Annie’s discomfort is so obvious, Joan would have to stop her eyes from rolling if she didn’t know exactly how this feels: to see someone she cares deeply for with someone else; to love someone and have to kiss someone else. The best operatives could manage it in the field, and she had, as had Arthur, but this isn’t the field and she isn’t an asset.
For all of their sakes, Joan lifts a foot - prepared either to kick if it’s a trick or step back if it’s not and the mistletoe releases her - as soon as Auggie touches her face. The hand feels familiar (and comforting in ways she can’t allow herself to acknowledge at this moment) and unfamiliar (not Arthur’s) at once, and the kiss, as obvious as it is that Auggie’s a skilled partner, is nothing but a touch of sweetness between friends for her.
It’s enough and her foot hits outside her quarter step radius. Joan takes another, but leaves her hand on Auggie’s arm for a moment. “Thank you, Auggie.” She squeezes his arm gently, certain as she can be that this is Auggie and not an imposter, and then lets it fall away again.
She waits for Annie to turn again, seeks out her gaze also, drawing it to herself. “And thank you for your discretion, Annie.” For now, making a connection supersedes the amused desire to call them both out. Let her think she’s gotten away with it for a little while; she’ll be more comfortable and Joan will get better intel for it.
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Date: 2012-01-01 11:35 pm (UTC)For all of their sakes, Joan lifts a foot - prepared either to kick if it’s a trick or step back if it’s not and the mistletoe releases her - as soon as Auggie touches her face. The hand feels familiar (and comforting in ways she can’t allow herself to acknowledge at this moment) and unfamiliar (not Arthur’s) at once, and the kiss, as obvious as it is that Auggie’s a skilled partner, is nothing but a touch of sweetness between friends for her.
It’s enough and her foot hits outside her quarter step radius. Joan takes another, but leaves her hand on Auggie’s arm for a moment. “Thank you, Auggie.” She squeezes his arm gently, certain as she can be that this is Auggie and not an imposter, and then lets it fall away again.
She waits for Annie to turn again, seeks out her gaze also, drawing it to herself. “And thank you for your discretion, Annie.” For now, making a connection supersedes the amused desire to call them both out. Let her think she’s gotten away with it for a little while; she’ll be more comfortable and Joan will get better intel for it.