xp_logs | Log: Bobby and Alison after the semi-formal. Well--during, sorta.

x-coldhands.livejournal.com posting in

[Bobby and Alison dance, and halfway through someone bumps into him, triggering basically an anxiety attack, where he flinched away from anyone that drew near. This prompted Alison to usher him off of the dance floor and give him a glass of water--which immediately freezes, at which point she decides to take him home early.]

Bobby waits near the door of the club, looking ill-at-ease as he watches for Alison's return. Any time someone wanders near, he shies away, pressing himself against the wall, clouds of frozen mist starting to surround his hands.

It doesn't take too long in fact for Alison to appear, Miles in her arms, making a beeline for Bobby - although she pulls off looking relaxed and unconcerned for most as she nears him. "We're set, s'all good," she murmurs, keys already in hand as she tilts her head towards the door. "Ready to go?"

Bobby nods and pushes off the wall, tucking his hands under the opposite arm as he follows her out, feeling self conscious about his powers continuing to malfunction. "Want me to take Miles?" he asks hopefully.

"Sure," she answers, guessing at why he asks even as Miles stretches out one hand for the transfer of his own initiative. "Miles tired," the little boy informs him solemnly before breaking out into a huge yawn as he clasps both arms around Bobby's neck, having for once left Frog Tonberry behind after many promises that his favorite stuffed toy would do just fine for one evening alone back at the mansion.

"Yeah, me too," Bobby tells him quietly, although nothing could be further from the truth. He follows Alison through the parking lot, smiling slightly as Miles rests his head on his shoulder. "We'll get you home and to bed, all right, buddy?"

"Okay," Miles sing songs softly, drawing out the last syllable as he waves good bye to the doorman, earning himself a slow wink from the tall, broad shouldered man hovering near the front door. Reaching the car, Alison unlocks the doors with the remote, opening the back door behind the passenger seat for Bobby to settle Miles.

Bobby smiles faintly at her before ducking his upper body into the car, buckling Miles in and rubbing the top of his head before straightening and closing the door. "All secure," he says to Alison with a nod.

"Thanks," she murmurs back, sneaking a look inside and grinning faintly as Miles wriggles about in the straps of the seatbelt, trying to settle in for a snooze on the way back to the mansion. "In you go too," she points downwards over the roof of the car before sliding in herself behind the wheel, starting it up and waiting for the modified heater to kick in near instantly.

Bobby climbs in as well, tugging the door closed and buckling up. He rests his hands on his knees, tapping them rhythmically to the soft music coming from the speakers, his gaze directed out the side window--away from her.

The first few minutes of the drive go in silence, Alison driving with unusual caution for anyone who knows her normal driving style - this new style seems to have matched Miles' arrival in her life, one might easily realize. As a faint childish snore echoes from the back, she chuckles quietly. "Out like a light. He still tires pretty fast," she remarks, almost to herself. "You held up pretty well tonight Bobby, considering the amount of people that were there."

Bobby looks at her, in the process of turning around to glance at the sleeping Miles. "Oh...yeah." He shrugs lightly. "Why shouldn't I?" He turns back, staring out the front windshield, a slight tension in his posture.

"Well, been in the medlab for a while and all," she replies, keeping her answer general enough. "Not everyone is a glory hound like I am, mmm?" her lips quirk slightly at that, because she does love the attention, even now. And frankly right now, she's not sure how to bring up the topic of Bobby's dissapeareance and subsequent... torture, all too well. Especially not with Miles in the back, sleeping or not.

"Yeah, but I'm back to normal now." Bobby states firmly, his hands gripping his legs. Clearly this is not a comfortable subject for him, at all.

Listening to the small tired snores from the back of the car, Alison nods quietly, remaining silent for a bit as she negociates a bout of traffic. Not what the power spikes are saying, Bobby. Not yet - though better than before Mexico to a certain extent, I'll give you that.

As the silence grows uncomfortable, Bobby says brightly, "So, the band sounded great tonight. I'm glad I went."

"Yeah, they did well," she smiles quietly, remembering only too well the looks on a few people's face as Jamie's song was performed, as well as the very enthused way Georgie went about performing it. "I"m glad you went as well," she adds, idly, "it's been good to see you interact with people a bit more." Not a lot since we're still talking about Hermit!Boy here, but still.

Bobby nods, sighing softly. "I had to come back to the real world again sooner or later, right?" he says softly, his eyes distant.

"One step at a time," she replies, "yes." And even if the evening had to be cut short, it's at least shown Bobby he can deal with larger groups of people, even if only for short amounts of time for now.

"I know." Bobby fakes a large yawn and adds, "Thanks for the ride back, though...I'm all worn out. Be good to just relax with a book, or something." Or you know...lie in the dark, reliving his hands on me... He forces a smile.

I'm going to have to talk to Hank tomorrow about this... She gives him a half smile, eyes never looking away from the road as snow falls lazily to the ground. "Why don't you nudge the seat back a bit and nap until we get there?"

"Good idea." At least she won't ask me anything else that way. he reaches to the side, looking back to make sure he doesn't disturb Miles as he leans the seat back, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.