[Korra holds up her hands pacifyingly.] Chill out! This is my boyfriend.....Li. [It takes her a moment to remember to use his moniker. The boyfriend part trips easily off her tongue, with the same schmoop level as "buddy" or "friend" or "asshole I work with." Matter of fact more than anything else; after all, they go out together, have sex fairly frequently, and discussed being exclusive, even if they decided against it. What else would they be?
[ He winces at the mention of Boyfriend; disguises it as a twitch of the nose. He wishes she wouldn't do that. Assigning a label to someone is like locking them in a box. All those things are traps created by someone else. A mold to fit into, patterns to conform to, roles he must learn the lines for. Best Friend. Time-sink. Nuisance. Life Lesson. Mentor. Hei's learnt from Amber that you can be all those things, or none of them. You can put on those masks or take them off at will. Amber used to say: I'll be whatever it is you need me to be at that moment, and not in the next. The fluidity and freedom of different personas. ]
[ Hei's look is impassive as he glances from Korra to the biker. ] Reggie. Right. [ It runs parallel with Whatever. To Korra, ] We were leaving. [ A reminder, not a question. ]
[As far as Korra's concerned, Hei already knows his lines. It's not like she knows enough about relationships to have preconceived notions of what a boyfriend should and shouldn't be, or should and shouldn't do.
She smiles at Reggie and tugs him in for a hug.]
It was good seeing you again, Reggie.
[He's still eyeing Hei suspiciously.] Don't be a stranger, Ballbuster.
[ Hei returns the suspicious squint with a level look. Tries to ignore a dull pang as Korra hugs the man. It's not jealousy so much as a mild ruefulness. He can't do that for her, be so spontaneous and casual about physical contact. The most harmless touch makes him bristle, like a cat that's been kicked too often. There's such horror in intimacy, in being known. It's as if people make nooses of what they can prove about you. There was nothing quite as suffocating to him. ]
[ He lets Korra and Reggie say their goodbyes. Waits until he's gone, before falling into step with Korra. ]
Well. At least all the men in your life aren't creeps. [ Double-edged statement. ]
[ He meets her gaze with reluctance. His jaw twitches, then stills, the gaze dim and opaque. It's a clear sign that the buzz from the hash, sex and dancing has faded. His expression has reverted to its signature flatline. ]
It's nothing.
[ Just the ever-cropping mystery of why this girl, who could have her pick of normal, nicey-nice boys, is compelled to hang around him. Childhood neglect. Unsupportive environments. Lack of attention or approval. He isn't sure if it's one, or all -- but it still irks him sometimes. ]
Edited (/throws her phone away DX) 2013-08-30 02:12 (UTC)
It's never nothing. [She rolls her eyes at him. If he's going to get pissy and obnoxious, she can make her own way home. Why ruin a perfectly pleasant outing with his attitude?]
[ It's a dismissal, but he can't help but feel it's also such a banal remark, as if they've had a little tiff about which restaurant or club, instead of the inherent wrongness of Korra & Hei. ]
[ Mildly surprised, Hei glances at Korra again. His look isn't quite so impassive now; after a blink or two, a weary half-smile flits across his lips. In the sunlight the skin of his face, though firm, reveals a tracery of lines at the corners of the eyes, like those on a man twice his age. But it's a boyish gesture when he knocks his shoulder lightly against hers, adjusting the rhythm of his steps and breathing to coincide with hers. ]
[ Go with the flow, Amber used to say. While that's an impossibility, given Hei's nature, there are moments when it's good advice. Moments when, freed of the messy tangle of past or future, the present can be just shy of perfect. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Could ask you the same thing.
[Korra holds up her hands pacifyingly.] Chill out! This is my boyfriend.....Li. [It takes her a moment to remember to use his moniker. The boyfriend part trips easily off her tongue, with the same schmoop level as "buddy" or "friend" or "asshole I work with." Matter of fact more than anything else; after all, they go out together, have sex fairly frequently, and discussed being exclusive, even if they decided against it. What else would they be?
To Hei, she says:] This is my buddy Reginald.
Call me Reggie. [not impressed]
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[ Hei's look is impassive as he glances from Korra to the biker. ] Reggie. Right. [ It runs parallel with Whatever. To Korra, ] We were leaving. [ A reminder, not a question. ]
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She smiles at Reggie and tugs him in for a hug.]
It was good seeing you again, Reggie.
[He's still eyeing Hei suspiciously.] Don't be a stranger, Ballbuster.
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[ He lets Korra and Reggie say their goodbyes. Waits until he's gone, before falling into step with Korra. ]
Well. At least all the men in your life aren't creeps. [ Double-edged statement. ]
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What's that supposed to mean?
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It's nothing.
[ Just the ever-cropping mystery of why this girl, who could have her pick of normal, nicey-nice boys, is compelled to hang around him. Childhood neglect. Unsupportive environments. Lack of attention or approval. He isn't sure if it's one, or all -- but it still irks him sometimes. ]
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[ It's a dismissal, but he can't help but feel it's also such a banal remark, as if they've had a little tiff about which restaurant or club, instead of the inherent wrongness of Korra & Hei. ]
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[ Go with the flow, Amber used to say. While that's an impossibility, given Hei's nature, there are moments when it's good advice. Moments when, freed of the messy tangle of past or future, the present can be just shy of perfect. ]