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Oct. 30th, 2006 08:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sapphire_childTitle: Sensitive
Word Count: 570
Rating/warnings: G. Contains fluff
Summary: Charlie and Claire share a quiet moment at her shelter.
Spoilers: none of note for season three
Disclaimer: Claire’s dislike of having her hair touched is the only thing I own in here. The characters etc belong to many, many clever people who actually get paid for writing stuff like this.
~*~
Having long hair must be a bit like having a tail because I can always tell when someone is touching my hair – especially now that it’s almost down to my waist. I’ve always disliked people touching my hair. I was terrible at sleepovers when I was little, never letting anyone play with my hair and then they’d all started to protest that it was so long and pretty and they could do “so much” and “all sorts” with it.
That’s why I jumped today when I felt a hand tangle through my ponytail to touch me lightly on the upper back as I tucked Aaron in for his afternoon nap. A moment later I realised it was Charlie and I relaxed a bit, my shoulders softening as he squatted down, using my back as a balance point but not actually putting any of his weight on me.
‘He looks buggered,’ Charlie commented, peering at Aaron over my shoulder.
‘Mmmn,’ I agreed. His hand was still on my back, still in my hair, motionless but poised. It was one of the first times I’d ever seen – or rather felt – Charlie’s hands stay still. His fingers were usually strumming, tapping, fiddling with his ring, his watch, his hair. His touch now however was light, warm, feather soft – something you don’t really expect from someone with such a gravely voice and scruffy appearance.
A sudden movement from his hand caught me by surprise, startling me out of my thoughts as he shuffled a little closer to Aaron’s cradle, his hand sliding onto my left shoulder as he did so. It seemed to be an almost unconscious gesture, his hand was really only there for a base of support but I was certainly more than conscious of it.
When I was pregnant – and even after – Charlie had restricted most physical contact between us to my lower back or my hands. His hand resting lightly on my bare shoulder suddenly felt a lot more intimate than it probably should have done and my skin seemed to quiver slightly at his touch.
Double checking that Aaron was properly asleep, I turned my face to watch Charlie as he watched my son. He had that impossibly goofy half smile on his face – it was a mixture of pride and profound happiness – the same expression he always wore when he watched Aaron. I felt my own smile begin to grow at the sight of it and after a moment or two Charlie noticed my staring and took to staring back at me instead of Aaron.
‘What?’ he said, an edge of defensiveness in his voice.
In answer, I leant forward and kissed him softly, grinning at the sight of his face colouring gently as I pulled back. He looked befuddled for a moment but then his face split into a grin as well.
‘What was that for?’ he asked, looking thoroughly pleased.
I shrugged, turning my face back to my son so that Charlie couldn’t see that my cheeks were turning pink now as well. ‘Just because.’
Charlie’s hand was still on my shoulder but he shifted it to my hair again as he brought his attention back to Aaron again too. His hand was moving again, the restlessness returned once again as he began to stroke my hair absently. And for once I didn’t really mind having my hair touched.
I didn’t mind that much at all.
Word Count: 570
Rating/warnings: G. Contains fluff
Summary: Charlie and Claire share a quiet moment at her shelter.
Spoilers: none of note for season three
Disclaimer: Claire’s dislike of having her hair touched is the only thing I own in here. The characters etc belong to many, many clever people who actually get paid for writing stuff like this.
~*~
Having long hair must be a bit like having a tail because I can always tell when someone is touching my hair – especially now that it’s almost down to my waist. I’ve always disliked people touching my hair. I was terrible at sleepovers when I was little, never letting anyone play with my hair and then they’d all started to protest that it was so long and pretty and they could do “so much” and “all sorts” with it.
That’s why I jumped today when I felt a hand tangle through my ponytail to touch me lightly on the upper back as I tucked Aaron in for his afternoon nap. A moment later I realised it was Charlie and I relaxed a bit, my shoulders softening as he squatted down, using my back as a balance point but not actually putting any of his weight on me.
‘He looks buggered,’ Charlie commented, peering at Aaron over my shoulder.
‘Mmmn,’ I agreed. His hand was still on my back, still in my hair, motionless but poised. It was one of the first times I’d ever seen – or rather felt – Charlie’s hands stay still. His fingers were usually strumming, tapping, fiddling with his ring, his watch, his hair. His touch now however was light, warm, feather soft – something you don’t really expect from someone with such a gravely voice and scruffy appearance.
A sudden movement from his hand caught me by surprise, startling me out of my thoughts as he shuffled a little closer to Aaron’s cradle, his hand sliding onto my left shoulder as he did so. It seemed to be an almost unconscious gesture, his hand was really only there for a base of support but I was certainly more than conscious of it.
When I was pregnant – and even after – Charlie had restricted most physical contact between us to my lower back or my hands. His hand resting lightly on my bare shoulder suddenly felt a lot more intimate than it probably should have done and my skin seemed to quiver slightly at his touch.
Double checking that Aaron was properly asleep, I turned my face to watch Charlie as he watched my son. He had that impossibly goofy half smile on his face – it was a mixture of pride and profound happiness – the same expression he always wore when he watched Aaron. I felt my own smile begin to grow at the sight of it and after a moment or two Charlie noticed my staring and took to staring back at me instead of Aaron.
‘What?’ he said, an edge of defensiveness in his voice.
In answer, I leant forward and kissed him softly, grinning at the sight of his face colouring gently as I pulled back. He looked befuddled for a moment but then his face split into a grin as well.
‘What was that for?’ he asked, looking thoroughly pleased.
I shrugged, turning my face back to my son so that Charlie couldn’t see that my cheeks were turning pink now as well. ‘Just because.’
Charlie’s hand was still on my shoulder but he shifted it to my hair again as he brought his attention back to Aaron again too. His hand was moving again, the restlessness returned once again as he began to stroke my hair absently. And for once I didn’t really mind having my hair touched.
I didn’t mind that much at all.
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no subject
Date: 2006-10-30 11:33 am (UTC)‘He looks buggered,’
That made me giggle.
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Date: 2006-10-31 03:05 am (UTC)Who wouldn't want Charlie to touch their hair? I mean really...
Eheheehe...I love the word buggered. It makes me giggle too ^_^
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Date: 2006-10-30 12:48 pm (UTC)Perfect. What a great characterization of Charlie. Also of Claire. I got the sense in the beginning that she was still a little uncomfortable with Charlie touching her, and it wasn't just because of the hair. Almost like she still hasn't fallen for him totally (maybe 90%)and she's forcing the other 10. I'm always slightly suspicious with Claire, like she could turn on a dime and Charlie won't even know what he's doing to annoy her. I'm sorry if I read too much angst into your fluff, but I think you captured them perfectly and it's why I've always been slightly wary of them as a couple as cute as they are together. Nice scene.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:11 am (UTC)I got the sense in the beginning that she was still a little uncomfortable with Charlie touching her, and it wasn't just because of the hair. - got it in one baby. I think that Claire feels more comfortable when she's the one initiating the contact between the two of them i.e. the kiss. When we get to the point where she's letting him initiating the contact without any awkwardness on her behalf that's when I think we'll know that she's completely comfortable with Charlie and being involved with him romantically
I'm always slightly suspicious with Claire, like she could turn on a dime and Charlie won't even know what he's doing to annoy her. - oh absolutely, she's got a fiery temper does Claire and it seems to flare up at the oddest times. Hopefully she'll calm down a bit sooner - poor Charlie's always a bit clueless when she turns on him unexpectedly
Thank you for the review - I don't think you read too much angst into my fluff at all! I love getting a more analytical opinion of my writing as well as much as I like getting a squeeful one (if not moreso) so thank you!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:20 am (UTC)I also like your idea about Charlie. In the first scene with them in Further Instructions, Charlie was sitting in Claire's tent fidgeting with a twig. He's often keeping his hands busy and I agree it's not just nervous energy. It reminds me of what smokers do when they quit. I can't wait to read your next Charlie story.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:26 am (UTC)New story will be up soon hopefully! I have some Domilie etc. manips to post up today as well.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-30 12:52 pm (UTC)Pefect Charlie: "His hand was still on my back, still in my hair, motionless but poised. It was one of the first times I’d ever seen – or rather felt – Charlie’s hands stay still. His fingers were usually strumming, tapping, fiddling with his ring, his watch, his hair. His touch now however was light, warm, feather soft –"
Wonderful description. Great job.
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Date: 2006-10-31 03:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-30 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:15 am (UTC)Thanks for r/ring!
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Date: 2006-10-30 06:11 pm (UTC)His touch now however was light, warm, feather soft – something you don’t really expect from someone with such a gravely voice and scruffy appearance.
I love that line because it perfectly describes how I view Charlie: someone who LOOKS scruffy but is really soft.
And how much do I love you for the staring-leading-to-a-kiss? It was just sooooo sweet. *sigh*
no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:23 am (UTC)I love that line because it perfectly describes how I view Charlie: someone who LOOKS scruffy but is really soft. - funnily enough that's how I view him as well!
The staring-leading-to-a-kiss was sort of inspired by the end of s2 when they first kissed because, dude, how long did they stare at each other then? *squishes them together*
Thanks for r/ring!
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Date: 2006-10-31 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-31 03:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-04 01:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-05 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-06 05:30 am (UTC)