specifythepoint | (no subject)

I will be over in a minute! you can be in your underwear if you want.

[He's not. He's in trousers and a button-up, but he's got the sleeves rolled up]

[This is as close to casual as he's going to get, so she can appreciate it. Zee pops into the kitchen, dressed like a normal human being in a nice blouse but she still is opting for jeans. She looks a little frazzled.] Hey?

[He blinks and looks at her for a long minute, then shakes his head to clear it. He still can't get used to the teleportation thing.]

Hi. Want something to drink?

[She's considerate about it, at least. She could pop in on him in the bathroom or without telling him, like she does with Mitch.

Zee kind of saunters toward him, pressing a hand to her neck as she shrugs.] Got anything really strong?

[Why, yes. Arthur opens his liquor cabinet and pulls out all the necessary equipment for a Manhattan, which he makes her with amazing...dare we say professional efficacy.]

[Oh, Arthur, bartender of her dreams...] I should apologize for anything I might say or do now and get that out of the way. The past week's been a mess and it only seems to get worse and worse.

[And drinking solves all problems?]

[He makes one for himself, too]

What happened?

About a month ago, I slept with Stephen. [She's already sipping that drink, which is better than hammering it down. Maybe.] Doctor Strange. I've been attracted to him since his arrival, but I was involved with Carlton at the time.

I started seeing someone over the past few weeks and Stephen confessed to having feelings for me. I... was going to break it off with him over dinner. James was listening in on my conversations and took it the wrong way. [She hadn't meant to tell him it was James, but there's really no reason not to.] He accused me of intending to... have sex with him and then went on a tirade that led to me punching him and getting kicked out of a fundraiser.

[She actually appears a touch embarrassed about this, sulking in the middle of her explanation.]

[He is listening, and he's processing this, too]

Are you involved with him? With James?

I don't think we are anymore.

He wants me to take part of the blame for the argument, but he started the conversation off by accusing me, then by telling me how I'm exactly like every other woman. [THERE GOES THE REST OF THAT DRINK.] I've dated some real jerks, some real assholes, but none of them have ever treated me like that.

Then don't date him.

[He mixes her another]

No man should make you feel like you're at fault for something he creates in his head.

I'm an idiot. I'm an idiot, I'm an idiot, I'm an idiot. [KEEP 'EM COMING, ARTHUR. Actually, you should probably cut her off because she'll just end up a sobbing mess, but hey! It's up to you if you want to deal with that.]

I won't... I won't take part of the blame for it. And I don't regret punching him. [She slumps over, looking pitiful.] It feels like he's always judging me. At the time, I had slept with Stephen because I cared about him and I still do. I'm not going to deny that I'm attracted to him; part of the condition that we... work something out between us was that we were going to be honest with one another.

Hey, hey,. Listen to me.

[He moves to put his hand on the small of her back]

He has no right to judge you. Whatever your reasons, you slept with Stephen - you were both consenting adults, there's nothing wrong with that.

[She's a little surprised; it's been a long time since she's been able to really talk to anyone about anything. For a second, she tenses up, but she eases into it pretty quickly.]

I shouldn't have argued with him. I should have just... I don't know? Walked away? I should have known it wouldn't work out between us. [She looks at him, trying to muster a smile, a reassurance that she's alright.] I should have known better.

[He shrugs]

Why not? Why let him win?

He came over the other day to apologize. [He was very sweet about it. For a moment, at least.] I accepted his apology. Then I apologized. Then he tried to make me shoulder part of the blame. He kept turning my words against me, told me that I was doing it again and I had an over-active defense mechanism.

[She's starting to get angry now. Zee is going to end up so drunk tonight. :(]

Do you want him, Zee?

[He's calling her by a pet name.]

No, I don't think I do. Not anymore, at least. [She appreciates that. It makes her feel like she's in a safe place.]

Then finish it.

No one will make you stay.

I'm not sure how to talk to him about this without it turning into another fight. He gets under my skin and knows just the right things to say to make it hurt the most.

I'm an idiot.

[He takes a drink]

You're not.

I should have shut this down early on. I should have just... closed myself off.

Maybe.

I do stupid things when I feel lonely. I don't think he was an exception.

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