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[nostalgiabomb]

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[stealwithit]

[ She clasps her fingers together on top of the table once he lets go, leaning forward, too. At his question, she offers a wry little smile. ]

Hit the nail right on the head, Star-Lord. I knew I could count on you.

The last time I ever got close to being caught, things didn't exactly go well. I guess I couldn't help but remember that when this all went down--I didn't want to risk you guys getting dragged into it.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He gives another quiet huff of a laugh, lifting a shoulder a little as if to say, It's what I do. ]

So, what about now? Why the change of heart?

[stealwithit]

[ If she were to be completely honest? She didn't want a change of heart. But she's glad for it, now, if only because it's made her realize how much she really values the people she's met and befriended here. So when she answers, she can only really honestly say without hesitation, ]

Charlie. He got a hold of Cap, somehow, and asked to get involved in our... book club. [ thanks, Hawke.] He was after me.

[ She gives a small smile as she leans back in her chair again. ]

And, you know. Maybe I missed you guys a little.

[nostalgiabomb]

Well, I can imagine you missing me, but--

[ A pause, then, ]

Seriously, though? Mini-Merlin in a crime-fighting racket?

[stealwithit]

[ She nods. ]

In a support capacity. He's not going out on missions with us.

[ She probably wouldn't let him, anyway. Protect the precious wizard. ]

But, yeah. Long story short, he found me, and I got the Friendship Talk.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He lets out a low whistle. ]

I can't imagine that was very fun. Kinda like getting lectured by a parent, only every other line is, "I'm not mad. I'm disappointed."

[stealwithit]

[ She smiles a little, then chuckles. ]

Yeah, that's exactly it. And then imagine getting that from Ken.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ This time he hisses in a breath, wincing sympathetically. ]

Damn. Ken too, huh? That's even worse, since he's, like, secretly five millions years old.

[stealwithit]

[ Her smile widens then, if only because thank you finally someone who understands. ]

God, I know right? But getting lectured by him is just---wow. I really had to think about what I did after that, for sure.

[ She shrugs at him. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He reaches over, patting her hand. ]

Let's medicate that trauma with hard liquor, huh?

[stealwithit]

[ She lets out a sigh. ]

God, yes. I thought you'd never ask.

... And thanks, Quill. [ That's when she reaches over, puts her other hand over his. ] I know what I did was pretty selfish to everyone else, but I'm glad to have someone who just gets it around here.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He favors her with a sort of quiet laugh, still rueful. ]

I get it, Goto. I do. But I'm not gonna let you totally off the hook.

It still kinda sucked.

[stealwithit]

[ She squeezes his hand, and her breath hitches in her throat before she can reply, ]

I know. And I'm sorry. I'm not--really used to having people... [ know that I exist, might be the end of that sentence, but she leaves it unfinished. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Not used to having people give a shit about what happens to you?

[ The corner of his mouth twitches up briefly, though the expression is more sad than amused. Because Peter gets that too. He totally understands. Going from total loner to realizing he has people he can fall back on, people he can trust, is totally jarring. And more than that, finding out that they trust him, despite everything he's done or possibly will do.

It's humbling. It's frightening.

(And he misses his team terribly.)

He hums quietly, noncommittally, and he uses his free hand to cover Kasumi's. ]

It's a learning curve, getting used to it. Trust me. But you'll get there, as long as you care to.

[stealwithit]

[ Her gaze finds his, and for that moment, she feels her heart ache at his expression. She doesn't think she's seen Peter quite this... something. It makes her expression fall into something more somber, too.

Kasumi isn't entirely a stranger to the feeling of having someone at your side. That's what Keiji was, for some time--but he was one person, and he was always an exception. She never would have considered him a "person who gave a shit about what happens to her" because he was so much more than that. He was her person. Even when she'd joined the Normandy crew, she'd put up walls, careful to never let herself get too close to any of them. Or more accurately, she was careful to never let anyone get close to her. The way she'd seen it--they were on a suicide mission. What was the point of getting close?

(Part of her had just wanted to see Keiji again, on the other side.)

But that's all why this, just having people care about her, was so completely foreign to her after so long. And it's why she tries to give Peter a reassuring, understanding smile, although the jury's still out on how convincing of a smile it really is. ]

Yeah, I... think I'd like to get there. I'd rather do that than have to cut you all out of my life like I tried to. I have a feeling you guys wouldn't let me, anyway.

[ And here she tries for something of a smirk. ] Can't exactly hop away to another system to shake you guys off. And you know, that's... fine.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It's not convincing in the slightest, but he lets it slide this time. He offers a quiet huff, something inching up to a laugh but not quite touching it, and pulls his hands away. ]

Yeah. Pretty sure the folks in Nonah 5 would tear the galaxy apart if you did another disappearing act on them.

[stealwithit]

[ Kasumi can only really shake her head at that thought. ]

Between them and Shep rallying the Normandy folks on a wild goose chase? Even I probably wouldn't stand a chance.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He laughs again, nodding in agreement. ]

You're doomed, Goto. Enjoy your privacy while it lasts.

[stealwithit]

Yeah, I'll drink to that.

[ And with that, she flags a waiter down, and orders the hard liquor that had been suggested earlier. ]

Drink a lot to that, maybe.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He frowns, though it's obvious the expression is exaggerated. ]

I'm not gonna have to carry you home, am I?

[stealwithit]

Unless you're carrying me to your home--otherwise, no, you won't have to.

[ She gives an innocuous tilt of her head just as the waiter returns with (2) of those near-neon colored cocktails, one for the each of them.

Shut up the color reminds her of the stuff they serve in the clubs back home. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter's actually surprised by the drinks -- because they sorta look like the stuff from the dingy nightclubs he used to frequent -- enough so that he lets out a startled laugh. He lifts the glass, as if inspecting it. ]

Shit, since when are the bartenders here taking lessons from the Ciegrimites?

[stealwithit]

Alien race where you're from, I'm guessing?

[ In any case, she lifts her glass, too, holding it up at Peter as an invitation to toast. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

You'd guess right.

[ He clinks his glass against hers. ]

To people giving a shit?

[stealwithit]

To people giving a shit.

[ She raises her glass after they toast and takes a nice, hearty swig of that drink. ]

And to you not orating at me.