acautionarytale | FLUFF BREAK

FLUFF BREAK

Astrid hadn't been kidding when she said this house had plenty of room. It's a big, sprawling, two-storey... thing on a corner in a residential district that's slowly putting itself back together. Sure the place looks a little worn on the outside....

...But on the inside she's managed to make it an actual home. The place used to belong to a Loyalist couple who, sadly, no longer need it. Astrid has, interestingly, made a habit of appropriating abandoned Loyalist property, mainly because the current provisional governmant considers them forfeit. First come first served, and it seems the Fringe team won't ever have to pay for anything again in this area. So she moved out all the Loyalist propaganda and managed to get in some real furniture and decor. It's a warm and inviting and roomy place that needs explored.

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"You do like him, though."

He raises an eyebrow at her, curious. "Yes... I suppose some part of you remembers. Your subconscious."

A thought sticks in Astrid's mind. It's a silly thought, but she has to ask on it, anyway.

"Donald... are you trying to set me up with him?" She can't keep the amused tone out of her voice.

...What.

"Of course I'm not, that would be a disaster. He's confused enough already."

"You're right. It would." It's not her fault you sounded as though you were two inches from asking 'but do you like-like him?'

Besides, she likes you a lot more, Donald. But don't tell her I said that.

"I want him to be safe and... well... as happy as he can be, anyway, so I guess I do like him, in a way," she finally says thoughtfully.

October has a new friend. Adorable.

"He can be... something like happy. Content. I spent more time feeling alright than not."

A very happy smile crosses Astrid's face. Very happy but with maybe a touch of the wibble she'd often evidenced around September when he was transitioning from Observer to human.

"I'm really glad to hear it," she says. Time for a hug. A proper hug, this time.

Aww, hugs. He's an okay hugger, he supposes. She seems to think so.

"Are you alright?"

He is good at it. Also, this is all part of her plan to make up for twenty years of alone-ness by snuggling him every chance she gets. And maybe more.

"Mhm," she says, resting her head against his shoulder. "I know you miss Walter and Michael horribly but I'll do everything I can to help you feel better..."

She can't say it, right now, even though it's hinted at in her tone that there's more.

It's odd, it's bringing up things he's not sure are good for Astrid and her little family. He and October are just the audience.

"Aren't all of you? You're all in the same boat."

"Same kind of boat, but different boats, if Peter and Olivia are anything to go by." Every once in a while she lets her frustration show, but only around people she's comfortable with. She hasn't let go of him.

"Believe me, I'd rather we were all in the same one and rowing in the same direction."

"Are you sure you don't know where she is?" He always liked her. She did save his life once, before they were actually friends.

"I wish I did," Astrid answers, her voice small. "I haven't heard from her lately, not even about the sightings."

"I hope she isn't going after them."

"Surely she won't react as Peter did..." Angrily.

"I... I don't know," Astrid stammers, stepping back. Far from being afraid of Donald's anger, she's afraid, instead, of the concept that Olivia would be going after the other Observers. She digs in her pocket for her comm, casting a guilty glance toward October, before dialling the number. She chews her lip as it rings.

After a few beats: "Olivia? Olivia, don't hang up." She paces away from them. "Yes, Peter's here. No, he's not in the room... Olivia... I know you asked me not to call you but--" A few beats. "Yeah. Yeah, listen, Donald says that-- Well, yes... no, I'm not--Olivia... Olivia... Olivia." A breath. Well, at least one thing hasn't changed--Olivia still steamrollers conversations. "Okay. It's all I wanted to know. Thank you. Wh--okay. Bye."

Beep. She lowers the phone.

"Well... she's not." Astrid steps forward and leans against Donald.

He breathes a sigh of relief, somewhat, and feels awkward patting her arm. Whatever that was... Well, part of him sympathizes with almost everyone.

"What was she saying?"

Astrid curls her arms around him in a clear indication she wants held for a bit. She usually doesn't get this physically clingy with a person, only... it's Donald. Something about him feels nice. And comforting.

"She isn't going after the Observers and isn't going to, either, doesn't want to hear about Peter, she'll tell me where she is, later..." A very quiet sigh. "Things've been tough for her and Peter."

Hasn't been a day in the park for you, either, Astrid....

"I know. He's not... himself--which isn't his fault." Etta.

She is being held, as he feels a little less... awkward. It takes some getting used to again, all this cuddling.

"I wonder who left who."

Snuggle cuddle.

"Olivia left. She said she couldn't deal with the state Peter is in and that she had to go clear her thoughts."

Astrid glances at October again. She has to be strong for him and the others, now; Donald, Peter, anyone else they might manage to gather. But... she's not as good at it as Olivia is.

"She was always the strong one..."

"No one has to be 'the' strong one, singular." Besides, he's... dealing with it, he thinks. He couldn't do much in the hospital, but he's out now. Free for cuddles and whatever else must be done.

When he says this, Astrid looks up at him, her eyes warm, a slightly wibbly smile on her face.

"Thank you, Donald," she answers softly.

After a beat she goes up on her tiptoes, and he sees a shy look cross her face before she drops a quick, gentle kiss on his lips.

Then she drops down onto her heels again and resumes snuggling. Inwardly, though, she's very very carefully watching his reaction.

"Thank me for--" Oh.

Oh. ... Dear. Older men, is it?

His reaction is... complicated. Most noticeably of all is the hug tightening. It's been such a long time since he's gotten to know anyone, and she hardly knows him... except subconsciously. Which is partly why it's so shocking. And what if it does more harm than good, if he has to leave...?

~~Tiptoes probably weren't necessary.~~

Astrid smiles when his arms tighten around her, glad that he wasn't scared by that next step.

Sometimes you don't have to have known someone for ages to be attracted to them. She places a hand on his chest and closes her eyes, listening to his heartbeat.

Scared, no, not exactly. Unsure and lost as to what to do that won't make things worse... well.

"How long?"

Astrid doesn't move. Don't distract her from her close little moment or she'll kiss you again.

Still, she's not sure what he means. "How long what?" she asks quietly.

"How long have I not been noticing things, I suppose...?"

For shame, Donald.

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