[Maria liked Vander and it was easy for him to get away with many things because of that. it wasn't as if Maria hadn't already been considering how they would both get back to their usual business. what with his busted knee. luckily, their usual go to didn't require his knee at all.] Too bad becoming one of those probably means a lot of reading. [and she hated that part.

there wasn't much she could do with her hair, considering the length, but she'd figure it out for him.] I'll skip the nurse outfit and just wait on you in the dress. How about that?

[Maria had been joking, since he'd made the comment about the apartment as if he didn't like being there. she'd known what he meant, that it had nothing to do with her. Vander had stated he liked being with her again and again. what more did she want? for him to say it again? the answer was yes. maybe she'd just wanted to hear him say he wanted her around. but he didn't (which didn't mean anything) and now something is itching inside of her (which is ridiculous).

but this was why she had avoided conversations about them, how they were living together, and how odd it was. but it had come up and now it was just always there. if she had just gone along with the idea of moving out after the mission, joking about an extended post mission date, they wouldn't be here now. it just felt like he was waiting for her to decide to leave and that wasn't right. here they were, though. wandering into this tricky situation and it was hard to navigate. she was hardly being fun and that was what had made him like her. so she reminds herself. fun. you're supposed to be fun.

so she elbows him playfully.] You really think I'm the kind of girl to do this on a date? Give me some credit. But sorry, the joke didn't land. Relax and let me make it up to you. [her hand moves to his thigh with the bad knee.] Put that knee of yours back out.