dennis & erin — JUNE 3rd 2023 [three broomsticks]
creeveyd:
Before he even knew it, laughter was bubbling out of his lips, a slow build up that suddenly erupted into a loud burst before dwindling down into a softer, ‘I cannot believe I just laughed that hard over something that’s not even that funny’ sound. Hands quickly found his face to cover up the grin that had spread across it, a red tinge appearing on his cheeks from the strained effort of trying to stop himself. It wasn’t the pun so much as the way she said and the look on her face as she did - this sheer amount of pride, the smugness, but most of all the ridiculous naiveté of just how lame her puns were. God, how would he even begin to ever really detach himself from this woman when she was… well, this? “I… that was… I don’t… what do I even say to that, I don’t have words, E, really." he said in mock speechlessness, though he look on his face made it clear amusement had nothing at all to do with his reaction. ”Fantastic delivery as always. You really should give becoming a comic a second thought.” At her words, his smile withered slightly, an arm crossing over his chest in the usual stance that he took when he was about to be deadly serious over something. There was more to be said by him when it came to people and weakness, his aversion of them and refusal to show them, but Erin was one of those people who made him feel so light just by her presence, he couldn’t very well drag her down with his words. ”I’m not that angry looking and yes, yes, they are weak for being intimidated by me, practically everyone looks intimidating in a pub, bar for you. Why do I even have to look welcoming? It’s not as if I do want them to sit by me, I’m just being honest. They can sit here but that doesn’t mean I have to like it."
He hated it when she put on that tone of hers. There was something about it, the rarity of having her sound half so serious even when her face was incapable of looking the part, it never failed to make him feel guilty for some reason even when he wasn’t apologetic at all for whatever it was that she was scolding him for. In their younger years she used to do it because of the stupid things he tended to do; now he got the voice because of the candidness with which he spoke his opinion. Oh, and how he tended to hate everything and everyone or whatever, big deal. ”How is it my fault that she’s being ridiculous?! It’s not an insult, it’s an observation. An honest observation. If that’s your opinion of an amazing laugh, then yours must be how a choir of angels laughing sounds like, because that is… a really low standard for laughter." Jaw dropping in disbelief, Dennis let go of her hand if only to give her a playful slap on her arm. ”Did you just call me a ponce?! That’s uncalled for! I am… a respected obliviator! I am offended!"
The threat caught him off-guard though, the next words dying in his throat along with the animated hand gestures to go with them. With Erin, it became all too easy - all his pretenses, the intimidating facade, the seriousness and the anger at the world, it all dropped at his feet, ignored for as long as they were together. He didn’t know how she did it or if she was even aware of what she did to him, but it made him all the more sure that he couldn’t bear to lose her. So yeah, he put up with her crazy schemes and when she wanted him to do something (or try to) he did it because fact of the matter is, he’d do anything for her. ”Alright, alright, whatever you say, Miss Collins. I’ll give it a go if someone comes around but I’m not promising anything." He paused, turning serious all of a sudden but with a smile still on his lips to mask it. ”What about you then? Not going to make buddies? Nobody here strike your fancy?”
How Erin loved that sound, the l a u g h t e r, the laughter that once used to fill up a room with warmth but was now so rarely heard that she took it in, even joining in with him. It was even better as she watch him try to hold it in, as she watched him try to resist some form of happiness that was guilt free, and she hoped in that moment that he was cherishing it. That he at least felt somewhat lighter, happier, even for a second. Besides, that pun was funny in her opinion, no matter what anyone said -- it deserved the laughter it got. "Should I bow? Was it iconic ? And no, see, I could never be a comic, ever. What would I even talk about?" Erin shrugged, taking another sip of her drink before setting it down again. An eye roll was delivered by her after his excuse and explanation. He was holding back somewhat, and she wanted to hear what he had to say, what was going on in the mind of his but alas, she couldn't. Pushing Dennis to talk was something she did very rarely, due to the fact that it usually didn't end up well for either of them. "First of all, you are very angry looking, Dennis." it's like you're angry at the world, she thought but didn't say aloud. "Second, you're skulking. You have to look welcoming because we're trying to welcome people to talk to you, o b v i o u s l y. Of course you don't have to like it, but you're going to act like you do until you actually do. It works, y'know, the whole fake it till you make it ideal."
Erin could see the build up, how he started to explain himself, the animation coating his features as if he looked almost twenty years younger, no matter what he thought. He knew her and he knew what the voice she was using meant -- it was a silent understanding by now. "Have you ever thought that your 'honest' observations might be a little harsh, Dennis Creevey? And was that an indirect insult to my laugh, because I'm fairly sure that was an almost an indirect insult. If my laugh doesn't sound like a choir of angels now, how does it sound, then? You'll never be able to change my opinion on this, I'll defend Barbara's laugh to the grave." Erin watched, admiring the more animated he got and even the slap on her arm. Pointing at him, her finger gave his nose a quick poke. "Yes, I called you a ponce and I'll call you a ponce again. Just because you're a respected obliviator doesn't mean you're not a ponce. Be offended all you want, but I'm not saying sorry ... PONCE." She laughed taking another sip of her drink, watching for his reaction, hoping to see another one of his smiles or laughs. Hoping to hear some of the genuine laughter of his that she craved.
But then, she had to have messed up, she had to have said the wrong thing and she watched as he withered back from being a part of his old self to who he was now. So foolish she was, to hope { but still she did }. Still, she saw the c r a c k s, how they shinned a bit, and held onto them. Really, she should've let go, should've moved on but for some reason she couldn't. Sometimes, Erin felt tethered to Dennis, and admittedly at times she didn't mind the feeling one bit. No matter how much logic in the world told her she needed to break the bond to move on, there was no way she could or sos he blieved. Erin had never been one to let go of anything or anyone first. When he gave in, a smile bloomed on her face once more, especially at him agreeing. "I'm happy we've gotten that far at least, I'm proud." At his question, Erin paused -- what was she supposed to say? The mood could easily shift if she said the completely wrong thing, and she couldn't very well lie to him. "No, I think I've got enough friends and buddies. This is for you, you know, not me." In a way she avoided the question, and she avoided giving him the answer she assumed he really wanted. Erin looked away for a moment, seeming awfully interested in the dart board behind Dennis, her teeth biting her the inner part of her cheek.
