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Ship: Jack/Angela
Spoilers: 2x10 - "The Headless Witch In The woods"
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She tucks her head under my chin and whimpers softly. It takes a lot of effort to hold back a smug grin. Her hair is silky against my neck and she smells like cherries.
I know this scene. Angela makes a good damsel, and, though I may have left my suit of armor at home, I have no qualms playing her white knight.
I've done this many times before, although normally watching fictional horror and munching on popcorn. Not with Angela, of course, but with girls who are far more clingy and use being scared as an excuse to get downright personal.
I know Angela isn't so much scared as she is upset. Deep down we all know the real monster here is not some headless ghost roaming the woods for revenge. As much as we'd love to attribute this awful scene to some sort of paranormal evil, deep down we all know this is yet another showing of the depths of evil within humanity.
Regardless, I play along with Angela as we re-enact this scene of a regular couple watching your typical scary movie. I respond to her whimpers by pulling her closer and holding her tight. She's not normally clingy, in fact, she normally likes to play hard to get, but this is an exception for special circumstances.
And despite whatever awful truth is waiting for us behind these circumstances, I can't help but be a little grateful. We've been trying very hard not to let things get awkward, but I'm not always sure what's considered appropriate behaviour in our situation these days. Truthfully, I'm not really sure what our situation is.
And so I'm grateful. Grateful for this chance to play a role I know. My nerves are calm and I know what I'm doing, I know where to put my hands, and I know just what to say. I also know I don't have much time left before we'll have to face back to the reality of our situation.
So for now, while the horrific video runs its course, I will make the most of this opportunity. We'll continue to pretend this is some sort of casual thing, because it's easiest, and because this is what I know, what I'm comfortable with.. this is where I live.