[[ mixed muses-verse // ben-tiwa ]]

[almosthonorable]

whitetextiswhite

[ "we could go someplace where you're not wanted" ]


He caved.

(Caved like a dynamited rock tunnel.)

His only stipulation had been that Tiwa had to wait for him to move his door to Mexico.

Which is why he's smirking as he strides into the bar and finds Little Miss Magic curled on one of the couches.

"Found us the perfect place," he says, tipping his head toward the Front Door.

Ascensión awaits.

Comments

[piwakawaka]

Tiwa rubs at her arm,

"Course, no way she couldn't know about it."

[almosthonorable]

He nods, more to himself than anything.

"She knows everything that happened?"

[piwakawaka]

Since they're riding, its a bit slower but she leans back against him and kisses the bottom of his beard,

"Maybe not all of it, but she's my Mum."

[almosthonorable]

He glances down with a half-shake of his head.

"I think you spend too much time tryin' to be too strong for your own good, little 'un."

[piwakawaka]

"Just I'm already small enough as it is, I don't want everyone worrying too much more. I know you worry far more than you need to."

[almosthonorable]

"It ain't about size, it's about -- "

He frowns a little.

"How you feelin'? You still bleedin'?"

[piwakawaka]

She leans down to check under her shirt,

"Not too bad."

[almosthonorable]

"Bad enough, though."

His mouth tightens.

"Gimme another few minutes and we'll stop for a spell."

[piwakawaka]

"Okay, Ben, I'll be fine."

She hates seeing him look like that but a hug will have to wait until they've stopped.

[almosthonorable]

"I know you will, Little Miss Magic."

But I don't like taking chances.

True to his word, a few minutes later -- once they're sufficiently clear of Ascensión and any would-be heroes with more bravado than brains -- he slows Gabriel to a stop by a cluster of tall rocks and scrub.

"C'mon, let's see what's what," he says once he slides from the saddle, offering Tiwa both hands.

[piwakawaka]

"And we're doing the same with you."

His hands do help a bit since she's trying not to show that it does hurt a bit. Though she does take the chance to hug him tightly,

"We're both in one piece and I got to dance and they'll have quite a story to tell back there."

[almosthonorable]

"I -- "

The syllable leaves his lungs in a huff thanks to the hug.

"Am fine."

(And it's true; the scratch on his side is already clotting.)

"C'mon, lemme get a look at the damage."

[piwakawaka]

"Better be."

She lifts up her shirt and its really not too deep just deep enough to bleed.

[almosthonorable]

His expression doesn't change, but his eyes harden when he sees the blood.

"All right."

He yanks a handkerchief from a saddlebag.

"Ain't too bad, after all -- just keep this on there good 'n tight till the bleedin' stops."

[piwakawaka]

"One sec, might have something better."

With a hmm she starts digging in her invisible pockets and soon turns up with a tie around bandage, just labeled from Starfleet, it was useful,

"This might fit better."

[almosthonorable]

"Looks like it might."

He tilts his head at the bandage.

"Where'd you come up with that?"

[piwakawaka]

"Somewhere in Bar, I think, they had extras."

[almosthonorable]

"Lucky thing."

His eyes move to Tiwa's face.

"You hurtin' right now?"

[piwakawaka]

"Never hurts to have more bandages and its only a bit sore."

Its a not a full lie just a partial one since of course it hurts but she can stand it.

[almosthonorable]

He knows she's hurting; he's trying to gauge just how much.

"Won't hurt to rest up a little bit before we head for the coast," he says, spreading his coat on a flat rock so Tiwa can sit.

[piwakawaka]

Well she's trying to not make him worry and digs into her pockets to toss him a bag full of scones as she settles down,

"I liked the music there. I think there's one Mexican place in all of Wellington, the Flying Burrito Brother's and they don't have anyone that good."

[almosthonorable]

He catches the bag and eyes its contents.

"You 'n your magic pooka pockets ... "

He looks up again.

"They got burritos that fly?"

[piwakawaka]

"I could make them fly."

This is probably a no but you can never tell.

[almosthonorable]

"Dunno what I'd do if I came across a burrito with wings."

A beat.

"Try 'n catch it, maybe -- reckon it'd depend on how hungry I was."

[piwakawaka]

"I bet you could shoot one down. Come on sit down and tell me the sort of trouble you've been planning and how I can help."