Pre-series AU.
Henry props himself up on one arm as he watches Elizabeth clip her bra into place and lean down to search for her blouse.
"You can stay, you know," he says, but he already knows what her answer will be. They've had this exchange before.
"I have early office hours," she demurs. Her back is to him, and she focuses on lining up the two halves of her shirt so that she can button it properly.
"Lunch tomorrow?" he suggests.
"I have a department meeting." She turns finally, leans across the bed to kiss him sweetly. "I'll call you," she murmurs. "Good night, Dr. McCord."
"Good night, Dr. Adams."
/
He doesn't hear from her for three days.
They've danced this dance before. Elizabeth often runs hot and cold, and Henry can't pretend that this doesn't give him whiplash. He tries not to push her but also it's hard for him to keep up.
She does want him. He just never gets to choose when.
Later, he's walking across the green when he hears the jog of footsteps behind him — suddenly, Elizabeth is at his side.
"Hi," she says breathlessly.
"Hi." He keeps his tone neutral.
"Should I come over to your place tonight? We could order Chinese food. I've been craving dumplings all day."
Henry is silent.
"Hey, what's up?"
He stops walking, turns to face her. "Look, I like you, Elizabeth. I really like you. But I'm not interested in this no-strings-attached relationship that you seem to be looking for. That's not what I want."
"Henry," she says, sounding a little wounded, a little panicked. "That's not— I never meant to make you feel like I was just using you for... I'm sorry that I've been bad about calling, I've never been good at... Look, I really like you too," she finishes fumblingly.
"What is it that you want, Elizabeth? Out of us?"
"I... I don't know."
He sets his jaw hard, unimpressed but unsurprised. "You should figure it out." He walks away, and leaves her standing there looking as hurt as he feels.
