I would break the laws of gravity

[hypoxic]

Who: Leo Fitz and OPEN (log is for all, some closed starters in comments)
Where: Checkerboard Hills
When: August 9th, just past midnight
Rating: PG+
Summary: Man returns to Wonderland after two months at home under heavy stress. Man throws toddler-level tantrum in public space. As adults are wont to do.
The Story:

[Apparently, the stories are true. When one leaves Wonderland, one is thrust back home without memory. There's nothing to prevent the mistakes he should know to avoid, no way to apply the emotional developments he's earned. It's just the harsh progression of time, doing what time wishes. And there's no way to stop it from bringing them back before they're ready to come back.

When Fitz arrives, it's facedown into a patch of eternally-manicured grass. The memories hit all at once, but they're not memories he wants. He doesn't need to know about a ridiculous fantasy dimension holding people hostage. He was kind of in the middle of something a little life-or-death...!

It's too much to hold, and far more than he can process. Instead of wandering back to the mansion and settling back into his personal space, he stays where he is, pulling himself up to his hands and knees and tearing at the grass in open distress, shouting out at nothing and everything all at once.]

Not now! There's no time for this!

[Some people hit pillows. Right now, he's technically landscaping. And he's definitely not tearing up. That's probably all the dirt he's dislodging.]

Comments

[hypoxic]

It shouldn't come as a surprise to you that the opinion of Peggy Carter carries quite a bit of weight.

[If she hasn't noticed, then he'd question her stated identity. Peggy Carter's much too good for something that big to go unnoticed.]

[mucked]

Whoever that woman is, I'm not her. Not yet. I'm only a field agent. A damn good one, but... [ her head tilts. and here's something she's considered ever since they'd first chatted in the ski resort. ] I rather suspect you outrank me, Agent Fitz.

[ after all, he'd suggested himself as having worked closely with the director of shield. not that it matters in the end; the agencies might share ancestry, but they're still two separate beasts. ]

[hypoxic]

[It's a good thing he's not drinking at the moment; he chokes on air as soon as she says that.]

Me?? But you're--...!!

[He doesn't have the rest of that sentence. He coughs instead and starts over.]

I'd consider myself fortunate to be half of the agent that you are. ...That you will be. If I've achieved anything within SHIELD, it owes far more to circumstance than merit.

[mucked]

[ -- and there it is again. sincerity. even if he's spouting complete nonsense. peggy shakes her head. ]

I said you likely outranked me. Not that you're -- [ better ] -- look, I don't know what sort of agent you are. Nor, I shall say again because it damn well bears repeating, nor am I calling into question your competency.

[ she leans forward and taps the table with two fingers. ] All I said is that you've got something sincere about you. It's refreshing.

[ she shares an agency with a bunch of men who'd sooner eat their own left foot than show half the honest emotional reactions that fitz has already shown. and perhaps that's got less to do with fitz himself and more with the 21st century, but right now he's her touchstone for that bit of progress. ]

[hypoxic]

[He takes a moment to process all of that. Because he's almost sure that he just received a compliment. From Peggy Carter.

He sits up straighter, suddenly at attention. He nods once, eyes growing wet with a swell of emotion.]

That's -- quite kind of you, Ma'am.

[Peggy Carter called him refreshing.]

[mucked]

Don't be daft.

[ she deflects even the slightest whiff that she's been praising him and not merely describing a truth that's witnessed. she waves it off, head tilting and hand brushing the open air in front of her. it take her a moment to sit back in her seat. ]

I'm not aiming to be kind. [ not right now, though one supposes she is capable of it. sometimes. ] But I wasn't aiming to be cruel, either. And for that I should apologize.

[ should apologize. but, somehow, she still doesn't. ]

[hypoxic]

[The apology is inherent and implied. It's exactly enough to count.]

You don't have to. I've been oversensitive. I ought to apologize instead.

[They can both be British, Miss Carter.]

[mucked]

[ this sort of difficulty and hyper-cordial interaction comes almost like a balm. these are waters she knows how to navigate. nevertheless, she levels him with a look. ]

A touch, yes. [ ... ] Perhaps you're well suited to interview the librarian, Agent Fitz.

[hypoxic]

We both could be. If -- this is something you'd want to collaborate upon.

[He chews on the side of his mouth self-consciously.]

Your line of questioning has been provocative. I think we'll get stronger results with you there.

[She's also far less likely to get flustered.]

[mucked]

[ -- she is, of course, quite interested in being involved. whether the comment falls flat or not, she's prepared to ease into a more professional composure. indeed, she nods. yes, yes, alright. ]

I'd like that. [ she answers mildly. it's about time she picked herself up out of her wallowing and did something useful. attaching herself to someone else's ongoing investigation might be the best way to avoid treading ground that's already been tread. ] Heaven knows, I could use the work.

[ stir-crazy, she's been. ]

[hypoxic]

It's settled, then. I'll be in touch with you over the network.

[He's going to have an excuse to send a message to Peggy Carter. Jemma will lose all composure. He can't wait to tell her.]

[mucked]

[ -- well, that's that isn't it? peggy drains what remains of her tea and pushes back from the table, aiming to rinse the mug out before she takes her leave. there's no reason to linger.

at least, that's what she tells herself. she's not here to be chummy. ]

I look forward to it, Agent Fitz. [ her smile is mild. polite, really. officious. it's the sort of smile colleagues might give each other, provided they weren't too close. ]