( continued // @fatescattered . )
though time in the lab usually means diving into some limbo between consciousness & unconsciousness where everything becomes figures and variables . . . it's a completely different experience when lydia's here. maybe robin works a little slower, unable to calculate or design as fast, but -- it's well worth the exchange, just to hear lydia talk about her day. she's all the family she has left, and robin knows she needs this to keep her going just as much as any nanotech. lydia keeps her tethered to the present, and as painful as it can be at times . . . it's so much easier with her at her side.
that doesn't mean robin doesn't feel guilty when she sees lydia's head dropping slightly from sleepiness, however. or when she hears lydia's voice grow just a few decibels softer as she talks about her band's last gig. but it's guilt that robin can still smile in the face of, having already attempted to usher lydia to bed hours ago, and knowing all too well that she could never force lydia from her company anyway. the best she can do is offer coffee -- and then quirk a somewhat accusatory brow at her response. because that's certainly what a non-sleepy person would say, of course.
❝ right . . .❞ she only manages to hold the look for a moment before it warms to an almost-chuckle. before she can think of her next move--breakfast? lydia beats her to the punch. robin doesn't do half as well under the microscope, turning back to her project to avoid eye contact.
❝ i'm fine, ❞ she reassures as nonchalantly as she can muster with two hours of sleep. damn, she needs her goggles. but as soon as she puts down her tools, lydia goes on the offensive. ❝ ah -- ! ❞ she protests to the attack. ❝ i ate at dinner! ❞ robin can look lydia in the eyes at the one, because she's not specifying on which day.
but . . . a break might do both of them some good. she wouldn't choose it for her sake, but she'd choose it for lydia's. ❝ okay, i concede. a quick break. ❞ robin raises her hand in modest surrender . . . only into sneak in some negotiation last minute. ❝ if you go to bed after. ❞ before lydia can object, robin asserts again. ❝ you have work tomorrow. we can't have you sleepy at the mixing board. ❞ @fatescattered