dark_ages | landing party ( for thecanarylives )

landing party ( for thecanarylives )

[ He comes to with his head pounding, his vision blurred, and a persistent ringing in his ears. It takes him a while-- a good while, maybe seconds or maybe minutes, to even regain his vision properly, and to take in his surroundings. He's in a shuttle, which is completely wrecked, panels broken and burnt, wires hanging from everywhere, sparks going off and small fires here or there. They're also tilted forward slightly, so he can feel his weight pushing against the belts keeping him strapped to his chair. He looks beyond the window and he sees a lush forest just outside, trees and blue skies as far as the eye can see. It'd be pretty if not for the fact that they've clearly crashed on the planet they were supposed to land on.

Shit. Holy shit, they crashed. How the fuck did they crash? Leonard just wanted to gather some samples from the surface, it didn't even warrant a landing party bigger than two people, how the fuck did they end up like this?

That thought gets his brain into gear. Because he's not alone. He looks over to find Sara passed out, though at least thankfully still strapped to her seat. He lets out a shuddered breath, trying not to panic as he struggles to undo his own safety belt. ]

Sara!! Come on, you piece of shi-- [ His panicked grousing is cut off as his belt comes undone, and he just barely manages to brace himself against the controls rather than slam right into them. Head still spinning, he nevertheless forces himself to stumble towards her, looking her over briefly for possible injuries before he cups her face, trying to wake her up. ] Sara. Hey, can you hear me? Come on, open your eyes...

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[ Honestly, all she really remembers is that he put an end to it pretty abruptly. She wasn't exactly one to ask questions or demand an explanation, so she'd let it go.

She hadn't realized she'd needed one until now.

When he asks his question, she lifts her gaze to his, hesitating a moment to try and read him. ]

What? Like... dinner and a movie?

[ If she needs an explanation, then by all means, he will do his best to offer her one. He's not usually the best at ending relationships, but it's not like they even had a relationship to begin with. Not a romantic one, anyway. And they do need to be able to work together, so he doesn't want there to be any residual grudges on her end. ]

Or a dinner and a dance. But yes, that sort of thing. A romantic date. Or dates, usually, when two people get along and like each other. A relationship, if you will.

[ He knows that's not what she does, but that's exactly his point. And it's exactly why he ended things as abruptly as he did. ]

[ Normally, she doesn't really care. Hadn't expected to by any means. But she and Leonard aren't just acquaintances anymore - hell, he's one of the few people on board she'd truly consider a friend.

Her brow furrows at his explanation, as if she's trying to piece together some complicated puzzle right in front of her face. ]

Sorry, I just... you wanna... You wanted to date me?

[ This is not exactly going as he expected it. He figured he'd made things clear enough when he told her he didn't do casual. Apparently she just... didn't get what that meant? Maybe it was better to have left it like it was.

Right now he's just fighting the urge to bury his face under the blankets like he's some damn idiot teenager who doesn't know how to talk to a girl. He heaves a sigh, waving a hand vaguely. ]

I'm sorry, can I change my answer to that truth question to right about now?

[ Yep, definitely the most embarrassing moment he remembers having as of late. ]

[ As he'd expected? She can't remember the last time anyone wanted to take her dancing for God sakes.

She's still half-reeling, trying to think back to that moment in the gym and what exactly she'd missed. When she glances back at him, she's even more surprised to find the beat red of his cheeks. ]

No, don't - Just listen - [ She grabs his hand in both of hers, leveling him with a look. ] I just thought... I assumed you just weren't interested. I didn't think... [ She shakes her head, struggling to piece her thoughts together. ] Sorry, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.

[ Both his eyebrows shoot up when she takes his hand, surprised and a little unsure of what she's getting at. It doesn't help much when she talks, seen as she seems to be having a tough time getting her thoughts across. Or even organizing her thoughts at all. ]

Sara, it's fine. I understood what you were lookin' for, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I just... didn't want to get myself in too deep, only to be even more difficult for me to pull out of it later on.

[ As it is, it was a little awkward and complicated, but at least it wasn't painful. Well, not too painful, anyway. ]

[ Forgive her. It's been lifetimes since she's had anything more than the occasional one night stand. She might've forgotten anything else was on the table for her.

Right. There's a very, very long list of reasons that kind of thing wasn't on the table anymore, and as she glances down at his hand in hers, those reasons slowly start to seep back into her head. Loosening her grip on his hand, she lifts her gaze up to meet his again, attempting a small smile. ]

It's not that I'm not looking for... that. [ She shakes her head. She's not making any sense. ] I like you, Leonard. But I've been on my own a long time for a reason.

[ Whether or not he'd agree with those reasons is besides the point. Leonard's never been the type to push, and though he can be charming and flirty and all manners of romantic, one thing he isn't is pushy. He can show his interest, but he's not going to pursue someone if they don't reciprocate. ]

It's alright, Sara. Honest, I'm not upset. You owe me absolutely no explanations.

[ She knows she doesn't, and he knows it, but he doesn't want her to feel awkward or bad about this. Some things just... aren't meant to be, is all. He offers her a smile, still holding a hand firmly for a moment longer as he adds. ]

For what it's worth, if you ever wanna talk about anything, I'd like you to remember that we're still friends, and I'll be glad to lend you an ear.

[ Then he releases her hand, tucking his own around his folded legs. ]

[ He's a gentleman like that. And truth be told, he's a hell of a lot better than Sara deserves. If she were a little more selfish, maybe she'd say to hell with it and give in. But relationships mean trust, and trust means telling him about her life before Starfleet.

She watches him quietly a moment, letting the warmth of his touch linger against her hand. ]

Thanks.

[ She draws her hands back into her lap, chewing on her lip a moment. And then: ]

So, is truth or dare officially ruined, then?

[ To be fair, he does know some of her life before Starfleet. He definitely knows there's a story there, kept under classified seals, ones that he knows he could find a way around in an emergency, but so far he's had no reason to do that. He doubts he ever will. So unless she tells him, it's likely he'll never learn.

He lets out a weak chuckle at the question, looking up to the night sky. ]

Not sure I could come up with another dare for you, to be honest.

[ The fact that any of her file is hidden under lock and key should probably tip him off that something's not quite normal with her, but then again he's seen the scars up and down her body.

She smiles a little at that, thoughtful. Hell, it's the least she can do, after all the awkwardness. ]

Alright, then. Truth.

[ He raises both eyebrows, surprised that she picks that option. And oh, there are so many questions he wants to ask, but— well, some are invasive, some are intimate, some are far too personal. He's trying to steer clear of all of those. ]

What's the fondest memory that you have?

[ Or one of the fondest, whatever. He's not picky. He just wants a (hopefully) lighter, happier topic. ]

[ It's not at all any of the questions she was expecting, but then again he's too polite to prod. She thinks a moment, head leaning back against the stone. ]

It's not really one memory, but... my family and I used to drive out of the city and go camping together when I was younger. The four us out in the woods, away from everything. Back then, things were just... a lot simpler, you know? [ She follows his gaze to the sky. ]

[ Leonard hums quietly. Simpler times, indeed. ]

Sounds really nice. I've never done a lot of camping, admittedly.

[ Jim likes it a lot. More often than not, he tags along with him, of course complaining all the while. Or at least for a portion of it.

But it's nice, imagining Sara with her family, out there traveling, setting up camp, bonding, having fun. Even if she might not do that anymore. (He doesn't know, really; he won't ask, either.) ]

I'll go with truth again.

Yeah. Didn't realize all that survival stuff my dad taught me would actually come in handy eventually.

[ She's toeing the line here, but it's actually a little freeing. She hasn't talked about her family in far longer than she'd like. She pauses a moment to think up another question. ]

When's the last time you went on a date? [ What? It's top of mind. ]

[ They did learn plenty of survival stuff back at the Academy too, but maybe she just had that advantage over everyone else. Could also be that it came in handy at some point in her life before the Academy, that nebulous part of it he knows nothing about.

Her question kind of distracts him from that, and he lets out a chuckle, a hand running through his hair awkwardly. ]

Jesus, I don't know. Maybe... couple of years? Longer, I think. More like three or four.

[ She can't help but smile as she glances over at him. He's kinda cute when he gets all bashful. ]

Got you beat there. [ She doesn't actually tell him, though, because where's the fun in that? Also, telling him would mean she'd have to count. ]

Truth.

[ Please don't call him cute, he might just die.

Right now he's just weirdly curious when she says that, but he doesn't get into that. He just murmurs, ] Wasn't aware it was a competition or anything.

[ He clears his throat and tries to think of a good question for her. After their conversation, turns out that truths are just as tough to think of as dares. ]

What is something that would embarrass you?

[ She just might do it out loud, then. ]

If it's a competition, I don't think either of us actually wins.

[ She falls quiet a moment, smile faltering. ]

There's a lot... a lot that happened before Starfleet that I'm not proud of. It's not exactly embarrassment, but... I'm not exactly shameless, if that's the question.

No, doesn't sound like either of us is actually a winner, there.

[ You know, he's got a divorce under his belt already, a kid he hasn't seen in years now, and a number of failed relationships since. Not a huge number, granted, but enough for him to have decided a while ago that maybe it is for the best that he's not so active in pursuing something like that again. ]

No, that's different. I meant embarrassing as in... stupid shit that makes you feel awkward. Shame and regret are— entirely different things.

Least I'm in good company.

[ She nudges her elbow against his, putting on another smile. Truthfully, she's never actually had a healthy relationship in her life. Neither Oliver or Nyssa were all that level-headed. Not that she is, either.

She frowns, thinking again. ]

You mean like thinking you're gonna have some really great sex and then getting rejected instead? [ They can joke about that now, right? ]

[ Well. Things would be a lot easier right now and a lot less awkward if only she hadn't said that. Leonard's expression sobers almost instantly at that, eyes wide that she'd even say something like that.

If it's a joke, it's not a good one, and if anything it just makes him think that she's more upset over all this than she's letting on. ]

Never mind.

[ Yeah. Truth or dare, bad idea. ]

[ Shit. She scrunches her nose. ]

Too soon. Sorry.

[ She stares down at her hands again. ] You should get some sleep. It's my turn to keep watch, anyway.

Right.

[ He's not going to be able to sleep, now. But things are just awkward and tense, and what he thought would be the best way to diffuse that has apparently only made it worse. Figures, really, given his track record with relationships. And they weren't ever even dating to begin with, yet he somehow's still managed to make it crash and burn.

Fucking fantastic. ]

Wake me up if anything changes.

[ He'll just close his eyes now and pretend to get some sleep, until either the sun goes up or something happens. That should do the trick. ]

[ Welp. Her attempt at humor hadn't exactly smoothed things over. Nice going, Sara.

It was probably for the best that they nip it in the bud, all things considered.

She nods, scanning her surroundings again more for something to do than for any real necessity.

Shit. ]

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