The pool, Sunday morning

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

It had been a week or so since Dinah had practiced TK-water-bending, and not practicing with Azula any more meant she was going to have to figure this stuff out on her own, now. So Dinah was pool-side, feet dangling in the water, carefully making water-shapes: whips, funnels, and then the waterfall sheaf. A swimming workout would happen after she got the hang of that last one perfectly.

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[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

"I just want to take down Praxis for what he did to me," Jak said, pulling up onto his feet after he saw her reaction. "Like I said. I'm going to do some damage."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Please--" Dinah took a breath, and got to her feet. "I'm sorry. Look. I won't yell." She hugged herself, chilled. "I know I can't get it. Not really. I'm just scared for you," she said, her voice dropping. She tried to laugh a little, sounding strangled. "What, you can threaten Azula for me, and I can't want you to be okay? Not allowed to worry?"

[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

"It sounds like you're telling me not to go back at all," Jak said, something angry shuttering over his eyes.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"I know that's pointless." Dinah was calmer, but still shivering. The sheer futility of the situation hit her again, and she bit her lip, hard, to keep the tears back. Breathe. "I'm not telling you what to do. I'm not. I swear." She swallowed. "I just... want you to be there, Monday mornings. When I check."

[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

"I'm not getting any missions today," Jak said, shrugging. "Probably." Way to misinterpret.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

That almost surprised a giggle out of Dinah. Awkwardly, feeling her face heat up, she said, "But you might get one tomorrow. Or later. And it's not like I'd know. If you were okay. Until I dreamed you weren't." She swallowed again. "I'd want to know."

[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

"I'm around when I'm not there," Jak pointed out, watching her from his new standing location. "I'm not going to be able to call you every time I go out."

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

Why not? Dinah wanted to ask, but instead she said, "I know." She rubbed her arms, trying to get warm. "And I'm not your mom or anything else." She gave him a resigned half-smile. "But I didn't want to crowd you. So. Checking in class. Listening to the Radio. Glad when you're there. That's all."

[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

Jak shrugged again. "Or you can knock on my door," he volunteered, finally. "Happy?"

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Dinah said, letting out a small breath of relief. "You can do the same, you know. If you're looking for video games. Or just to hang out."

[unborn-renegade.livejournal.com]

There was a long, long beat.

Then, finally: "Thanks."

He took another step back to allow her some space.

[blondecanary.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome." Dinah slowly sat back down, and dipped her legs in the water again, closing her eyes. "I'm just gonna... work on the spirals here." She swallowed. Talking to Jak was kind of exhausting, sometimes. It felt like they'd reached detente, but she still wasn't perfectly okay. "So, you know. Feel free to work out."