[ location: town, early morning. ]

[indenture.livejournal.com]

[ Graham doesn't really get days off. He never knows what to do with himself when he gets days off anyway, a restless hum under his bones (or is that emptiness instead) and lately he's taken to running through the forest in the early mornings to clear his head. He likes it there. It makes him feel— it sounds stupid, even to himself, but it feels right. Relaxing, he supposes.

By the time he makes it back to town, it's still early. He'd finished earlier than he meant to and he takes advantage of it by walking slowly back to his apartment, a familiar ache in his muscles and his hair damp with sweat at the back of his neck. He doesn't know how he knows — he couldn't explain it if he tried — but Graham thinks it might rain, later today. ]


[ ooc | played au 1x07. happy trails, partner! ]

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[ If he's surprised to see Emma (or glad, even) Graham doesn't say anything. He stops, scratching the back of his head with an expression that's part apologetic and part sheepish. Yeah, he owes her an apology — or twelve — but he's not quite sure how to voice that just yet. ]

I was feeling a little restless, [ he tells her. ] Needed some air.

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Ah. [ She gives a small nod of understanding, before a silence settles between them. One that's a bit tense and awkward, and even more so as she lowers her gaze to break eye contact.

She drums her fingers against the steering wheel of the car before looking back up at Graham. ]

Are you feeling any better?

[indenture.livejournal.com]

Lots, thanks. [ His smile shows more in the set of his eyes, falling a little flat around the curve of his mouth. It's not that he's not glad to see Emma (he is, and maybe that's half the problem); it's a matter of trying not to feel like a colossal fuck-up, not just to Emma but the whole town. ]

I'm really sorry, Emma. About the other day. It was completely out of character, I promise.

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[ But Emma simply shakes her head, a small smile curving the corner of her lips. While his behavior had been somewhat unsettling, what mattered is that he was feeling alright, and hopefully he would leave the matter to rest. ]

Don't worry about it, Graham. I'm just glad you're feeling better.

[ Her gaze locks with his for several moments, and the smile she wears becomes a bit nervous. She doesn't like that Mary's words have gotten to her, the way that she sees her colleague in a slightly different light now. But she catches herself staring, and clears her throat before averting her gaze. ]

Do you need a ride home?