coordinate brain and mouth (for Cosette)

[doublethepain]

It's not unusual for Spencer to sit cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the library sitting area, surrounded by the newest shipment of books and the texts he's meant to as he meticulously organizes everything before placing them on his reshelving cart. He does this on slow days and goodness knows, this has most certainly been a slow day. He suspects many people are still recovering from the incident with the Hydra--Spencer spares a quick glance toward the window to his far left where he'd placed the small, blue crystal Joel had given him that day as a protection charm for the building--and besides that, the summer is really starting to begin so people hardly want to spend their time in the library.

He takes a sip of the cream soda, his favorite, that always seems to be miraculously well-stocked in the break room refrigerator and shifts his gaze to where Cosette sits a few feet away, entering cataloging data into their automated system--Spencer's idea, for the record, as around the age of 21, he'd gotten quite tired of doing everything by hand. They've both always been content in their quiet, save for the short bursts of humming from Cosette or the occasional random murmurings from Spencer. Today is no exception.



"I'm thinking about getting a dog," Spencer says suddenly, and he's not really looking for a response but he supposes he could use the second opinion if Cosette decides to give it.

Comments

[suchgoodluck]

Cosette is quite comfortable in her seat, entering data "the new fashioned way," according to Spencer. Frankly, she enjoys doing things by hand but she has to admit, this way saves time and resources, and it just makes more sense, it being 2014 now. She sips at her vanilla chai she picked up from Knights of the Round Pie on her lunch, taking pleasure in the warm, soothing spiciness of it when Spencer randomly blurts out with his intention of acquiring a dog.

"What kind?" She looks up and over at him with a smile. She's used to these random conversations, begun at random intervals in the comfortable quiet between them as they work. They're some of her favorite parts of the day, truthfully. "I think a dog would be good for you, Spence."

[doublethepain]

He glances over at her when she calls him by the nickname. "You're the only one who calls me that," he tells her. There's no ire in the statement, it's just a fact; and if she's listening carefully, like Spencer suspects she is, Cosette might even hear a touch of fondness in it.

He sets the books he has in his hands down as he gets back to the topic, thinking for a long moment. "I don't know," he finally says with a shrug. "A smaller breed, maybe. I've read that pugs aren't as high in energy and aren't prone to bad behavior; but I've also read that eye problems are very common in that kind of dog, so is hip dysplasia. Obviously, there's going to be potential health risks with any dog, just like in people, but I've never cared for a pet before so I want to make sure I'm doing the best for mine."

He pauses, realizing that he's rambling, but Cosette has never seemed to mind. It's one of the things he appreciates most about her, that she rarely looks like she's ready to just walk away because of his inability to quit after he's just gotten started.

"I'm limited," he continues, "by whatever's at the Humane Society. I've stopped by a couple times, but I've never gone in. To be honest, I'm afraid that I'll just want to leave with every pet there."

[suchgoodluck]

"Damn straight," she replies with a teasing grin and fondness of her own. "I'll knock out anyone else who tries." She loves working at the library because Spencer is like that one cousin in the family who actually is cool. She enjoys their easy friendship, the way she doesn't have to keep her guard up around him.

"I think you should go with like, a great dane, dude," she tells him, matter-of-fact. "They are literally giant babies and you can name yours Scooby Doo and he can solve crimes with you."

"I can go with you," she offers. "I mean, I can't control myself around kittens, but still. I can be a voice of reason with dogs."

[doublethepain]

He lets out a short, amused laugh at that, gesturing at himself with an incredulous expression. "You really think I'm the active crime-solving type?" he asks. "I think you must have me mixed up with another Spencer Waters, one who doesn't spend a majority of his time drowning in books and avoiding close social interaction."

Actually, he doesn't mind the idea of a dane, though he does wonder whether that has anything to do with the fact that it shares a name with his brother. Dane would never forgive him if Spencer were to name a dog after him, though, and the thought elicits another soft laugh.

"I did like Scooby Doo," he yields, "and your company would be very much appreciated."

[suchgoodluck]

"Hey, you have the perfect cover and access to resources as a librarian," she points out with a grin. "If I were the mystery author type, I'd totally write you as my main protagonist."

Cosette admits, she's more biased towards larger dogs because of the dane Aunt Jasmine's friend, Leah, had all those years ago.

"Great!" She beams. "I can be like, your sexy Velma."

[doublethepain]

He makes a face, wrinkling his nose in dramatic faux disgust and shaking his head profusely. "I don't want you to be my sexy anything," he tells her, a teasing edge to his tone. "I'll take being the protagonist, though, that's a side of me I don't hear about all too often."

He's not much of the joking type but he's admittedly found it easier to make what little light he can of his arrest, of what had been written about him in the papers and whispered between the people in town.

"Anyway. The house is starting to feel a little too empty with just me in it. I suppose it doesn't help that I never invite company over."

[suchgoodluck]

"Hey, I'm being sexy for Siren Cove's equivalent of Daphne, not you," she sticks out her tongue, teasing him right back. "And I still call dibs on being your sidekick."

Cosette is always glad when she sees Spencer lighten up, smile, and even laugh. She knows his life has been far from easy, and any chance he gets some form of relief from it, she cherishes it with him.

"Invite me over and we can watch bad sci-fi movies. I'll cook dinner, which, granted, will probably be chocolate cake, but you know," she grins.

[doublethepain]

"Good luck with that," he says dryly, grabbing a random book and thumbing through the pages, catching some of the words but not really paying attention to any of it. He thinks maybe it's not such a great thing that he's never even considered himself the hero of his own life story, there's just never been a hero there in general. He can't even remember the last time he'd wanted to be sexy for anyone, not since high school and Shauna Mercier and that had been a short-lived fantasy, to say the least.

Still, the fact that Cosette treats him like he's better than that makes it easier to remind himself that he does and that he thinks he does, too. He's just not great at the follow through part of getting what he wants.

"I'll concede to making you my sidekick. Your first duty is to come up with our aliases." He leans forward, stretching out his aching back and officially deciding that sitting in the same position for the past three hours is doing his body no favors. He pushes off the floor and onto his knees, stretching his arms out wide before fixing Cosette without a thoughtful expression. "I suppose I wouldn't mind chocolate cake or bad sci-fi."

[suchgoodluck]

"Yeah, you're telling me," she sighs, a tad dramatically. Most girls she met were either straight or taken. Of course. Still, she didn't let it get her down. She counts herself lucky enough as it is, with a home, a job, and her enrollment as a student pursuing her voice major at the community college.

Cosette takes another sip of her chai, watches him as he doesn't read the book he's currently flipping through. One day, she's going to get him to fully believe in himself, even if takes her half of her life.

"Dumb Blonde and Braniac," she replies, almost automatically. She's definitely thought about the former for herself as a superhero moniker since her high school days. "And see? I knew you'd see it my way."

[doublethepain]

The concept of dating itself isn't foreign to him but the actual act of is certainly is. He hasn't put much thought into it, to be entirely honest, and he wonders whether it's luck or not that he can say he's never been in love. He's met an endless number of people who need it, who crave it, who are desperate to love and be loved in return; and though he's wondered what it's like, it hasn't especially bothered him that he doesn't.

Work takes up far too much of his time anyway, he thinks, though it sounds to even himself like more of an excuse than anything. Wanting to busy himself with a pet, spending a majority of his time at home alone, never making an active effort to reach out to anyone beyond his very small circle--more of a triangle, really--of people he trusts are all indicative of a deeper discomfort with letting people in. It's always been that way and though he thinks he can be friendly, he's not social; it had only gotten worse after what had happened to Dane and their mother.

Cosette, though, she'd managed to snake her way into his life, and he's admittedly better off for it. She's wiser than her years, though sometimes noticing the age gap between them is inescapable, and even though they don't exactly braid each other's hair or share every aspect of their lives, he still considers her to be one of the people dearest to him.

"Dumb Blonde and Brainiac," he repeats, nodding as he smiles with amusement. "I think I like that. You should start on the costume design and theme song composition immediately. That's in addition to the cooking and baking. You're taking on a lot, you see, being my sidekick. I'm not sure you realize what you've gotten yourself into."

[suchgoodluck]

Cosette has never seen Spencer date anyone, let alone take an interest in dating anyone. She doesn't worry about it because, as much as she loves seeing people happy and in love, she doesn't believe in forcing people into interactions they're not ready for or don't want, or both. Spencer's such a great guy, Cosette fully believes he'll meet someone one day who will rock his world. And she'll be there to support him in that, 100 percent.

Spencer, though considerably older than her, has become something of an older brother figure in her life, which Cosette appreciates. He's always there for her, even if it's just at the library, and their conversations are always a great source of entertainment and gaining of knowledge, considering how much of an utter nerd Spencer is; Cosette adores him for it.

"I'll do my best," she nods, grinning. "I was thinking Hans Zimmer for the soundtrack, or maybe Danny Elfman? And for costumes, definitely bright, obnoxious, and absolutely no capes."

"I think I can handle it," she grins.

[doublethepain]

"Both excellent choices," he says, nodding his approval. He's quietly pleased that their conversation has taken a bit of a sillier turn, if only because it provides an excellent temporary distraction from what's been going on in the world on the other side of those doors. The curse, the revelation that there are witches and sirens in this town, the recent attacks, the missing Coombs and Thornton--it's all happening so quickly and all at once that it reminds Spencer why he tends to keep most people at arm's length. There's just too much risk, too much potential for more loss; it's always been easier for him to watch from a distance.

The silly thoughts, though, yes. "I'd have to very seriously question your judgment if you told me you thought capes would be a good idea," he says, bringing his knees to his chest and smiling up at her. He taps the book in his hand against his leg as he thinks, trying to picture the two of them running around Siren Cove in neons. "No Spandex, either. I have a reputation to uphold, after all."

[suchgoodluck]

"Glad you approve," she grins at him. It's fun, conversing with him like this in a more carefree manner. She loves when Spencer relaxes enough to joke, or indulge in one of his dorky fantasies. It dispels the overwhelming weirdness of Siren Cove, takes away from the supernatural calamities happening just outside the doors.

"See, I knew you were a man of sense," she nods, raising her mug in his direction. "Yeah, I can get on board with that. Plus, what good does Spandex do anyone, for that matter?"

[doublethepain]

"Have I ever shown myself not to be?" he counters, though the smile that's coming easier now dispels any sincerity in the question. Though he may not readily admit it, he tends to enjoy the effect Cosette has on him when she's around. Her brightness, her easy smile, they serve to make Spencer feel much more comfortable--not always an easy task--and willing to be a bit more playful. He's the person he sometimes wishes he could be more often.

"Actually, Spandex does quite a bit of good for purposes other than, er, being on people. It can be used in place of latex in rubber tubing and hosing, its elasticity makes it excellent in the making of things like knee or back braces, it's often used in modern interior decorating, and--"

Of course, as soon as he starts to function as person capable of easy conversation, he reverts back to his usual state. "I mean, you're right, Spandex doesn't do any good at all."

[suchgoodluck]

"Your terrible collection of Christmas sweaters, for one," she snorts, rolling her eyes playfully. Spencer provides her with a calm she normally doesn't get in her life, much like Joel. As cheerful and bright as she strives to be, sometimes, she knows, she needs to remember to pause and take it all in. Spencer's good at reminding her to take her time through life.

"And? Do go on." She smiles at him encouragingly, always liking how enthusiastic he gets with his knowledge of various subjects. He certainly makes life more interesting.

[doublethepain]

He raises an eyebrow at Cosette but it's accompanied by a smile. It's kind of her, really, to be so earnest in her pretending that his ramblings are actually things she wants to hear. "I think we can do better than Spandex talk," he says, though he's counting on her to come up with whatever that is.

"And for the record, my Christmas sweaters are excellent, I don't know how you could possibly disagree."

[suchgoodluck]

"Let's talk about the fact that we live in a town that was attacked by a goddamn Hydra? Like, did we stumble into Greek mythology on accident or?" It's an awkward subject to be sure, but Cosette really wants to hear what Spencer has to say on the subject. He's always able to provide her with new insight at any given time of day.

"Excellent in the sense that only a mother could love them," she points out.

[doublethepain]

The Hydra. Spencer still can't quite believe that there'd been an actual Hydra attack on the town, even when he walks past the rumble and destruction every morning on his way to work. The building across from the library had been reduced to nothing but one huge pile of debris and the sheer amount of work it'll take to rebuild, Spencer knows, will be astounding. "Well," he starts carefully, "I definitely don't think it was an accident. You remember the myth, right? Hera raised the Hydra with the sole purpose of killing Heracles, the Hydra was released with that specific goal. Stands to reason, if that's what you can even call it, that someone sent this one specifically to destroy Siren Cove. Whether it was targeting one person or anything in its path, I obviously don't know but... I suspect the attack only means we should all be on our guard for whatever else might come our way."

He wavers a bit at her last comment. His mother had loved them. She's responsible for the fact that he owns most of them, actually, and he smiles fondly to himself at the memory of all the times he and his brother had opened up another gift box that they'd already known would be another awful sweater to add to their collections. Cosette hadn't meant anything by it and it isn't as if he breaks down anytime his mother or brother are mentioned but steering the conversation away from the subject doesn't seem like a terrible idea either.

"We're lucky the library is still standing," he tells her, glancing around the room. He can't imagine what things would be like without this place.

[suchgoodluck]

"You think our town has a Hera?" She quirks an eyebrow, though she can actually believe it, considering all the crazy shit that occurs in Siren Cove on a daily basis. "Shit, we're kind of fucked."

Cosette only realizes what she says when she recognizes the flicker of pain in Spencer's eyes. "Oh, shit, that was rude of me. I'm sorry, Spencer."

[doublethepain]

He gives her a stern look when she apologizes, though it doesn't last long before the wrinkles on his forehead smooth back out and he shakes his head. "It wasn't rude, apology not accepted. I can hardly expect people to tiptoe around the use of the words 'mother' or 'brother' for the rest of my life, after all."

He does much better now, he really does. It had been difficult for most of the first year to move past anything that would even remotely remind him of them but yes, he thinks it's better now. It's when he's truly caught off-guard or when people are being actively malicious that it affects him most but in cases like this, he's not as bothered now as he might have been this time last year.

"As for our own town Hera, who knows? But the curse on Siren Cove, as far as I've read, was bred from revenge and that's what Hera's ultimate goal is so often portrayed to be." He shrugs a shoulder, though he narrows his eyes in thought. "No matter what's going on, though, just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I know you can take care of yourself but..." He trails off, holding up his can of cream soda. "Nobody else is going to take care of me."

[suchgoodluck]

Cosette still feels bad, regardless of what Spencer tells her. She hates causing anyone discomfort, but especially Spencer, who has suffered through more than most people experience in life. But she also doesn't want to cause him more discomfort now by refusing his refusal of her apology, so she nods. "Alright. I just didn't mean to make you sad, alright?"

"Wow, I've never even thought of it like that," Cosette muses, again impressed by the level of Spencer's perception. He should be a professor, she thinks, imparting his wisdom to students. "Alright, I'll do my best. That goes for you too, dork."

[doublethepain]

"I know," he tells her, tone softening. He has a tendency to become a bit defensive when it comes to this sort of thing, simply because he doesn't like being treated like glass. That's not what Cosette is doing, he knows that; but it happens more often than not that he forgets. "Maybe next time I'll use it to my advantage, coax a coffee run out of you."

He rolls his eyes at her comment as he stretches out his legs in front of him, careful not to kick at any of the books on the floor. "I'm always careful, you must know that by now. My entire life is careful."