Homeplot: On a Jet Plane

[missingthekeep]

Sean's not sure what to think. Since waking up in their Washington hotel room yet again that morning, he's been in a perpetual state of unease that has nothing to do with the absolute reaming that is no doubt in store for him in London. He's half-tempted to suggest just going on the lam with Meredith for however much longer this lasts, but for now, he spends his time fidgeting in his cramped economy seat on the plane (maybe he'd been on something of a spending spree, but the tickets had been booked on their behalf), playing with a tiny, empty scotch bottle.

"Least all yer paperwork went through without a hitch," he says, looking over at Meredith with a cheerfulness that, vague unease aside, remains pretty genuine after the events of the last day. Maybe they should have gone back by now, maybe there's more to this than they initially thought, but whatever they're facing, they're still facing it together.

Comments

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure I c'n think of a few times," Sean says, huffing out a quiet laugh. Having her wait for him is nothing new to their relationship. "But seein' as I'm in no mood ta wait, either, I guess there's no harm done."

[drownondryland]

"I think this is a little different," Meredith agrees. Any examples he might come up with, she probably doesn't want to think about. There've been more than a couple rough patches. "And we know what we're doing for once, we should take advantage of that."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Enjoy it while it lasts, ye mean," Sean wryly says, though he doesn't really mean it. For once, for maybe the first time since before Christmas brought all his assurances down around his ears, he feels like they're on top of things, not just in the process of fighting to get there. Maybe they'll slip again in the future, but this moment proves that they can always recover.

[drownondryland]

"That's sort of what I meant," Meredith says, grinning, because how often is it true that they're both sure at the same time? She means to embrace that, enjoy what they've got while they have it. "But I think this one'll last."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

It feels a bit too much like tempting fate to agree outright, but Sean smiles and nods nonetheless before replying with a simple "Stranger things've happened." They've lasted, after all.

[drownondryland]

"Stranger things," Meredith echoes, mock-disbelieving. "What happened to telling me I won't be bad at this?" She still isn't convinced, all jokes aside; she's most just stopped caring. They'll figure it out.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Thought ye'd realized what malarkey 'twas when ye said yes," Sean says, still as convinced as ever. As always, the only person in the room he's left doubting is himself. "I've ne'er known ye ta take on somethin' wi' the intention o' doin' it badly. But if ye like, I c'n keep on tellin' ye anyway."

[drownondryland]

"I never intended to do it badly," Meredith says, brow raising. He's right, really, she never means to be bad at anything. Her competitiveness won't let her. "I intend to be very good at. Wife of the year. But my best intentions tend to go south."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Nae when it comes ta me," Sean points out plainly, beaming stupidly at her. She's pretty much always done right by him.

[drownondryland]

Meredith considers that for a few moments, though it's difficult to stay serious when he's got that smile on his face. "Not when it comes to you," she agrees, though she's had her doubts even on that score, certain she's screwed up more than a few times. They're still here, though. "Then there shouldn't be anything strange about it."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"I s'pose nae," Sean says, not about to derail such a perfect sentiment with talk of how there are still plenty of problems that could arise from his side of things. While he has to believe that things will be different with Meredith, he was never husband of the year. "It's jus'... right."

[drownondryland]

"That's more like it," Meredith says airily. She could easily sink into being sentimental with talk like this, but she just shakes her head, grinning. "Much better than stranger things or whatever. I need encouragement. Praise, even."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Ye're amazin'," Sean says, without missing a beat. "Ye're perfection. An' ye're makin' me the happiest man alive. How's that fer a start?"

[drownondryland]

"For a start?" Meredith asks, shrugging. That last one's good enough for all of it, the only part she actually believes, though she never minds hearing the rest. "Not bad."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Got ta leave some room ta grow," Sean says, undeniably pleased. "I mean, why would ye buy the horse when ye're gettin' rides f'r free?"

[drownondryland]

"I don't know," Meredith says, grinning, "you tell me. You're the one doing it." They could be just fine as they are indefinitely, after all, though that hasn't kept her from wanting this.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"You," Sean says, still smiling and not taking his eyes off of her, "are no horse."

[drownondryland]

"I would hope not," Meredith says, "but you're still getting the rides." Grinning, she leans into kiss him, hands on the armrest. He's not exactly a horse either; it's not a great metaphor, but he's never been good at those anyway, she knows.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

Grateful for the kiss since it provides a suitable distraction from the way he blushes fiercely at that, Sean leans right back into it. "Walked right inta that one, didn't I?"

[drownondryland]

"Practically set it up yourself," Meredith agrees with a self-satisfied smirk, leaning her head against his. "If I didn't know you, I'd think it was deliberate."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, well, we both know I'm jus' nae that clever," Sean says with a sigh and a shake of his head, though his demeanor doesn't change a bit.

[drownondryland]

"Uh huh," Meredith says wryly. "Clever enough." He got them through the last few days, after all, got her through the last couple years. He might be a little crazy, sticking himself with her for so much and so long, but it's not a madness she minds.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"I get by," Sean says, dismissive but pleasant as he relaxes back in his seat as best he can. "Wouldnae want t'outshine ye, after all."

[drownondryland]

Meredith laughs. "Like that'd be hard," she says wryly. "No, please, try, competition's good for me." He's more than outshone her already, she's pretty sure. She might be the one in charge of the clinic, but she wouldn't have lasted the weekend without him, and that seems a hell of a lot more useful.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Maybe so," Sean laughs, "but it's murder on me self-esteem." His mood hasn't shifted, he's still pleased as punch with just about everything in the world right now, but it's not actually all that much of a joke. It's a good day indeed when he feels as if he measures up to her.