[reverse darkest timeline AU: and this is the way out of here]

[stilljustandrew]

He's tried to think about taking off the cuffs, as Brix told him to. It's hard to think about: painful, and frightening, and disturbing in a way that's somehow worse than either. It feels wrong.

But he said he would try, and he's been trying. It isn't his fault if it's too hard to keep doing for long.

Comments

[gothamsheiress]

"When would you like?"

[stilljustandrew]

"I, I don't ..." He flounders, looking from one to the other again.

"I thought you would tell me."

[hadyougoing]

Ava glances to Brix.

"I have some time off over the next few days ..."

[stilljustandrew]

He follows Ava's glance.

"I mean, I, I guess whenever is good for you? Or whoever? Just, maybe not ... not like right now."

[hadyougoing]

"Oh, sure," she breezes. "I have reports to file tonight, it's not a good time. But in the next week or so ... sure."

[stilljustandrew]

"Okay. Um ..."

He fidgets a little; one hand makes a motion toward the opposite wrist, and stops.

"Maybe ... one of you could tell me the night before? Or, or even like an hour before?"

[gothamsheiress]

Brix's eyebrows rise.

"You would rather be told than choose when you go out?"

Well. Some progress is better than none.

[stilljustandrew]

His eyes flick up to her and back down, and his face reddens again.

"Do you ..." Low and effortful. "Do you want me to choose?"

[gothamsheiress]

"Yes."

[stilljustandrew]

"... Okay."

He breathes in, frowning hard as though trying to decide something much more weighty, fingers twining together.

"Is ... is tomorrow night okay?"

[hadyougoing]

"Works for me."

[stilljustandrew]

"Tomorrow night, then ...?"

It turns into a question halfway through, as he looks back at Brix for approval.

[gothamsheiress]

Brix smiles.

"As you like. Certainly."

[stilljustandrew]

"Okay." By dint of considerable effort, that's a little firmer.

Tomorrow night. Okay. He can shower, maybe, and ask for some fresh clothes; something with sleeves long enough to hide the cuffs. Just in case.

He's kind of hoping he won't see anyone he knows.