Room 17, Second Floor, Haunted House, Saturday Evening

[seveninchmotto]

Isabelle was so very ready to move out of this place. Yes, living on an even tinier island than usual was maybe quaint and all, and she hadn't had to deal with her roommate much at all, and maybe if you squinted, there was something comfortingly familiar about the presence of the supernatural.

But. That last bit especially was so goddamn annoying. See, when Isabelle was trying to take advantage of the fact that her roommate wasn't around, and trying to, you know, relax and enjoy herself a little, all curled up on her bed in her nice pajamas (because being alone was no reason to look anything less than her best) and scrolling through some of the more not safe for the public kind of stuff she had saved on her phone... The last thing she needed was for some disembodied voice to start crying uncontrollably in the corner of her room. Right as she was about to settle down to watch that one video, too. Pretty boys getting it on didn't go with wailing, thank you very much!

And of course, the crying voice was soon joined by another one. And once those quieted down, there was a brief misty figure on the other side of the room.

"Are you done already?"

When she felt a random instance of pure dread rush through her senses, she slumped down on her bed with a great big annoyed sigh. So ready to move out of this damn place.

[ooc: Closed door, open post if you're up for SP. In all honesty I am mostly posting to use at least a portion of an idea I ran out of time to fully use, la.]

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[flickofthewrist]

Flick shook his head and kept his back to her.

"I know what you do is important to you, Isabelle, and I truly wouldn't want to distract you for any reason," he told her. "But, there didn't seem like there was much desire on your part for me to even contact you. It had to all be on me, if I missed you. Nothing much that you'd like hear from me or wanted me to call you or even that you'd send me a text or something."

And that had rankled him a bit. "You just keep repaying those favors. They're doing a lot of good right now."

Because he still wasn't sitting back down and had actually started moving to go.

[seveninchmotto]

"Why can't you read between the lines?" Isabelle asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Maybe a little defensively. "Or, better yet, perhaps ask instead of assuming my apparently complete lack of interest."

Because that kind of stung too. A little bit.

"You know, just, 'hey Iz, does that mean you won't miss me at all? Even though you're the one who brought up the phone thing first? Great, thanks for clarifying.' Come on."

[flickofthewrist]

"Why do I always have to do that?" Flick half snapped, turning back around. "Why is it always on me, Isabelle? I don't understand. I have to read between the lines, I have to ask if you'll miss me. I have to ask to stay after spending the night, I have to indicate that I want to be there with you."

He took a breath. "I have to ask if you want to stay in my room, why can't I hear the desire sometimes, Isabelle? Why? Why can't you ask me to stay? Why can't you say you'll miss me first? Why?"

[seveninchmotto]

There was a really uncomfortable squeezing feeling happening in Isabelle's chest. She thought it was probably another stray bit of haunting.

"Fine," she snapped, her crossed arms tensing and tightening. "Stay! I want you to stay! And I'll miss you, and I would like to call you too. Not that saying that now has any worth, I'm sure."

[flickofthewrist]

"Isabelle, what is the matter?" he asked, spreading his arms since hearing that was nice but having it snapped at him was confusing. Combine that with her body language and he wasn't sure what was causing the simmering anger. "What's wrong?"

[seveninchmotto]

"I don't like feeling forced to say nice things!"

What a great thing to blurt out, and not ridiculous at all. But, she was bad at being spontaneously nice, and she was bad at being called out on it.

Now she looked a little embarrassed, on top of any lingering annoyance.

[flickofthewrist]

"I didn't force you," Flick said, shaking his head. "I pointed out a problem that I've seen for awhile. I apologize if I put you in a bad position."

He did mean that since he didn't like feeling forced to do things either. "You don't need to say nice things if it's that big an issue. I'll deal with it."

[seveninchmotto]

"Ugh." She was a very eloquent girl. She also made a face at... everything, then unfolded her arms, holding her hands out towards him. "Come back."

There, that was a request he hadn't had to initiate.

[flickofthewrist]

Flick stayed where he was for a second before he did step back closer, reaching for her hands as he did. One would be a little less strong in its grip but he was still using that hand at least.

[seveninchmotto]

Isabelle wasn't going to be rough with his injured hand. Not that she was being rough with the uninjured one either, but she gave it a firmer squeeze, looking up at him.

"I want you to call me," she told him. "If you feel like it. If I'm busy, I won't pick up. If I'm not, I'll be glad."

[flickofthewrist]

"Okay," Flick said because it was seriously that easy. "I'll call you, then."

[seveninchmotto]

Easy? Lies.

Isabelle nodded. "And I'll miss you."

[flickofthewrist]

"I'll miss you too," he told her quietly. "Take care of yourself. Be safe."

[seveninchmotto]

"I'm always safe." No, she was pretty reckless. But she had a team, so it wasn't that bad. She moved to get to her feet, her hands still in his.

Getting up put them face to face. Perfect for offering up something he didn't have to ask for. Her head was tilted to the side and her eyes were on his. "You're close to the only reason I have for even coming back here."

[flickofthewrist]

His expression softened a lot. He hadn't expected that statement at all and he didn't immediately know how to respond.

"If you didn't come back, I'd come find you," Flick finally said. "Somehow."

[seveninchmotto]

And that surprised Isabelle, in turn. She smiled, but not the usual wide, bright, charmingly smug smile. This one was softer and slighter, and far more private.

"Really?"

[flickofthewrist]

He nodded.

"Yes."

And used his words.

"Wouldn't stop looking until I did."

[seveninchmotto]

Isabelle let go of his hands.

... To wrap her arms around his neck. She wasn't going anywhere. Her face was close to his, and her eyes were big and dark. "I don't think I need to say I'd do the same."

If only because she'd kind of already done it once.

"But I would."

[flickofthewrist]

"I know you would."

Her past actions definitely proved that.

"I want you to come back to me but if you don't, then don't be surprised to find me on your Institute's steps, waiting for you to come out. I'll stay there as long as I need to."

[seveninchmotto]

"Getting stumbled upon by busy Shadowhunters," Isabelle murmured, her tiny smile returning again. "Damn near heroic."

[flickofthewrist]

"I've had worse happen to me," he said quietly, shrugging. He slipped his arms around her waist tightly. "It'd be worth it because you are."

[seveninchmotto]

"Even if the steps are grimy and cold?" she murmured, leaning against him more. "Even then?"

[flickofthewrist]

"Even then," he confirmed. "It would rain, storm, snow, and I would wait for you, Isabelle. I'd look all across New York if I had to. I don't care what it took. If you didn't come back, I would find you."

[seveninchmotto]

"You're quite the prince." She reached up, kissed the tip of his nose. "I like it."

[flickofthewrist]

"I'm not a prince," he murmured, shaking his head slightly. "I'm just someone who thinks you're that important. Who thinks you're worth the trouble. All of it."