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.

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[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.

[drownondryland]

"How?" Meredith asks with a laugh. Life on the island isn't that satisfying, no, but it isn't for anyone. She got lucky, and even then, it's mostly in name. "It's a close race."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Ah, it's always easier ta say that when ye're winnin'," Sean replies, just barely reining in the urge to stick out his tongue.

[drownondryland]

Meredith pouts a little, though it's wholly feigned. "I am not," she says. "You can stop with the flattery. Don't make me argue against myself."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"I thought ye wanted flattery," Sean laughs, gently nudging her with his elbow. "Praise f'r all that ye've done an' such."

[drownondryland]

"Not at your expense," Meredith says, light though she means it entirely. "Aren't you supposed to get praise and flattery, too? As a tradition, that makes a lot more sense than some of the other things."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," Sean admits reluctantly, pausing before he relents entirely. "I'll certainly nae stop ye, anyway." The way he sees it, no much how much he screws up, he's got to still be doing something right if he's still got her.

[drownondryland]

"Well, good," Meredith says. "It'd be silly to try and I don't think you could, so there's no point in wasting your time when you can spend it being perfect elsewhere."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

Sean ducks his head, his blush fortunately not nearly so pronounced this time. "Well, who'm I t'argue wi' logic like that?"

[drownondryland]

"Exactly," Meredith sighs, tipping her head back against the seat as she closes her eyes. "You could try, but what would be the point? Just take the praise. It's much easier."