he really don’t have anything against and he’s neither wanting something from her .
“ It’s my house and my gathering , I’m not wanting anything from you , you can stay , mostly because you just help me with my injury . ” he smiles at her .
estelle presses her lips into a thin line . it's the slightest hint at visible concern that he's going to get because , otherwise , she's perfectly collected .
loose , blonde curls shift around her as she shakes her head . she doesn't ――
—— he shifts his weight , more relaxed now , less guarded than before .
“ it’s calmer now , ” he adds , almost as reassurance . “ no one’s asking anything from you . ”
another beat .
“ you’re allowed to stay , ”
he watches her for a moment , noticing the shift , the way she pulls back into herself .
“ . . . you can go , ” he says quietly , his gaze softens just slightly — not pushing , just . . . there . “ i just don’t think you have to . ” ——
“ you were , ” she agrees with him , voice flat with lack of amusement . normally , she's so playful . right now , she's in a bad mood . “ apology accepted . ”
now , that doesn't happen often , so don't take it for granted .
“ hm , ” she ――
—— “ i was being unnecessarily difficult . ” his gaze lifts back to hers . “ you were right , I apologize . ”
he straightens slightly , composure settling back into place .
“ if there’s anything else , ” he adds , quieter , “ go ahead . ”
he doesn’t answer right away, instead , he studies her for a second , like he’s reconsidering something . then his hand comes up to his shoulder , testing it once .
“ . . . it’s better , ” he admits .
a small pause . ——
estelle rolls her eyes . she's feeling like he's a little ungrateful here .
“ i could have let you sit there in pain , ” she points out . “ now , is that better ? ” she asks . “ or do i need to do some sort of routine check to make ――
another second passes before he straightens slightly , posture falling back into that practiced control , like the injury had never happened at all .
“ next time , ” he adds , quieter now , “ a warning would be appreciated . ”
he goes still the second she forces the joint back into place , the shift sharp but clean . his jaw tightens , breath steadying a moment later .
slowly , he rolls his shoulder once . then again — testing , recalibrating . ——
estelle is standing next to @whitewolfmgc , somehow . she's been invited over for a peace offering between the moreau's and the rest of them . she doesn't seem to want to comply , but ― given that michael is banged up pretty badly right ――
—— “ . . . that was unnecessary , ” he says , voice even , not harsh . just factual .
his gaze flicks to her then , brief but deliberate — like he’s reassessing , not dismissing .
“ . . . but thank you . ” ——
you’re overestimating your position , I don’t even know what you are talking about when you say “ on your way ” , but now I understand why amon hates you .