for gipsy_danger

[danger_prone]

It wasn't the quiet of the last time he'd managed to visit her.  Instead of the slow lull of a midnight crew on standby it was the full fledged action of jaeger crews in full prep.  Instead of being in his own loose casual clothes Raleigh was in full drive suit.  And this time he wasn't going to hear Gipsy Danger's soft beeps and whirs.  This time he was going to hear her voice.

He pulled in a deep breath as they plugged him in and shut his eyes.  It had been along time.  Five years.  He found he was a strange mixture of eager and nervous.  An exhale through his teeth and he nodded.  No more running away.  It was time.

Mako was due to join them in their link this time.  Trail run, a prep for her, first time.  He remembered the nerves and the excitement and gave her an encouraging smile, last minute words of advice.  He was going in first though.  These weren't three linked consciouses familiar with the feel of each other.  It was two.  He and Gipsy.  First their link - and then they'd guide Mako in once they were stable.  He was glad for it.  There were things he wanted to share with just Gipsy right now.  Mako could have those parts of him later as well but first - first he wanted Gispy all to himself.  He wanted time for just them.  Mako would join them soon enough.

So he shut his eyes again and his chin dipped just the smallest bit, the habitual way it always did just before he took the Drift.  The countdown was a steady reassuring sound in his ear and he has the insanest urge to smooth down the hair inside his helmet, like a boy coming home after he'd ignored his mother's calls or a nervous guy on his first date.  The crooked smile, quick, touched his lips just as the familiar hole in the center of his forehead seemed to open and he found himself sucked in and pulled under. 

Welcome to the Drift.

Comments

[gipsy_danger]

There’s the distinct sensation that Gipsy is smoothing his hair down; tender and sweet. It’s an interchangeable thing; fluctuating between loves caress and a mother’s fondness, and she continues as she prods deeper, trying to get a feel and a handle on the one he’d named Mako Mori. It’s always an interesting thing, to experience things through someone else rather than first hand. The Drift is an entirely different plane of existence, of reality, and through it Gipsy can filter through Raleigh’s thoughts of this girl – this woman -- and come to know her almost as well as he has.

I like how she makes you feel.

Gipsy doesn’t make this decision lightly. She knows that overall, she doesn’t have a lot of sway in who pilots her – the greater good comes first, and all that – but she likes to think she has some influence, at least a little. She’s never outright rejected a pilot – no Jaeger has.

I can help with this, Raleigh Becket. She is welcome here with us.

[danger_prone]

He pauses over her words on how Mako makes him feel, taking his time and turning it over in his head, both soothed and humored by Gipsy's attention. He hasn't actually thought so much about what he's getting out of this, focus more on what he can give, how he can help and the quiet stubborn surety that she's what he needs for the Drift. How she makes him feel though...

The smile's a little bit crooked but - yes. Yes, Mako Mori makes him feel good. Makes him feel like that long exhale after you've been holding your breath in tension too long. Mako just - fits. Fits him but - he wants her for Gipsy too. He wants them together, the two of them, because the thought of that makes him feel good too. His quiet happiness over Gipsy's response flows through what they share. Mako feels special to him and he can't think of anyone he'd trust with her more than Gipsy.

She'll fit. I know you can take care of her.

It will feel good to have three again...

[gipsy_danger]

Leave it to Raleigh to focus on how he can help and what it is that's needed for the Drift -- as well as considering Gipsy's feelings -- instead of anything about what he feels.

Gipsy nudges him a little along in that direction, find what you're looking for, what you need, how you feel, and she's patient while he sorts that out in his own mind.

You are always safe with Gipsy Danger, Raleigh Becket -- as is she. I will not fail you in this. Another small nudge to his consciousness; the pale yellow and peach tones of Gipsy's affection flooding through the Drift.

Yes, it will.

[danger_prone]

He feels her nudging him along and he lets her. Gipsy's important to him. The most important... yeah, the most important person in his life now. He wants what's best for her... but it's nice to realize that, it's probably best for him too. He likes the way Mako makes him feel. She keeps him on his toes, doesn't let him slack off but she's got something that makes him feel comfortable too, something soft that soothes him too. It's a strange combination and five years ago he wouldn't have known what to do with it. Now? Now he just accepts it. Accepts - and wants to share that with the one that's most important to him.

Gipsy... he caught that and his hand moves to touch her outside of the Drift his response is so strong. She's never failed him as far as he's concerned. He's failed her - but it was never reciprocal. I know. We'll take care of each other. His confidence is clear. Come what may, he believes in her and in what the three of them can become together.

It feels good to be fighting for something worthwhile again.

[gipsy_danger]

She wavers a little, because she does feel responsible, like she failed, but it's washed away with the purity of his forgiveness, his reassurance.

Whole. Complete. That's how she will walk away from this meeting with him, how she will walk away from the experience as a whole.

Gipsy 'sighs' -- a quiet exhale of thoughts that sends the hurt and pain and stress out and away from the two of them. She'll protect them. She'll keep them safe, as much as she's able. She is resolute in this -- in this feeling, this protectiveness.

Are you ready?

end?

[danger_prone]

He feels her let it go and it heals him too. He's not whole if she's wounded. His smile spills through their connection though, relaxed and ready to take on the world, a bit more aware of what that means these days. He trusts Gipsy absolutely and they're in this together until the end. He's found his way home and he's not about to let it go. His nod, the feeling of it more than the action, is sure. They're whole now. They can help Mako through her own connection now. Together.

Ready.