever wanted in life is for someone to understand and accept her for who she is, but it's a gift she's always been denied. Even now, when she's given so much to help so many, she's still the outcast kept from that most basic human desire.

Determined not to let her mood falter and dip into darkness, she stretches her arms above her head, arching her back... and changes the subject. "I was thinking of making some coffee, I still feel kinda out of it."

[redcosmedic]

"Coffee sounds like a good idea," he answers, and his smile turns impish as he returns to his tools for the scanner.

Red optics glint with mirth as he adds, "Good to know that I can still impress. Who knew certain techniques would translate so well?"

[theycalledmeacurse]

The second she sees that smile change, she knows it's coming. Not how, exactly, but she knows without a doubt that the teasing will follow in 3... 2... And he does not disappoint.

"I meant from the nap!" she informs him with mock outrage, trying and failing to hide her smile before she turns to head for the kitchen. Before she's out of range, she 'mutters' loudly enough for him to hear, "Ridiculous alien..."

[redcosmedic]

Knock Out's laughter trails after her to the kitchen, his hearing having no problem picking up her words. His frame felt light and pleasantly relaxed, and Rogue's good-humored reply has him settled that things are balanced between them again. It was such a contrast from her disjointed, unnerving vacancy during the incident leading up to Cerebro's opening — as if the two states couldn't exist in the same space.

His fuel tank pings him sullenly, cycling on empty volume; he ignores it. He knows he's pinning his hopes on the two potential mine locations in more western states, but he's otherwise out of options. If the scanner didn't yield anything...

Well, he'd cross that bridge if it came.